Top 10 series on Cable & TV

Opening sequence: This time around i will be picking the top ten Cable, and TV series. Folks these picks are mine, and mine alone, i will share the winners on the site. The Reeltime is very different from your average review sites, and especially when picks are made out of thousands of good shows. My picks are the popular shows that make you cry, laugh, and cringe. After the top 10, there will be the Honorable Mention section, and that will consists of shows that are really good, but still have the fire to climb the ranks. These particular series has ups and down, but what it really needs is more folks to keep them alive. You'll probably disagree, but the then again everything is always opinion. Hopefully you'll enjoy my pics, because these shows are very deserving on being on the list.  

1) The Americans:

Keri Russell (Elizabeth Jennings), Matthew Rhys (Philip Jennings), Keidrich Sellati (Henry Jennings), Holly Taylor (Paige Jennings), and Noah Emmerich (Stan Beeman).  The series is set in the 1980, while President Ronald Reagan was in office. The Soviet Union has two KGB agents assimilating with in the United States, their mission is to extract as much intelligence, communicate with the other insurgents, and establish a new better America.  The show has really good acting, especially Noah Emmerich who plays Stan Beeman the FBI agent, the frustration that comes with his job is noted, and you get that frustration. Stan does well hiding things, especially from his wife. I love the fact that his neighbors are indeed the ones that are the bad guys, but yet they play a typical American family. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys are amazing as the Soviet insurgents, i mean they play the characters so well that when they cut from one scene to another, it's very difficult to see them do their jobs as agents. The scene to scene cuts are done so good. Anyway, The Americans is at the top of my list, and it should be, because this show kicks all kinds of butt.

         2) Mr. Robot:

       
          Rami Malek (Elliot Alderson), Christian Slater (Mr. Robot), Portia Doubleday (Angela Moss),

          Carly Chaikin (Darlene), Martin Wallstrom (Tyrell Wellick), and Stephanie Corneliussen as                 Joanna Wellick.  The premise of the series is not easily explained, because it has some dark

          tones that come with the story. Elliot is a hacker, not just your humdrum one either, a man with           some serious knowledge, so his hacking skills do not go unnoticed, which is not unusual, i

          mean the guy is really good. Well, everything goes to hell when he gets caught up with an

          organization bent on changing the infrastructure of the United States, and it gets even bigger, 

          than you can imagine, because in the story, without going into any spoilers, there are many 

          sequences that are really weird, but when explained the story just opens up, and when it does

          this little show becomes another world, like choosing the blue or red pill in the Matrix. The 

          show should be an example for great storytelling, it's amazing, and when you get the chance, 

          please check it out.

         3) Game of Thrones:

          Emilia Clark (Daenerys Targaryen), Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Kit Harington (Jon 

          Snow), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister).  The series is about a civil war between noble families           in Westeros, children of the former rulers of the land rise up slowly to power. Thousands of 

          years later, a forgotten race from the North returns with vile plans to destroy everything it 

          comes in contact with. The series has an amazing cast, there is to much to talk about here to 

          even go into detail, i would need to review just this series in order to talk about the noble 

          families that reside in the mystical lands of Game of Thrones. The special effects are also done 

          well, it is an example of great storytelling by George R.R. Martin novels.  David Benioff, 

          and D.B. Weiss created the series for HBO The Game of Thrones. Writing credits also include

          Bryan Cogman, Vanessa Taylor, Dave Hill, and Jan Espenson. The series has a wonderful

          writing team, it is difficult to tell these stories because of the complexity and longevity of the 

          series, in fact when you base a story off of a novel, or series of novels, you get something more

          Especially when you have full control of the direction, seeing that the writer of those stories, 

          just happens to be a part of the series on HBO. This is a solid series, in fact it has thousands of

          viewers, fans; This series has quickly become a fantastic fantasy series, and just to let you 

          know that if your not watching, then your very wrong.

