Before 2007 I wasn’t much of a TV-series person. My schedule didn’t really allow me to follow a specific time slot every week for a prolonged amount of time. Then came full season DVDs, downloadable TV-recordings and Internet TV; a series addict was born. Since then I have seen a respectable amount of series, some of which I would feel comfortable recommendingto others:
Ballykissangel
English catholic priest misplaced in picturesque Irish village. Dark haired temptress running local pub. Interesting characters and nice scenery.
Monarch of the Glen
Son turned urban returns to mismanaged highland estate to succeed father as laird. Colorful characters and beautiful landscapes. Based on the equally colorful Compton Mackenzie’s Highland novels.
LOST
City slickers with intriguingly interwoven pasts find themselves stranded on mysterious island with hostile natives and super natural phenomenae.
Ugly Betty
Regular girl, not entirely complying with fashion industry standards when it comes to looks, gets job with famed fashion magazine. Is the sole support for incompetent yet likable editor and has to struggle with everything from evil women with take-over plans and shallow fashonistas who do not appreciate her presence.
The existence of this series on my list puts a stain on my life long record of pure masculinity. However, it’s ironic view at the fashion industry and original take on comedy makes it a winner.
House M.D.
Bitter, “Sherlock Holmes-ish” doctor solves cases of diagnostic medicine by harassing his colleagues and playing unethical games. Hugh Laurie was better as Bertie Wooster and Edmund Blackadder than he is as House. Nevertheless, Gregory House’s dark, sarcastic world is fun.
Prison Break
Good guy trying to rescue less good, but ultimately innocent, brother from prison but incriminates himself by doing so in that he must involve a number of other inmates to make his plan succeed.. Interesting close-up on criminal minds and a disgusting ability to make me sympathize with some of the bad guys (not Theodore Bagwell).
Deadwood
Good guy and good guy’s sidekick comes to town to set up a hardware store but have to deal with a hardened set of locals during the gold rush of the mid-19th century.
Though politically incorrect, the scenes where Al Swearengen “enjoys” the company of his brothel employees while he recites his monologues are purely brilliant, and I believe, unique.
Rome
Middle class good guy and lower class slightly less good guy struggle to live their lives and become instrumental to the big events at the end of Ceasar’s reign. Splendid sets and costumes. Addictive.
Doc Martin
Socially blunt doctor from London withdraws to small village after developing an unfortunate disgust of blood. Arguably a disadvantage for a surgeon. Falls in and out of love with local school teacher. Fantastic interaction with strange local characters.
Northern Exposure
Recently graduated New York doctor arrives in Cicely, Alaska, to serve his four years of duty to the state of Alaska who paid for his education. Doesn’t like it but has to stay. Great cast of the most memorable, likable and weird characters you can imagine.
Twin Peaks
Typical US small town is awestruck by the murder of local girl Laura Palmer. Eccentric FBI agent arrives to solve case. The strangest pack of characters ever to be present in a TV-series. Highly likable, almost addictive, yet ultimately incomprehensible towards the end.
Monk
Multi-phobic ex-cop solves cases in true Poirot style – except Monk isn’t so disgustingly unlikable as Poirot. His failure to comply with society in almost every respect, renders him very likable indeed. Sidekick female assistants Sharona Flemming and later Natalie Teeger in addition to Captain Leland Stottlemeyer and Lieutenant Randall Disher are also brilliant.