Television’s evolution is best reflected in the trailblazing series that transformed how stories are framed, presented, and received by audiences worldwide. These shows set new standards for writing, character complexity, and production values, establishing a foundation for today’s golden age of serialized storytelling.
At the forefront sits The Sopranos (1999-2007), often credited for launching modern TV’s prestige era. Its intricate portrayal of mobster Tony Soprano’s personal and criminal struggles broke stereotypes, ushering in morally complex antiheroes and pushing serialized narratives to new depths.
The show scored high praise for its writing, grounded performances, and fearless exploration of psychology and American family dynamics, influencing countless series since.
Breaking Bad (2008-2013) , another landmark, masterfully traced Walter White’s descent from mild-mannered teacher to ruthless drug kingpin. The tightly woven plotlines, gripping suspense, and characters facing moral dilemmas elevated TV drama to cinematic heights.
Critical acclaim and broad audience engagement cemented it as a cultural phenomenon and a blueprint for character-driven storytelling.
Crime drama The Wire (2002-2008) distinguished itself with a politically charged, realistic depiction of urban America’s institutions.
Praised for social commentary and narrative scope across Baltimore’s culture, the series dissected societal structures while painting rich portraits of individuals ensnared in systemic issues. It’s regularly cited among the most impactful and intellectually ambitious shows of all time.
These pioneering works share a daring sophistication and a willingness to challenge viewers’ comfort zones, which in turn redefined expectations and inspired the industry to adopt complex storytelling in diverse genres beyond crime and drama.
Comedies and Sci-Fi: Expanding the Boundaries of Television Artistry
The best television shows are not limited to drama alone; comedy and sci-fi have made monumental contributions that shaped TV’s artistic and cultural identity.
Seinfeld (1989-1998) , hailed as “a show about nothing,” revolutionized sitcoms by focusing on mundane, relatable scenarios scripted with razor-sharp wit and unconventional narrative structure.
Its nonlinear storytelling, ensemble cast dynamics, and cultural references have influenced generations of comedy shows, maintaining mass appeal decades after its finale.
The Sopranos (Credit: Amazon Prime Video)
On the forefront of sci-fi and anthology storytelling were shows like The Twilight Zone (original run 1959-1964), which used speculative fiction to dissect social issues, fears, and morality, creatively pushing the boundaries of thematic storytelling and television’s potential.
Its format inspired countless series, evidenced by the continued popularity of anthology and genre TV.
More recently, animated series such as The Simpsons (1989-present) deserve mention for long-lasting cultural impact. As the longest-running animated sitcom globally, it pioneered satire, pop culture referencing, and social commentary through humor accessible to multiple generations.
These shows displayed innovation not only in writing and performance but in pushing the medium’s flexibility to tackle any storytelling style, from snappy comedy to speculative examination of humanity.
Why These Series Endure: Cultural Impact and Narrative Depth
What sets these TV shows apart is their enduring relevance and ability to connect across eras and audiences. They didn’t simply entertain but also engaged with societal questions, explored human nature, or reflected cultural moments, making them timeless.
For instance, The Sopranos and The Wire don’t just recount stories of crime; they unravel layers of identity, power, and social decay with nuance. Breaking Bad’s portrayal of transformation and consequence resonates as a tragic parable with universal appeal.
These narratives invite viewers to confront moral ambiguity rather than seek simple justice or satisfaction.
Shows like Seinfeld taught audiences to appreciate the absurdity in daily life with humor that remains fresh even today. The Twilight Zone set a template for thoughtful, cerebral television, proving that fantastic ideas could illuminate real fears and hopes.
And The Simpsons highlighted evolving cultural sensibilities humorously yet thoughtfully, often leading mainstream conversations.
Critically, these series sparked passionate fandoms and academic study, embodying that television can be art. Audience devotion reflected both emotional investment in characters and enthusiastic discourse on themes, storytelling techniques, and social contexts.
They created spaces for inclusivity and reflection in popular media, broadening television’s role beyond passive entertainment.
Vince Gilligan’s impact on television storytelling is often framed by his groundbreaking crime dramas Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
Yet with Pluribus, his latest sci-fi endeavor, Gilligan expands familiar territory while retaining a compelling center: the resilient, morally complex protagonist struggling against overwhelming odds. Understanding the core traits these characters share reveals why Gilligan’s stories resonate so deeply across genres.
