Throwback Thursday: ‘Breaking Bad,’ ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ ‘Lie to Me,’ and ‘NUMB3RS’

It’s already the third week of January and we are seriously wondering where the time has gone. This week our Throwback Thursday looks at the dates January 17-23 to find all the fun TV trivia you could possibly want.

For big TV moments, we looked at that shocking reveal on The Good Place (you know the one) back in 2017. Then there is pivotal Justin Taylor monologue on Queer as Folk and the introduction of Harry Connick Jr.’s character on Law and Order: SVU.

Did you know that during this week in 1998 the still reverently talked about Dawson’s Creek premiered to teen audiences everywhere? We can also thank this week for programs like Skins, Being Human, The L Word, and United States of Tara.

Fasten your seatbelts…it’s going to be a bumpy ride through TV history.

Major TV Moments:

“I’ll still be your queer son.” (Queer as Folk Season 1 Episode 7, “Smells Like Codependence”) (January 21, 2001)

Back in 2001, queer TV was still lightyears away from being as mainstream as it is today. Fans of Queer as Folk loved the show for its willingness to “go there” with regards to everything queer identity. 

During Season 1, Justin Taylor is this fresh-faced kid, just out of the closet, and freely exploring his sexuality for the first time. He will grow into a mixture of his own discoveries and the teachings of his love, Brian Kinney.

Even this early in the series, Justin is already showing how much of an influence Brian has on him. When he stands up to his father for his homophobic reaction to discovering his son is gay it’s a moment that defines who he is as a character.

Justin Taylor: If you wanna hit me, go right ahead. Only I’m not gonna cry like some little faggot. And if you wanna send me away to school that’s all right too. Because I bet more butt-f*cking goes on in boarding school than in the backroom at Babylon. But, whatever you do, it’s not gonna matter. Because I’ll still be your queer son.

Introducing ADA David Haden (Law & Order: SVU Season 13 Episode 12, “Official Story”) (January 18, 2012)

It isn’t very often that we get to see a love interest for Detective Olivia Benson. And back in Season 13, she hadn’t had anything really serious in a while — because this show isn’t focused on that for her.

However unprecedented it is for Benson to even pursue a relationship, seeing her react romantically to the ADA on their current case during “Official Story” is nice. Even better this new ADA is played by none other than Harry Connick, Jr. 

While ADA Haden’s role on SVU and relationship with Benson fizzles out fairly quickly, it is nice while it lasts, and seeing him for the first time captures our attention. I mean, who hasn’t been dazzled by the signature Harry Connick, Jr. smile?

The Good Place is really The Bad Place (The Good Place Season 1 Episode 13, “Michael’s Gambit”) (January 19, 2017)

In a shocking twist nobody saw coming, The Good Place decided to end their freshman season with the plot twist to end all plot twists. For all of Season 1, Eleanor and Jason have felt like they are mistakenly placed in The Good Place.

However, when Michael forces the group — Eleanor, Chidi, Tahini, and Jason — to decide who would face the consequences of their actions and go to The Bad Place, Eleanor comes to a shocking conclusion, which Michael soon confirms. She realizes that none of them can “go” to The Bad Place, because they are already there — The Good Place has been a disguise all along. 

It’s a season finale like never before and one that fans still talk about to this day.

TV Premieres:

This week welcomed some well-known programming to the TV landscape. We are talking shows such as The Jeffersons, The A-Team, and ThunderCats.

We can’t forget other TV programs that many fans love to binge watch — and after the year we had, probably did. These programs are Breaking Bad, The L Word, NUMB3RS, Lie to Me, and Dawson’s Creek.

Even children of the 90s can rejoice at a few throwback shows that premiered over the years. Shows such as So Weird, The Book of Pooh, That’s So Raven, Dave the Barbarian, and American Dragon: Jake Long.

Here are a few TV shows that premiered this week in TV History:

• 1975 – The Jeffersons
• 1983 – Frontline
• 1983 – The A-Team
• 1985 – ThunderCats
• 1988 – 48 Hours
• 1996 – Moesha
• 1998 – Dawson’s Creek
• 1999 – So Weird
• 2001 – The Book of Pooh
• 2003 – That’s So Raven
• 2003 – What Not to Wear
• 2004 – The L Word
• 2004 – Dave the Barbarian
• 2005 – My Super Sweet Sixteen
• 2005 – American Dragon: Jake Long
• 2005 – NUMB3RS
• 2008 – Breaking Bad
• 2009 – United States of Tara
• 2009 – Lie to Me
• 2010 – American Pickers
• 2011 – Skins
• 2011 – Being Human
• 2013 – The Following
• 2015 – K.C. Undercover
• 2020 – 9-1-1: Lone Star

Tell-Tale TV Archives:

In 2020 we bid a fond farewell to the iconic show, How to Get Away With Murder. However, back in 2015, the show was still fresh and we wanted to give you reasons to watch so we made a list!

With Kamala Harris becoming the first female Vice President this week, we need a reminder of female empowerment to go along with our excitement for her inauguration. Why not check out our interview with Tammy Gillis where she discusses just that with regards to her show, Siren.

Finally, back in 2019, we broke the sad news that the beloved series, Suits would be coming back for Season 9, but that it would be their final one.

2015

Coping with TGIT Withdrawal: 8 Reasons to Watch ‘How To Get Away With Murder’

2018

Tammy Gillis Talks Freeform’s ‘Siren’ and Female Empowerment [Exclusive Interview]

2019

Suits Renewed for Ninth and Final Season at USA

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What are some major TV premieres, finales, or moments you remember? Sound off in the comments below and your choice just might be featured in a future Throwback Thursday column.

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