It's hard to imagine that TV once featured a landscape without HBO, considering its impact on the television landscape. HBO boasts some of the best talents in television; this can be seen in the number of awards they have been nominated for and won throughout the years.

They have delivered many iconic TV shows with significant cultural impact. Their one-time slogan of "It's not TV, it's HBO" said it all, and their success can be attributed to delivering a solid roster of well-written, acted and produced shows.

We have compiled a list in reverse alphabetical order of 50 of the network's best shows that everyone should watch in their lifetime. It can be a starting point when deciding the next thing to watch or gathering knowledge in the case of an HBO trivia event coming your way.

The Young Pope and The New Pope

One would think that the Vatican is the most boring place on earth. I mean, nuns and priests?

These two shows prove them wrong. In the Young Pope, the Vatican gets a new young American pope. With his age and where he grew up, he has modern and fresh ideas on how to drag the papacy into the 21^st century.

The shows give a fresh perspective on one of the world's oldest institutions and humanize it by showing it as another human establishment with its own set of challenges.

On The New Pope, a sequel to The Young Pope, there's a new pope in town, as the title suggests.

This pope doesn't really want to be here, so he does things without care after the Young Pope goes into a coma.

The show's beauty is found in the final episodes when the Young Pope wakes up and gives a speech that resonates with everyone in St Peter's square.

The shows are largely successful, with creator Paolo Sorrentino and talents such as Jude Law and John Malkovich behind them.

The Wire

Some people hail this as the best HBO and best show ever. It might be true.

Set in Baltimore, the show follows everyone associated with the drug culture of the early 2000s. From the dealers and the cops who arrest them to their families and lovers who die because of them, it leaves no stone unturned.

It captures the 2000s, from fashion and music to the politics and social-economic state of the world then. It is a tale that will take the viewer on an unforgettable journey.

The White Lotus

This was a surprise hit for HBO. They had initially planned it as a limited series, but after it was a hit with audiences and critics alike, they decided to make it an anthology series.

The show follows rich people on vacation in the prestigious White Lotus resorts worldwide.

It has great writing and acting, but the sticking point is its characters.

The characters search for an escape on vacation, but their baggage follows them and the people they are with. Everything starts easy, but things come to a head when it all becomes too much. Each season ends with a murder.

Westworld

This ambitious show is set in the near future and dives into the rise of artificial intelligence and consciousness.

Seasons vary in setting, but it is mainly focused on a theme park where humans indulge their darkest fantasies with intelligent machines.

The best thing about it is the care that goes into every detail.

It has some insane plot twists that have the viewer questioning what they are watching and even their reality.

We Are Who We Are

This limited series comes from the director of the critically acclaimed film Call Me by Your Name.

Luca Guadanigno's style usually focuses on identity and coming of age. The show is not any different.

It follows Fraser and his military upbringing coming into the teenage hood and figuring out his sexuality. It has some outrageous scenes, but overall it is a nice commentary on growing up while being an outsider.

Watchmen

Everyone loves a good superhero show. Many of them toy with the idea of fighting evil, but they do so broadly. Watchmen is based on a graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

It follows Angela Bar, played by Regina King. Angela is a black superhero who dresses up as Sister Night and fights racists while still grappling with the legacy of former vigilantes in her niche.

It is a limited series that will leave you begging for more.

The Vow

It might not be believable, but even in the 2020s, cults are still a thing.

The Vow follows a documentary-style narrative as it chronicles the experiences of people in the inner circle of the group NXIVM, which featured Smallville's Allison Mack walking in tandem with its leader, Keith Raniere.

This group outdid itself when it was charged with a myriad of charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, brought on its top-ranking members, including Keith Raniere, its founder.

Veep

Politics are a dirty game, and when you are one of the first female Americans to get to sit in one of the highest offices in the land, it's even messier.

Premiering in 2012, Veep follows Selina Meyers, a Vice President of the United States. Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays Selina

Veep received critical acclaim and was nominated for multiple awards, with its cast also being nominated for several during its seven-year run. Selina and her team get sidetracked by the day-to-day politics as they try to make a mark and leave a legacy.

True Detective

True Detective is an anthology series that features a new storyline every season, all following detectives as they investigate crimes spanning decades.

The series is known for bringing movie starts to TV with incredible pairings, most notably Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson for True Detective Season 1.

The series received critical acclaim, was nominated for multiple awards, and earned high ratings for HBO.

It premiered in 2014 and has been renewed for a fourth season as of 2023.

True Blood

Alan Ball's vampire drama is one not to miss.

It is adapted from a series of novels about Sookie Stackhouse, a human girl who falls in love with a vampire.

The show does a great job of imagining a world where vampires are real and walk into society. It tackles all the drama and politics that might arise from such a society.

The best thing about it is that it presents vampires in the classic sense, where they are bloodthirsty, cold-blooded killers who make no apologies — mostly — for what they are.

Succession

This hit show follows a mega-rich media conglomerate family and all their issues.

It breeds great drama due to its unfiltered nature and has spawned many arguments about whether it's truly a drama, a dark comedy, or something fresh merging the two. We go with the latter.

The writing and acting are stellar, but it's the characters, their souls laid bare for everyone to see, that have led to Succession's critical success, often dominating during awards season.

The Sopranos

Some people hail this as the most popular HBO show. This, too, might be true.

