With 2013 impatiently knocking on our door like some kind of drunken Heisenberg, it’s that time of year where we take a final moment to reflect on the past 12 months of serialized television. And what an interesting year 2012 has been, with many continuing stories finding top form, bold new tales daring to go where few seriables have gone before, and increased means of consuming our favorite shows on our terms. Sure, there’s been some negatives, some disappointing serials, narrative missteps and heart-breaking cancellations, but the story has indeed continued and together the Seriable Community has observed it all!
Before we make the jump into 2013, with our eyes wide shut and our hands flailing for the nearest story arc, Team Seriable looks back on The Year in Serial 2012 — Part 1.
Best Performer
There have been some tremendous acting performances in 2012, but top of our list is an actor who consistently provided compelling and nuanced performances in 2012, taking his character even further into the pit of hell than we thought possible — Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad).
Honorable mentions: Claire Danes, Kelsey Grammer and John Noble.
Best Character
From the textured, sympathetic and possibly heroic Sister to Jude (American Horror Story), to the valiant Tyrion Lannister (Game Of Thrones), to the deeply conflicted Walter Bishop (Fringe), there’s been no shortage of fascinating serialized TV characters over the past 12 months. Debra Morgan (Dexter) shone bright like a diamond even while doing the unthinkable, while Walter White’s (Breaking Bad) continuation down his destructive path left our jaws on the floor on more than one occasion. However, this year’s crown goes to Homeland‘s Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes). However crazy and Skypey things got in Season 2, she not only held it all together but had us glued to our seriable screens. Just when she thought she was out, they pulled her back in, and we’ll be right back with her in Season 3.
Most Promising New Seriable In 2012
Awake - Fantastic concept and richly compelling. It’s a shame the show wasn’t allowed to fully embrace its serialized DNA as it would have improved the show overall, but we’re glad we got to taste Michael Britten’s abbreviated, but mind-stretching story. And how about that ‘ending’, eh?
Honorable mentions: Revolution and Hunted.
Check back tomorrow for the second part of our Seriable TV 2012 Year In Review.
I was thinking about it as I was looking at premiere dates, and I think I’m legitimately unhappy that Awake was cancelled. I guess the time slot was tough for it and NBC kinda blows in general, but it really did seem like it had some good ideas and potential.
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Awake was a very clever idea! With many layers and dimensions. I am so sorry it was not given more of a chance. But I think money and ratings were more important than something different and smart on the TV … once again. *sigh*
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Of course! Creativity bad, procedural crowd-pleasing show good.
I’m really hoping the major recent success of cable serialized shows will eventually start to usher out regular procedurals on the major networks. I mean CSI has even been consistently losing viewership the past 3 or so years, but there’s always the possibility of some new show finding a CSI-like niche or franchise. Only time will tell. How can a show that emphasizes a continuing story be judged in only half a season? It doesn’t make sense to me.
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