Favorite TV shows of 2016/2017 season! Part 1

Hello everybody, it's the Caffeinated Foodie here! Today, I will be discussing my favorite television shows of the 2016-2017 season. With summer coming to an end, we will be embarking on a new season of television, which I am extremely excited about. Because last season, there were so many good debut television shows, and some of the best seasons of existing shows. So, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about some of my favorites, before I give you my most anticipated shows of the 2017-2018 Fall season! So, without further ado, here is the first half of my top ten favorite television shows of the 2016-2017 season!

10) Survivor, Season 34- Game Changers (CBS)

*Release Date: March 8th, 2017- May 24th, 2017

Coming in at #10, is the reality competition show, Survivor. This 34th season of Outwit, Outplay, and Outlast, was the season of Game Changers. It brought past competitors, who somehow made a game changing impact during their past season(s). I had to question myself, on a few of the contestants, if they were really Game Changers in their past seasons. For instance; Hali Ford (Worlds Apart), Sierra Dawn Thomas (Worlds Apart), and Michaela Bradshaw (Millenials vs. Gen X). While they may not have proved to be Game Changers in their past seasons, they certainly proved their right during this season. We had some notable favorites; Malcolm Freberg (Philippines & Caramoan), J.T. Thomas (Tocantins & Heroes vs. Villains), Ozzy (Cook Islands, Micronesia, & South Pacific), and Tai Trang (Kaoh Rong). As well as some Villains and Crazies; Debbie Wanner (Koah Rong), Tony Vlachos (Cagayan), Sandra Diaz-Twine aka the Queen (Pearl Islands & Heroes vs. Villains), and Jeff Varner (The Australian Outback & Cambodia). The contestant who was crowned Sole Survivor, was female cop, Sarah Lacina (Cagayan), who definitely deserved this title.

With it being Survivor's 34th season, there have been both hit and miss seasons, as with any show that lasts this long. But, recently I found that there have been more misses than hits, especially with the last couple of seasons. And to be honest, I wasn't sure if I was going to watch this season, but I was extremely happy that I did. Because, this was definitely one of Survivors best seasons, in a very long time. One of my favorite aspects of Survivor is the strategizing, and this season had so much of that. The twisting and plotting, certainly kept you on your toes, and you never really knew who was going to get voted out. Until, their name was called and their torch was snuffed, at Tribal Council.

This season also brought some of the best, and apparently longest tribal councils ever. There were many whisperings and a whole lot of people getting up during the tribal council. As Probst was still speaking with certain contestants, and a ton of great idol plays. Not to mention that moment when Jeff Varner ousted Zeke Smith (Millenials vs. Gen X), as transgender to the entire council, and millions of viewers of this show! I don't think my mouth has gaped open as much as this season, compared to past seasons. There was plenty of tea-sipping, sugar-eating, and coffee-making to keep us plenty entertained, post-competition. Making this one of my all time favorite Survivor seasons, that has certainly earned it's Game Changing name!

Season 35 will be bringing 18 new castaways to Fiji, with the title of Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers. So, will see how it goes, and if it'll make it on next year's list of favorites. But, Mark Burnett, can we please have a season of competition Game Changers? So, that strong players can actually have a chance at the title of Sole Survivor, before getting kicked off by the third episode? I know I'm not the only one who would like to see Malcolm and Ozzy, sitting at the final tribal council!

9) Supernatural- Season 12 (The CW)

*Release Date: October 13th, 2016- May 18th, 2017

With Supernatural coming to its 13th season, this October, I had to put this one on my list of favorites, of last season. Similar to Survivor, this show has had its hits and misses, this last season kind of varied in the middle. There were certain issues I had with the major plot line of this season, that being the British Men of Letters. For some reason, I just wasn't really hooked with the idea of there being a British version of the Men of Letters. Probably due to the fact, that the people involved with the British Men of Letters, were extremely unlikeable characters. I just found certain parts of the British Men of Letters, quite boring. I also didn't really like Mary Winchester (Sam and Dean's dead mother), who God's sister brought back from the dead, in the season 11 finale. I thought she was incredibly selfish, and I didn't really understand her reasoning for leaving Sam and Dean, to work with the British Men of Letters. I thought after all those years of being dead, and being brought back to life, she would've wanted to take advantage of being back with her sons. To get to know them, after missing 30 years or so of their lives. Not many dead people are given that opportunity.

