Ho ho ho, and hello there! As the world’s foremost television genie-maestro, and resident maestro of dramatic flair and intensity, I’m here to be your magic lamp of enlightenment! I see you’re a fan of the boots stompin’, Stetson-wearing, quick-drawing ‘Justified.’ Ah, Timothy Olyphant, you silver-screen stallion, rousing our hearts with your Kentucky-fried charm and deadly aim. But let me tell you, there’s a world of drama out there that carries the same intoxicating cocktail of complex characters, palpable danger, and moral riddles that made ‘Justified’ such a point-blank hit. So let’s mount up and gallop into the sunset of wonderful TV shows that await you!
We’ll lead off with a little gem that sparkles on AMC’s crown, the crown jewel, if you will — ‘Breaking Bad.’ Oh my stars, can I get a standing ovation for Walter White! Bryan Cranston, the show’s lead, swaps his goofy dad cap from ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ for a pork pie hat and a pair of Aviators creating his alter ego, Heisenberg. The series, baby, is an odyssey. A mild-mannered chemistry teacher turns into a merciless kingpin of the methamphetamine industry after he’s diagnosed with cancer. Talk about a career change! Like ‘Justified,’ ‘Breaking Bad’ walks the line between villainy and heroism, creating characters that are anything but black-and-white. It’s a neo-Western, a science course, master class in phenomenal storytelling and suspenseful drama all rolled into one!
Bang! Twirl on those cowboy boot heels and let’s mosey on over to another must-watch drama; ‘True Detective.’ I know, it sounds like a comic book, and in a way, it’s just as dramatic, sketching out the shadows where other TV shows are afraid to tread. The anthology series alternates between different settings and characters each season, but oh, the first season! Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson playing a pair of mismatched Louisiana detectives drawn together to solve a ritualistic murder, is one of those performances that fires on all dramatic cylinders, reminiscent of the charisma and complicated camaraderie of Raylan Givens and Boyd Crowder. It’s like watching an eagle wrestle with a rattlesnake … metaphorically speaking, of course. If you crave the distinct atmosphere, great story, top-notch acting and character interplay of ‘Justified,’ well, then, ‘True Detective’ is just the ticket!
I hope you’re not tired, because we’re rounding up our dramatic trilogy with the intriguingly titled ‘The Americans.’ No, this isn’t about apple pie and the New York Yankees, so hold onto your Stetsons! This is a high-tension drama revolving around two KGB spies posing as an ordinary American couple in the 1980s. You thought the suburban life was tough but imagine having to crack covert codes and dodge FBI agents while picking up the kids from school and organizing block parties. A far-cry from the backcountry misadventures of ‘Justified,’ but ‘The Americans’ draws you in with its unique blend of domesticity and espionage, gradually developing characters that you can’t help but root for despite their ideological leanings. It’s a delicate dance of loyalty, love, duty and betrayal, just as ‘Justified’s’ is about law, crime, family and morality.
Whew, that was quite a ride, wasn’t it? But I bet you’re wondering, “Which one should I dive into first, oh wise and rambunctious genie?” Well, buckle up, my friend! My top pick for you from these three crash, bang, pow, sizzler series is — drumroll, please — *’Breaking Bad.’* Why, you ask? Its thematic similarity to ‘Justified’ is unmistakable – coaxing an anti-hero out of an unlikely setting. Tightly drawn characters, unpredictable story arcs, superior acting performances and high stakes just as ‘Justified.’ Plus, a unique charm, making the moral descent of Walter White as riveting as the cowboy lawman walk of Raylan Givens. If you enjoy ‘Justified,’ I believe ‘Breaking Bad’ has the same sort of magic that will keep you riveted from the first “Yeah, science!” to the final “I did it for me.” Plus, you’ll never view chemistry teachers or recreational vehicles in quite the same light again. So, pop that popcorn, grab a comfy seat, and dive headlong into the drama, the thrill, the excitement that is ‘Breaking Bad’. And remember, no half measures! Breaking Bad is no mere television show, it’s an experience. Watch it, and as they say in ‘Breaking Bad’, ‘tread lightly’ into the high stakes world of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman. Now you, my friend, are ready to go to places the cable package didn’t know it had. Just remember to laugh, it confuses people.
