10 TV Shows From the 2010s With No Bad Episodes

It’s important to begin by stating that Game of Thrones will not be featured in this list. It’s undoubtedly one of the greatest shows of all time but it had several bad episodes towards the end of its run. The same can be said of Black Mirror and House of Cards.

The 2010s were some of the most defining years on television, marking the shift from mandatory weekly watches or DVD purchases to streaming. Binge viewing thus became a thing, and thanks to the rise of social media, fans of specific TV shows had more platforms to interact with each other and write their reviews. The increasing popularity of streaming services also opened the world up, allowing viewers to easily access gems from other territories. Consequently, a few Korean and Spanish shows became global hits.

Today, there’s plenty on the carte du jour, leaving viewers wondering what they should click on whenever they log into a streaming service. Well, if you are looking for the most interesting 2010s shows where no episode will leave you unimpressed, here’s what to prioritize.

10

‘Better Call Saul’ (2015 – 2022)

An offshoot of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul covers Jimmy McGill’s rise from a small-time crook to a famous criminal lawyer going by the moniker Saul Goodman. After struggling to be accepted by Albuquerque’s elites, Jimmy fully immerses himself in the city’s underworld, getting all kinds of crooked clients and enriching himself while at it. Additionally, the show examines the background of many of the parent show’s characters.

Arguably the Greatest Spinoff of All Time

Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould’s crackerjack crime drama hits the bull’s eye with its breathlessly paced and neatly executed all-too-wild story. The wisecracking Bob Odenkirk is aces as a lawyer willing to do everything to succeed. Rhea Seehorn charms as one of the few people who believe in Jimmy and want the best for him, but it’s Jonathan Banks who really steals the show after seeing his character suffer an unfair exit in Breaking Bad. You’ll marvel at the meticulousness of the writing team, and struggle to find a plot hole.

9

‘Jane the Virgin’ (2014 – 2019)

Jane Villanueva (Gina Rodriguez) in Jane the Virgin is a disciplined young Latina woman, still a virgin, hoping to find her perfect match. Interestingly, she finds out she is pregnant. Is she the modern-day Virgin Mary? No, she was accidentally artificially inseminated during a clinical checkup. And the father is the son of a wealthy hotel owner. Will love blossom?

The Messiah Cometh? Not Really

This resplendently over-the-top, compulsively watchable soap from Gilmore Girls and 90210 producer Jennie Snyder doesn’t stray too much from her previous works. Jane the Virgin shares the exhilarating, joyous heart of those two shows. Once again, girls just wanna have fun, and they do so in a manner that Cyndi Lauper would approve. Even when the storylines take wild, laughable turns, Snyder keeps a strong handle on the basics of good storytelling. And the show would be nothing without the magnificence of Gina Rodriguez?

8

‘Rick & Morty’ (2013 – Present)

Rick and Morty takes us through the rather chaotic family and professional lives of Rick Sanchez, a cynical, alcoholic mad scientist, and his well-meaning grandson Morty. The two often embark on interdimensional escapades taking place across numerous realities while encountering aliens and other kinds of bizarre threats.

Pure Animated Magic

This animated hit is a quick-moving and furiously hilarious satire of science and pop culture, packing more wit and corrosive putdowns than all seasons of The Simpsons. Whether it’s the irate tirades or the creative expletive-laced exchanges, nothing fails to impress. Who thought multiversal adventures could be rip-roaring fun?

7

‘Succession’ (2018 – 2023)

Succession

Release Date

2018 – 2023

Network

HBO Max

Showrunner

Jesse Armstrong

Succession is a story of the power struggles that emerge within the Roy family after the patriarch, the owner of the Waystar Royco media conglomerate, starts facing health issues. His ambitious adult children all start vying for control, hoping to either impress daddy or outfox him. Who will come out on top?

Plenty of Despicable Roy Family Members

The dialogue-heavy Succession is an achingly gorgeous homage to the world of business and unrequited family love. It was once compared to Billions, but only this particular HBO series ever got the Emmys. The battle between personal morals and propriety is beautiful to see, and while at it, viewers learn a few things about how to run a company. With only four seasons, the show ended at the perfect time.

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6

‘Veep’ (2012 – 2019)

Veep

5
/5

Release Date

2012 – 2018

Network

HBO Max

Veep follows Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) in her journey from Vice President to President. Though the ambitious Selina often means well, she often gets caught up in numerous irking scenarios, ranging from scandals involving her staff members to the machinations of her competitors. Yet, she always finds a reason to smile.

