my favorite tv shows of 2013

Confession: television is my opiate of choice. So I had five favorite albums, five favorite movies, and... ten favorite shows, plus three more.

But television is really coming into its own as an art form, it's practically the new Charles Dickens serial novel, and netflix and hulu making their own shows, and blah blah blah 

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It's just that after a day of teaching and grading and writing and talking to little people and potty training little people and cooking and cleaning, I have very little energy, mental or otherwise, to do more after 7:30 pm. (Or that's what I tell myself.)

So, yeah, tv.

1. Borgen (REALLY GOOD NEWS ALERT SET YOUR DVRs)

Seriously, there is no better show on television right now, and Sidse Babet Knudsen has overtaken Connie Britton as my main girl crush. Let one of my favorite critics, Willa Paskin, convince you:

“Borgen” stars the amazing Sidse Babett Knudsen as Birgitte Nyborg, who begins the series as the head of the lefty Moderate party, a mother of two, and one half of the sexiest, most functional TV marriages this side of Eric and Tami Taylor. (This is not an exaggeration. If I had led with that, you’d probably already be watching.) In the Danish parliamentary system, eight political parties align in various ways to form coalition governments. In the first episode of the series, through various political missteps, the largest liberal and conservative parties rough each other up, giving Nyborg’s Moderates a huge boost and herself the unexpected opportunity to head up a liberal coalition as prime minister.

Though “Borgen” was influenced by “The West Wing” (Nyborg, like Josiah Bartlet, has a knack for giving the honest speech),  it makes “The West Wing” look sentimental, and not because “Borgen” has some ultra-dark view of politics. (In a great New Yorker piece about DR, the broadcaster who makes all these Danish masterpieces, Lauren Collins quoted DR as saying it wanted its series to have messages. “Borgen’s” is, “Can you be in power and remain yourself?” and for the answer, they “want to say yes.”) Rather, compared to American political dramas — “West Wing,” “Scandal,” “Homeland,” “House of Cards” — “Borgen” feels grounded. It is not puffed up with an American sense of grandiosity and world historical import. Each episode contains intricate twists and turns, but is focused on the human-size, psychological aspects of politics, of how Nyborg learns to be effective and at what cost.

The cost ends up being high. Nyborg is decent, well-meaning, sexy, funny, steely. (I dare you to watch her and not develop a crush.) She belongs on any political fantasy team alongside Shepherd, Bartlet and “Battlestar Galactica’s” Laura Roslin. But over the course of “Borgen’s” first two seasons —  the third and final season has aired in Denmark, but won’t air in America until October — Nyborg learns how to navigate and wield her power, an experience that is taxing, isolating and difficult. As time passes, she becomes savvier and more decisive, increasingly comfortable making decisions, an authoritarian knack she starts to take home with her. Knudsen has an infectious, crinkly-nosed smile, but Nyborg has less and less occasion to use it. As she becomes better at her job, her personal life falls apart. (“Borgen” does some heartbreaking things to her adorable marriage it’s hard to imagine any American show daring.) (Read the rest at Salon.)

2. Top of the Lake
A beautiful, haunting story that shows how sexual abuse harms generations of women. Elizabeth Moss - just nominated for a golden globe for her performance - is fantastic.

3. House of Cards

An addictive parable about power and the ubermensch.  (Full review here.)

4. Bunheads
The quirky, fast-talking ballerinas of Amy Sherman Palladino deserved more than just one season. (Full review here.) 

5. Parks and Rec
Yes, this is the third show about government to make my list, and I don't even like politics. It had some ups and downs this season, but I always looked forward to it.

6. The Mindy Project.
Danny Castellano is the new Luke Danes.  Usually funny, sweet, and satisfying, The Mindy Project is like When Harry Met Sally as a sitcom.

