Below, find my top ten episodes for the 2014-2015 television season, in no particular order. Minor spoilers ahead, except for the "Halt and Catch Fire" entry. I couldn't figure out how to write about that one without giving away the ending.
Black Mirror, "White Christmas" - The "Black Mirror" Christmas special is one of the darkest, meanest pieces of television that I have ever seen. The feature length installment is actually a triptych of dystopian science fiction stories, each more soul-suckingly evil than the last. The celebrity guest stars are great, especially John Hamm as the genial "cookie" torturer - the first of many in "Black Mirror" as it turns out. It's hard to imagine that this was once expected to be the last episode of the show.
Game of Thrones, "Mother's Mercy" - The finale of the fifth season of "Game of Thrones" delivers a great capper to a very mixed season. Cersei's brutal punishment is the centerpiece, featuring a stunning performance from Lena Headey, and introducing most of us to Hannah Waddingham as the "Shame!" lady. This is also the episode where Stannis Baratheon finally gets what's coming to him and we have the big Jon Snow cliffhanger - the resolution of which is arguably where the series jumped the shark.
Fargo, "The Crocodile's Dilemma" - I had a tough time picking which episode out of this season to write about since the whole season is pretty rock solid, and I settled on the premiere. The introduction of Martin Freeman as the slippery Lester Nygaard, and Billy Bob Thornton as the show's devil figure Lorne Malvo is note perfect. Even better, Noah Hawley and company do an excellent job of setting expectations for how a series inspired by and based on the film "Fargo" is actually going to function.
Inside Amy Schumer, "12 Angry Men Inside Amy Schumer" - Make what you will of the fact that I'm writing about the "Amy Schumer" episode that features relatively little of Amy Schumer. However, the beautiful absurdity of having a dozen beloved character actors parodying "12 Angry Men" while rigorously debating over whether Schumer is hot enough to be on television is undeniable. Paul Giamatti getting all worked up about "a reasonable chub" will live rent-free in my mind forever.
Person of Interest, "If- Then-Else" - I love a good format-breaking episode, especially for shows that take themselves a little too seriously. This is the closest that the usually straitlaced "Person of Interest" ever got to a comedic installment, as it is entirely composed of The Machine running different simulations of what to do during a particularly thorny crisis. Some of the simulations take some significant liberties with reality. Also, "Fortune Days" by The Glitch Mob has been in my regular playlist ever since.
Better Call Saul, "Pimento" - There are two sequences in this episode that stand out. The first is HHM making preparations for Chuck's visit by turning off the electricity and confiscating phones, underlining the power and influence he still wields in spite of his condition. And we watch him use this power to squeeze Jimmy out, stubbornly clinging to his old judgement of his brother's character. The other sequence is Mike taking on the bodyguard job, because Mike being competent is so cool to watch.
Halt and Catch Fire, "Up Helly Aa" - The highlight of the first season is the big trade show showdown in Las Vegas. We have multiple storylines paying off, a last minute crunch leading to betrayals and relationship upheavals, and that poignant reveal of the Apple Macintosh at the end, signalling that the world is about to change. The episode feels like the whole season in miniature, but it all boils down to that look on Lee Pace's face when he realizes how much he gave up only for none of it to matter.
Mad Men, "Lost Horizon" - Again, I had too many good choices from the last season of "Mad Men," but something about the liminal nature of "Lost Horizon" stuck with me. Peggy and Roger hanging out together in the detritus of the firm, getting up to antics while the merger is being sorted out, hits a chord. And then there's Don beginning his existential journey across the country, looking for his path forward, hitting another. Everyone knows the end is in sight, but they're going on their own terms.
Wolf Hall, "Master of Phantoms" - The finale of the "Wolf Hall" miniseries covers the downfall and execution of Anne Boleyn, which Thomas Cromwell played a significant role in. Mark Rylance and Claire Foy are so good in their roles I can't think of them being played by anyone else. Foy shifts from antagonist to victim perfectly. You really didn't need the follow-up series, because Cromwell realizing his own folly at the moment of what should be his triumph is an entirely satisfactory ending already.
Too Many Cooks - Can I call this an episode? Who cares. Everything on Adult Swim defies easy categorization. All I know is that "Too Many Cooks" is a cultural moment that cannot be ignored. It's a warped, weird piece of video insanity that probably goes on for too long, and is very much a product of its time. The subject of the parody is increasingly obsolete. And the best way to watch this - stumbling over a broadcast in the dead of night when you're half asleep - is also a vanishingly rare activity.
Honorable Mention
Over the Garden Wall
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