The Best TV Shows of 2011

Honorable Mention: The Hour

During a Mad Men-free 2011, this BBC drama was the next best thing. Set in 1956 against the backdrop of launching a serious newsmagazine during a time of political turmoil, the series hinges on the triangle of a cocky journalist (Ben Whishaw), his would-be girlfriend (Romola Garai) and the polished anchor (The Wire's Dominic West) who is able to woo her in ways Freddie can't. But Freddie's calling to find the truth ultimately leads him to pursue a sinister conspiracy, adding multiple layers of deception, intrigue and tension. Our one complaint: It was too short. If only the Brits didn't favor those six-episode TV seasons.