          4) The Walking Dead:

          Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes), Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon), Steven Yeun (Glenn Rhee), 

          Lauren Cohan (Maggie Greene). The series is about survival in a world that has changed, from 

          what we all know as normal, to a world where food is searched for, weapons, cars, everything 

          is either gone, or taken by groups that are scattered throughout the map. People have become

          infected in some way, they change into zombies, walkers, a term that has been etched in our 

          brains since season one. People must survive, and it's a fight between humanity begins, or fight

          against the walkers, or death will come. The series has had it's ups and downs, but as a whole 

          this particular series has been breaking records, and it should continue on that trend. The stories
          are the reason this show is so good. The interactions between the next bad guy, or just the very

          people that the group is in contact with creates something more. Created for the TV by Frank 

          Darabont, based off the comic series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, Charlie Adlard. The 

          series is written by Scott M. Gimple, Matthew Negrete, and Jeff McKibben which is the 

          script coordinator.  A wonderful story about the connections between people, in fact the show

          is more than just walkers, it's the development between relationships, and an unknown,
          ongoing crisis that has been a huge thorn on every human that is still alive on the planet. 

          5) Bloodline:

          Kyle Chandler (John Rayburn), Ben Mendelsohn (Danny Rayburn), Linda Cardellini (Meg

          Rayburn), Sissy Spacek (Sally Rayburn), and Norbert Leo Butz as Kevin Rayburn.  The story 

          is all about family which is a family owned hotel off the Florida Keys, "The Rayburn House."  

          The Rayburn's have a black sheep and his name is Danny, but not going into 

          spoilers, this dude gets the garbage after it rolls off the truck. The connections the actors have 

          in their scenes are done well. Sissy Spacek walks on screen and dominates, her presence alone 

          brings the story together. One particular scene where Danny is trying to confront his mother 

          about changing the menu to the hotel's food, is amazing. It was like a moment in time, 

          no matter what issues he had, it was his mom and son, talking over simple things, like the 

          menu. But, this story isn't so simple, it's an example of pain, and regret, and inner demons of 

          the pasts in one short scene between mother and son. Danny just wants to be more, or does he?

          This great written series is by Glenn Kessler, Todd A. Kessler, Danial Zelman, and Jonathan 

          Glatzer. Carter Harris, Arthur Phillips, Jeff Shakoor, David Manson, Chris Mundy, Addison 

          McQuigg, Amit Bhalla, Lucas Jansen, Lizzie Mickery, and Barry Pullman are contributing 

          writers, a team that should be given so many credits, because of the great stories in each 

          episode. 

          6) Outlander:

          Caitriona Balfe (Claire Randall), Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser), Duncan Lacroix (Murtagh 

          Fraser), and Tobias Menzies (Jack Randall / Frank Randall). The story is about a married

          combat nurse, Claire Randall. The series is set in 1945, Frank Randall searches for his wife

          gone, lost in 1743.  She meets Jamie Fraser, her life before is gone and now only

          her knowledge of history, and certain events can help her survive in a time where technology

          lacks. But, as she tries to assimilate, she falls in love for Jamie Fraser, a romantic Scottish

          warrior, Frank and Jamie are different men unique paths, but a woman lost in time is given a

          a chance to reclaim what is rightfully hers, Claire must move forward or lose herself to Jamie.

          Starz has some really great programming, so if you happen to like this series, then tune in and 

          catch this one, check it out, it's a great piece of work.  Writing credits go to Diana Gabaldon, 

          Ronald D. Moore, Ira Steven behr, Toni Graphia, Anne Kenney, Matthew B. Roberts, and

          Richard Kahan. The novels are written by Diana Gabaldon, which the series is based on.  

          7) Blindspot:

          Sullivan Stapleton (Kurt Weller), Jamie Alexander (Jane Doe), Rob Brown (Edger Reade),

          Audrey Esparza (Tasha Zapata), and Ashley Johnson (Patterson).  The story is about a woman 

          with no memories, she is found in Times Square, naked, body covered in tattoos. The body art

          is more than it seems, because it tells it's own story. A woman with a past, is vested to the truth,

          leading to something bigger, another piece to the mysterious puzzle. The team of FBI agents 

          took Jane in to not only help her with memories, but to uncover the secret behind the body art.

