As the last of this season's finales faded to black last week, we all said our teary goodbyes to the 2010-2011 television season. So now, before we muster the strength to move on and fully embrace the wealth of summer programming that lies ahead, let's take a therapeutic look back at the episodes that stood out the most during the 2010-2011 TV season.
We asked a few of the monkeys staff members of TV.com to name their favorite episodes and threw them into a list for ya' (because everyone loves lists!). There were just a few rules: To qualify, episodes had to air between late last summer and the end of May 2011— So Mad Men's fourth season is in, but Breaking Bad's third season is not. And for variety's sake, no show could earn more than one entry, much to the chagrin of TV.com's in-house Community Fan Club. There were several bitter arguments over which episodes ranked high, which ones got shafted, and which ones weaseled their way in, but in the end we think we came up with a decent list. (And because ten spots just weren't enough, we awarded honorable mentions, too.)
10. Modern Family's "Unplugged"
What made it good: It was fun to watch the tech-obsessed ModFam kids try to survive with out their gadgets, but the real treat was seeing Phil and Claire attempt to navigate their own lives without using their toys after Phil declared a contest to see who could stay unplugged the longest. Meanwhile, Cam and Mitchell were beat at their own game after scheming to out-diversify competitors in enrolling Lily in an exclusive preschool. Season 2 may live in the shadow of Season 1, but "Unplugged" brought back its glory for at least one night.
Other great Modern Family episodes: "See You Next Fall," "Dance, Dance, Revelation"
9. Boardwalk Empire's "Family Limitation"
What made it good: After a slow start to the first season, "Family Limitation" was a sorely needed segment. It really developed Al and Jimmy as friends, accomplices, and frenemies—and Nucky and Margaret as something more than a philanthropist and a needy widow. But the final moments, where Van Alden performed self-flagellation, left scars on us as well.
Other great Boardwalk Empire episodes: "Nights in Ballygran," "The Emerald City"
8. Fringe's "Entrada"
What made it good: "Entrada"—which jumping back and forth between universes and Olivias—served as the final chapter to the first half of the season, exposing Fauxlivia to Peter as a fraud, returning Olivia back to her rightful universe, and setting a whole bunch of craziness in motion that would make Season 3 the best network sci-fi since Lost. Maybe even better.
Other great Fringe episodes: "The Day We Died," "Subject 13," "The Last Sam Weiss"
7. Archer's "Placebo Effect"
What made it good: Cancer is never funny, with one exception: When superspy Sterling Archer was diagnosed with breast cancer. "Placebo Effect" was the strongest episode of the season on account of its non-stop onslaught of jokes that reminded us of the best of Archer's first season. Off-color jokes about marijuana, the Irish, and Zima all made this one a winner.
Other great Archer episodes: "El Secuestro," "Stage Two"
6. The Walking Dead's "Days Gone Bye"
What made it good: Who thought a zombie movie that never ends would become one of the biggest hits of the season? The opening episode of The Walking Dead created an atmosphere that's rarely seen on television: one of paralyzing, terrifying, pee-in-your-pants horror. Seeing the backs of zombies' skulls explode didn't hurt, either.
Other great Walking Dead episodes: "Wildfire," "Tell It To the Frogs"
Castle season finale XD
i love the walking dead i wish they hadnt of ended it though was upset about that
I agree with lovemybubbaboy. They should have included "Blue Bloods" episode "The Blue Templar". It was excellent. Best new show of the season. I also like "Good Wife" and "The Walking Dead". Can't wait to the next season of the WD. I also agree that they should NEVER of cancelled "Human Target" and have agreed with several people on here. I will NEVER watch another FOX program. I also LOVE "Castle" and loved the finale.
Fringe and Justified are two of the best shows around-( happy they are renewed rightfully so) but.... my list would include NCIS, Sons of Anarchy, Supernatural, Friday Night Lights, Bones & Burn Notice. Game of Thrones is outstanding ranking high in such a short time- thumbs up!
I agree with you on Fringe and the Good Wife.... but ick Community? No way.... FX's Sons of Anarachy had SEVERAL great episodes this season, and should not have only been on Honorable Mention. NCIS, why wasn't that mentioned. Best show on TV and not only in my opionion but by EVERYONE else in the USA!! Several great episodes on that show this year should have been mentioned. SGU - best last 10 episodes!! All of them. I can only rate the ground hog day of original SG1 and the finale of SG Atlantis as better. START WATCHING SOME TV OVER THERE AND REALIZE COMMUNITY IS NOT THE IT!!
i sooo agree with you mamamitzvah but since when fringe for examle has depth!? Don't get me wrong i watch the show and i like it but depth?? nooo!I have said it here again that they have a problem against ncis as i have noticed because it suprises me that they don't ever mention the most watched series in U.S.And excuse me this is TV u are talking about not theatre or cinema where exactly r u looking for quality?Anyway i suppose u get your fees for advertising those certain series and probably it has nothing to do with your opinion
bs'dDon't you get it? If it is popular, on CBS or FOX or a spin off of a popular show, it will not even be noticed by the "intelligence ones". We who like such fare as NCIS, Castle etc are just beneath contempt in the eyes of those who critique. We just keep watching and enjoying the shows we like. How plebeian of us. You know what???? Who cares! I love the shows I love and nothing you write here will change that. I do not watch TV for any other reason than to take me away Culligan Man. If I want depth, I read or go to a concert. Thanks. I feel much better :o)
i agree that 1st and 2nd episodes of "the Killing" were very good. they should be here
I agree with "mermayd" ... except, it should have been the 1st AND 2nd episodes of "The Killing"! Tho' it got a little slow in the middle, this is one excellent show!
