TV Power Rankings: Week 13

This week, the Power Rankings introduced four new players in the top ten.  Three of them are the result of midseason premiere dates, but one of them has finally snuck in after years of being passed over by the Czar.  Despite the large amount of turnover, one thing is certain: It’s going to be tough to crack the top ten going forward.  What’s more, there’s more competition headed in as House, Touch, and Spartacus make their debuts this week.  In related news, I now have 20 shows I want to watch per week.  There’s a lot of good TV going right now folks.  I hope you’re watching.  On to the top ten.

1. Justified (Last Week: NR)

So many things to talk about here.  First and foremost, I couldn’t be happier that we’re back in Kentucky with Raylan and the gang.  It was fun watching the introduction of all of the new bad guys for this season.  I co-sign every single one of them.  I’ve always appreciated the work of Neal McDonough as a bad guy.  His portrayal of the slick Detroit business guy who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty seems right up his alley.  All of our other regular bad guys returned, including the always frisky Boyd Crowder and the super creepy Wyn Duffy.  They did an awesome job of setting up the season.  Given the power vacuum left by the death of Mags Bennett, it seems that Raylan Givens will have his hands full dealing with all of the bad guys attempting to grab their share of the pie.  I can’t wait to see it play out.

2. Archer (Last Week: NR)

Yet another premiere that snagged a spot from some of our regulars.  The debut of Archer had all the bells and whistles necessary to merit a high ranking.  Watching Archer interact with his hero, Burt Reynolds (played perfectly by… Burt Reynolds) was absolutely hilarious.  It was the best thing that Burt has done in years.  In addition, the rest of the cast had their usual array of amusing one-liners.  It was a complete tour de force.  If you aren’t watching Archer, make sure the kids are in bed first, and start watching.

3. Modern Family (Last Week: 4)

I know the big promo centered around Lily cussing, but the hilarity of the episode centered around Claire’s debate with The Guy from Mr. Show.  Watching a completely insane Claire attempt to control her insanity was TV gold.  Add to it the humorous work by Phil, the solid one-liners by Jay, and the YouTube remix of the entire fiasco, and you have one of my favorite comedic scenes of the season.

4. New Girl (Last Week: NR)

It’s the glorious return of the douchebag jar.  One of my favorite plot devices of the season finally made its way back into the storylines of New Girl.  Watching Schmidt stuff the jar again and again for various acts of douchebaggery was the highlight of the episode.  My favorite scene of the entire show was the end of the episode where we had various quick hitting entries for the douchebag jar.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go look for my driving moccasins.

I'm so happy to have you back Douchebag Jar.

5. The Good Wife (Last Week: 1)

I enjoyed the whole bitcoin thing.  I had fun following Kalinda around as she tried to put the pieces together.  Still, it’s about time we settled this Will Gardner business.  I don’t like to see my boy Will in trouble.  It’s fun to watch his lawyer do her thing, but I’m ready for him to snake his way out of this situation so he can go back to bagging Alicia and being awesome in court.  Let’s make it happen.

6. Parks and Recreation (Last Week: NR)

More on this topic in this month’s Mailbag, but this episode might have been the one that roped me in for good.  It was hilarious from start to finish.  Ron Swanson and Andy provide a lot of the humor for me, while the rest of the gang provides that sweetness that a good 30 minute comedy always needs.  Still, I need a couple more quality episodes before it gets the Season Pass, but it looks good for it right now.

7. 30 Rock (Last Week: 2)

They continue to do good work, but I haven’t seen anything really inspired in their first two weeks.  We’ve gotten a lot of Liz Lemon, which is fine, but I would much rather see her working with Jack Donaghy.  No, not the mental holographic projection of Jack Donaghy, the actual Jack Donaghy.  If you could work that out for me 30 Rock writers, that would be great.

8. Person of Interest (Last Week: 6)

I’m disappointed about the extended use of Detective Carter, but she didn’t figure too prominently in this week’s episode.  I will reserve judgment.  On the situation, not on her.  I have already made my ruling there.

9. Hawaii Five-0 (Last Week: 3)

I don’t when Terry O’Quinn will return to us, but I am afraid we have lost his character for the foreseeable future.  In addition, why exactly was Scott Caan Danny so attached to the kid who was not his?  I understand being a stand up guy and helping out a woman in need, but that kid isn’t yours.  Also, was there any doubt that she would need an emergency C-section? 

In other news, McGarrett iced a couple more dudes this week.  I need to research his body count, but we’re only have about 8 episodes left to kill somewhere in the neighborhood of 8-10 guys if Scott and I are going to hit our over.

10. Californication (Last Week: NR)

The past two episodes of Californication aced the Time Test.  The Time Test is where a show ends and you exclaim “It’s over already?” because the time flew by so fast.  (Note: Only pay cable shows are eligible for the Time Test.  DVR has rendered all references to the Time Test moo because you obviously know exactly where you are in the show.)  Great work by the gang at Californication to this point.  It’s irreverent, wacky, and over the top, but Californication is always worth a few chuckles.  Also, Hank Moody has a prominent spot on the Czarina’s “list.”  More on that later.

Dropping from the rankings

The Mentalist

I'm glad you worked through your
issues.  Now go away.

It was a Van Pelt-centric episode.  Enough said.  On the bright side, I am hoping that her purging herself of her demons will lead to a decrease in her screen time.  Or maybe Red John will get her.  I can hope.

Suburgatory

There are so many good comedies going that I need more ha-has to crack the top ten.  Also, more Cheryl Hines wouldn’t kill you.

Fringe

Not nearly as fascinating as last week’s edition.  In addition, I did make the tactical error of eating during Fringe.  It’s always a risky proposition.  It’s somewhere in between “eating Indian food on a first date” and “telling your wife she looks fat.”  For those of you wondering, the top levels include “sex with a stripper” and “wrestling a tiger.”

House of Lies

Don’t try to act like your show is so smart, House of Lies.  People hate that.

Up All Night

Mediocrity reigns!

Others Receiving Votes

The Mentalist

Suburgatory

Fringe

House of Lies

Up All Night

Alcatraz

I like it.  I’m in for now.  The lead cop is pretty cute, and Jorge Garcia seemed to be invested.  It has my attention.

There was lots of good stuff this week.  I would love to hear what shows caught your attention this week.  Drop a comment or send an email to the Czar’s Mailbag.  I’ll be back Wednesday with the highly-anticipated (by me) return of the Mailbag.  Until then, watch Justified for the love of Olyphant.

The TV Czar