My Top 4 (because I couldn’t decide on my Top 3)
Best 4 Crime Drama TV Shows (in my humble, but correct, opinion)
Being the indecisive individual that I am, this was far from an easy task. We’ve already established my love for anything crime related, especially when it comes to entertainment, but lets narrow my scope of interest. Below I have summarized four of my top favorite Crime Drama TV Shows and how they have each earned their spot. Not only is this a great display of character referring to myself, but also a great reference for anyone trying to enter the world of crime show nerds. All are welcome here.
- Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds. An oldie but a goodie. With 15 seasons and 324 episodes of pure bliss, this series is somehow still always on my must re-watch playlist. The show holds my attention as each episode stars a new unsub but continues developing the “off-work” drama within the show. With an ongoing plot between members of the BUA and strong emotions that combine work flings and crime, what more could one really ask for? I’ve seen the entire series countless times and still find new things to like about it with every episode. The Insider discovers things even I didn’t know about Criminal Minds in their article that covers topics like Reid’s famous eyewear to JJ’s young actors in the making. The well developed characters in this show pull at your heart- strings as you follow them through their emotional struggles that come with such a mentally draining job. And if that doesn’t sell you yet, Matthew Gubler as Spencer Reid should do the trick.
2. How to Get Away With Murder
This show must have an interesting audience with a title like that. Much like its title, this show pulls you in and commands your attention. It highlights the eerie world of unexpected victims (and more so, unexpected killers) as the audience finds out just how much someone is capable of when going through times of stress and irrational thinking. After all, law school is no joke. This story is unique as it follows a group of law students as they struggle their way through apprentices, intense professors, and oh yea, did I mention murder? The plot is injected with steamy dramas and plenty of flings to keep anyone interested. I mean, they are still college kids. With a bad boy TA and a sassy teacher’s pet, How to Get Away with Murder is fitting for all crowds.
picture-HowtoGetAwayWithMurder
3) Blacklist
If you’ve never heard of Blacklist, you must literally be living under a rock. This show is different from others in this genre because you get to work with a real life criminal. And by real life criminal I mean actor James Spader. Spader, playing Raymond in the film, carries the humor in this series. Check out this short video for some of his finest moments. The fast-paced plot of the film combined with enough cliff-hangers to push you onto the edge of your seat, makes for an enticing turn of events that I can’t even predict. I do formally apologize to my dad who I ask way too many questions to during our routine Blacklist viewings.
4) Only Murders in the Building
Okay I know what you guys are thinking. In my last post I said this was my current fav. And it is, BUT it can’t top my three OG’s quite yet. First of all, this show starts Selena Gomez. Need I say more? The Variety shows an inside clips of the three main actors and their plans for future seasons. In the short video, you can realize why it was so easy for the crew to insert humor into the plot. This show stands out from other Crime Show TV Dramas due to its immense wit and somewhat absurd story plot. With popular actors and comedy carrying the plot, this show will hold your attention and keep you wanting more.
I’ve never really been fascinated by crime shows, but I am intrigued by the comedic aspect present in “Only Murders in the Building” that you describe. I get the impression that the tone of the show is a bit unconventional for the genre. Because of its comedic nature (not to mention its stars), do you believe that the show could reach a new audience for crime television programs?
Has there been a crime show you’ve watched that you hated?
While I never sat down at watched Criminal Minds, my older sister watches it all the time. I’ve seen bits and pieces when she was home from college watching it non-stop. A few episodes caught my attention. If you recommend it so highly, as does my sister, then I might try it out.
I have to ask the same question as Jackson, is there a crime show you hate? I can’t imagine there is.
I’ve always loved mystery books, but had never watched any shows within the genre, so I might have to check out some of these crime shows! All of them seem so different yet interesting in their own ways, so they would definitely keep my attention. Thanks for sharing!
As someone who’s watched the first three shows that you have on this list, I was rather excited to see what you had to say about them as I know that not everyone likes the same show for the same reasons. When thinking about the second chapter in How to Write With Flair, I love the way that you shortened your sentences in the Criminal Mind’s review to put more emphasis and personal voice in it. “Criminal Minds. An oldie but a goodie.” It says so much in such few words with your smart and strategic use of punctuation.