7. Switched at Birth
Emily Nussbaum, another of my favorite tv critics, kept singing this show's praises on twitter, and that's how I ended up watching my first ABCFamily show.  Hokey premise, great execution.  I love the way this show deals with class, ethnicity, and deafness (or, as I should probably say, being hard of hearing). Really well-executed and fun to watch.

source

8. Orphan Black
Tatiana Maslany.  That is all.  That is enough.

9. Orange is the New Black...or maybe Nashville

10. Mad Men... or maybe Parenthood

Non-current shows I loved this year:

Foyle’s War S1-7 (full review here)

Detective Chief Superintendent (or DCS) Christopher Foyle (Michael Kitchen), a policeman in the quaint village of Hastings, England during World War 2, solves the cases, small and large, in his coastal town.

The show explores the question of why petty crimes are worth investigating during a time of great crisis. Who cares that your sheep were stolen when the Nazis are dropping bombs on all of us? Foyle shows us that if justice and the rule of law are meaningful in peaceful times, they are equally meaningful in times of war. 

Veronica Mars S1-3 
We re-watched this in preparation for the movie (!) and enjoyed them just as much as the first time around, which is to say, immensely. 

Mary Tyler Moore S1-2 
Just classic. The pilot episode is perfect in every way. I re-watched this around the same time as I read  Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted: And all the Brilliant Minds Who Made The Mary Tyler Moore Show a Classic by Jennifer Armstrong.  Lots of fun.

Previously: my favorite movies of 2013 
and my favorite albums of 2013
 

a few things in January

Late December to early January is one of my best chances in the year to read.  (I love working on an academic calendar!) Here are a few things I’ve been enjoying:

The Stages by Thom Satterlee - Thom is a friend, poet and writer in residence at Taylor, and fellow member of Gethsemane Episcopal. It's always nerve-wracking to begin a book written by someone you know, because what if it's awful. This book, though, was truly excellent. Here's the review I left at goodreads: "An intelligently written literary mystery, The Stages tells the story of Dan Peters, an American translator (and Aspie) living in Copenhagen. When his colleague and best friend dies mysteriously and a Kierkegaard manuscript goes missing, Peters seeks to clear his own name in the murder investigation.
With a strong setting, well-developed characters, surprising plot twists, and a solid grounding in philosophy, theology, and language, this book is heads and shoulders above most murder mysteries. Highly recommended. (Currently only available on kindle- and a steal at 2.99!)"

Torn by Justin Lee I basically want to recommend this to every Christian I know. Whether or not I agree with every conclusion Lee comes to, his poignant, vulnerable story is one that Christians - especially those who have never had a gay friend - need to hear. This book is not primarily an argument for gay rights or gay marriage, although Lee does take a little time to explain how his mind changed on those topics. It is primarily a story, one that you need to read with an open heart, ready to learn from it without simply jumping to find things you agree or disagree with.

Not Your Mother’s Morals by Jonathan Fitzgerald ebook available here - full review coming soon.

A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter I read this because it's free on Kindle, and because I rememberd my mom recommending it to me like 10 years ago.  I absolutely loved it.  Set in Indiana (!) in the early 1900s, it's a beautiful coming of age story that demonstrates so many American cultural values - self-reliance, pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps, the value of hard work and education. It also has a unique naturalist perspective, and it made me think a lot about humanity, the natural world, and technology. 

As for movies, we really liked Safety Not Guaranteed. Josh Radnor's newest offering, Liberal Arts, was ok, a bit predictable, and really! he's playing the same Ted Mosby role again and again! Jack and I both sobbed through Les Miserables in the theater (and it totally changed his mind about Anne Hathaway - from contempt to admiration), and on Amazon Prime we're watching Foyle's War, which his parents recommended. It's a classic British detective show set in the south coast of England during World War II.

a few things in September

Ballet. This picture is so cute it is driving me crazy. Maybe I didn't actually ask the other moms if I could put their children's picture on the internets. My apologies (tell me if you want it removed). It's just too much.

