The Fall 2010 season has been a rather disappointing time for television. Returning shows that were once hits have lost their luster, most new shows are duds and/or retreads, and some have already been canceled, moved, or otherwise.

Then Terriers showed up out of nowhere. With an advertising campaign that could be called skittish at best, the commercials gave very little insight to what the show was about. I tuned in both as a Donal Logue fan and because FX has proved to be a safe haven from the same-old trash I'm used to finding on network television.

The show centers around would-be private eyes Hank Dolworth (Donal Logue) and Britt Pollack (Michael Raymond-James...from True Blood). They quickly stumble into a case over their heads, having to deal with local corruption, the police force, and the town's everyman. We also see snippets of the home lives of the two heroes. Hank still pines for his ex-wife Gretchen (who's also remarrying), while Britt lives with his beautiful girlfriend Katie, each with their own secrets. The cast melds well and there is a great deal of chemistry among all the characters.

The way the show deftly handles episodic content and a more serialized arc calls back to the first season of Veronica Mars. It would be possible to jump in at a random episode since they play a "previously on Terriers" bit at the start, but anybody remotely interested in the show should definitely watch these in order.

Six episodes in, I can safely say that Terriers is not only the best new show of the season, but quite possibly the best show currently airing. Smart, funny, dramatic, well acted, and never boring throughout the hour long length. The genre blending is fantastic without resulting in harsh changes in tone.

Winners like this generally don't stick around that long. It's not Hell's Kitchen, it's not Desperate Housewives, and it's not Gossip Girl. Terriers is a breath of fresh air, and one I hope to keep breathing in for a few years. Hopefully we'll get some awesome DVDs out of this one.

EDIT (12/06/10): It was announced that Terriers will not be receiving a second season. It's too bad, Terriers was the best show to come down the hatch since Pushing Daisies. There's always the *extremely* small hope another network will pick it up, but with ratings so low it would require a series of miracles. Thankfully, the way season 1 ends is satisfying and tells a complete story. Put it on the list with Firefly, Freaks and Geeks, and other one season wonders that never found an audience when they aired. You will be missed, Terriers.

It's hard to characterize this captivating show. If you like shows with great characters, watch it. Sly humor? Watch it. Action? Watch it. Sexy people? Yep. Originality? You got it. Also funky intro/ending music (too little of it) and first-rate acting. I haven't seen something this good in a long time. Thank you FX.

For all the crappy shows out there that get lavish box sets, where is the DVD for this fine show?

The writing is just complicated enough to intrigue the intelligent viewer; the acting is wrenching at times, dastardly humorous at others. It's tragicomedy at its finest, with a dash of mystery and conspiracy.

It had the worst promotion ever, and the title didn't do it any favors. If you liked Veronica Mars, Life, Firefly, The Shield, Justified, or Six Feet Under, or any other quirky show, try this one.