Walter White’s transformation from meek chemistry teacher to feared drug lord in Breaking Bad (2008–2013) remains a defining example of this narrative form. He embodies the common man pushed beyond limits, making impossible choices under pressure, often forced to reconcile his flawed morality with survival instincts.
Walter’s arc highlights Gilligan’s skill in portraying antiheroes with layers of charm, desperation, and conviction, inviting viewers to root for a man’s survival even as he descends morally.
Similarly, Jimmy McGill, better known as Saul Goodman, in Better Call Saul (2015–2022), encapsulates a character battling his inner demons and external constraints.
Jimmy is intelligent but constantly cornered by circumstances and a self-destructive streak, reflecting Gilligan’s fascination with identity, redemption, and survival within a harsh legal world.
Like Walter, Jimmy evokes audience empathy despite his flaws, anchored by Bob Odenkirk’s brilliant performance and Gilligan’s incisive writing.
Pluribus introduces a fresh yet thematically linked hero, Carol Sturka, portrayed by Rhea Seehorn, who also famously played Jimmy’s love interest Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul. Carol navigates a dystopian world where enforced happiness masks hidden dangers.
Vince Gilligan (Credit: BBC)
She is resolute and complex, embodying Gilligan’s trademark blend of human vulnerability and relentless willpower. Like Walter and Jimmy, Carol is a survivor confronting both external threats and internal conflicts, reflecting Gilligan’s ongoing exploration of flawed resilience through different narrative lenses.
From Crime to Sci-Fi: Gilligan’s Signature Storytelling Style
While Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul anchor Gilligan’s legacy in crime drama, Pluribus ventures boldly into science fiction without abandoning essential storytelling traits. Critics praise Pluribus for intertwining Gilligan’s classical character focus with larger speculative fiction themes, creating a tonal blend reminiscent of The X-Files and Breaking Bad’s emotional depth.
Gilligan’s signature pacing of long, tense scenes punctuated by moments of sudden, impactful action is evident across all three shows. Pluribus’ premiere particularly showcases this style, slowly building tension as normalcy fractures under increasing chaos, before releasing viewers into sudden, high-stakes conflict. This method keeps audiences fully engaged in character psychology amid unfolding disasters, a hallmark seen in the best episodes of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
Thematically, Pluribus maintains Gilligan’s preoccupation with consequences and morality. Where Walter and Saul navigate crime’s ethically gray zones, Carol confronts a society obsessed with conformity and forced happiness. This shift in genre expands Gilligan’s ability to comment on human nature and societal pressures, proving that, whether in deserts or dystopias, his characters share a fundamental struggle: maintaining agency in a world intent on control.
The Evolution of Gilligan’s Protagonists: A Reflection of Time and Medium
Pluribus represents a natural progression for Gilligan, who acknowledges the shift from antiheroes embroiled in crime to a protagonist characterized by altruism and determination against oppressive forces.
Though the new show differs in setting and tone, the central element remains consistent: a strong yet imperfect individual confronting external and internal adversities.
Rhea Seehorn’s Carol Sturka channels aspects of both Kim Wexler’s resilience and Saul Goodman’s resourcefulness, illustrating how Gilligan continues evolving his protagonists to fit different narrative demands while retaining thematic continuity.
Both characters operate in flawed worlds where survival depends on wit, adaptability, and sometimes bending moral codes. This continuity allows Gilligan’s fans to trace a creative throughline, even as he experiments with genre.
This evolution is further marked by Gilligan’s deliberate distancing from previous crime narratives while embedding Easter eggs and emotional echoes of his past creations.
Pluribus embraces sci-fi’s speculative possibilities but grounds the story in character-driven drama, ensuring that no matter the setting, Gilligan’s focus remains on deeply human stories of will, choice, and consequence.
Vince Gilligan’s genius lies not only in his storytelling craft but in his ability to write flawed yet compelling characters who embody resilience amid struggle. Whether in Albuquerque’s deserts or dystopian futures, his protagonists share a common thread, a determined, human core that perseveres despite odds.
This thematic coherence across Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and Pluribus strengthens Gilligan’s status as a master storyteller whose work transcends genre boundaries and continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
