I watch one show, Sons of Anarchy, which my wife says has no redeeming qualities. :-} And I’m a 59 year old across the board conservative with a deep belief in God and my faith. Go figure.
Jonah Goldberg had an article about the show in National Review.
It's like The Godfather or The Sopranos: there's an ethic of loyalty to the group that is in some ways admirable combined with viciousness to people outside the group.
It's the same sort of thing you can find (in less self-conscious fashion) in ancient warrior sagas.
Does the mixture of admirable courage and loyalty with cruelty and exploitation of outsiders make it better or worse than another kind of story?
I don't know, but Dexter takes the formula way too far: the serial killer with his own "moral code".
One of my favorite series! "Sons of Anarchy" is loosely based on Shakespeare's "Hamlet" mixed with "Macbeth". That might make it more palatable for your wife.
HaH. I can’t get into that one it’s Terriers right after that has me watching.
And Low budget “Terriers” has the lamest theme tune of all times.