The Best Seasons of the Past 25 Years

 TV is, to quote one Homer J. Simpson, "Teacher, mother, secret lover!"—Those are the words that best describe Television, and what it means to us viewers. And being one rabid, 'stick-through-thick-and-thin' fan as myself (and with too much time in my hand), I just had to make a list honoring the best seasons of shows that have Always Been There for Me or helped me be The Master of My Domain.

"But sir", you inquire, "what does this photo have to do with anything"? Nothing. I just felt like sharing it. Anyways, what was I suppose to talk about? Oh! right, the Greatest TV Seasons of the Past 25 Years (that's 1986-2011 for those who aren't well acquainted with Rocket Science). I was initially going to rank them in an order but it seemed too hard - Y'know the old "Apples and Oranges" case. You don't normally see lists of best seasons, which I feel is a tad bit ridiculous. For you see lists of like "Greatest Albums of All Time" or what-not but you don't see lists of best seasons. And how different is an album from a season? They are both compilation of tracks/episodes, they are both mainly released/aired from a certain time, they showcase the band's/show's work. So, that's why I feel seasons should have the honor of having lists or what-not.

Oh and by the way, I did you the favor of including ONLY ONE season per show (you're welcome!) and I didn't include some seasons by otherwise great shows as they didn't necessarily stand-out above the rest (sorry, Monk). Some of the seasons are clearly better than others so anyone in the right mind can distinguish between them, but to be fair I put the list in alphabetical order. So without further ado, here are the Greatest TV Seasons of the Last 25 Years as follows:



[SEASON 2]
It was pretty difficult for me to pick ONLY ONE season (curse that handsome man who made me pick ONLY ONE season!) but when it comes down to it, Season 2 is the way to go. The second season struck gold with it's sharp wit and jokes that would have you laughing for days. I, for one am still laughing at these jokes today (HELP ME!) The season features some of their best episodes, such as Aftenoon Delight, Good Grief, Sword of Destiny and Righteous Brothers. It may not have their definite best episode or the fan/Jason Bateman's favorite but this is the one where it all came together.. further more. So, this is the season I'm gonna go with and I have zero to no regrets.. maybe, a few regrets... okay, it might be more than that... "I've Made a Huge Mistake".

"DEXTER"
[SEASON 1]
"Dexter Morgan, a serial killer of serial killers", that concept alone deserves a spot in this list. The first season was a grotesque-masterpiece, with hooking story lines that keeps on escalating into a climax that is as emotional as it gets. In this season, the show went all the way with the action, murder and suspense-everything that makes the show what it is.. well that and Michael C. Hall. Hard to believe the guy that's cutting up pieces of people and throwing it into lakes is the same guy that went around making-out with a bald, black man...  Not that there's anything wrong with that.


"EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND"
[SEASON 4]

[SEASON 2]
Once you look past the blatant-Simpsons-rip-off-ery, Family Guy is actually quite a good show. With a fast pace (that's often hard to keep up with) consisting of non-stop barrage of jokes and gags, the show proved against all odds that they had what it takes. And this is back when Stewie was more evil than gay and Brian was more loveable. The season includes some of their best episodes such as Da Boom, Death Is a Bitch, Road to Rhode Island (the first of the Road to... episodes), Let's Go to the Hop and E. Peterbus Unum, among others. The show doesn't have the cult following it has for nothing; it was cancelled twice before being brought back as one of FOX's biggest shows, that's power!


"FRASIER" 
[SEASON 2]
Aah Frasier, probably the classiest sitcom ever to be made. But that's where the comedy of the show lies: the intellectual, white-collar Crane brothers aren't who they appear to be. Once you have viewed their episodes, you'll realize that they have about as much as class as The Beverly Hillbillies. This Emmy Award Winning season of the show was as brilliant as a season can be, including one of my favorite episodes ever "The Matchmaker" which was ranked as the one of the Greatest Episode of All Time by TV Guide in 1997. With such loveable and charming characters and laugh-out-loud moments, this show might as well be the Best Sitcom of All Time, If not it still raises a pretty good argument, which brings us to the next entry...