Damages. On the other extreme, I've been enjoying the disturbing show Damages. For most of the show's run, I've had a personal policy of no-damages-before-bedtime, because believe me, you do not want damages-dreams. In this, it's fifth and final season, though, it's got less violence but just as much drama. The performances by Glenn Close and Rose Byrne, as two damaged and power-hungry attorneys, are extraordinary. Are they the only women on tv who are allowed to be as complex and ambitious, as intriguing and abhorrent, as men? (Well, besides the female Prime Minister on Borgen-- yes.) The series finale airs Wednesday on Direct TV.

The Year Six Playlist. I wrote a couple of weeks ago about why we make anniversary mix CDs. Here's a link to listen to Year Six on spotify. My current favorite song is track 2, by The Walkmen. I need what it says about not striving for perfection, but being open to mistakes and failure and correction, a life of wholeness.

Lit. Currently loving this memoir by poet Mary Karr.

Certified Copy. We actually watched this film a few months ago, but somebody reminded me of it this week. It's a French film by an Iranian director and set in Italy. (Actually, parts were filmed in Cortona, just a few miles from where I spent a semester (Mollie, Anna, watch it!)). It's a beautiful and thought-provoking look at relationships, gender, and how we create our stories.

Walks. I usually walk Rosie to preschool, a little over a mile each way, and right now the weather is just achingly perfect, the kind that fills you with nostalgia. Go for a walk.

Google hang outs! Yesterday I used google plus for the first time, to have a video chat with my brothers (in Denver and Tulsa) and our parents (in Arkansas). It was super fun and would have been perfect if Sister Kate could have been there too.

a few things in June

Here are some TV shows, albums, books, and blogs I've been enjoying this month.

Borgen.  Look.  There's no Josh Lyman (yeah, I loved Josh - who didn't?), and the dialogue isn't quite as fast and funny as Aaron Sorkin-style writing, but if you liked The West Wing, you will have to like Borgen, a Danish drama about the first female Prime Minister in Denmark - her cabinet, her family, and the government's relationship to the media. I don't want to give anything away, but if you were interested in Anne-Marie Slaughter's article at Atlantic Monthly this week questioning what it means for women to "have it all," you will love watching Borgen's answer as Prime Minister Birgitte Nyborg wrestles with her work/family balance.  And, as a student of intercultural studies, I also have to say that it's fascinating to observe this small, wealthy, post-Christian European country through its own eyes.

Rain for Roots. We've been listening to these folk songs for little ones quite a bit over the last month.  With lyrics by Sally Lloyd Jones and music by Sandra McCracken, Ellie Holcomb, Flo Paris, and Katy Bowser, they satisfy me both in terms of musical quality and content -- and Rosie LOVES them.  My favorite thing about them is that each song points to God.  A lot of Christian resources for kids tend to be moralistic, focusing on encouraging good behaviors - be patient, share, don't complain, obey. 

And, sure, kids need to be taught these things.  But in training our children, it's all too easy to subtly teach them to rely on her own ability to be good and acceptable to God, rather than to rely on God himself.

 Sometimes kids just need to be pointed to God. So instead of hearing, "Daniel was brave and obeyed God - you should be brave and obey, too!"  I like that Rosie gets to hear

Who heard Daniel when he prayed?
Who helped him not be afraid?
Who stayed beside him in that den?
Who brought him safely out again?

It’s God who kept him in his care.
He’ll keep you, too--no matter where!

Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices
This latest album from The Welcome Wagon is beautiful.  My sister sent it to me for my birthday, and she reviewed it here.


A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny
Amy Julia Becker, a graduate of Princeton and Princeton Seminary, writes in this book about becoming a mother to her first child, Penny, who has Down Syndrome.  I am almost finished with the book, and I appreciate her candor and care in sharing her story.  (The kindle version of the book is only $2.99 for the month of June!)


Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion
I'm about a third of the way through this book, which details the history of the garment-making industry in America and shows how "cheap fashion" has changed the way Americans dress and turned clothing into a disposable good.  So far it's dry at some points and fascinating at others, and I've got a lot of thoughts developing about how to think Christianly - redemptively - about the fashion industry. I'm sure I'll write more about this soon.  (For now, how about this example of redeeming disposable clothing?) (Full disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher.)

