My current favorite TV shows (with spoilers)

It's that time of year when folks are posting their top 10 lists. I've never posted one and I don't intend to start now, but I do want to take part in the conversation by adding my fall favorites. 1. Homeland - It's true that there were moments this season where I was pulled out from the narrative and said, "Hmmm.....that's just too convenient." But because I am a fan of emotional truth in my fiction, those moments didn't factor into my decision. Homeland was my favorite series of the year. I don't think any show made me more tense and Claire Danes is crazy smart which is always an winning combination. And my favorite moment was realizing that the truth about Brody was going to come out in the middle of the season. 2. Sons of Anarchy - How horrific was it when Otto bit his tongue in two? Or when Tig's daughter was torched? Or when the Opie was beaten to death? How awful was it to see Jax turn into his stepfather rather than his father? And that last shot where Lady Macbeth reigns supreme? I don't know if it was because of those moments or in spite of them that I found this season to be the best yet. 3. Nashville - I knew if Connie Britton were attached to a series, it would be a good one and I haven't been disappointed. What surprised me is that it's not the acting that has entertained me the most about the series. It's the music. And I'm not even a country music fan. 4. American Horror - I've always loved horror, but horror is not why I've been enjoying American Horror so much. What I find so entertaining is how over the top, the show is. Serial killers. Check. Aliens. Check. Bad Santas. Check. Demonic Possession. Check. You name the trope. Ryan Murphy has is covered. My favorite moment was when they even brought a Bad Seed in. Everything but the kitchen sink is thrown in which takes the series into metahorror territory. 5. Parenthood - Even the trailers, make me tear up. I love this show in the way I used to love Thirty Something. As mentioned above, I'm a fan of emotional truth and Parenthood has that in spades. And adding Ray Romano? I do love Jason Ritter, but I'm okay sacrificing him now that Men of a Certain Age has been cancelled.