It follows mob boss Tony Soprano who, apart from the stress of being a boss, also suffers from mental and family problems.

It is a saga that spans many seasons and storylines. Despite continuing the previous, each season feels like a fresh one.

The best thing about it is how it makes subtle or not-so-subtle commentary on 2000s America and American culture in general.

Six Feet Under

Alan Ball kept the lights on at HBO in the early 2000s. Six feet under is a creation of his that premiered in 2001 and ran for five seasons.

It follows the Fisher family, who run a funeral home in Los Angeles. It also looks at the lives of the Fisher family's friends, lovers, and clients.

It has been lauded by critics and audiences for its story, writing, and acting. It was nominated for multiple awards and is regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time, with arguably one of the best finales ever produced.

Sex and the City

Before HBO was the giant it is today, it was relatively unknown. This changed in 1998 when Sex and the City premiered, following the lives of four women in New York City as they navigated myriad issues, some uncommon for the time. It helped popularize HBO as a network.

It ran for six seasons and received widespread acclaim and criticism alike. It was nominated for many awards throughout its run and cemented itself as a culture-defining moment being referenced later in shows set in the time, like 2019's Pose.

It spun a sequel called And Just Like That… that premiered in 2021 and follows three of its four central characters.

Real Time with Bill Maher

America's late-night and commentary shows are divided along political sides, with objectivity almost impossible to attain. Not on Real Time with Bill Maher.

With 22 seasons in as of 2024, Real Time sets itself apart by having informed people on all sides of the political spectrum debate current issues in front of a live studio audience.

It is hosted by comedian Bill Maher and is genuinely one of the funniest political shows. Guests don't have to censor themselves, this being HBO, so it sometimes gets heated.

Real Sex

The name gives it away. Before street interviews became a thing during the social media age, Real Sex did it first.

It is a documentary-style show that features honest and uncensored depictions of sex over multiple segments per episode.

For those of us who happened to wander past the channel without knowing what was on tap, it proved to be a stunning education in short order but quite moving, as well.

The show began in 1990 and concluded in 2009, having aired thirty-three episodes.

The Plot Against America

Sometimes, we all wonder what could have been. And David Simmons, most known for The Wire, also did.

The Plot Against America is an alternate history mini-series that premiered on HBO in 2020 and followed a Jewish working family as they watched the rise of a xenophobic populist to becoming president.

It is based on Philip Roth's novel and stars Winona Ryder, among others.

Perry Mason

This is a remake of a hit 80's show about a lawyer who uses unorthodox methods to find evidence for cases he's working on.

Many of the cases he takes are not as straightforward as they appear, and his ultimate goal is to uncover the truth no matter who it might end up hurting.

It starts slow but culminates in big reveals towards the season's end.

OZ

Prison is some people's worst nightmare, and with good reason. It is a place of torture and suffering instead of correction and penance. OZ tried to portray the latter but ended up with the former.

OZ is set in an experimental prison unit that aims to correct how prison serves its occupants.

The series launched many careers with its no-holds-barred exploration of a life behind bars and of the people tasked with keeping the prison functioning and on track.

It premiered in 1997 and concluded in 2003 after six seasons.

The Night Of

An accusation can alter the course of someone's life and usually for the worst. Such was the case for Nasir when he was accused of murdering a woman.

The Night Of premiered in 2016 and concluded after eight episodes. It received eight nominations for the Emmys and was critically acclaimed.

Although its run was short, it was talked about for a long time afterward and remains one of HBO's best explorations of the human psyche.

The Newsroom

A lot of work goes into any news production before and after viewers have a chance to view it.

The Newsroom looks into the behind-the-scenes workings of the fictional ACN — a news channel. It mixes real-world events in the background amidst the news crew's personal drama.

It was written by Aaron Sorkin and ran for three seasons and twenty-five episodes, and led to numerous awards nominations and wins, especially for its lead, Jeff Daniels.

Mildred Pierce

Mildred Pierce ran for a single five-episode season. It was adapted from James M. Cain's novel of a similar name.

It premiered in 2011.

It stars Kate Winslet as the titular Mildred, an overprotective mother during The Great Depression. She finds herself separated from her husband, opening a restaurant on her own, and falling in love with another man while trying to earn her narcissistic daughter's love and respect.

McMillions

Every day, fraudsters find new and ingenious ways to scam money out of unsuspecting people. Such was the case in McDonald's Monopoly game between 1989 and 2001.

McMillions is documentary miniseries that chronicles the promotion scam associated with the fast-food giant. In the scam, the company's head of security orchestrated a fake game and recruited other people, making $24 million.

The docuseries is told with incredible wit, making it incredibly entertaining.

It premiered in 2020 and aired all six episodes.

Lovecraft Country

Lovecraft Country premiered in 2020 and was canceled by HBO, sparking an outcry from viewers.

It follows Atticus, Letitia, and George as they travel across America to find his missing father in the 1950s.

They encounter the horrors of the racist white middle America and monsters that could be pulled from a Lovecraft paperback.

The show featured a strong narrative with great performances and visual effects.

Looking

Very few shows focus exclusively on the lives of Queer men and women. Looking is a show that does.

It is an unfiltered look into the gay men living in San Francisco in the 2010s.

The show portrays its characters as regular people while not sacrificing the authenticity of queer experiences.

The Leftovers

In a global phenomenon, 2% of the population disappeared. That was the premise of The Leftovers, which picked up three years after the events.

