The BEST shows of 2012
Every show that aired an episode in 2012, ranked
We've compiled the average episode rating for every TV show episode aired in 2012 to compile this list of best shows!
#1 - Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic
In a strange faraway land lies the mysterious labyrinth called The Dungeon. A young boy, Aladdin, and his companion Alibaba, attempt to penetrate the secrets of The Dungeon and obtain the treasures rumored to be hidden there. Within The Dungeon, Aladdin meets many different people, and eventually discovers his destiny.
View Episode Rankings#2 - Gintama
Gintama is a story of a handyman named Gintoki, a samurai with no respect for rules set by the invaders, who's ready to take any job to survive. He and his gang, however, are also among the very few who have not forgotten the morale of a swordsman. Wherever they go, all they do is to create troubles.
View Episode Rankings#3 - High School D×D
Hyoudou Issei, a simple-minded, lecherous second-year high school student is killed by an innocent-looking beautiful girl on his very first date. Issei is reincarnated as a devil, with the help of Rias Gremory, and so ends up as her Pawn from then on. Gremory is not only the president of the Occult Research Club, and the prettiest girl on campus, but also a high-ranking devil herself. Are Issei's days without female companionship finally over, or will life after death turn out to be a lot more complicated than he ever imagined?
View Episode Rankings#4 - Gravity Falls
Twin brother and sister Dipper and Mabel Pines are in for an unexpected adventure when they spend the summer helping their Great Uncle Stan run a tourist trap in the mysterious town of Gravity Falls, Oregon.
View Episode Rankings#5 - Fairy Tail
Lucy, an aspiring Celestial Wizard, becomes a friend and ally to powerful wizards Natsu, Gray, and Erza, who are part of the (in)famous wizard guild, Fairy Tail.
View Episode Rankings#6 - The Incredible Dr Pol
With more than 19,000 patients, Dr. Pol has seen it all. Specializing in large farm animals, this senior is anything but retiring as he takes an old-school, non-nonsense approach to veterinary medicine. Unflappable and unstoppable, this doc routinely puts in 14-hour days and is a legend in his community. This new series travels with him across rural Michigan to care for every family pet and head of livestock in need of his expertise and kindness.
View Episode Rankings#7 - Game of Thrones
Seven noble families fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros. Friction between the houses leads to full-scale war. All while a very ancient evil awakens in the farthest north. Amidst the war, a neglected military order of misfits, the Night's Watch, is all that stands between the realms of men and the icy horrors beyond.
View Episode Rankings#8 - Naruto Shippuden
Naruto Uzumaki, is a loud, hyperactive, adolescent ninja who constantly searches for approval and recognition, as well as to become Hokage, who is acknowledged as the leader and strongest of all ninja in the village.
View Episode Rankings#9 - Pit Bulls and Parolees
Pit bulls are eager to please, faithful and enthusiastic friends and pleasant with children according to credible canine organizations. But they have fallen from grace. Now often associated with gang members, dog fighting and attacks. That's about to change. Animal Planet introduces you to this dog's greatest ally, and she's not a man - she's a fiery red-headed leading lady, and she's determined to end the needless hostility toward pit bulls. Meet Tia Maria Torres - 49-year-old mother, top pit bull trainer and founder and owner of Villalobos Rescue Center - the country's largest rescue facility for pit bulls.
View Episode Rankings#10 - Braxton Family Values
Join the rambunctious, tight-knit Braxton sisters — Grammy-winning artist Toni Braxton, Traci, Towanda, Trina and Tamar — and their headstrong mother for an inside look at their lives and the drama of family chaos. They’ll battle it out for the spotlight with sibling rivalry, man drama, bankruptcy, a DUI and much more! Will their super-close sisterly bond and unconditional love get them through the trials and tribulations of life in the fab lane? You must tune in and watch WE tv's new series, Braxton Family Values, to find out.
View Episode Rankings#11 - Breaking Bad
When Walter White, a chemistry teacher, is diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given a prognosis of two years left to live, he chooses to enter a dangerous world of drugs and crime with the intent to secure his family's financial security.
View Episode Rankings#12 - Flashpoint
Flashpoint is an emotional journey following the lives of members of the Strategic Response Unit as they solve hostage situations, bust gangs, and defuse bombs. They work by utilizing their training to get inside the heads of these people in order to make them reach their breaking point (aka their flashpoint).