A Less Serious Political Gem

Series creator Armando Iannucci’s singular achievement is convincing viewers to accept the idea of a goofy top politician in the highest corridors of power going along for the ride. It certainly helps that the main actors, all magnificent, play it moderately straight, except Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who always seems on the brink of laughing at how absurd things are. Buried under the humor, in shallow graves, is piercing socio-political commentary about most trending topics. The Emmys were right to nominate it a whopping seven times for Outstanding Comedy Series.

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5

‘Downtown Abbey’ (2010 – 2015)

Set on a fictional Yorkshire country estate, Downton Abbey takes us on a spellbinding journey from 1912 to 1926, through the eyes of members of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants. In this post-Edwardian era, we see how major events like the sinking of the Titanic and the First World War affect the family.

An Alluring Aristocratic World

Has there ever been a better-looking show? The costumes, views and locations will leave you stunned, but it’s the simple yet impactful stories that drive the show. So good is it that it once entered the Guinness Book of Records as the Most Critically Acclaimed Television series. You have to be patient and keen to enjoy it, but the payoffs will definitely be worth it. Sit back and get transported to the early 20th century.

4

‘The OA’ (2016)

The OA

Release Date

2016 – 2018

Network

Netflix

Directors

Andrew Haigh

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The OA didn’t last long, but it’s one of the best sci-fi themed projects you’ll find on Netflix. In it, a woman named Prairie Johnson (Brit Marling) has resurfaced after a seven-year absence. She was blind at the time of her disappearance but can now see. There are scars on her back too, and she now calls herself “The OA” (Original Angel). What the hell happened to her? The OA provides answers, though in an unhurried manner.

#SaveTheOA

The OA isn’t just a typical sci-fi show. It delves into philosophy, while providing a bridge to fantasy and spiritual mythology. Many publications have it on their ‘greatest of all time’ lists, including the BBC, so we can’t help but wonder what the Netflix execs had in their minds to cancel it after two seasons. A #SaveTheOA hashtag would remain active for months, with TV titans like Shonda Rhimes and Alex Kurtzman also singing their praise. Hopefully, the show will come back one day, just like Prairie Johnson.

3

‘Vikings’ (2013 – 2020)

Vikings

Release Date

March 3, 2013

Network

Amazon Prime Video, History Channel

Showrunner

Michael Hirst

For its first few seasons,Vikings focuses on the legendary Norse warrior Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) and his transition from a warrior to a king. The following seasons focus on his grown sons, Bjorn Ironside and Ivar the Boneless, as they continue conquering Europe long after their father’s death.

The Best of Norse Mythology

Impeccably acted and flawlessly scripted, Vikings offers greater thrills than more popular medieval-themed shows. Ragnar’s death happens midway, but it will haunt you long after the credits in the finale roll. Interestingly, the showrunner managed to keep things interesting long after the star character’s departure. It’s a miracle that many other TV productions never manage to pull off.

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2

‘Ozark’ (2017 – 2022)

Ozark

Release Date

2017 – 2021

Showrunner

Bill Dubuque

Directors

Bill Dubuque

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Financial advisor Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) is doing just fine until his business partner decides to steal $8 million from the Mexican cartel they’ve been laundering money for. Predictably, an enforcer shows up with a gun and starts putting bullets in the heads of employees, but Marty saves himself by proposing to launder more money in the untapped and fed-free Missouri Ozarks. Will he keep the promise? Ozark will surprise you.

Dancing Between Family Drama and Cartel Drama

Ozark was initially described as the next Breaking Bad, but it carved its own path, finding conflict from obvious places such as husband-son relations and teen-parent bonds. Jason Bateman and Laura Linney prove why they are the best actors of this era, but Julia Garner, with her 100-curse-word-per-minute performance, makes you smile more. Her character claims to not “know sh** about f***,” but do not believe her. She knows plenty.

1

‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013 – 2021)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Release Date

2013 – 2020

Network

FOX, NBC

Set in the 99th precinct of the NYPD Brooklyn Nine-Nine follows a group of never-serious detectives led by Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg). The team alternates between solving crimes around the city and dealing with petty issues that keep popping up inside the station.

Maintaining Law and Order Is Never Too Serious Here

The sitcom is like The Office for cops. It makes excellent use of its proactive, charismatic stars who all share splendid on-screen chemistry. Apart from Andy Samberg, there’s Terry Crews, Stephanie Beatriz and many more. It’s all lighter than a feather, but great police procedural nonetheless. Watch it for human interactions, not for crimes. And you can tell a show is good when it’s instantly grabbed by another network after cancelation.