Television logged its share of ups and downs in 2010. But television also had ascendant moments dur ing the past year. Here, in alphabetical order, are cases of when the medium soared:

Spartacus: Blood and Sand ( Starz): With all the bloody violence, you felt the urge to take a shower after watching this new series. With all the hard bodies and hankypanky, you wanted to take a cold shower. An orgiastic blend of hyperrealism and epic fantasy, with an outstanding cast, including Lucy Lawless ( Xena: Warrior Princess ), the show has been a wicked treat unlike anything else on television.

Source: Associated Press