Winter TV Scorecard 2016

Starring: Jason Jones, Natalie Zea, Ashley Gerasimovich, Liam Carroll

Critics Consensus: Black Sails marks "X" and hits the spot during a swashbuckling final season that maintains the series' penchant for rum-soaked spectacle while gracefully delivering these roguish characters to their destinies.

Starring: Toby Stephens, Hannah New, Luke Arnold, Jessica Parker Kennedy

Critics Consensus: Strong performances by Jenna Coleman and Rufus Sewell hint at Downton-esque potential for Victoria, but the narrative falls just shy of that soapy mark.

Starring: Jenna Coleman, Rufus Sewell, Peter Firth, Catherine H. Flemming

Critics Consensus: Sense8 serves up a heaping helping of yuletide queerness and sci-fi slyness in this narratively messy but richly felt special.

Synopsis: Celebrations and scandals strengthen the Sensates' bond as they try to reconstruct their lives and outsmart the Whispers.

Starring: Brian J. Smith, Tuppence Middleton, Jamie Clayton, Miguel Ángel Silvestre

Critics Consensus: Patriot is dark, quirky, and often funny -- and although its risks don't always pay off, the series is still savvy and inspired enough to watch.

Starring: Michael Dorman, Terry O'Quinn, Michael Chernus, Kathleen Munroe

Critics Consensus: Homeland delivers introspective comfort food with a satisfyingly strong leading female character and storylines that continue to surprise.

Starring: Claire Danes, Mandy Patinkin, Rupert Friend, F. Murray Abraham

Starring: Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere, Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack

Critics Consensus: "The Return of Doctor Mysterio" is a welcome return of Doctor Who after a year's absence, with the added fun of seeing Steven Moffat take a heroic swing at his version of a Superman story.

Synopsis: The Doctor, a journalist and a superhero team up to save New York City.

Starring: Peter Capaldi, Matt Lucas, Justin Chatwin, Charity Wakefield

Critics Consensus: Proudly stupid yet surprisingly soulful, Detroiters showcases an impressive level of commitment from its charming, well-matched leads -- and balances its goofy humor with an equal helping of heart.

Starring: Sam Richardson, Tim Robinson, Jason Sudeikis, George Wallace

Critics Consensus: Riverdale offers an amusingly self-aware reimagining of its classic source material that proves eerie, odd, daring, and above all addictive.

Starring: K.J. Apa, Luke Perry, Ashleigh Murray, Cole Sprouse

Critics Consensus: Bitingly funny and highly addictive, Big Little Lies is a twisty, thrilling, enlightening ride led by a first-rate cast.

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern

Critics Consensus: A clearer sense of purpose and extra helpings of cynicism and danger lead The Magicians to a higher level of engagement.

Starring: Jason Ralph, Stella Maeve, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Hale Appleman

Critics Consensus: In its final season, Girls remains uncompromising, intelligent, character driven, compassionate -- and at times consciously aggravating.

Starring: Lena Dunham, Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet

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: Season 4 of The 100 rewards longtime viewers with a deeper look at their favorite characters, as well as adding exceptional nuance and depth to their thrilling circumstances.

Starring: Eliza Taylor, Paige Turco, Bob Morley, Marie Avgeropoulos