20 More TV Shows That Are Practically Flawless
18. Friday Night Lights
Before filmmaker Peter Berg became the thinking man's Michael Bay, he was running the sports drama Friday Night Lights, an uplifting, heartbreaking series that touches on more themes, social issues and harrowing character development that almost every other show on this list combined.
The story of a Texas high school football team constantly hindered in their goals for glory by economic hardships, failed relationships, addiction, and institutionalised racism, Friday Night Lights' primary protagonist is Kyle Chandler's rousing coach Eric Taylor, who attempts to keep his team and family afloat.
Brilliantly produced with the chance for the cast to dictate their characters' development, the drama was filmed with a fast, urgent energy, moving full-speed but always willing to slow things down to focus on the big issues and concepts at play. Save much of the second season, it's honestly a masterpiece everyone should see.