A part from those issues, there was a lot I did enjoy of season 12, which is why it got on my list of faves. I really enjoyed the storyline of Lucifer this season; who has appeared as rock star Vince Vicente (played by Rick Springfield), and the President of the United States (played by David Chisum). After being under Crowley's control, he somehow manages to break the chains, and reverse the role. While also getting a human girl pregnant, when he took control of the President of the United States body. The Winchesters try to persuade Kelly Kline (played by Courtney Ford), the female who gets impregnated by Lucifer as the President, to have an abortion. But, she can't go through with the abortion, and is kidnapped by Dagon (a female Prince of Hell). The Winchesters and Castiel try to find Kelly Kline before her nephilim is born, as their mother deals with the British Men of Letters. This plot-line was what kept me intrigued with this season of Supernatural, I really wanted to know what was going to happen with Kelly Kline and the unborn nephilim. I am very excited to see what the boys end up doing with Lucifer's baby, now that it's mother is dead, and father is stuck in this parallel world.

^^This is basically how I felt after that finale!

The two-part finale, was explosive enough for me to add Supernatural S12, to my top 10. Where we ended with a bloody battlefield; killing many favorite characters, some of which who will come back, and others who will not. Along with the birth of Lucifer's son, and the opening of a parallel world. I hope we get more of this parallel world in season 13, because I feel like that would make for an interesting plot line. A world that's without Sam and Dean, where Lucifer and Mary are now stuck in. While this season wasn't my favorite of all 12 Supernatural seasons, it is still one of my top favorite television shows. Which, is the main reason why it made this list, but didn't get a higher ranking! But, I mean I couldn't leave out my favorite boys on a favorites list.

8) Westworld- Season 1 (HBO)

*Release Date: October 2nd, 2016- December 4th, 2016

Last October, we were blessed with a brand new HBO show, called Westworld. A Science-Fiction, Western Thriller television series, based on the 1973 film of the same name. This was by far one of my favorite debut seasons of the 2016-2017 television season. However, it was a bit slow in certain parts, and wasn't as memorable as other shows that ranked higher. But, there were many aspects of this show that I really enjoyed, and found it to be incredibly creative.

The story takes place in Westworld, a technologically advanced Wild West-themed amusement park, populated by android hosts. Westworld caters to very wealthy guests, who may indulge in whatever they wish within the park, without fear of retaliation from the hosts. The guests can kill, have sex, and go on adventures with these androids. Each android plays a certain character in Westworld, and basically follows a specific script catered to that character. If they die during their story, they are taken away from the scene and rebooted, without any memory of the day before. Basically, reliving the same day, over and over again. Although, some androids have been experiencing glitches, where they remember certain parts of their stories. The two main stories we follow; are Dolores Abernathy (Evan Rachel Wood), who is the oldest living host of Westworld, and Maeve Millay (Thandie Newton), who is a madam at the Mariposa Salon. Who both discover that their lives are one big, elaborate lie.

Westworld was one of the most creative television shows, I watched during the 2016-2017 season. There were so many twists and turns, being one of the first shows that I was completely surprised by the end of it. The costumes, cinematography, storyline, and acting were a definite standout. I am extremely excited for season 2, and can't wait to see what happens next after that cliffhanger finale.

7) 13 Reasons Why- Season 1 (Netflix Original)

*Original Release: March 31, 2017

So, 13 Reasons Why (A Netflix Original), definitely had to have been the most controversial debuts of the 2016/2017 television season. While it was very controversial, I thought it was a beautiful and very powerful show, that was extremely necessary to bring up.

