Spring television is in full force and a plethora of shows have premiered while others have continued.  If I had to choose between hype for Fall 2013 television and Spring 2014 television, just writing about this line up makes me believe that Spring 2014 television just might trump whatever Fall 2013 aired [and that might include Breaking Bad...].  I say this because a lot of two-season (Fall to Spring) shows begin doing their crazy stunts and plot twists during sweeps week as  their seasons wrap up.  This means shit hits the fan for multiple shows, sometimes all at once, creating some of the memorable television shows of the year.  This week’s post will reflect on what’s been aired so far as well as a small preview of what’s to come in the following weeks.

Arrow (CW)

I posted a full review a couple of weeks ago and I’ll lead you there if you’re interested in talking about how Arrow has truly come into its own over one and a half seasons of surprisingly good and satisfying action and drama.

American Horror Story: Coven (FX)

It took a while, but I managed to finally catch up to American Horror Story Coven after grinding my way through a cringing second season.  Set in New Orleans and following a coven of modern day witches, drama unfolds as their small group protect themselves from ‘muggles’, voo doo witch doctors, and cursed peoples.  Hormones run wild as the young group of witches clash with an incredibly chilling Jessica Lange.  American Horror Story has always provided the ‘WTFs’ and this season is no different.

Shameless (Showtime)

From what I’ve seen of Shameless so far, there is a new tone that is setting the series.  The show has normally been 80% shock comedy and 20% heavy drama, but this season has cranked up the drama considerably, whether it circles around Frank’s inability to drink, Carl’s affection for his miserable father, the awfulness of female puberty as exhibited by Debbie, and the ‘settling’ of the wild spirit that is Fiona [there's totally more than just this though].  Don’t get me wrong, there are still incredible moments of comedy, but from the past, Shameless has normally saved the weight of the emotional substance towards the end of their seasons.  That being said, I’m not exactly opposed to this new format, as a matter of fact, it’s fairly riveting for a show that’s beginning to show its age.

True Detective (HBO)

The only show that’s truly original in this list, the very hyped True Detective has aired and has shown incredible promise.  Following the questionable pairing of suburban father Detective Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson)and philosophical pessimist Detective Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey), True Detective circles around a murder that occurred in 1995, thought to be solved and only to be reopened in 2012.  The episode flashes forwards and backwards between 1995 and 2012 to depictions of these two detectives, whose backstories are built in an incredibly fascinating way, even more compelling than the mystery of the murder itself.  Before I spoil too much, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this show, if not for McConaughey’s chilling performance [who I've gained much respect for just from the pilot episode].  Anyone who loves a Martin Scorsese or David Fincher movie will truly enjoy this show.

Archer Vice (FX)

Archer is in it’s fifth season, which in true television fashion, marks a possible peak for the television series.  Archer could have done another season at ISIS, using callbacks, remote destination missions, and crazy missions and it would have been another great notch on the Archer seasons belt.  But creator Adam Reed had something different in mind.  Instead of playing it safe, he decided to do a miniature reboot and throw all the characters out for a loop.  By deconstructing ISIS and forcing the agency to turn to a life of crime, the series has taken a rather interesting and compelling turn, allowing characters to do new things in a fresh change of scenery and pace.  I’m personally very excited about what’s to come, whether it be Cherlene’s country music stardom, Lana’s baby, or Archer’s impending rampages!

Justified (FX)

In it’s penultimate season [Justified ends next year for it's finale season], we’re seeing familiar territory where they peel at a reoccurring character [in this case it's Dewey Crowe] and turn them into a far more interesting one.  They’ve done it with Dickie Bennet in season 2 and they done it with Sheriff Shelby in season 4.  Dewey Crowe brings in his far more violent and far smarter cousins from Florida after he comes into some money.  With them, they bring danger to Kentucky, more than enough to keep new daddy Raylan Given’s hands dirty.  But that won’t stop Raylan’s quick trigger finger or his incredible one liners from happening.  Meanwhile, Boyd has gotten violent once again, in order to get what he wants.  He might have an even more impulsive trigger finger this season and his own one-liners rival Raylan in their own rights.  All this being said, Justified is continuing to do what it does best: violence, smart writing, and Wynn Duffy.

Parks and Recreation (NBC)

In it’s sixth season, Parks and Recreation should be showing it’s age.  And by all means it certainly has been.  Season four was a breath of fresh air when it centered around the Knope campaign.  Season five brought plenty of new material in Leslie’s first year in city council.  And while season six has brought the recall Knope storyline and the combining of Eagleton and Pawnee, something doesn’t feel as fresh and we haven’t had a truly memorable episode since the Leslie and Ben wedding (though the Shard episode was pretty great).  Parks and Recreation is still one of the greatest sitcoms out there, but truth be told, I was a little disheartened hearing that it was renewed for a seventh season.  I will gladly be supporting it as it airs, but as each episode slowly wanes from great to good, I won’t be that sad when Leslie and co. finally hang up the towel to appreciate their incredible run.

Girls (HBO)

My roommates fully well know how much I correlate ‘hate watch’ and Girls.  Although I wouldn’t call it awful TV, the people on the show are truly awful.  But I suppose that’s some of the point of why you watch and why I sit down on my couch with my roommates and sit through 30 minutes of these people talking way more than they should.  Personally, the characters I find most interesting are definitely the very blunt Adam and the very naive Shoshanna.  In episode two, they showed their deep contrast in some awesome dialogue exchanges [the forest scene & and the fork scene were pretty incredible].  And for the others, I guess I’ll still be watching for: Marnie’s hot messiness, Hannah’s & Jenna’s awfulness, & Ray’s one liners.  Also: Adam’s sister…WTF.

The Walking Dead (AMC)

After an incredible half season that both stuck to the comics and made its own waves [decapitation and sickness, respectively].  The prison arc is over, which means it has covered just about almost half of the entire series Robert Kirkman has created to date.  As an avid comic book fan, I’m aware that this transition was taken as a time to introduce new characters [hellooooo Abraham] and bring up some seriously dark elements and I’m very excited to see if the show has the guts to pull off some of the more graphic moments [well seeing as what happened to Hershel, this is all very possible].

Community (NBC)

So with Dan Harmon backing the series once more, Community has returned from season four [referenced as the Gas Leak Year in the first episode of the season, SHOTS FIRED, SHOTS FIRED] with a hot fire reminiscence of the season 2 & 3 glories.  The wit and callback continuity is as excellent as it always was and with the help of two already excellent guest stars: Jonathan Bank’s Professor Hickey and Walton Goggin’s Mr. Stone, Community has been absolutely ace this season.  The episodes have been stylistic, character developing, and downright hilarious, all aspects that would be tough for just about any other show to accomplish, especially given its 21 minute episode time.  If you lost faith from season 4, I highly suggest it’s time to jump back on the Community train and reenjoy what made you fall in love with the Greendale 7 [which was downgraded to 6 and is now currently 5...] in the first place.

Game of Thrones (HBO)

Game of Thrones is pretty incredible, yes, and there is a lot of hype surrounding the fourth season.  But I’m going to try to downplay the series and start to go on a rant about how overrated it is and how it doesn’t compare to the book…Just kidding, holy mother of dragons, I can’t wait for all the things that are going to happen in this upcoming season!

Lol I still haven’t started Mad Men yet.  I’m the worst.