On the blog front, this month I've become a huge fan of D.L. Mayfield's writing, and I love the stories Jessica Goudeau shares at Love Is What You Do. Both of these women work with refugees, and some (though not all) of their writing relates to that.  Incidentally, this month I've been volunteer-teaching a group of Burmese refugees at a sewing factory in Gas City.  It's worlds different than what I usually do, teaching wealthy Korean college students, and it's a challenge.  I am stunned by the histories of these Burmese people, and by their resilience and work ethic and hope.

And, frankly, I can't wait to see Brave.

The Upland Labor Day Parade

Back when I was childless and living in Seattle, I had a bit of a girl crush on Liz Lemon. 30 Rock made me laugh.


But over the last year or two, I've grown tired of 30 Rock's snarky humor. And I have moved to Indiana. While Liz Lemon will always have a place in my heart, now I watch Parks and Recreation (which, incidentally, is set in Pawnee, Indiana), a show that has a kind of sweetness and sincerity to its humor. I am becoming a real fan of Leslie Knope.

In the Parks and Rec spirit, this year I want to embrace small town living and even, if I can, Indiana winters.

Labor Day weekend, in Upland, is the perfect time to embrace small town life.

Every year, the whole town turns into a big rummage sale for labor day. We spent several hours Saturday looking for treasures in our neighbors' front yards. Today we attended the town parade.


Let me tell you about this parade. Everyone is in it.



There are kids on bikes


and men slouching on all kinds of motorized vehicles.




Even lawn mowers.


There are politicians, and their fans.


This one was blasting "proud to be an American".


This one was walking along behind his van.


Then there is the popcorn queen.


And these men. What are they, you ask? I do not know.

But there is something awesome about them.


Our farmer was there, too, with a posterboard sign asking "Who grows your food?".


Rosie loved the parade. She loved catching the candy thrown from floats, and she loved going into Shiloh's backyard when everything was over and jumping on the trampoline. Owen loved snuggling in the chilly morning weather. And so did I.

laughter

Owen is just starting to giggle a little.



Yes, that's Downton Abbey paused on the laptop in the background. We finished it tonight. What a fun show! And gorgeous clothing.

30 Rock and my life

4.16
Jenna: My dreams are getting worse. This one was so graphic! Kenneth and I were married and living in Indianapolis! We had kids!
Tracy: What kind of sick mind dreams that?!
Jenna: It was disgusting!

Why I Am Mad At Donald Draper (spoiler alert)

If you've seen Sunday night's season finale of Mad Men, you know that recently-divorced Don Draper went from a one-night-stand with his secretary to proposing marriage to her in a matter of weeks.

He missed his chance. He could have changed.

Just six episodes ago, Don had one of those pivotal moments that rarely come in life. An awakening. A memento mori. Anna, the one person who really knew him, died, and for once we saw an honest, vulnerable Don, evaluating his own life.

And for an instant, he changed. He stopped drinking (short-lived; and then he just stopped drinking "too much,"; and then he seemed to forget his resolution entirely). He didn't jump into bed with the first woman he saw. He started swimming laps and journaling. He told his girlfriend (who was, for once, a mature, intelligent woman instead of a youthful barbie) who he really is.

And we all wondered, for a moment, if redemption and change were possible for our alcoholic, workaholic, self-centered, fearful, promiscuous anti-hero.

He was poised, as his girlfriend Faye said at the beginning of last night's episode, to accept his past and his identity, stop running from it, and become a real human being.

But that option wasn't as comfortable as continuing to live in the lies he'd been embracing for so long. And so he proposed to his secretary, basically explaining to her that he was in love with her because of the way he felt about himself when she was around. She'll make his life easier with his kids. She's young and pretty and fawns over him. And she doesn't know who he really is; she hasn't seen him at his worst. So he can keep pretending like it's not there.

