x Introduction comedies, miniseries, and documentaries, this book focuses on the wide array of television dramas that have appeared in the first decade or so of the current century. Some of those dramas are highly regarded by critics, have won awards, and engage large and active fan bases. Others—award winners and not—have smaller, niche audiences who are just as loyal to shows that may get less media attention than their blockbuster counter parts. Some of the dramas discussed in the book break new ground in terms of television content, whereas others add new and nuanced inter- pretations of familiar themes. Choosing which television shows to write about in depth is always a challenge, and surely, there are programs that merit more attention than this book can provide. In addition, although such shows as The Sopranos, The Wire, and Six Feet Under, as along with ABC’s Lost (2004–2010) and Showtime’s Dexter (2006–2013), form the foundation on which the new golden age rests, these are discussed in less detail here because they have been written about so widely elsewhere. Why tele vi sion dramas? Tele vi sion content is best understood as deeply embedded in its historical moment: Programs, and tele vi sion dramas par- ticularly, can push against the status quo, explicitly (or implicitly) advo- cate for social change, frame challenges citizens are facing in new ways, or highlight flaws in institutions that govern viewers’ lives. And although television audiences have become increasingly fragmented, the cultural medium of television remains a powerful force in U.S. culture, engaging viewers with social issues, registering their hopes and fears, and asking them to consider lifestyles that might be different from their own. 21st- Century TV Dramas makes connections between cultural patterns and trends present during the first 15 years of the 21st century and the con- tent of the tele vi sion dramas running during this time. We are not alone in this enterprise. Twenty-first-century culture thrives on the practice of readily engaging with, and responding to, popular texts. Indeed, avenues for expression are constantly being developed, allowing more voices to contribute to timely, often sophisticated, discussions of tele vi sion content. In acknowledgment of this fact, the references cited and sources con- sulted throughout the book come directly from the popular discourse around the shows discussed, including, among others, the ideas of jour- nalists, cultural critics, bloggers, and fans. How to Read This Book 21st-Century TV Dramas: Exploring the New Golden Age examines the connection between contemporary culture and a selection of notable 21st- century television dramas. Each chapter title identifies two complemen-
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