CJF's Favorite Shows of 2013

I started watching less TV when I was in high school due to some of my favorite shows declining in quality or being cancelled. However, starting in 2012, some shows began to capture my interest because of how good people say they are or are right up my alley. Today, I review my favorite shows that aired in 2013.

________________________________________________________________________

Doctor Who

(Series 7, Part 2 and The Specials)

This year was a good time to get into the show, mainly because 2013 was its fiftieth anniversary, but also because I started hearing more about it, especially since the main theme of Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time was inspired by the Doctor Who theme due to the time-travel aspect. And surprisingly enough, my younger sister also became interested in the show after watching bits and pieces and since I don't have any friends who watch Doctor Who, at least I have her to discuss with.

The first episode I ever watched was actually the season finale "The Name of the Doctor" which, in restrospect, was a good AND bad place to start at. It was good because the ending introduced something that would return in the Anniversary Special "The Day of the Doctor"; it was bad because, despite the exposition at the beginning, I felt I needed to watch the previous episodes in order to fully understand it. Afterwards, I managed to catch up on the revived series and by the time "The Day of the Doctor" came out, I was fully caught up and my sister and I are now looking forward to future episodes.

Like Series 6, Series 7 was split into two. The first five episodes aired during Fall 2012, in addition to the Christmas Special "The Snowmen" which became a turning point for the season. After parting ways with Rory and Amy, The Doctor (played by Matt Smith) comes across a young woman named Clara Oswald (played by Jenna Coleman) whom he encountered previous versions of her during the season and tries to figure out why there happened to be multiple versions of her.



(from left to right) Madame Vastra, Strax, and Jenny

The Doctor and Clara have several adventures together such as bumping into an Ice Warrior during the 1980s and facing an army of Cybermen in an interstellar amusement park. They also team up a couple of times with the Paternoster Gang, consisting of Madame Vastra, her wife Jenny, and their Sontaran butler, Strax (all first introduced in the Series 6 episode "A Good Man Goes to War"). There is also a recurring villain named The Great Intelligence (played by Richard E. Grant), an old enemy of the Doctor, who plays a big part in the finale.

Since Series 7 has finally come full circle, I can say overall that it's okay because hardly a lot of episodes stood out to me. However, I can comment that "The Angels Take Manhattan" was one of the few times in any form of media (Movies, shows, video games) in which I almost cried. In addition, Matt Smith is amazing as the 11th Doctor. He is given more to do and we see this incarnation grow as a character.

Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald

If I have to name my biggest gripe with the season overall, it has to be Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman. Don't get me wrong, I do not dislike her; she does well with what she is given, has some good chemistry with Matt Smith, and she is really hot (maybe the most attractive companion in the revived series), but she's really bland compared to previous companions. Sure there are times when she is kind and caring ("The Rings of Akhaten") and shows signs of good leadership ("Nightmare in Silver"), but her character just left a lot more to be desired, in my opinion. I just hope that in the next season, her character is developed more, that way when she leaves the show in the future, I would feel heartbroken.

Early in June, Matt Smith announced that he was leaving the show, but would appear for two more specials, similar to how David Tennant (10th Doctor) left the show after a series of specials from 2008 to 2010. On November 23rd, the show's 50th Anniversary was celebrated with "The Day of the Doctor" featuring the return of David Tennant as the Doctor and Billie Piper, who previously played Rose Tyler. I already discussed my thoughts on the special in a previous post, so click here.

Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor

Before its premiere, BBC released a short prequel mini-episode called "The Night of the Doctor" which featured Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor, the first time he's played the role since the TV Movie in 1996, much to everyone's surprise. It finally sheds some light on why he regenerated, since when the show came back in 2005, it began with Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor. His time was short and he deserved more than just the TV movie and the Big Finish audio dramas, but at least he delivered a great performance in the mini-episode.

Smith ended his tenure with the 2013 Christmas special "The Time of the Doctor" which was supposed to resolve some unresolved plot threads as far as Smith's first season as the Doctor. Without giving anything away, it was a mixed bag for me. Most of the monsters and aliens like the Weeping Angels and Cybermen were just there, when it should have been about the Daleks and the Silence. It also left me with even more questions that were left unanswered. Clara isn't given much to do other than just being there for the Doctor when he's not sending her back to the present.

On a positive note, Matt Smith gives an excellent performance, being the eccentric character we all know and love who is able to defeat monsters and aliens while protecting innocent lives. I also loved his final scene before he regenerates (no spoiler, everyone knows it), delivering one powerful monologue. His regeneration couldn't top the Tenth Doctor's, but come on, it was tough act to follow. I'm satisfied nonetheless.

I'm really looking forward to Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor this year. In those last thirty seconds, I know I'll love him. Farewell Matt; bow ties will still be cool long after you're gone.

__________________________________________________________________

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

(Season 3 Ends and Season 4 Begins)

In short, Season 3 of MLP was not as strong as Season 2, but still good nonetheless. The two-part premiere episode "The Crystal Empire" was a strong start, but the episodes after that were either a hit or miss. A few highlights I can name are when Pinkie Pie clones herself ("Too Many Pinkies"), the Cutie Mark Crusaders having a new member ("One Bad Apple"), the Great and Powerful Trixie's return ("Magic Duel") and Discord turning over a new leaf ("Keep Calm and Flutter On"). The season also increased the number of musical segments, my favorite being "Bab Seed" from "One Bad Apple."