"FRIENDS"
[SEASON 2]
What a "complete coincidence" that another second season of a comedy series is included, but this time around it's the 2nd season of "Friends". This one was a bit of a hard decision, too; I wasn't sure whether to give this or the first season or the fourth season. But it's a safe bet to make that Friends' second season was their definitive and best season, including classics like The One with the Prom Video, The One with Five Steaks and an Eggplant, The One Where Heckles Dies and The One Where Ross Finds Out, all of which have been ranked as one of the show's most popular episodes in an NBC poll in 2004. With episodes like these under it's belt, it is quite obviously their best season.

"FUTURAMA"
[SEASON 3]
Futurama holds such accolades like the Guinness World Record for "Current Most Critically Acclaimed Animated Series", 10 Emmy Award nomination (winning 5) and dozens of other awards, all in a matter of 10 years less than 10 years. Much like Family Guy, FOX cancelled Futurama only for it to be brought back (in the same channel as South Park) as strong as fans last remember and picking up another Emmy on the way.
Now to pick a particular season for a show like this was a difficult process, involving lying on my ass and watching their episodes. But enough of my struggles, Futurama's third season stands out easily among their seasons, mainly because nearly all their greatest episodes are from here (Amazon Women in the Mood, Parasites Lost, the heartbreaking Luck of the Fryrish, Anthology of Interest II, Godfellas and not to mention, their best episode Roswell That Ends Well). This is probably my favorite animated season/show (next to The Simpsons).

 "LOST"
[SEASON 1]
 Now this was some season! Blending Drama with Action and Adventure and Science Fiction and with Mysteries coming up every now and then in every corner, Hell! they even managed to find Romance. With the central plot of being stranded in an island - What could go wrong? Nothing. In the first season, the show was absolutely perfect. It's a never-ending, action-packed survival tale that seemed to be missing on Television since The Prisoner, which by the way was a major influence in the show. The show raises more questions than the writers can possibly answer and that is exactly what I love about the show. Comparisons can also be made to The Twilight Zone, which only adds to how awesome the show is. The season goes overboard with every weapon in their arsenal and doesn't hesitate to show it off. Sometimes, the best kill is overkill - And that's Lost for you.


"THE OFFICE (US)" 
[SEASON 2]
For those who were left screaming for more after only 6 episodes in the first season, The Office's season 2 seemed like the greatest thing ever. The show is a remake of the hit UK series, but ended up as a much bigger hit. After unfavorable reviews to the pilot, the show reversed everyone's opinion from the second episode onwards, with surprisingly original and clever writing making the show one of the best comedy series on Television and not mention, this is probably the only good remake of a TV show. The second season, in particular, showcases everything the show is known for and makes it even better. With romance and several other tension in the air, the characters often find themselves blinded and oblivious to what's actually going on - Which especially seems to be the case in every minute protagonist/antagonist Michael Scott is on the screen.
This was one hell of a season, with a perfect balance of comedy and drama (mostly comedy), The Office easily became one of America's favorite shows.

 "PSYCH" 
[SEASON 4]
"Wait for iiiiiiiiiit..."
Psych is one of my most beloved shows. The show often relies on the actor/character's charms and I wouldn't have it any other way. The dynamic duo, consisting of "psychic" detective Shawn Spencer and Gi Buttersnaps Burton Guster, both of whom often revert to childish behavior and pop culture references (most of which goes out to the '80s).
The fourth season of the show had some strong episodes, several of which were often theme episodes that the show clearly loves to do. It had the first Despereaux episode, Shawn Takes a Shot in the Dark and what I (and most people) think is their best episode, Mr. Yin Presents....
This was indeed a great season ("You know that's right")
Final thoughts on the season: "I like it. I like it very much."

[SEASON 4]
Seinfeld's Season Four, probably the greatest season of all time. As a matter of fact, the season is so great that words won't do it justice. This is the show's breakthrough season, with ratings through-the-roof and four Emmy wins (including Outstanding Comedy Series), the show was unstoppable to say the least. (With the aid of this season) Seinfeld easily set the bar for comedy shows to a new high and The Contest is probably the greatest episode of all time. And if you think I'm exaggerating, just go watch the season (again) and prove me wrong! This season was "was real, and it was spectacular."

