Which TV show to watch?

[Tarkand]

I'm currently looking for a new show to latch on too. While I do enjoy 30minutes sitcoms, I'm more interested in an episodic show, with a strong story arc ('Case/Monster of the Week' are okay, but there has to be some kind of central plot). If at all possible, I'd rather have a show that is already finished and that hasn't been cancelled but actually ran its course.

I've given Castle a chance and I'm in season 2 now, but at the moment I'm really 'meh' about it. The central story seems to be about the on again/off again relation between Castle and Beckett, and the only question is when they are going to hook up... and then how long will that last before they break up... and than how long will that last before they get back together again. Rince & repeat until the finale. The show is also extremely formulaic (Weird Case. Obvious suspect is not the culprit. 2nd obvious suspect isn't either. Castles gets some insight from an inauspicious conversation with a supporting cast member and boom, he figures out that it's the non-obvious suspect. Every. Damn. Time). It is quite funny and the interaction between Castle and Beckett is enjoyable... but I find myself bored by the police work. Which is bad for a procedural show...

To save some time and suggestions, here some shows that are currently on my watch list (waiting for the new season) or that I've either watched in their entirety or long enough to lose interest in (in no specific order):

Dexter, Game of Throne, Chuck, Awake, Walking Dead, 24, Lost, Star Trek: Next Generation, CSI, Heroes, Desperate Housewives, Once Upon of Time, Grimm, Brothers & Sisters, Eli Stone, Pushing Daisy, Breaking Bad, Person of Interest, Firefly, Spartacus, Boardwalk Empire,

I'm not generally interested in the 'supernatural' genre (Buffy, Angel, etc)... I had a huge World of Darkness phase when I was a teenager, and because of this all shows (And novels, and movies) with vampire/werewolf/magic always end up seeming like very pale imitation of the 'worlds' I used to play in. But I'm willing to give it a shot if it comes highly recommended.

Right now, I'm leaning toward X-Files or House... but I'd like to have some suggestion before I go and buy some boxed sets

Thanks.

Edit: Added some shows to my 'Already watching list' to help further suggestions.

 

[Sindaine]

I was going to suggest Grimm because it's amazing (Seriously, if you stopped watching in the first part of Season one, you missed some truly badass shit!) and you don't seem the type to type to be interested in Friday Night Lights (which is NOT just about football; football is the backdrop for some of the most compelling character-drama this side of awesome) so.....yeah, I don't really know. I liked The Mentalist too but you seem too jaded for that.

 

[Goofguy]

Off the top of my head, I would immediately recommend Justified and Breaking Bad. Both are great shows with fantastic story arcs.

 

[Stemer]

The Shield is very good and if I remember correctly each episode is a separate case.
British Life on Mars (DON'T WATCH THE AMERICAN REMAKE) is also a great show but it's quite short with only 16 episodes each of which are an hour long. Life on Mars is also a case of the week cop show with a strong over arcing mystery and I really strongly advise against reading anything else about it until you are done with the first episode.
Oh and if you aren't bothered by subtitles watch Forbrydelsen which is a Danish show and easily one of the best things I have ever watched.

 

[RheynbowDash]

You should give Burn Notice a try. It is still one of my favorite shows and the characters are very well written.

 

[LooK iTz Jinjo]

Spartacus Blood and Sand is like Game of Thrones but set in ancient Rome, it's pretty fucking awesome. Burn Notice is definitely worth a look in and Boston Legal was brilliant for it's 5 seasons.

 

[Dr Pussymagnet]

If you can deal with the downer nature of the show, then watch Breaking Bad. I guarantee you'll be hooked by at least episode 2.

 

[Mitzeh]

I second SirBryghtside's suggestion. Alphas is great and you should give it a try. You could also try White Collar, Eureka, Warehouse 13, The Finder or Touch, though Touch doesn't have many episodes out yet but is interesting. No other series spring to mind at the moment but these should keep you busy for a bit.

 

[Helikaon]

X files and house are both excellent! I was actually going to suggest them both!
Currently on season 2 of my second run through of the X-files, and I absolutely love it. My family's watching house at the moment, after I recommended it to them. They're all hooked. That show is seriously addictive!

 

[ohnoitsabear]

The first two seasons of Battlestar Galactica. The first two seasons are probably one of the best sci-fi shows ever made. Unfortunately, after season two, the show starts adding a bunch of unneeded elements to the plot and changing the roles of characters into things that don't really fit with the original character. There are still some parts of it that are worth watching (one plot arc in the second half of season four, in particular, is probably one of the best parts of the series), but most of it isn't nearly as good as the first two seasons.

That said, you still should totally watch the first two seasons. They are pure excellence.

 

[Guffe]

I'm not generally interested in the 'supernatural' genre (Buffy, Angel, etc)... I had a huge World of Darkness phase when I was a teenager, and because of this all shows (And novels, and movies) with vampire/werewolf/magic always end up seeming like very pale imitation of the 'worlds' I used to play in. But I'm willing to give it a shot if it comes highly recommended.

