5 New Fall 2014 Shows That Were Surprisingly Good

By Brigid McCuen on December 8, 2014

Every fall, a new bundle of shows is released across a slew of networks.  Many anticipated series live up to expectations, while many end up as blunders.  However, there are always a few underdog shows that come out of nowhere and surprise audiences—in a good way.  Here are five new fall 2014 shows that have been surprisingly good.

1. Black-ish

image via huffingtonpost.com

Black-ish is a family sitcom about an upper-middle class black family trying to maintain their cultural identity in a predominantly white suburban neighborhood.  Andre “Dre” and Rainbow Johnson’s kids are more privileged than they were growing up, and the premise chronicles their family life and how these parents deal with this fact.

Before Black-ish debuted, the question raised was whether the ABC sitcom would live up to expectations.  As Arit John, a writer for thewire.com noted, “For people whose favorite TV families as a kid were the Huxtables, the Winslows, and the Banks-Smiths, we were ready to be disappointed by Black-ish.”  However, it did just the opposite of that.  The show dives into the question of racial identity while still maintaining a buoyant feel and happy tone.  It acknowledges the generational gap between how the parents grew up as compared to the kids in the ever-changing social American landscape.  The characters are dynamic, and as a result, the show reflects the true complexities of the struggle of black Americans.

A statement by executive producer Larry Wilmore captures the essence of the show well: “You can be black. At the same time, you can be Asian, Jewish, from Middle America. We’re taught to give our kids more than we had, but sometimes in the middle of that you lose a little of what your upbringing was.”

 

2.  Fargo

When it was announced back in late 2013/early 2014 that a TV show based off the critically-acclaimed film Fargo was going to be released, many doubted that the outcome would live up to the original work of art.  Sequels are infamous for disappointing; television spin-offs have an even worse rep, and many last only one, maybe two seasons.  Therefore, it’s no surprise that many doubted Fargo’s potential, not for its credentials of a stellar cast and director, but for its very nature as a spin-off series.  However, when the first episode aired, Fargo received a lot of praise as critics called it “a pitch-perfect take on the original.”

Fargo takes place in small-town Minnesota, and the ten episodes have a consistent storyline that is both unsettling and engrossing.  It “straddles the line between comedy and tragedy,” and each hour-long episode is full of surprises that do just that.  The best part is that the series is an anthology, so the characters and plotlines will be different each season.  You can watch Fargo on Netflix or on Amazon Instant Prime.

 

3. The Knick

image via sky.com

Many cable viewers don’t receive the channel Cinemax, so they haven’t heard of this show (a real shame), which is why it’s included on the list.  If you like True Detective, you’ll like The Knick.  The series has a similar dark, somber tone, which suits the era during which it takes place.

The year is 1900, and the pilot episode opens on the 1900 version of a C-section being performed in a classroom-style auditorium.  Right from the start, the audience realizes the show is a grisly, realistic account of the time period’s medicinal practices and the overall health of the country, especially in light of industrialization.  In a world of Christian-themed ambulance buggies sporting manual sirens and corrupted city health inspectors, you’ll find yourself engrossed in the dated world of the show.  The main character, Dr. Thackery, is intriguing enough on his own; his candor is engaging, but at the same time, he is not likable.  I finished the pilot episode alone feeling more knowledgeable and happy that I didn’t grow up in the early 1900s.  Fair warning: don’t watch right before, after, or during a meal.  You will not feel good.

 

4. Slednecks

Slednecks is a reality TV Show on MTV about a group of Alaskan teens doing Alaskan things in… you guessed it, Alaska.  The cold, mountainous terrain full of icy rivers is their playground, and the weekly half-hour timeslot is full of their outdoor shenanigans and their teenage, intergroup melodrama.  These Wasilla, Alaska natives are basically northern hillbillies.  This show garners acclaim more through its “guilty pleasure” aspect than it does on actual critical merit, which honestly makes it more fun to watch.

You can watch Slednecks on MTV Thursdays at 11pm EST.

 

5. Orphan Black

image via washingtonpost.com

Orphan Black actually came out in 2013, and the case for this series is actually flipped: it is insanely good, but is often snubbed when it comes to award nominations.  But to be fair, I had to include it because it’s just so well written and engrossing yet so under the radar.

The show begins when Sarah Manning, a con artist, witnesses a woman commit suicide by jumping in front of a subway train.  The woman looks identical to Sarah, so Sarah takes her purse from the crime scene and assumes her identity in hopes of clearing her bank account.  The show gets more complicated, however, as she gets more involved in this woman’s life.  I won’t unveil the major plot twist of the series, though, because I don’t want to spoil a seriously great show.  I will say that the actress who plays Sarah, Tatiana Maslany, plays multiple characters, and truly makes you believe each character is a completely different person.  Her incredible acting and ability to embody so many different personas really sets this show apart from the rest.  You can watch season 1 and 2 on Amazon Prime or BBC America.

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