The show began airing in 2014 and ran for three seasons earning critical acclaim from critics and viewers alike.

It explored the whole emotional range of the human experience, taking viewers on an unforgettable journey to its brilliant conclusion.

Some regard it as one of the greatest series of all time.

The Larry Sanders Show

The Larry Sanders Show is a sitcom set in the office and studio of a fictional late-night talk show.

It premiered in 1992 and ran for six seasons. It featured celebrities playing exaggerated versions of themselves.

It is regarded as one of the best shows ever and has influenced other sitcoms in the same genre, and was nominated for various awards during its run.

The Jinx

The Jinx is a six-episode documentary mini-series that premiered in 2015.

It follows the New York real estate heir Robert Durst, who was suspected of multiple murders and convicted of one. A day before its finale aired, Robert was arrested for first-degree murder.

The show is expansive, featuring a lot of supplementary material such as video footage, interviews, and dramatic re-enactments.

It featured one of the craziest self-confessions ever caught on TV when Durst walked out of the interview room with a hot mike, and while behind closed doors, laid his fears on the table.

Insecure

Insecure is a comedy-drama starring Issa Rae that premiered in 2016, running for five seasons and forty-four episodes.

It follows the lives of two black women from their perspectives as black women. It was highly rated during its run and received critical acclaim.

It was nominated for and won multiple awards.

Industry

Industry focuses on young 20-somethings in the world of finance.

In the 2020s, everyone knows something about money and investments, but even if they don't, the drama is too good to pass up. Sex and drugs are part of this universe, but they are handled in a better way than many shows do.

Every episode is tenser than the last one, culminating in an epic season finale.

In Treatment

A patient walks into a therapist's office and starts to go off. A therapist walks into his therapist's office and starts going off about his patients.

If the first premise isn't interesting enough, the second one is bound to be. The show goes into the psychology of patients, exposing the nature of people and what motivates them to do or not do some things.

The show originally ran for several seasons and got a limited reboot.

I'll Be Gone in the Dark

In this true crime documentary series, Michelle McNamara spends her nights researching and writing a book about the serial killer she coined as The Golden State Killer.

McNamara put so much of herself into the investigation that she required medical attention, and she died of an overdose of various drugs in her search for sleep before she finished the book.

I'll Be Gone In the Dark the series follows Michelle's history, from childhood through her death, showing how she was on the only path that would have ever satisfied her longing to understand the mind of a killer.

The series premiered in 2020 and ran for six episodes, with a final special episode in 2021.

I May Destroy You

Michaela Coel stars in this show as a millennial pseudo-famous social media star. The character she plays is raped, but the full weight of its effects doesn't settle in until later.

In an age where consent is crucial to a sexual encounter, the show dives into how complicated sexual situations can be and does it with unabashed honesty and emotions.

I May Destroy You also touches on race, gender, and sexual orientation and how all they play into consent and sexual assault.

Girls

Inspired by HBO's Sex and the City, Girls also follows four young women who navigate life in New York as young people. It was inspired by the creator Lena Dunham's life after her parents cut off their financial support.

It began airing in 2011 and ran for six seasons and sixty-two episodes.

The show received critical acclaim throughout its run. It was nominated for and won many awards.

Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon

These epic shows are some of HBO's most popular.

Based on books by George RR Martin, they're expansive shows with an incredible narrative breadth. They extensively cover stories from many characters without losing a beat.

Incorporating fantasy, drama, war, and politics in a single show, they offer the best in genre programming.

House of the Dragon is the prequel to Game of Thrones, depicting events long before its predecessor and has quickly found a vast audience.

Euphoria

All Gen-Z routes converge at Euphoria.

Euphoria tackles life as a young person in today's world fuelled by drugs, sex, relationships, and social media.

It centers on Rue, a drug addict, and those close to her. It deals heavily with addiction and drugs in general.

Its biggest charm is its well-written characters, who are so unbelievable. It has inspired memes, quotes, and fashion trends bigger than any show.

Entourage

The show focuses on an up-and-coming actor in 2000's Los Angeles.

The show's biggest charm is its unfiltered characters, especially Ari Gold, who wins viewers over with his flawlessly flawed manner of speaking.

It is a product of its time, but it is overall a great show to watch when reminiscing about the 2000s

The Deuce

For many, it is easy to dismiss porn as immoral and a guilty pleasure. For some, it might be the worst evil.

The Deuce portrays pornography as art. The show details the rise of porn in 1970s New York. It features a myriad of storylines, all of which form a greater narrative.

From the pretty girls with dreams that die upon arriving in New York, family men and women looking to feed their children, entrepreneurs, artists, and the mob, to the misguided, The Deuce gives weight to all of their experiences.

The series never stands in place if it can elevate the conversation. It could have easily turned into a sexually gratuitous show, but instead, it chose a more sophisticated direction.

Deadwood

It is a western drama set in the 1870s.

It began airing in 2004 and ran for three seasons and thirty-six episodes.

It chronicles the growth of Deadwood from camp to town and features the appearance of real historical figures against the backdrop of fiction.

The show was critically acclaimed, having been nominated for and winning numerous awards, and returned with a movie to wrap up unfinished storylines.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

The show is a sitcom created by Larry David and follows a semi-fictionalized version of himself.

It premiered in 2000 and is twelve seasons in, as of 2023. It occasionally features celebrity appearances, each playing a fictionalized version of themselves.

