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Breaking Bad is definitely an acquired taste. At first, it would appear to be a complete turnoff for a conservative audience. Violence, brutality and at least the initial appearance of glorifying drug dealing. But as the show developed, I recognized the genius of it from the cinematography to the various plot lines that all neatly resolved themselves over time. It was the type of show where if you missed even one episode, it became difficult to follow. Every episode was essential to the overall plot and they had to be watched in sequence. I watched the entire five season cycle three full times and each viewing, I picked up on things I missed from before.

The choice of music used in the show was flawless as well. From "Crystal Blue Persuasion" to "Baby Blue" the music was very well chosen.

Also, it had probably the perfect ending. Most great TV shows really flub the final episode. This one was pretty much perfect.

Second place on my list of best TV shows would go to "Mad Men". Probably because I work in Manhattan and can identify with much of the culture. My father would have been exactly Don Draper's age during the show and I remember visiting his workplace in the mid 1960s and it was just like that. Everybody smoked, had liquor in their offices and the secretaries were often a little wild and crazy. Really a good period piece and another show where you had to pay attention to each episode. And the music selection in that show was flawless as well. The only thing I didn't like that much about "Mad Men" was all the sex scenes. But my father confirmed that there was a lot of fooling around during that era.