View Episode Rankings#13 - Dragons
Taking place between How to Train Your Dragon and HTTYD 2, DreamWorks Dragons follows Hiccup as he tries to keep balance within the new cohabitation of Dragons and Vikings. Alongside keeping up with Berk's newest installment—A Dragon Training Academy—Hiccup, Toothless, and the rest of the Viking Teens are put to the test when they are faced with new worlds harsher than Berk, new dragons that can't all be trained, and new enemies who are looking for every reason to destroy the harmony between Vikings and Dragons altogether.
View Episode Rankings#14 - Lilyhammer
Frank Tagliano (Steven Van Zandt), is a former member of the New York mob. After testifying in a trial in the United States, Tagliano is relocated to Lillehammer in Norway through the FBI's witness protection program. Frank Tagliano was intrigued by Lillehammer when he saw television images of the Winter Olympics in 1994, and therefore chooses to start his new life there. The transition from being a feared and respected gangster in New York, to become an unemployed immigrant in Norway, is not simple. Frank discovers that to get up and in the Norwegian rural society, he must resort to the old, ruthless methods.
View Episode Rankings#15 - Heartland (2007) (CA)
Life is hard on the Flemings' ranch in the Alberta foothills where abused or neglected horses find refuge with a kind, hard-working family. Debts abound and the bank is about to foreclose. Can they keep the ranch running?
View Episode Rankings#16 - Person of Interest
An ex-CIA agent and a mysterious billionaire prevent violent crimes with the help of an all-seeing machine that can predict events before they happen.
View Episode Rankings#17 - Strictly Come Dancing
Dazzling routines, outrageous sets, flamboyant costumes and the occasional dance dis-aaa-ster.
View Episode Rankings#18 - The Legend of Korra
Avatar Korra, a headstrong, rebellious, feisty young woman who continually challenges and breaks with tradition, is on her quest to become a fully realized Avatar. In this story, the Avatar struggles to find balance within herself.
View Episode Rankings#19 - Jessie
Jessie is an 18-year old girl from a rural Texas town who moves to New York City. She suddenly finds herself becoming the nanny of four children living in a multi-million dollar penthouse in a hotel after being pushed out of a taxi. One of the youngest children just asks her to be her nanny and now Jessie has to get them to get along by keeping them from fighting. One of the children has an imaginary friend and another has a pet water monitor lizard. Assisting her is Bertram, a mean, lazy butler and Tony, a 20-year-old doorman who secretly likes Jessie.
View Episode Rankings#20 - Dexter
Dexter Morgan is a Miami-based blood spatter expert who doesn’t just solve murders; he commits them too. In fact, he’s a serial killer — but he only murders the guilty, so he feels justified with his lifestyle choices. His policewoman sister and his cop co-workers have no idea Dexter lives a double life; however, adoptive father Harry knows his secret, and does, in fact, help Dexter hone his “skills.” It’s a unique brand of justice for which charming Dexter feels a psychological hunger.
View Episode Rankings#21 - Swamp People
Deep in the heart of Louisiana lies America's largest swamp–a million miles of inhospitable bayous, marshes and wetlands where nature rules and humans struggle to tame it. Many of its inhabitants are the hardened descendants of French refugees who were forced out of Canada in the 18th century and settled in this harsh yet majestic environment. Today, these people are known as the Cajuns, a group renowned throughout the world for their flavorful cuisine, distinctive music and vibrant culture. Resilient, self-reliant and fiercely independent, the Cajuns of the Atchafalaya Swamp still carry on many of their ancestors' trades and traditions.
View Episode Rankings#22 - Marvel's Ultimate Spider-Man
Peter Parker became Spider-Man two years ago and Nick Fury, Director of SHIELD, offers Peter the chance to train and become “The Ultimate Spider-Man” while working alongside four fellow teenage superheroes.
View Episode Rankings#23 - Wilfred (US)
Ryan, a young man struggling unsuccessfully to make his way in the world forms a unique friendship with Wilfred, his neighbor's canine pet. Everyone else sees Wilfred as just a dog, but Ryan sees a crude and somewhat surly, yet irrepressibly brave and honest Australian bloke in a cheap dog suit. While leading him through a series of comedic and existential adventures, Wilfred the dog shows Ryan the man how to overcome his fears and joyfully embrace the unpredictability and insanity of the world around him.