Most of the dialogue is improvised, with David only outlining the plot and subplot.

The show has received many nominations and awards throughout its run.

The Comeback

Ever wondered what the entertainment television industry looks like from the inside? This show portrays a satirical look into the environment.

It ran for a thirteen-episode season in 2005 before being canceled nine years later. It was later revived for a second season in 2014.

The Comeback suffered ratings because of the time it found itself when sitcoms all featured the same formula.

Chernobyl

One of the worst nuclear accidents happened in Chernobyl in 1986. The show follows the events that lead to the moment and what happened afterward.

It focused on the lesser-known stories, including firefighters and volunteers, and the horror they suffered in the aftermath of a tragedy that could have been averted if government officials had been properly doing their jobs.

All aspects of the show were lauded by audiences and critics alike.

It premiered in 2019 with five episodes and was nominated for and won multiple awards.

The Case Against Adnan Syed

In a now vacated verdict, this docuseries portrayed the events that led to the conviction of Adnan Syed for the killing of Hae Min Lee.

The series aimed to show how the facts of the case were never simple and questioned the conviction.

The Case Against Adnan Syed premiered in 2019 and was broadcast in four episodes.

As of 2023, HBO is following the events of the case with a follow-up documentary planned to look at life after his release.

Boardwalk Empire

This period drama transports viewers to prohibition-era America.

It primarily centers on Nucky Thompson, a businessman and politician who is as evil as they come.

The show stars include Steve Buscemi, Michael Kenneth Williams, and Michael Pitt.

Big Love

Among some of the hotly contested issues in Mormonism is the practice of polygamy. Big Love follows the patriarch of a fundamentalist Mormon family and his three wives.

It premiered in 2006 and ran for five seasons after fifty-three episodes.

It received wide critical acclaim and won several awards.

Big Little Lies

In a quiet coastal town that presents as a calm and peaceful place to raise a family, it's a façade to hide the dysfunctional relationships in certain spaces.

The show brings together some of Hollywood's best female talent and uses them to great effect.

Big Little Lies maintains a tense atmosphere that draws in the viewer, allowing them to connect intimately with the characters.

Barry

A hitman faces a career crisis when he travels to Los Angeles to kill someone and finds himself wanting to become an actor.

Barry premiered in 2018 and stars Bill Hader as the titular character and bolstered by a strong supporting cast that often steals his thunder on screen.

In its third season as of 2023, the series received acclaim for its acting and originality, among others.

It has been nominated for and won multiple awards in different categories.

Band of Brothers/The Pacific

It is a war drama miniseries adapted from a book of the same name.

Premiering in 2001, the show was one of the most expensive miniseries of the time, having cost around $125 million to make.

Its characters were based on the "Easy" Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. Effectively, it featured a huge cast ensemble.

Band of Brother and The Pacific are regarded as two of the best portrayals of war ever made.

Autopsy

This documentary series follows a real-life forensic pathologist called Dr. Michael Baden. 

It explores the world of forensic science through case studies and photos.

It premiered in 1993 and ran for nine seasons.

Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children

Statistics show that when many African American children are lost, those responsible for finding them never usually bother.

This documentary series looks into new evidence that comes to light in the abduction and murder of approximately thirty African American children over the span of two years in Atlanta in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

It premiered in 2020, and viewers learned about the unrelenting child murders as broadcast over five heartbreaking episodes.

•••••

We always want to hear your thoughts, so don't hesitate to drop below to leave a comment about your favorite HBO series.

The post HBO at 50: Fifty Shows Everyone Should Watch In Their Lifetime appeared first on TV Fanatic.

This sacredness reinforces the boundaries that exist or ought to exist within the confines of the relationship.

But sometimes, the limits are crossed. And when this happens, these relationships become corrupt, perverted, manipulative, and downright wrong such that they end up being weird.

Many mother-son relationships on TV are okay. But there comes that one duo that makes you think, "that's weird."

We have compiled ten of the most bizarre mother-son relations that had us like, "what the actual f***k?"

10. Howard and Mrs. Wolowitz in The Big Bang Theory.

Let's start easy because some of what is to come is jaw-dropping. When someone thinks of Howard, what comes into their mind is something like — an astronaut. Or a little scared astronaut.

Howard, however, had a mommy problem. While most moms try to build up their kids, Mrs. Walowitz took every chance she could to tear him down. This came in comments meant to belittle him, some to embarrass him, and more often than not, to make fun of him.

While this did make for great comedic content, it sure wasn't funny to Howard every time she said this in front of company.

Howard did give as much as he received, but not within his mom's earshot. He constantly made fun of her weight and neediness to his friends. Throughout the series, we never get to see Mrs. Walowitz, and when she passes away, Howard has mixed feelings.

09. Tony and Livia Soprano in The Sopranos

This is an entry in the list that might surprise you.

Tony was known for being a badass mob boss. He was associated with one of the most ruthless mob families in America. While his crew feared and respected him, they had mixed feelings about him going to therapy.

Tony's mental issues arose primarily from his relationship with his mother when he was younger. He and his sister didn't agree on much except that she was effin insane.

Although we got a taste of her in the early seasons of The Sopranos and All Saints of Newark, it's safe to say that their relationship must have been fubar for her to drive her son to therapy all those years later.

08. Tommy and Kate Egan in Power

Tommy was the best drug dealer in New York and Chicago. But he also had a mom problem.