13 Reasons Why, is an adaption of 2007 novel (of the same name), written by Jay Asher, and produced by Selena Gomez. It follows teen Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), who commits suicide. After her suicide, a box of tapes has been dropped off at friend and unrequited love, Clay Jensen's (Dylan Minnette) doorstep. Each person who received these tapes, is one of the reasons why she has committed suicide. After each person listens to the tapes, they must pass it on to the next person. If anyone decides to break the chain, a separate set of tapes will be released to the public. The tapes are sent to other teens from her school, who have affected Hannah's life, and ultimately led to her suicide. Some of the most notable characters are Clay Jensen, Jessica Davis (Alisha Boe) who was Hannah's first friend, Brandon Flynn (Justin Foley) who was Hannah's first kiss, and Bryce Walker (Justin Prentice) the boy who raped her and her former friend Jessica. It not only covers the uncomfortable topics of suicidal thoughts and suicide within young adults, but also discusses rape, and sexuality.

I thought this show brought up a lot of important topics, that most of us are very ignorant of or just plain scared to discuss. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people aged 15-24, behind car accidents and homicide. It is something that needs to be talked about, and I believe 13 Reasons Why, gave that ability for parents and their children to discuss it. However, there were issues I had with the show, for instance the way they went about the suicide. I do believe they glorified and dramatized the suicide, changing it completely from the book. In the book Hannah commits suicide via drug overdose, and in the show she slits her wrists in her tub. I think the producers would've been able to have the same affect of what they were trying to showcase, if they kept the original suicide attempt. With that being said, I don't think individuals with suicidal thoughts or who have been affected by mental illness, should watch this show. I also believe that if you are 16 or younger, you should probably watch this show with your parents. 13 Reasons Why, is very graphic and may trigger suicidal tendencies. But, I do believe that it provides us with an important topic of discussion, that is hardly spoken about in the media. I believe the acting was very well done, and this show was a good portrayal of what happens in high schools. On another note; even though Brandon Flynn is extremely attractive, I am not on that fangirl train. I thought what he did to Jessica was very wrong, and he was just as much a part of that rape as Bryce was. But, I do think that we all need a Clay in our lives!

6) Riverdale - Season 1 (The CW)

*Release Date: January 26th, 2017

Another debut television show has racked up the ranks onto my top ten favorites, titled Riverdale. Riverdale is a CW television series, from the creators of Gossip Girl and The Vampire Diaries, based on the loveable characters of the Archie Comics.

It's set in the town of Riverdale, which appears to be seemingly normal, but is hidden with many dark secrets. We start off with the surprising murder of Jason Blossom (Trevor Stines), whose body was found washed up on the side of the river. Jason Blossom is the redheaded son of Penelope and Clifford Blossom, who run a maple syrup company, and twin brother of mean girl, Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch). No one knows who is responsible for this murder, but events and revelations begin to unfold in this seemingly wholesome town. Leaving Archie and his gang, closer and closer to finding out who killed Jason Blossom.

We also follow the main character of this show, Archie Andrews (K.J. Apa). He is your very popular Football player, who has a secret passion for music. We find out that Archie has been having a love affair with one of the new music teachers at Riverdale High, and has had a falling out with friend Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse). While also trying to juggle his friendship with Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart), who happens to be totally in love with him. As mysteries, drama, and tensions arise. We are introduced to newbie Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes), who causes more of a strife between Betty and Archie. But, eventually becomes friends with Betty, who realizes she was never meant to be with Archie.

This show was full of drama and intrigue, although it was a bit predictable at times. However, I fell in love with the characters and cast, so much so that it had to make my top ten. It was also one of the most visually stunning shows I have watched in a long time, and there were many times where I wished I was the Photographer for that show. It got me full on milkshakes, kept me entertained with it's fun musical numbers, and brought us back one half of the beautiful Sprouse Twins. Deeming it worthy enough to gain a full 22 episode, second season. I know I'm not the only one who is craving more Bughead and Jarchie moments, along with some quality memes to feast our eyes.

Wow, that blog post ended up being a bit longer than I thought it would be. So, I will be splitting this up into two parts, to break it up a bit. I hope that you enjoyed this blog post, and stay tuned for the second part of my top ten favorite tv shows of the 2016/2017 season.