There Are Only 13 Near-Perfect Action TV Shows According To Metacritic

Fans of high-quality action television have to be riding high these days, as the streaming revolution of the past several years has ensured that a plethora of intense, action-heavy, exceptional series are always just one "play" button away.

From HBO to AMC, Netflix to FX, it seems like every network has been striving to offer action TV shows that are dramatically rich, intellectually complex, and have cinema-grade levels of action. But, where to start?

Metacritic is happy to be your guide. Using a weighted average ("Metascore") of aggregated critical reviews, it's a trusted authority when it comes to pointing you towards what's worth watching. Per the site's point system, any series that scores above an 81 has achieved "universal acclaim," making those with a score of 90 and above as close to a consensus of "perfect" as you can get.

Of course, every television series has its highs and sometimes lows (unless your name is "Breaking Bad"), but a number of series have seasons that are outright fantastic... dare we say, near-perfect. Using their Metascores for criteria, here are the classic TV seasons that were not merely when these shows were at their best, but rather were at everyone's best. These are the action TV series that achieved near-perfection (and the seasons that were their most flawless).

HBO's "Game of Thrones," based on a series of fantasy novels by author George R.R. Martin, follows the struggles for power of a series of noble families on the fictional continent of Westeros (each vying for rulership following the death of King Robert Baratheon). The central protagonists are the members of House Stark, who spend much of the series fleeing the aftermath of the beheading of their father Ned Stark (Sean Bean) and the wrath of House Lannister, who hold the throne. 

Season 4 begins with the melting and reforging of House Stark's ancestral Valyrian steel sword, a symbol of the Lannister's near-destruction of the house following the murder of Robb Stark (Richard Madden) at the "red wedding." 

From the wedding of King Joffrey (Raymond Griffiths) and Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer) to Joffrey's death to the massive "Free Folk" assault at The Wall while Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) builds her forces — including three growing dragons — it all feels like GOT's greatest hits. The season ends with the shocking death of Tywin Lannister (Charles Dance), the mastermind behind the family's rise to prominence, ending a tumultuous season with yet another change in fortunes. It was a truly shocking season, filled with monumental events that would change the course of the show, showcasing some of the series' best writing — which may be why the Metascore is a "must watch" at 86.

Set in the 1870s in a town called Deadwood, South Dakota, David Milch's "Deadwood" was a revelation from its first episode. Never before had a Western looked, felt or sounded like this before.

The series is about a town that began as an illegal settlement outside U.S. law. As ex Marshall Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) relocated to Deadwood to start a business, Season 1 chronicled the machinations of Saloon owner Al Swearengen (Ian McShane), his increasing conflicts with Bullock, and the town's growing pains, culminating in Bullock becoming the sheriff of Deadwood at the end of the 1st season.

Season 2 brought increasing pressures in Bullock's life, as his relationship with widow Alma Garrett (Molly Parker) came under increased scrutiny upon his wife and step son's arrival in Deadwood. Tensions between Bullock and Swearengen were at a head, and things got only worse as geologist Francis Wolcott (Garret Dillahunt) arrived, introducing further complexity and chaos with his propensity for sexual violence, including the murders of several prostitutes. 

It's a tense season of a great show at its peak (with an 85 Metascore), showing the true depravity that could exist in the darker corners of frontier life.

"The Hollow Crown", whose first cycle is an adaptation of Shakespeare's second "Henriad" tetralogy, had one thing going for it from moment one: it's based on some of the greatest storytelling in the Western canon. 

The series begins with King Richard, called in to settle a dispute between his cousin Henry Bolingbroke and Thomas Mowbray. Chided by Henry's father, John of Gaunt, he seizes Gaunt's property before leaving for war. Bolingbroke returns with allies, takes Richard prisoner, and claims the throne.

Rebellions escalate and challenge the now dying king's rule, until they're finally overcome, bringing Henry peace and reconciliation with his son. Finally, in Henry V. we see the latter (now king Henry V) enthroned, but facing a challenge from without: war drums from France. Henry prepares to lead his armies across the channel to meet the enemy at Agincourt.

It doesn't really get better than Shakespeare, with fine drama, epic action, and beautiful dialogue. This BBC production brought it all to life with exceptional performances, stunning cinematography, and well executed adaptations overall, making it worthy of its 89 rating.

Developed by Graham Yost from Elmore Leonard's Raylan Givens' stories, the Kentucky-set "Justified" told the story of Givens (Timothy Olyphant), a dedicated U.S. Marshal whose approach to justice (shall we say) bends the rules. 

Season 2 had Givens struggling to deal with the Bennett clan's criminal enterprises. With meth kingpin Bo Crowder dead, the Bennetts intended to expand their marijuana business into Crowder territory, resulting in antagonism between the criminal clans. 

The season's standout drama was further amplified by the reveal of a deep-seated antagonism between the Bennetts and Givens, in a season strong with excellent performances, loads of action, and intriguing worldbuilding that considerably expanded our understanding of Givens' family history in the region. 

Still a beloved series more than a half-decade after it went off the air, "Justified" didn't get enormous ratings, but did have loyal fans who sang its praises whenever they could. The series sits at a lofty 86 rating, and it doesn't get any better than Season 2.

Sci-fi action series The Expanse took place hundreds of years in the future, after humanity had colonized the Solar System. Over time, this had resulted in a series of powerful factions: the United Nations of Earth and Luna, the Martian Congressional Republic (based on Mars, of course), and the Outer Planets Alliance, comprised of the colonies around the asteroid belt and the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. 

While earlier seasons had explored the increasing tension between the factions, everything changed in Season 4. Interstellar travel to thousands of new worlds, conflicts between factions more tense than ever, all while Earth's United Nations and the Martian Parliament maintained a blockade of the dangerous wormhole.

After the UN charters a colony ship to Ilus, refusing to recognize Belter sovereignty (and naming the newly discovered planet "New Terra," the ship's landing is sabotaged, causing loss of lives and escalating tensions even further. As the situation on Ilus worsened, the ship Rocinante arrived in the midst of the conflict. A series of ancient, long dormant alien structures on the planet began to awaken and malfunction, causing a massive tsunami. 

Meanwhile, an Outer Planets Alliance pirate named Marco Inaros (Keon Alexander) was unsuccessfully hunted by the UN over the season, before it was revealed that he had plans for a potentially devastating attack against Earth. It was a thrilling end to the excellent Season 4, and a 72 rating cements The Expanse as one of the best sci-fi action series in recent memory.

"Rescue Me" was a beloved FX series that highlighted the exploits of New York City firefighters, starring Denis Leary. 

Leary played Tommy Galvin, plagued by guilt over the firefighter friends he lost in 9/11, as well as by dreams of his cousin and best friend Jimmy, a firefighter also lost in the terrorist attacks. While all the seasons are admirably developed entries that hinge on one of the most emotionally complex moments in recent American memory, the series hit its biggest strides in Season 3. 

Tommy's on-again-off-again relationship with his wife Janet (Andrea Roth) came to a head in Season 3 via her affair with his brother Johnny, as did a later scene where he forced himself on her, highlighting the instability of the character. The season continued to escalate via Johnny's death as well as the roofie-slipping Sheila's fire that nearly kills them both. It's a tense season with a number of controversial aspects, but they came together to result in a well-received season full of exceptional drama, as evidenced by Metacritic's 85 rating.