His mom was a drug abuser and generally a bad mother. Most mothers wouldn't want their sons touching drugs with a ten-inch pole. Not Kate. She encourages him and, at times, hounds him to give her drugs.

In their roughest interactions, words are thrown around that would make a typical mother and son wish they were deaf!

07. Fraser and Sarah Wilson in We Are Who We Are

Thin slices!

Although the series was limited, Fraser and Sarah are pretty memorable. What was shocking was that despite being a military kid, Fraser was quite spoilt.

Their interactions would escalate to the point of physical assault. Something as mundane as Sarah cutting thick slices of a sandwich would trigger Fraser into bitch slapping her, yelling, "thin slices!" All this just as he entered teenagehood.

It left one wondering how he will be when he is older.

06. Dandy and Gloria Mott in American Horror Story

If there was anything that Dandy had ever wanted in his life was to join a circus. The only problem was that he was just too attractive physically!

His mother catered to every childish desire of his. She maybe was trying to make up for all the times she was an absentee parent. Dandy was what is called a man-child. Physically an adult but mentally a child whose room was like that of a five-year-old.

Despite showing murderous tendencies, his mother hired a clown for him to learn from — a murderous clown. Dandy ended up becoming too good a student, and he also became a killer. Guess what happened?

05. Andrew and Bree Van De Kamp in Desperate Housewives

Bree didn't like some things about her children. And with Andrew specifically, she didn't like that he was gay. These are feelings she made openly known.

Andrew just wanted to live. But living with someone like Bree, who was self-righteous and a proper hardass, he had to change. They played this game of cat and mouse for a while before, finally, things came to a head.

In pursuit of revenge for many things Bree had done, Andrew slept with his mother's boyfriend. The look on Bree's face would have been priceless if one wasn't so shocked and started pitying her.

Bree then kicked him out and what befell him is all too familiar to many Queer teens his age — homeless and hustling.

04. Norman and Norma Bates in Bates Motel

The close similarity of their names would raise an eyebrow but nothing more.

However, Norman had a darkness that Norma tried to pass off as him being weird. He would murder people while Norma would cover for him.

This duo made it this far because, at a certain point, they became too dependent on one another, and their existences started merging. This was when the weirdness began.

Granted, Norman had an identity disorder, sometimes forgetting anything done under another identity. On such occasions, Norman would go out as Norma and then have sex with some men!

03. Andrew 'Pope' and Janine 'Smurf' Cody in Animal Kingdom

Smurf had a particular dynamic with her sons that often would make a viewer uncomfortable. The earliest red flag should have been the way she calls them "baby." While many moms call their kids baby, she did so with the kind of eroticism that can be found between lovers only.

While she was this way with her sons — kissing them on the lips and whatnot, she had a particular attachment to Pope. Given that her ultimate goal was to be in control, she didn't seem to respect personal boundaries. 

She would stay comfortably in the shower with Pope naked or even pay hookers to have sex with him.

She made Pope a killing machine whose moral lines were blurry to incestuously desiring his sister!

02. Malcolm and Corrine Foxworth in Flowers in the Attic: The Origin

When Corrine left Foxworth hall, she didn't know how much her departure would affect her son. Malcolm idolized his mother to the point of nearly sainting her. He was so obsessed with her looks and space that he kept her room intact decades after she left.

But it didn't end there. Malcolm could only have sex (rape) in his mother's bed. To any unlucky woman who fell prey to his desires, he would assault them on his mother's bed endlessly. He's so obsessed with his mother that while many men of his time wanted sons, he hounded his wife for a daughter.

When he did get that daughter through his stepmother, he named her Corrine!

01. Jimmy and Gillian Darmody in Boardwalk Empire

This duo emerges on top because they went there! Most of the relationships we discussed above were emotionally abusive, exploitative, controlling, and sometimes a tad sexual. This was overtly sexual.

Placed side by side, Jimmy and Gillian would look like siblings — and they behaved as such to some extent. Jimmy would even invite his mother to his college parties and whatnot. He would become visibly angry when men hit on her.

On one such occasion, Jimmy and his mother got drunk and went to his dorm room for the night. One thing leads to another, and they go there. They do that which some people would rather die than do with their mother or son. Even when he tried to pull back, Gillian edged him on while trying to rationalize the act.

This had been building up throughout their entire life. As an adult, Gillian kisses Jimmy on the lips even in public, which makes him feel awkward. On one occasion, Gillian admitted to Jimmy's wife putting his little willy in her mouth!

••••

That was our mothers and sons, everybody.

Which duo shocked you the most?

Is there another one you think should be included in the list?

Let us know in the comments below.

The post 10 Most Twisted Mother-Son Relationships Ever on TV appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Do some include vampires? Yep. Post-apocalyptic fiction? Of course. Romance? Sure. Maybe a psychopath or two? Most definitely.

Here are 17 of our favorite shows that were books before they were small screen sensation. Some of them are pretty darn obvious, but others may just surprise you.

Check them out below and then sound off: Did you know these hit book stores before they hit your living room? Which is your favorite adaption to date?

17 Terrific TV Shows Based On Books

Open List

The post From Page to Screen: 17 Top TV Shows Based on Books appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Last week with Willie's life in the balance, Nucky gave up all his holdings in his home city without hesitation. He had seen enough blood spilled in his life. He admitted defeat this week that the war was over.