I know I'm getting a little ridiculous, here, but: Please don't squander your chance for change. Don't let your desire to feel good, to feel good about yourself, make you change those convictions you had in the moment of truth. Don't reason yourself out of the promises you made, the changes you began.

Don just continues to be the cliche that we all know as the man from the sixties: divorced, with a new trophy wife, addicted to cigarettes and alcohol and work and women, too "manly" to be vulnerable or honest.

He was so close.

The Top Ten TV Shows of All Time (1-5)

What I look for in a tv show is a strong story. That's why "I Love Lucy," for example, didn't make the list. It was groundbreaking and hilarious and perfectly cast, but there isn't a strong continuing story from episode to episode. Ditto for Seinfeld, the anti-story show. Characters I can root for are important, as is a sense of place (Stars Hollow; Cicily, Alaska; the Island), but the story is the thing.


My top five, in no order

LOST - Do I really need to elaborate? It's about redemption, it's about time travel, it's mythology, it's mind-bending, but most of all, it's about characters, developed through flashbacks and flashfowards so that you come to care about them.

Friday Night Lights - This is not a show about football. I expected something that was to Texas football culture what the OC was the rich Californian youth culture, but this show is gritty and real. In small town Texas, most of the teenagers seem to be raising themselves, with parents absent, uninvolved, or puerile. But at the heart of the show, Coach Taylor and his wife display an authentic, strong marriage relationship, and as Coach and Principal end up parenting most of the kids in the highschool. Perfectly written, casted, and filmed.

Gilmore Girls - The witty, fast-talking banter between mother and daughter (and grandmother) is reminiscent of the best dialogue written for Bogie and Bacall. Rory, especially in the earlier seasons, provides a very different version of teenage femininity than what you usually find on tv: she's bookish, hardworking, best friends with her mom, modest, and not boy-crazy.

Northern Exposure - You fall in love with a town, more than with a series of characters, though you do love the characters. "Chris in the morning" provides ties to music, philosophy, literature, and Native American mythology.

The West Wing - Regardless of your personal political views, you cannot deny that this show is beautifully written and directed. The episode "Shibboleth" may make you shed a tear.

Top Ten TV Shows of All Time (6-10)

It's summer. We're past all the season finales. And now that you have a nine month hiatus before LOST returns, maybe you need something to watch on DVD.

And maybe that's why I've been thinking about the top tv shows of all time.

I say "all time," but really I mean the last twenty years, because in the last twenty years tv has given us shows with artistry and complexity and wit, becoming something almost as well worth your time as a well-written novel, becoming key to cultural understanding and relevancy, becoming quality entertainment. Becoming what Dickens' novels, serialized in the newspapers, were to his time.

(Maybe I believe all that; maybe I'm just typing.)

Numbers six through ten, in no order

Slings and Arrows - A largely unknown Canadian series about a troubled Shakespeare Festival and its players. Its hilarious black comedy will make you want to read the plays again.

Battlestar Galactica - Science fiction, set in the future, but posing more relevant questions about modern life than any other current tv show. What does it mean to be human? Should we torture our prisoners? Is procreation personal or political? At its core, perhaps a more conservative show than most, honoring soldiers, sacrifice, and family. (Be ready for lots of "frackin'" language and some video-game-like fight sequences, though.)

Arrested Development - You'll notice my list is mostly hour long dramas, but here's one short comedy to break it up. This show is brilliantly funny.

Project Runway - The only "reality" show to make my list, PR is worth watching because it genuinely honors talent, not showmanship, and watching it makes you want to be creative.

Veronica Mars - I love old film noir. I don't love "Saved by the Bell." If you never saw VMars because you thought it was another tv show about kids in high school being lame, you were wrong. It's more like the recent noir film "Brick" crossed with the seminal tv show "Twin Peaks". It's dark and smart and Nancy Drew, all at once.

Honorable Mention: 30 Rock, for the love of Tina Fey; The Daily Show with Jon Stewart