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Friday, October 6, 2017

Best in Show: Quick Binge Television (Pt. II of II)

The River Poster
(imdb.com)


5. The River (ABC)
In one of the most outlandish, yet adventurous shows in recent memory, ABC's The River brought found-footage to television. Set in the Amazon, this one-season series was an underrated gem that may be gone, but shouldn't be forgotten. Beset at the disappearance of her travel show-hosting husband, Tess Cole and her son, Lincoln, travel to the jungle and become deeply involved in a swirling - and terrifying - mystery. Although sometimes chaotic and misguided, The River deserved better than its raw deal and is a short, must-see for fans of the subgenre.



Harper's Island Poster
(imdb.com)
4. Harper's Island (CBS) Fleshing out a slasher plotline into an entire series can be a harrowing task. Whether it’s the difficulties around establishing enough worthwhile characters that are loved, but also expendable, or creating an interesting enough mystery to keep audiences interested. This subgenre has found some interesting results on television. In shows like Slasher and MTV's Scream, the success and horrors have been limited, often oversaturated in melodrama between protagonists. But, in Harper's Island, rampaging murder found its home. Grossly underrated with an end twist that would shock even the mo0st diehard Lost fans, Harper's Island floundered in ratings, despite its fantastic premise, terrific cast and engrossing death scenes.

3. American Horror Story: Asylum (FX)
Largely regarded as one of the best American Horror Story seasons, Asylum brought Ryan Murphy's cast and crew to an insane asylum for the critical hit's second installment. Deeply terrifying, this season featured everything from religious themes and slasher aspects, to odd sciences and aliens. Perhaps too stuffed with, well, everything, Asylum seemed to be in a constant, entertaining identity crisis. With all the well-done and intersecting plethora of subplots, there was something for everyone to love, but also something for everyone to hate. And, while there are some messy critiques to be made, the end result was something totally original, compelling and horrifying.

The Enfield Haunting Poster
(imdb.com)
2. The Enfield Haunting (Sky Living)
Before The Conjuring 2 swept the box office and won over critics with its own retelling of the infamous Enfield Poltergeist, Sky Living's miniseries, The Enfield Haunting, shook UK viewers to their core. Scary and well told, this controversial story is executed with great precision. It's dark and brooding atmosphere is sure to chill bones and it's action packed 3-episode layout makes it feel like a long, but terrific movie. Those who missed it on the first go around should do all they can to locate it and watch. It's a strong, forceful rendition that challenges the prowess of Wan's creation.

American Horror Story (2011)
(imdb.com)
1. American Horror Story Murder House (FX) 
American Horror Story: Murder House helped herald in a new generation of horror television. While other programs existed and will continue to exist years after this fantastic creation, nothing will ever touch the pure surprise of Murder House, its amazingly accomplished cast and the heart and devotion to horror that rests in this shows core. Easily one of the scariest installments of the series and by far the best laid out, Murder House exceeds as a horror show and a moving and compelling piece. Near flawless in its execution, each character, visual and scare were thoughtfully put together to create something all could enjoy. Even when the going gets a little gory for some, it always wrapped back to something mass audiences could know and love. Murder House is something that'll never be recreated or recaptured. It was a fleeting moment, but one that'll be remembered for years to come.

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