Winter/Spring TV Scorecard 2016

Critics Consensus: Increased pressure on a key couple brings heightened stakes and more exciting twists to Scandal's action-packed, consistently gripping fifth season.

Starring: Kerry Washington, Guillermo Díaz, Darby Stanchfield, Katie Lowes

Critics Consensus: The Mindy Project begins its online migration with some of the show's best-ever episodes, further refining the balance between heart and humor struck during the first three seasons.

Starring: Mindy Kaling, Chris Messina, Ed Weeks, Ike Barinholtz

Critics Consensus: The Night Manager's smart writing and riveting story are elevated all the more by Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston's captivating performances.

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman, Hugh Laurie, Tom Hollander

Critics Consensus: Better Call Saul continues to tighten its hold on viewers with a batch of episodes that inject a surge of dramatic energy while showcasing the charms of its talented lead.

Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Michael McKean, Rhea Seehorn

Critics Consensus: With masterfully melodramatic writing and gloriously glam performances, Empire is not backing down on the soapy spectacle in its second season.

Starring: Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Jussie Smollett, Bryshere Y. Gray

Critics Consensus: Horace and Pete creator Louis C.K. uses his signature blend of awkward humor -- and brilliant performances from a top-notch cast -- to pull off an engagingly ambitious experiment in TV tragicomedy.

Starring: Louis C.K., Steve Buscemi, Edie Falco, Steven Wright

Critics Consensus: Not letting up in season two, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is still odd in the best of ways, wonderfully building on its unique comedy stylings and brilliantly funny cast.

Starring: Ellie Kemper, Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess, Lauren Adams

Critics Consensus: Thanks to the spot-on comedic prowess of Julia Louis-Dreyfus and company Veep is back with as many laughs and expletive-filled absurdities as ever.

Starring: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Anna Chlumsky, Matt Walsh, Tony Hale

Critics Consensus: American Crime's intense second season infuses a complicated, topical story with genuine emotion, and patiently allows its narrative arc to develop without sacrificing momentum.

Starring: Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, Lili Taylor, Elvis Nolasco

Critics Consensus: American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson brings top-shelf writing, directing, and acting to bear on a still-topical story while shedding further light on the facts -- and provoking passionate responses along the way.

Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., Sarah Paulson, David Schwimmer, John Travolta

Critics Consensus: Vikings returns for another season of fantastic performances, epic battles, and sharp writing sure to please its barbarous hordes of fans.

Starring: Travis Fimmel, Gustaf Skarsgård, Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen

Critics Consensus: Shameless' sixth season charts a tragic trajectory for the Gallaghers, leaving viewers in suspense as they hope against hope that this family from the wrong side of the tracks can't find long-lasting stability.

Starring: William H. Macy, Emmy Rossum, Ethan Cutkosky, Shanola Hampton

Starring: Zooey Deschanel, Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, Lamorne Morris

Critics Consensus: Banshee boldly pivots into a darker and more mature mystery for its fourth and final season, finding fresh terrain for the proudly pulpy series while providing satisfying closure.

Starring: Ivana Milicevic, Antony Starr, Ulrich Thomsen, Frankie Faison

Starring: Jessica Sula, Sebastian de Souza, Sharon Leal, Alexis Ann Carra