The Commodore: In the end we do what we have the nerve for or we disappear.

_{🔗 permalink: In the end we do what we have the nerve for or we disappear.}

Nucky had lost his nerve to do what it took to get ahead in his world. He had designs on leaving it all behind and starting over, but he had long since swam out past the point of no return. He had been treading water this entire season, but he would never again reach the safety of shore.

We saw the current turn against Al Capone, but he put on a good face in front of his brother, his men, even his wife. The Capone we saw emerge from the car at the trial, boasting a cigar-filled smile, was the one the public and his men expected. The one person he couldn't hide his feelings from was his son. Above everything else he was a father.

Capone: Remember all I did was for you. To leave you with something better. And that can’t be for nothin.

_{🔗 permalink: Remember all I did was for you. To leave you with something better. And that can’t be for…}

As Al turned to leave, Sonny put his fists in the air and implored his father to fight. Just like Al had shown him how to do years ago when he was being bullied at school. At the courthouse Agent Malone gave Capone a nod and Al returned it with a tip of his hat. It was like two boxers touching gloves before a fight, but this fight Capone knew would not go his way.

The country was on the brink of major change. Roosevelt was headed toward the White House and repeal was coming. In the same spirit, if not on the same moral level, Charlie ushered in a new age of his own. To survive, he and the other heads of of organized crime would have to put aside their differences, their personal hang ups and come together. To stand alone meant elimination, as Narcisse found out as he met his demise.

Joe Kennedy knew the future would be bright for The Mayflower Grain corporation if they kept a stiff upper lip, but it took Margaret to convince him that he was alone in his beliefs. Despite being right, had he stood his ground alone he would have missed out on the opportunity Nucky and she had orchestrated. Margaret also reminded him that while the country was moving forward, women like herself still had a long way to go.

Joe Kennedy: Three things are difficult to understand. The work of the bees, the movements of the tide and the mind of a woman.

Margaret: Here is an experiment for you. Think about the things you want in life, then picture yourself in a dress.

_{🔗 permalink: Here is an experiment for you. Think about the things you want in life, then picture yourself…}

Nucky made his peace with her in the end as the two shared a final dance.

Nucky: My circumstances have changed. There are things I won’t do anymore. You understand that don’t you?

Margaret: There’s what I know, what I suspect and what I don’t think I should ever hear.

_{🔗 permalink: There’s what I know, what I suspect and what I don’t think I should ever hear.}

Nucky asked Margaret if she expected him to say he was sorry. She replied that she knew it was not in his nature to do so. She also acknowledged that all he did was offer her a way out of her old life, she was the one who took it. She was a grown woman who knew what she was getting into when she got involved with a man like him.

This was the difference between Margaret and Gillian. Nucky mislead Gillian in bringing her to the Commodore. He promised to always look out for her, but his actions back in 1897 served to only benefit himself. The Commodore had stripped Nucky of his badge so he would know what it felt like to be nothing. So when Leander approached him with their offer to make him sheriff, Nucky took it, despite knowing what the job entailed. He betrayed the trust of a 13 year old girl to get what he had always wanted, to get ahead.

As he visited with Gillian one last time, you could see that sin still ate away at him. Gillian didn't even need to say a word before Nucky began asking what it was she wanted from him. He had set up a trust for her if she got out, but he told her she was not to contact him or seek him out. Gillian had no plans to do so, she just wanted to see him squirm in her presence one last time.

Nucky wanted to bury that part of his life once and for all, but as Tommy made his true identity known, Nucky realized some things just do not stay buried. The Commodore had a vice and Nucky fed it. He later would provide liquor to the masses when it was illegal to do so, quenching others' vices. Nucky built his empire on bootlegging, but its roots were seeded by the sacrifice of Gillian's innocence. He paid for this ultimately with his life.  

Nucky did make one final thing right before his death though. As he said his goodbye to Eli, he left him with a bag full of cash and a shaving razor. The combination of the two spelled out a chance for a fresh start to his brother – a chance to not be like the father they had both grown up with, but something better.

It was a fitting finale and a tremendous finish to what was not only one of HBO's best series, but television in general. Be sure to let us know what you thought and for those not quite ready to say so long you can always go back and watch Boardwalk Empire online.

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The tension of the time was evident and we saw both Charlie and Meyer acting rather jumpy. Not sure if it was intentional or not, but there were two allusions to The Godfather in this sequence.

The first was Charlie nervously jumping up out of the barber's chair as he was about to get a shave and then Meyer got startled when his man walked in carrying a box of cannoli.

Nucky was also on edge. Unlike Maranzano, he wasn't content to sit back and wait for Charlie to make a mistake. He decided to force the issue and sent his men to capture Benny.

Benny wasn't above using the husband of his mistress as a human shield, so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when he jumped Willie during the exchange and returned him to Charlie and Meyer. The trio of old friends seemed unflappable, none calmer than Charlie.

Charlie: What do you want?

Nucky: A meeting so we can settle this bullshit.

Charlie: I’ll meet you at your funeral. We can talk there.

_{🔗 permalink: I’ll meet you at your funeral. We can talk there.}

Nucky seemed to realize there was no use trying to reason with this new breed of criminal. Charlie and Meyer have no respect for the old guard, for the way things are supposed to be done. It is why they have been able to accomplish all they have, but it also may be their undoing. John Torrio tried to give them some advice on how to handle their next move, but was summarily dismissed.

