“Ozark” -- The Top 25 Programs of 2017, No. 11

But such comparisons don’t quite add up, because nothing can or ever will compare to Breaking Bad, one of the few shows in the early years of Peak TV to truly alter basic perceptions about the medium.  When Breaking Bad debuted I noted (long before the show became a phenomenon) that it reminded me of a film from the Seventies – still the decade to have produced the most intensely personal and reflective movies in the history of that medium.  That is the highest compliment I can pay to any television series.

Ozark doesn’t breathe the same rarified air – not yet, anyway – but as thrillers about relatively unremarkable men who get way in over their heads dealing with deadly criminals only to get consumed by the power of it all even though there are unexpected dangers at every turn and the lives of their loved ones are in perpetual potential peril, this one is pretty damn good.

Plus, it brought Jason Bateman and Laura Linney back to television in terrifically demanding roles, and they are riveting to watch.  For that reason alone Ozark belongs on all of the Best of 2017 lists it has turned up on, including this one.

To be completely fair, Ozark really isn’t anything like Breaking Bad and wastes no time establishing its own unique storylines, characterizations and atmosphere.  And instead of Aaron Paul's Jesse Pinkman it has Julia Garner's Ruth Langmore as the protagonist's sidekick of sorts.  Garner is giving the kind of breakout performance here that should launch her career into the stratosphere.  As was true of Paul, it is thrilling to watch a relative newcomer steal the show.

Previously in the Top 25 Programs of 2017

Dear White People -- No. 12

The Middle -- No. 13

Godless -- No. 14

Crosswalk the Musical -- No. 15

South Park -- No. 16

Days of Our Lives -- No. 17

Dancing with the Stars -- No. 18

Carrie Underwood's Performance at the CMA Awards -- No. 19

House Hunters and All Things HGTV -- No. 20 

Project Runway -- No. 21

Live with Kelly and Ryan -- No. 22

Tosh.0 --No. 23

The Graham Norton Show-- No. 24

The Mary Tyler Moore Show -- No. 25

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