View Episode Rankings#24 - Deadly Women
Female murderers are often times more horrifying and intriguing than their male counterparts. Their worlds are often defined by obsession, greed, and revenge. Deadly Women fuses bone-chilling story-telling, sumptuous period drama and forensic fact in a bid to explore history's most alluring female killers. Each episode profiles four famous cases from the past; killers and their victims are brought to life by elaborate dramatized reconstructions. The program will span four centuries and seven countries to explore the makings of these deadly women. Candice DeLong, a former FBI agent and profiler, and Dr. Janis Amatuzio, a forensic pathologist will also join the program to give a deeper insight into the crimes and the women who commit them.
View Episode Rankings#25 - Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness
A martial-arts loving panda named Po gets help from his mentor and friends as he trains to become a Dragon Warrior and protect the valley where he lives.
View Episode Rankings#26 - Sons of Anarchy
Single father Jax Teller finds his loyalty to his outlaw motorcycle club tested by his growing unease concerning the group's lawlessness. While the club protects and patrols the town of Charming, Calif., keeping drug dealers away, its activities also include a thriving -- and lucrative -- illegal arms business.
View Episode Rankings#27 - Being Human (US)
This remake follows three paranormal, 20-something roommates living in Boston as they struggle to hide their dark secrets from the world, while helping each other navigate the complexities of living double lives and trying to be human.
View Episode Rankings#28 - Dancing with the Stars
The American version of the British “Strictly Come Dancing” sees celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which are judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts and voted on by viewers. Enjoy sizzling salsas, sambas and spray-tans as they vie for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy!
View Episode Rankings#29 - The Ricky Gervais Show
Based on the series of podcasts that Gervais did with longtime partner Stephen Merchant, this comedy team convenes to bring HBO an animated series about their hilarious friend Karl Pilkington.
View Episode Rankings#30 - American Ninja Warrior
The heart-racing obstacle-course competition of ultra-athletes questing for a shot at the fabled Mt. Midoriyama. This American version of the Japanese show Sasuke (aka Ninja Warrior) televises a series of qualification courses across the nation, with the top contenders going to Las Vegas for the finals on the 4-stage "Mt. Midoriyama" obstacle course. In earlier seasons the show was a proving ground to find (and train) American athletes to send to Japan to compete in the original Sasuke tournaments.
View Episode Rankings#31 - Degrassi
Degrassi is a Canadian teen drama television series, set in the Degrassi fictional universe created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1980. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, following The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and Degrassi High. Like its predecessors, Degrassi follows a group of students attending Degrassi Community School who face challenges common to teen life, such as self image, peer pressure, child abuse, sexual identity, gang violence, self-injury, school shootings, teenage pregnancy and drug abuse.
View Episode Rankings#32 - Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations
Join best-selling author and professional chef Anthony Bourdain as he travels the world seeking the ultimate dining experience. He will hit locales from the well known to those off the beaten path, from New Jersey to Iceland and points in between. Along his journey, the adventuring Bourdain will share his no holds barred experience of the food and customs that flavor the different cultures of the world in a way that only he can.
View Episode Rankings#33 - Vera
DCI Vera Stanhope is obsessive about her work. With her caustic wit and guile, the unorthodox but brilliant detective investigates chilling crimes set in Northumberland with her trusted colleagues.
View Episode Rankings#34 - Boardwalk Empire
An Atlantic City politician plays both sides of the law by conspiring with gangsters during the Prohibition era.
View Episode Rankings#35 - The Killing
Police detective Sarah Lund investigates difficult cases with personal and political consequences.
View Episode Rankings#36 - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Four egocentric friends who run a neighborhood Irish pub in Philadelphia try to find their way through the adult world of work and relationships. Unfortunately, their warped views and precarious judgments often lead them to trouble, creating a myriad of uncomfortable situations that usually only get worse before they get better.
View Episode Rankings#37 - Franklin & Bash
In Franklin & Bash, two young, fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants street lawyers cause a seismic culture clash when they join a legendary, button-down law firm. Breckin Meyer is Jared Franklin, who loves sticking it to authority every chance he gets, while Mark-Paul Gosselaar plays Peter Bash, who has a knack for connecting with jury and judge.
View Episode Rankings#38 - Suits
College drop-out Mike Ross accidentally lands a job with one of New York's best legal closers, Harvey Specter. They soon become a winning team with Mike's raw talent and photographic memory, and Mike soon reminds Harvey of why he went into the field of law in the first place.