Perhaps Torrio will approach Nucky hat in hand and offer up a way to get to the young bosses. That ism of course, if Nucky still wants to. If he does, his list of partners took a big hit when he made good on his promise to kill Maranzano.

It was a fitting end for the man who so often likened himself to Caesar.

Some may have thought Nucky was a bit hasty to offer up Atlantic City to save Willie, but he is the closest thing he has to a son of his own. Charlie took advantage of that and used it to leave Nucky grasping at straws.

Eli: What did you just do?

Nucky: I don’t know.

_{🔗 permalink: What did you just do?}

Despite Nucky's befuddlement in the wake of the blown hand off, I still think he has an exit strategy planned. His aggressive short selling of the Mayflower Grain Corporation may prove to be a means to an end. If not for him, then possibly a way to ensure Margaret and the children are taken care of financially if he is gone. 

Willie still has a part to play I think despite only one episode remaining, or perhaps Eli seizes one last chance at redemption. Either way the scene they shared right before Willie was taken was great. Willie did all he could to check his emotions. His bottom lipped quivered as he spoke to Eli who literally had flies buzzing around him. Later they both were lucky to make it out of that road side showdown alive. Sadly Mickey wasn't so fortunate.

Lost was one of the best supporting roles the show has featured. Always good for a laugh and ever dependable, Nucky lost a good one there on that road. Seeing how quickly he lost control of the situation may have had Nucky wondering if he himself would make it out alive. He later on summed up the uncertainty of death well when he spoke with young Joe Harper.

Joe Harper: What’s it like, when you see it?

Nucky: You tell yourself it’s quick, but you don’t know. You can’t know until it’s you and then you’ll never tell anyone.

_{🔗 permalink: You tell yourself it’s quick, but you don’t know. You can’t know until it’s you and then…}

Back in 1897 Nucky finally got what he had wanted, but gaining access to the Commodore's inner circle only came after Sheriff Lindsay handed over his badge to him. Lindsay had been a simple apprentice once, but was seemingly seduced by the Commodore's power and aspirations like Nucky was. Lindsay no longer could stomach covering up the sins of his boss. Nucky picked up where Lindsay left off for his and Mabel's betterment.  However, what he took on, would haunt him the rest of his life as indicated by the letter from Gillian.

If Nucky comes to her rescue, I wonder if she might play a part in taking down Luciano. Given their history, would he be impetuous enough to allow her to get close to him again? Boardwalk mirrors the history books in many ways, but it is not a given the way the finale will play out can be found there.

We'll find out soon enough as only one episode remains for all our questions to be answered. How do you think it will all end? Share your thoughts and don't forget you can always watch Boardwalk Empire online.

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Nucky and Maranzano meet to discuss what to do about Charlie. Maranzano tells him to be patient and wait for Charlie to make a mistake. Nucky decides to force the issue and takes Benny hostage to force a meeting with Charlie. Willie is taken hostage in retaliation after meeting with Eli.

Margaret calls Nucky to tell him he has shorted stock in the Mayflower Grain Company. He tells her to short more the following days.

Eli returns to Atlantic City to tell Nucky the news. A meeting is set to exchange captives, but things go south. Mickey and Archie are killed and Willie is remains a captive. Nucky offers up all he has in Atlantic City for Willie's life and vows to take care of Maranzano. Eli and a group of men kill Maranzano and Willie is freed.

In 1897 Mabel and Nucky argue over what to do with young Gillian. Nucky is called away by Sheriff Lindsay to help the Commodore with a discreet matter. When Nucky returns home, Mabel tells him Gillian has run away.

Nucky sits in his room and is visited by Joe Harper. Joe offers to help Nucky. Nucky gives him money and tells him to get away from him. Nucky opens and reads the letter from Gillian asking for his help.

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The big question at the end of the previous hour was if the little girl sleeping on the couch was his.

Daughter: She’s not his.

Chalky: Then whose?

Daughter: Just mine.

_{🔗 permalink: Just mine.}

Also perplexing Chalky was why Daughter would return to Narcisse. She had taken a job as a maid to provide for her and her daughter Althea because her singing career had been frozen thanks to being blacklisted by Narcisse.

She had returned to ask Narcisse to relinquish his hold on her. 

Chalky had come to Harlem to kill Narcisse. Staring death in the face, Narcisse offered Chalky a partnership. After asking Althea about her father, Chalky seemed to realize that she was in fact his daughter. So instead of revenge, he agreed to take Narcisse's deal to secure Daughter and Althea's freedom.

I don't think Chalky believed for a moment that he was going to walk out of that meeting a free man, but he made his peace with the world in the end by exchanging his life for Daughter's and their child. This would be the closest thing he could get to making up for the loss of his other daughter.

As he closed his eyes, he could hear Daughter singing in his head. No longer having to imagine its sound like he had the last seven years. He had made his peace, but moments before Narcisse's men fired their guns, Chalky took one last shot at Narcisse's ego.

Chalky: All a dream to begin with. Ain’t nobody ever been free.

_{🔗 permalink: All a dream to begin with. Ain’t nobody ever been free.}

Narcisse walked away with his life, but Chalky had his final say before we said goodbye to one of the most beloved characters in this show's epic run.