Oh no, Twilight's become an alicorn! It's the end of the world!

The biggest controversy amongst the Brony fanbase was the season finale "Magical Mystery Cure" in which Twilight Sparkle becomes an alicorn at the end. Despite the episode having an awfully rushed pace and some unnecessary musical numbers, it was an all right finale. Twilight becoming an alicorn only shows how far she has come in learning the magic of friendship and what new responsibilities await for her as a new princess in Equestria.

While we awaited for the fourth season, Hasbro released a theatrical film over the summer based on the show called Equestria Girls. I'm not going to delve too deep about it since it's a theatrical film and not a TV episode. If you guys want to know my full thoughts, please comment below or in the It's Tail Time Forums and I'll release it in the future.

November 23rd was not only the Day of the Doctor, but the Day of Ponies. Season 4 premiered with "Princess Twilight Sparkle" and what a strong opening it was. Twilight begins to come into terms with her title as princess and takes responsibility when Princess Celestia and Princess Luna go missing. It also features some great animation, especially the flashback when Celestia was battling Luna before banishing her to the moon. The ending also introduces a story arc about a chest that requires six keys to open it.

I'm really interested in what Season 4 will offer and I can't wait to see more character growth in the future. The show has come this far as a well-written "little girl's show" and should be kept that way. It has become one of my favorite animated shows over the past few years and for those who are still skeptical about it, drop it and give the show a chance.

____________________________________________________________________

Futurama

(The Series Comes to an End... Again)

I remember first watching reruns of Futurama on Adult Swim and I was hooked after a few episodes. Although, when the show came back in 2010 after the direct-to-DVD film Into the Wild Green Yonder, I was in a phase where I hardly watched TV at the time. I didn't get around to watching the show again until after the finale aired and I started using Netflix, so I finally caught up with the show and loved it more than I did back in middle school. It's one of those shows that I appreciate even more when I'm older.

The main highlights in Season 7B to me are the last four episodes, with Fry wanting to speak to his mom, the Planet Express crew being trapped in the ship with a deadly, shape-shifting alien, Zoidberg falling in love, and the resolution of the Fry and Leela romance.

As I mentioned before, this is the final season of the show and "Meanwhile" was a heart-warming and satisfying conclusion that left me with a smile on my face. The producers expressed a desire to continue the series, but in my opinion, I think it's fine the way it is, though I'm not completely against it. I'm thinking of making a list of my favorite episodes later this year, just to show how much I really appreciate Futurama. "Farewell from the world of tomorrow!"

_______________________________________________________________________

Gravity Falls

(PBXPLK 1 BKAP)*

I wasn't quite sure what to think of Gravity Falls when it first aired in June 2012 especially since Disney Channel hasn't made a good animated show in a while and Phineas and Ferb was starting to wear thin. After watching a few episodes with my sister, it's safe to say that, in my opinion, it is Disney Channel's best animated show since Kim Possible. Now that the first season is done, it's time to talk about it as a whole.

The show is about twin siblings, Dipper and Mabel Pines, who spend their summer vacation with their Great-Uncle Stan in the fictional town of Gravity Falls, Oregon, which is full of secrets. In the first episode, Dipper discovers a journal that becomes really helpful, and with Mabel's aid, they work together to solve the mysteries of Gravity Falls.

One of my favorite aspects in the show are the characters, who are all likeable and distinctive. Dipper is an intelligent person who craves for adventure; Mabel (my favorite character) is optimistic and eccentric, often serving as the show's comic relief. Grunkle Stan is the twins' great-uncle who is a businessman first, but deep down he cares for his nephews. Other recurring characters include Soos, a lovable man-child; Wendy, an employee at the Mystery Shack and Dipper's crush; and Waddles, Mabel's pet pig.



"The future is in the past. Onwards, Aoshima!"

The plots in each episode always leave you guessing and throws some really good surprises, often throwing in supernatural elements. It's also really funny, since it doesn't resort to gross-out humor, but pop culture references and satirical humor. There was even one moment when Mabel got stoned from eating too much smile dip to the point where she hallucinated about riding... whatever the heck THAT is. The season finale, without spoiling anything, was an epic way to end it. I'm even surprised that a Disney Channel show like this got away with a character having a nosebleed. I'm not even kidding.

I also love the show's attention to detail, especially in the intro, which requires a good eye or a YouTube video to uncover several Easter Eggs. At the end of each episode, there is a cipher that can be translated, and it all depends on which cipher to use (the ending of the intro hints at it).

Disney Channel has renewed this show for another season, and deservedly so, since the finale has left us with something that's going to be explored in the future. Gravity Falls is a clever and imaginative show that deserves the praise it's gotten and, along with My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, it's renewed my faith in animated shows in general.

*Hint: Go three letters forward.

________________________________________________________________

I missed out on The Legend of Korra Book 2, but I'll make a separate post about it once I finally get around to it. Anyways, those are my favorite shows from 2013. I'm looking forward to what's in store for each of the shows mentioned (minus Futurama). I may not watch TV like I used to, but I'll always turn it on when a new episode airs or if they happen to air when I'm bored.

Discuss it here.