The fourth season of this classic was one of the...

The fourth season of this classic was one of the most gorgeous, exciting, challenging, cinematic and interesting -- yes, interesting -- season of any TV series, ever. Now that I've finished hyperventilating . . . seriously, it was great. But why? "GoT" has moved on to new places, or -- like a brilliant and adventurous daughter (or son, too) who wishes to break free of her parent's own expectations for her -- it's begun to explore new worlds, ideas and stories beyond the great source material provided by George R.R. Martin. "GoT" is no longer merely an "adaptation," but a parallel and separate TV universe. Credit: HBO

Newsday critic Verne Gay says the fourth season of "Game of Thrones" "was one of the most gorgeous, exciting, challenging, cinematic and interesting -- yes, interesting -- season of any TV series, ever."

From "Game of Thrones" to "Mad Men," see what else made the cut.

Here are the 10 best television shows we saw this year.

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Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. spoke with NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa about what life is like for the Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann in jail. Credit: Anthony Florio; File Footage; Photo Credit: Newsday / James Carbone, John Paraskevas; AP / David Bookstaver, Clark County Sheriff's Office, Richard Drew, Mitchell Tapper, Don Ryan; Peconic River Sportsman’s Club / Kerry Goldberg

'He will be ... coming out of prison in a body bag' Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. spoke with NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa about what life is like for the Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann in jail.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. spoke with NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa about what life is like for the Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann in jail. Credit: Anthony Florio; File Footage; Photo Credit: Newsday / James Carbone, John Paraskevas; AP / David Bookstaver, Clark County Sheriff's Office, Richard Drew, Mitchell Tapper, Don Ryan; Peconic River Sportsman’s Club / Kerry Goldberg

'He will be ... coming out of prison in a body bag' Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. spoke with NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa about what life is like for the Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann in jail.

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