          The series is action packed, it has many unique qualities that make this a top notch show, it's

          takes so much out of you, you're anticipation increases with each episode.

          Writing credits include Martin Gero, and Chelsey Lora which take the mystery all the way.

          8) Preacher:

          Dominic Cooper (Jesse Cluster), Joseph Gilgun (Cassidy), Ruth Negga (Tulip O'Hara), Lucy

          Griffiths as Emily. The story about a Preacher in the small town in Texas. Meanwhile 

          somewhere in Africa, a supernatural entity destroys a church, then finds Jesse Cluster and

          possesses him. The entity is neither evil or good, until it decides to kill for no reason. The 

          entity is a merge between Angel and Demon, and now Jesse and his vampire friend must find 

          God. The series rocks, it has depth, direction, and more importantly, connection with the other

          characters in the story. Garth Ennis, Sam Catlin, Steve Dillion, Evan Goldberg, and Seth 

          Rogan. The series has a great writing team, no holds bard, they write it like it was in the comic           by Garth Ennis. A solid piece of work, and if you have the time, watch it. 

         9) Wayward Pines:

         Hope Davis (Megan Fisher), Shannyn Sossamon (Theresa Burke), Toby Jones (Dr. Jenkins / 

         David Pilcher), and Siobhan Fallon Hogan (Arlene Moran). Wayward Pines is about a Utopian 

         society hand picked by the originators of the town. The only problem is that humanity is

         devolved somehow, without going into spoilers, the town and the people are robot like

         a truth that is disturbing. The show is on it's second season, so some of the problems i can go 

         into, like the Abbies. Creatures, or devolved human beings, are known to kill on sight in packs.

         The show reminds me of a Twins Peak, which is another disturbing series. Written by Blake 

         Crouch and Chad Hodge, Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Rob Fresco, Bill Hooper, Mark Friedman, 

         Patrick Aison, Brett Conrad, Sang Kyu Kim, Steven Levenson, Nazrin Choudhury, Anna 

         Fricke, Tyler Hisel, and Edward Ricourt.  A great show if you like this kinda stuff, so 

         go check it out, it will creep you out.

         10) Daredevil: 

         Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock / Daredevil), Vincent D'Onofrio (Wilson Fisk), Deborah Ann Woll

         (Karen Page), and Elden Hensen (Foggy Nelsen). Writers include Bill Everett, Drew Goddard,

         Luke Kalteux, Stan Lee, Johnny Romita. The show is about Matt Murdock, a freak chemical 

         spill, an accident which causes Matt to lose his sight. Flash forward to the present; Matt is now 

         a Lawyer by day, and a hero by night, he becomes Daredevil. The show is awesome, it is 

         written well, in fact the series characters are all developed well, thank you Netflix for making

         this show come to life. Not only are the characters full of life, but the show has it's main

         bad guy, and he goes by the name of Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio). the series is now on

         season two, a great comic adaption, check it out if you have time, it's well worth it.

         Honorable Mention: 

       
         Vikings, Big Bang Theory, Penny Dreadful, Homeland, and Flash. The series i mentioned
         are better than you know, because they are the shakers. Take Homeland for example, the series
         continues to bring out some great stories, in fact the best thing about these are the strong cast,
         each show has a strong cast supporting the story, all of the shows above can withstand the
         ratings war. What war is their to talk about? Well it's the one where audiences get bored with
         the content, so a change in channel thing occurs. The hope that the demographic gets bigger is
         challenging, because we as fans, movie lovers, differ from each other, and that's where taste
         takes care of the bigger picture. The main reason for this mention is simple, not all shows are
         good, but what about the ones that are, and the network drops it, axes it, chops is up, and grinds          it. Look, i know some shows can be boring, but why? get rid of something good, especially if
         the series is well written, and the direction is straight on. All in all i hope you've enjoyed the top          10 series on Cable & TV, because i sure have: These shows are very good, each are unique, and
         and should be given a second chance. The top of the list are the elite, and their numbers as far as
         ratings are very high, the untouchables of TV and Cable series.