Extreme violence cuts bloody path through noteworthy TV dramas

Violence in television is, of course, not new. What is new is the unsparing detail with which it's being displayed, not to mention the inventiveness employed in showcasing the hacking, dismembering and killing. For some shows, the "graphic violence" label before the opening credits isn't just an advisory, it's a warning. Even though the A-list bloodshed occurs on premium and basic cable, where standards for violence are far looser than on the major networks, the extreme acts have provoked sharp reaction from some of the shows' most adoring critics.