Agree with retiredlady. Don't watch any of these shows and except for Game of Thrones not interested in any of them!
Ummm no Parks and Rec, WHAAAAT!?!?
Love Fringe!!
Community is amazing. Hard to pick favorites, but I think D&D is my favorite as well. Brilliant.Great list
I must be on a different planet. I watch TV several hours each night, yet I have never seen any episode of six of the ten. I agree with the episode choices for Mad Men, The Good Wife, Justified, and Boardwalk Empire, and I'm delighted that you included an honorable mention of any episode of the now-cancelled Human Target, which should have been renewed. (Stupid network). However, how could those other shows possibly be so good if someone who enjoys TV as much as I never saw any of them????
Definitely any of the episodes from last season's Dexter are deserved of a spot in the top 10. For people that b!tch and moan about certain shows being on the list and others not, come on, it's all just 1 person's opinion (or a few people with some lists). Just like the lady complaining that The Walking Dead is on here and Bones isn't and saying the list sucks, well I feel the exact opposite. To me The Walking Dead is one of the best shows on TV where Bones is just somewhat entertaining at it's best.
Is anybody else getting fu%$#@ing fed up with SkinnerDwayne and his incessant $32.67 for a XBOX 360 messages.
By putting the unfunny unwatched 30rock in the honerable mention list you ruined the validity of this list. Without 30 rock this is just barely a so so list. With 30 rock this list sucks.....DONKEY!!
I can't understand how The Big Bang Theory: The Engagement Reaction misses out on this list, it showcased everything that makes the best show on TV the best show on TV.
Episodes 5-6-7-8 of Game of Thrones are in my personal TOP 10. I also loved: Justified and Terriers season finales, The Suitcase and NS .
beh. walking dead. people need to realize how supremely subpar it is. woohoo zombies! and boring plots.
Pretty good list imo. I'm so happy about Justified, thats a damn good show and season 2 was just amazing. I hope the emmys don't overlook it this year!
i think it's a pretty decent list, although i wish supernatural had gotten in the list and not just an honorable mention
At the very least I feel ANY Charlie Sheen interview derserved honorable mention for funniest episode!! Most shocking , Hands down, goes to ABC for hiring Katie Curic for ANYTHING more then a PSA!!! Biggest tearjerking moment goes to the announcement of Jersey Shore renewal!! Why people, (picture of the American Indian Chief crying from the pollution commercial) WHY?????
what???? no castle??? castles season finale was unreal!!!
Jaja pero quien o quienes hacen esta lista? "TGW"? "Community"? "Mad Men"?Jajajajajajajajajaja menos idea que un mono. Se nota que las series inglesas se las ha pasado por el forro. Solo les faltaba meter a "Bones" y "Fringe",en fin....
The best for me was Game of Thrones' "The Wolf and the Lion" and the second best Supernatural's "The Man Who Would Be King"... Dexter should also be on this list.
If you only watch Community from this list...gotta get on that...these are the best shows on TV.
Community is the only show on this list I actually like
DOCTOR WHO impossible astronaut/ day of the moon
The best episode of the season was supernatural`s "The French Mistake"!I freaking loved it!
I watch a lot of TV and i only watch Community from this list.
Wow. This is for the most not a bad list, but the episode of "Its Always Sunny", "Who Got Dee Pregnant?" had to be top 10. Also "Sons of Anarchy" "NS", easily the best episode of the third season and better than the overrated "Mad Men" episode. I think last evenings "GoT" episode written by George Martin was its best hour in a show that is very difficult to pick the finest hour of. If "Game of Thrones" doesn't win best drama, then the Emmy's are a complete fraud. It is doing what no other drama in the history of television has ever accomplished in its look, feel, writing, performances, faithfulness to source material- simply flawless execution of what could very have easily been an epic failure. The "Archer" episode you selected should enable this little cartoon to get nominated for "Best Comedy". The scene with Archer and Lana confronting the Irish mob was one of the funniest scenes in any comedy this year. "Survey Says..."moreless
meh don't watch any of these
entrada should be higher in the list, and no dexter... come on!!
Dexter didn't even make Honorable Mentions list :(
There's a "The Walking Dead" episode, but not a single Bones episode ?! Your Top 10 sucks, guys, sorry for the honesty...
Oh yes, an agree that Sherlock should have been in there.
Didn't you guys watch The Killing (Danish, not American). For shame! Although, it would be impossible to pick one episode I would say the first episode. Stunning.
As with all of your list, I have either never heard of or do not watch most of the shows on the list. BUT I do totally agree with Fringe's "Entrada" being on the list, although I feel that "The Last Sam Weiss" is better than "Entrada" as an episode.
I liked this list, but if you had to compare episodes, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia's would definitely beat out Modern Family. And I'd pick some other Community episode. But still overall this is a great list.