3. The X-Files
In its nine seasons (and hopefully in the upcoming limited series), The X-Files managed to incorporate almost every core aspect that makes a show successful. It had an engaging overarching storyline that its central characters were involved in, it mixed in procedural elements with its monster-of-the-week approach, it successfully carried its “will they/won’t they” for Mulder and Scully for the entire run, and it featured a host of memorable side characters that added both fun and mystery. Even though things got less perfect in the later years, The X-Files truly had something for everyone. Assuming “everyone” likes alien conspiracies.