[SEASON 4]
TIME refered to the show as the TV equivalent of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (see right) and it is most likely true. And seeing the show make an appearance on the list should come as no surprise. Over the years, The Simpsons has made several great seasons (most of which would go out to their golden era) and the finest of these would have to be Season Four. Calling their 4th season 'great' would be an understatement. With so many instant classics (Mr. Plow, Marge vs. the Monorail, Last Exit to Springfield, Krusty Gets Kancelled.. I can go all night) under one season, this was the defining moment of the Simpsons' golden age. This is actually my favorite season of all time (tied with Seinfeld's 4th season). There is no other word but 'masterpiece' that describes the season.



"SIX FEET UNDER"
[SEASON 1]
"Dexter Morgan, a serial killer of serial killers"
Six Feet Under's first season compelled it's viewer's to understand about Death and it's consequences. It was deeply dramatic and surprisingly entertaining,
and very different from everything else on TV.
But strangely, the show never gets too depressing (well, maybe aside from the Pilot) with the occasional comic relief and always has the right elements to keep viewers hooked in. The show centers around the ensemble cast of the Fisher family and those surrounding them. Hard to believe the guy who is around dead bodies all day is the same guy who went around cutting up people... Wait a minute, it's easier to believe the second time around.

 "THE SOPRANOS"
[SEASON 1]
Another HBO entry. The Sopranos' first season was absolutely brilliant, I would go as far as to compare it to greatest mafia movies ('Godfather, GoodFellas), it's that good. The show kicks off with a bang (more like a thud), ends with a [SPOILER] and changing the face of Television on it's way. This is one of those rare shows that are just perfect; interesting and often lovable characters, great writing/acting/directing, it even had ratings and awards on it's side. The Sopranos tells the tragic/triumphant story of Tony Soprano, our flawed/anti-/tragic/ hero(ic sociopath), who is the crime boss of the DiMeo family in the waste management business. As viewers we can't help but support Tony as he goes along killing people while on his daughter's college trip or killing off his [SPOILER]s or - well, you get the gist of it.

[SEASON 10]
South Park is a, well, unique show to say the least. It is probably the only show ever to air that is literally afraid of nothing and is ready to break any barriers  necessary. The tenth season of South Park continued to do what it does best - making fun of everything and everyone until nothing is sacred. Whether it is a fan/critical favorite or on religious black lists, South Park remains one of the greatest shows ever and the 10th season displays just how great the show is.

"TWIN PEAKS"
[SEASON 1]
There never was a show that was as unsettling as David Lynch's dark masterpiece, Twin Peaks. This bizarre show's genre checklists drama, supernatural, psychological thriller, (bit of) horror, surreal humour, all with a mystery attached to it. The untimely death of Laura Palmer causes us and FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper to dig up whatever bones the seemingly happy town of Twin Peaks buried not too long ago. While uncovering the truth, nearly the entire town seem to be connected to or dragged into the investigation. On a lighter side, agent Dale Cooper gets to obtain all of his beloved pies and a "damn fine cup of coffee", although that's not much of a lighter side.

[SEASON 3] 
Picking The X-Files' best season was another tough one. But don't worry, I managed to come out of it unharmed. To me, The X-Files' 3rd Season always stood out because some of their best episodes are in this one, allow me to demonstrate: Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose (which is their best episode), Jose Chung's From Out Space (which is their funniest and most enjoyable episode), The Blessing Way and Paper Clip (which ends the 3-parter that started at the Season 2 finale), Pusher and two of some of their best 2-parter episodes (Nisei/731 and Wetwired/Talitha Cumi). Their third season was arguably their breakout season that took the show from being a cult favorite to a mainstream, global phenomenon as well as picking up 2 Primetime Emmy Awards on it's way. Many fans believe this to be the show's best as well and I too Want to Believe.

[SEASON 1]
Arguably the most hooking, thrilling and action packed show ever to air. Putting his blood-sucking days behind him, Kiefer Sutherland stars in this dramatic, politically charged, ticking time bomb of a show. Season 1/Day 1 will not only put you in the edge of your seat, it will glue your ass there. I went like 2 days straight watching nothing but 24 and it was all worth it; all the twists and turns were even more effective in 4 in the morning. So grab some popcorn or whatnot and join Jack Bauer as he goes on an adventure that re-defines the word "action" and trust me, he doesn't hold out on the action.