View Episode Rankings#39 - Adventure Time
Adventure Time follows two best friends: Finn (a 12-year old boy) and Jake (a wise 28-year-old dog with magical powers), and the surreal adventures undertaken by the duo as they traverse the mystical Land of Ooo. A world built for adventure, Ooo is filled to the brim with various landscapes for the two buddies to explore and bizarre characters to assist.
View Episode Rankings#40 - Have I Got News for You
Based on the week's news, Have I Got News For You is fronted by guest hosts and features two regular team captains, Paul Merton and Ian Hislop. Each week the show invites two guests to cast a jaundiced eye over the week's news, resulting in a fast flow of anarchic, spontaneous and hugely entertaining wit and humour. Guests typically represent the world of politics, comedy, show-business and journalism, and are often themselves particularly newsworthy participants. The final touches of Have I Got News For You are put together only hours before recording, allowing guests to comment on the late-breaking news stories of the day.
View Episode Rankings#41 - Deadliest Catch
Forty-foot waves, 700 pound crab pots, freezing temperatures and your mortality staring you in the face…it's all in a day's work for these modern day prospectors. During each episode we will watch crews race to meet their quota and make it home safely.
View Episode Rankings#42 - Shameless (US)
Chicagoan Frank Gallagher is the proud single dad of six smart, industrious, independent kids, who without him would be... frankly, perhaps better off. When Frank's not at the bar spending what little money they have, he's passed out on the floor. But the kids have found ways to grow up in spite of him. They may not be like any family you know, but they make no apologies for being exactly who they are.
View Episode Rankings#43 - Victorious
Chaos is coming to Tori Vega's life. The 16 year old is starting at a new high school; but not just any school. This is Hollywood Arts, a performing arts school where crazy talented students learn how to become real artists.. Until now, Tori didn't think she had much talent of her own, and was content to live in the shadow of her older sister, Trina. Now, that's all about to change... if Tori can see herself in a new light, even a spotlight! But Hollywood Arts is still a high school, and Tori is still the new kid. She'll have to find new friends, do homework, and just try to fit in. Will Tori grab a starring role in her new life?
View Episode Rankings#44 - Rizzoli & Isles
Boston detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles are complete opposites and good friends who solve crimes and bust some of Boston’s most notorious criminals. Jane and Maura often find themselves working together as both use their brilliant minds and expertise to figure Boston’s most complex cases.
View Episode Rankings#45 - Community
The student body at Greendale Community College is made up of high-school losers, newly divorced housewives, and old people who want to keep their minds active. Within these not-so-hallowed halls, Community focuses on a band of misfits, at the center of which is a fast-talking lawyer whose degree was found to be fake, who form a study group and end up learning a lot more about themselves than they do about their course work.
View Episode Rankings#46 - Rookie Blue
The stakes are high for five young cops fresh out of the Academy and ready for their first day with one of the most elite units in the city. Under the watchful guidance of their officers, Andy McNally and her four fellow rookies quickly learn that no amount of training could prepare them for this new world where every day is a first. Each case they tackle and choice they make will impact their lives, but it's their personal relationships that may play an even greater role in defining the cops they become.
View Episode Rankings#47 - Benidorm (2007)
Follow holidaymakers at the Solana Resort in Benidorm. Hilarity ensues as guests try to get value for their Euros.
View Episode Rankings#48 - Touch (2012)
The show follows a group of unrelated characters. One of these is Martin Bohm, a widower and a single father who is haunted by an inability to connect to his mute and severely autistic 10-year-old son, Jake. Martin has tried everything he could do in order to reach his son, but at no success. To spend his time, Jake has cast-off cell phones, disassembling them and manipulating the parts. This allows him to see the world in a different way entirely.
View Episode Rankings#49 - The Borgias
Set in 15th century Italy at the height of the Renaissance, The Borgias chronicles the corrupt rise of patriarch Rodrigo Borgia to the papacy, where he proceeds to commit every sin in the book to amass and retain power, influence and enormous wealth for himself and his family.
View Episode Rankings#50 - Major Crimes
As the new boss, McDonnell's Captain Sharon Raydor is determined to lead the department with a more team-oriented approach, sharing the credit with the people with whom she works. The show focuses on how the American justice system approaches the art of the deal as law enforcement officers and prosecutors work together to score a conviction.
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