That's a shame.
I was going to say Supernatural. First season is pretty much one episode to the other with only one line that it follows (two brothers trying to find their father) whilst in season two everything starts coming together more and a more story based series takes off. Already 7 seasons and season 8 starting in about 3 weeks.
Basically two brother hunting supernatural beings, later they start pulling in demons and angels and the story, pretty much a personal view on religion from the creators part (I think)
Loads of humour and the stories of all the monsters and creatures are told in every episode a new appears and those backstories are very interesting.
Not really magic involved but more a religious thing with pentagrams and icons and stuff (series not taking this very seriously but mainly just wanting to build a "believable" ground for the story).
I think this post is pretty unclear since English isn't my mother tongue but if something is unclear just say and I'll try and explain it better.

 

[Sean Hollyman]

Breaking Bad, Red Dwarf, and the Walking Dead.

Breaking Bad is the best show on TV, and it's final season is next year.
The Walking Dead is also good, and it has zombies
Red Dwarf for classic British sci fi comedy genious!

 

[AetherWolf]

BBC Sherlock. Tight written, unique characterizations, and only six 90-minute episodes. And like others have said, Breaking Bad and Supernatural are recommended as well.

 

[bigfatcarp93]

I'm currently looking for a new show to latch on too. While I do enjoy 30minutes sitcoms, I'm more interested in an episodic show, with a strong story arc ('Case/Monster of the Week' are okay, but there has to be some kind of central plot). If at all possible, I'd rather have a show that is already finished and that hasn't been cancelled but actually ran its course.

I've given Castle a chance and I'm in season 2 now, but at the moment I'm really 'meh' about it. The central story seems to be about the on again/off again relation between Castle and Beckett, and the only question is when they are going to hook up... and then how long will that last before they break up... and than how long will that last before they get back together again. Rince & repeat until the finale. The show is also extremely formulaic (Weird Case. Obvious suspect is not the culprit. 2nd obvious suspect isn't either. Castles gets some insight from an inauspicious conversation with a supporting cast member and boom, he figures out that it's the non-obvious suspect. Every. Damn. Time). It is quite funny and the interaction between Castle and Beckett is enjoyable... but I find myself bored by the police work. Which is bad for a procedural show...

To save some time and suggestions, here some shows that are currently on my watch list (waiting for the new season) or that I've either watched in their entirety or long enough to lose interest in (in no specific order): Dexter, Game of Throne, Chuck, Awake, Walking Dead, 24, Lost, Star Trek: Next Generation, CSI, Heroes, Desperate Housewives, Once Upon of Time, Grimm, Brothers & Sisters, Eli Stone, Pushing Daisy, Breaking Bad, Person of Interest. There's more, but those are the ones that come to mind atm.

I'm not generally interested in the 'supernatural' genre (Buffy, Angel, etc)... I had a huge World of Darkness phase when I was a teenager, and because of this all shows (And novels, and movies) with vampire/werewolf/magic always end up seeming like very pale imitation of the 'worlds' I used to play in. But I'm willing to give it a shot if it comes highly recommended.

Right now, I'm leaning toward X-Files or House... but I'd like to have some suggestion before I go and buy some boxed sets

Thanks.

I'll say Doctor Who, but you should really go back a couble seasons to Series 5, because the show's in the middle of a big multi-season story arc right now. It's really a good show: very fun, action-packed, humorous and enjoyable, if you don't mind a sci-fi that ignores the hell out of a the sci.

EDIT: Also Sherlock, as Aether Wolf said.

 

[Sande45]

Only show that comes to mind outside your list is Boardwalk Empire. It has high production value, great acting and interesting setting. Only issue I have with it is that it focuses tad much on mundane, boring things at the expense of gangster/bootlegging stuff. Fortunately the second season improved on this and I hope the 3rd season (which just started airing) goes even further in that regard.

 

[Lugbzurg]

Those words you use, the show I've seen that probably hits the nail on the head with the most accuracy would be Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. I haven't seen the original Fullmetal Alchemist, but from what I've heard, Brotherhood is longer, and probably better. Not certain. I'll have to see the original. And yes, both of them have reached their conclusion.

You also might like to have a look at Avatar: The Last Airbender and its "sequel" of sorts, Avatar: The Legend of Korra.

There are also few shows I could recommend more than Doctor Who. It pretty much fits with what you've said.

Generator Rex is also downright awesome. Particularity when it reached a major plot-twist later on down the line, which I really shouldn't spoil. It's gotten rather deep, lately.

And... while it doesn't really follow a long, ongoing plot, I might be able to recommend My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, if you're into shows that deal with moral delemas, as well as differing genres, moods, settings, and the like from episode to episode, as well as constant shifts in the focus of specific characters. It's all very much like Durarara!! But more colorful and character-driven. In fact, Durarara!! is pretty good, as well.

 

[robotam]

The Wire. It starts of kind of slow, but then you get into it, like really into it.
The only problem is that after watching The Wire, most other shows seem Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiit.

 

[Berithil]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Firefly yet. True, the show was cancelled way before its time, but its still an absolutely awesome show, with a pretty decent story arc.