Much of its strength comes from a group of actors so skilled that, like the ensemble on "The Sopranos," they draw us into the lives of their characters even if we don't initially want to go there.

The series returns with its creative six-shooters blazing, its florid language and baroque manner of storytelling still gloriously riveting.

The characters are intelligent, complex people you quickly care about, even if -- this being a show about television -- they can be egotistical and self-centered.

The driving force behind the show's appeal is Ferrera, who gives a pitch-perfect, killer performance in the opening episodes.

A finely detailed exploration of high school life and small-city dynamics.

This year, as in the past, there are all kinds of problems with "24" if you think too hard about what you're watching.

It is an extremely challenging bit of filmmaking, since almost nothing is initially what it seems and you have to pay very close attention to the complex storytelling.

Monday's opening hour is a bit disjointed stylistically. But the individual pieces are so compelling that you're still going to be sucked into the saga. And the show gets far more consistent in future episodes.

It's a mesmerizing tale of legal maneuvering with the distinctive FX moral ambiguity and splendid performances by Close, Rose Byrne ("28 Weeks Later") as her protege and TV veteran Ted Danson as her latest courtroom adversary.

It evokes an era worth revisiting, reconsiders a time that was an important chapter in our history and gives us a monumental performance by Keaton.

Most TV shows, after all, quickly fade from memory. This one will haunt your dreams.

Based on the first two installments of a 13-episode season, it will continue to have viewers perched on the edge of their sofas.

Some of the characters are so simplistically drawn that it's laughable. On the other hand, we love these characters so much and we're having such a jolly good time that we just can't resist Downton Abbey.

As it turns out, Veep might be even more hilarious if it didn't hit so uncomfortably close to the truth.

Stick with it, and this Sherlock proves to be a fun and exhilarating TV experience.

The good news is that Kaling and her writers have crafted a character who is competent at her job, not a goofball in scrubs. And they've offset the show's dreamy sweetness with plenty of snarky bite.

Arrow does what a solid pilot should: Suck us in, make us anxious to see what's next and set up several intriguing possibilities.

An irresistible blend of soapy shenanigans, domestic tension, political intrigue and catchy tunes.

Season 3 gets off to a fine and frothy start.

All the weird, impulsive jokes are as outrageously funny as they aspire to be. [22 Sept 1994, p.1C]

A compelling thriller.

The good news is that the folks behind "Buffy" -- notably writer-creator Joss Whedon -- have come along for this new chapter in a vampire's life and, at least for the first episode, have brought their wit, style and keen sense of pop culture with them. [4 Oct 1999, p.1C]

From Spector's verbal bluster, to all the chatter about ballistics and forensics, it's a very talkie 90 minutes, occasionally punctuated by a haunting soundtrack. But the high-caliber performers, as well as Mamet's sparkling dialogue, keep things compelling.

Hannibal is a sturdy offering, one that keeps viewers guessing and tensions simmering. Most TV crime shows have a tendency to quickly fade from memory. This one just might haunt your dreams.

Season 6 jumps ahead in time and launches with a beautifully written, contemplative two-hour opener called "The Doorway."

The good news is that it doesn't stink. The even better news is that it's clever and sophisticated and immediately outclasses most of the comedies currently on network television -- not that the bar is set to breathtaking heights. [24 Mar 2005, p.D01]

Lux is one of those cute, quippy, ultra-mature teens you find only on TV. And several plot points unfortunately come across as false. But it doesn't matter. The lead characters in Life Unexpected are so likable, and the interactions between them feel so natural, that you find yourself willing to give the show lots of slack.

To be sure, the show is like any other crime drama in that it contains darkness and violence--some of it erupting in unexpected ways. But there are enough new wrinkles here to make anyone who takes a chance on it feel thoroughly justified.