Another major player met his end this week as fans also witnessed the murder of Van Alden.  In keeping with the theme of no one goes quietly, with his back to the wall, Van Alden lunged out at Capone.  As he choked the crime boss he confessed to his real identity, before being shot by Agent Mike D'Angelo.

Van Alden lost his life, but his final outburst left Capone shaken. Van Alden's final act ultimately would have a hand in bringing Capone down and helping justice prevail. Consumed with panic, Capone ordered Ralph to give the ledgers to D'Angelo for safe keeping. A move which will end up being his downfall.

Back in 1897 we saw Deputy Nucky trying to make his way in life. While making his rounds on the boardwalk, Nucky saw Leander and a mother ushering a young girl up the hotel's steps to be greeted by the Commodore. Despite all his efforts, Nucky still could not gain the respect or favor of the Commodore, but Nucky seemed to be aware of the Commodore's despicable penchant. In meeting the young Gillian it began to become apparent just how Nucky ingratiated himself with the Commodore.

As Nucky came to after his mugging in the alley, he was blurting out something about someone trusting him. Perhaps his bringing Gillian before the Commodore all those years ago, still weighs heavily on Nucky's conscience. The memory brought forward again as he was filled with grief over the loss of Sally.

Nucky seems consumed by the past, but there are those who are maneuvering to see to it that his has no future. Thankfully he still has Mickey, who rallied the troops to take the offensive.

With just two episodes left, it won't be long before we see the moment Nucky offered up young Gillian to secure his place in life. A move he seems destined to answer for by the end of the season. If his end comes at the hands of Charlie and Meyer, will he be able to close his eyes with the same content feeling Chalky did? Will relief be the last thing he feels before he dies?

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At Narcisse’s Harlem brother, Daughter Chalky waits for Narcisse. Mickey Doyle sends Joe Harper up to Nucky’s office at the Old Rumpus with sandwiches. Archie his bodyguard goes to inform him, but Nucky is nowhere to be found.

Atlantic City, 1897. Enoch wakes to find the bed empty next to him, and Mabel in the kitchen making strawberry pie. She asks about Enoch’s speech, the one he was forced to give honoring his lifelong rival, Jim Neary, as he campaigns to become the next alderman of the Fourth Ward. Despite his lack of progress with the Commodore, Nucky promises Mabel that he’ll make his way.

At a dive bar in Atlantic City, a drunk Nucky flirts with a rough-and-tumble woman, Dinah Linehan, and drinks away his sorrows over Sally. He is later mugged by Dinah and her friend and left in an alley.

Van Alden and Eli go to steal the ledger books under the guise of making a drop. They talk their way in past the bodyguard, but when Eli tries the door of the count room, they discover Ralph Capone having sex with a hotel maid. When Ralph uncovers their lie, he sends for Mike D’Angelo.

1897. While Deputy Enoch collects “protection” money from a local shopkeeper, he spots Leander Whitlock introducing a young girl to the Commodore at Corner Hotel. The shopkeeper tells Enoch that a red-headed boy has been stealing from his shop, and pointedly suggests that the protection he pays for is useless. Later Enoch and Eli wait under the boardwalk for the boy, and are shocked to learn that their thief is a girl named Gillian.

At the Lexington Hotel, Mike D’Angelo interrogates Eli and Van Alden, and Ralph Capone asks Mike to take care of the pair “neat and quick.” But on their way out, Al Capone returns with the two actors he’s been entertaining. After a briefing from Ralph, Al calls Van Alden and Eli into his office — he doesn’t buy their story. When Capone puts his gun to Van Alden’s head, Van Alden wrestles him to his desk and reveals his true identity. Van Alden’s tirade ends when he’s shot in the head by Mike D’Angelo, who fears his cover is about to be blown. Capone orders Mike to put Eli “face down in a cornfield” and Ralph hands Mike the ledger books for safe keeping.

After Narcisse arrives, Daughter explains that no one will play her record or book her.  She believes Narcisse is behind the freeze-out. She begs him to let her go so that she can provide for Althea. Narcisse Instead tells Chalky of his meeting with Luciano and suggests Chalky work for him within the new regime. Chalky agrees to the deal, on the condition that Narcisse set Daughter up with a gig and let her go.

Nucky tries to give Joe money for getting him back home, but the young man refuses. He then takes Nucky out into the main room, where Mickey Doyle — unable to locate Nucky — did a “Paul Revere” and rounded up the troops.

As Narcisse heads off with his driver, Chalky is shot down by a wall of his men.

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We've known it for a long time, but now word has gotten around: television is not where old movie actors go to die. It's where the hottest movie actors come to thrive (and win awards).

Decades ago, big name movie stars used to grace television with their presence on movies of the week maybe once or twice a year. Now our small screens are littered with talented actors from all mediums. They go where the quality is, and it's on television.

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When you take a look at the names on this list, you'll be shocked by the number of Academy Award Nominees (and actual winners) have made the move to the small screen. They are nominated as much for their performances as they are the incredible material they choose. 

It's no coincidence the best in movies are flocking to television, and this year we have entire Productions made up of Oscar nominated talent. The American Horror Franchise attracts the best of the best and Fox's upcoming Wayward Pines is a who's who of Oscars past. Whether blockbusters or critical darlings, our actors have been there.

Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Lange, Nick Nolte, Viola Davis, Liev Schreiber, Melissa Leo and Matt Dillon all make the cut.

Flip through the slideshow and prepare to be wowed! 

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