Throughout the time of television, there have been some excellent female characters in television. On the flip side, there have also been some low quality, badly characterized women.

So who would you say are some of the best and worst female characters in television?

Best...
Ros Myers from Spooks (MI-5) - One of the few television characters I've ever truly felt was perfect. Hermione Norris won me over with her performance.
Chloe Sullivan from Smallville - Far from perfect but undeniably endearing. Self-described "Krypto-hag" for a Superman intraining.
Peggy Olson from Mad Men - The most well executed character development in any TV show IMO.

Worst...
Lana Lang from Smallville - Atrocious. Every single episode she reminded everyone her parents had died when she was young. She'd go from a needy, angsty damsel in distress for 3/4ths of an episode and then got pissy at everyone for not treating her like a strong independent women for the last stretch.

I don't really watch a lot of shows where women are the main character, not memorably at least. But the shows I do, these are the ones who stand out offhand

Best:

River Song (Doctor Who)

Clara Oswald (Doctor Who)

Arya Stark (Game of Thrones)

Worst:

Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones)

Andrea (Walking Dead)

Penny (Big Bang Theory*)

*Granted BBT is a horrible show altogether, but I found Penny more insufferable than the rest of the cast.

The greatest female character in all history is without a doubt Fran Fine.

Dont pay too much attention to that sort of stuff but..

Worst:

Daenerys in Game of Thrones

Debra Morgan in Dexter

Tara and Gimma in Sons of Anarchy

And best:

Margaery in Game of Thrones

Ygritte in GoT

Probably forgot someone, but thats about it.

Augh! How could I forget Ygritte in my 'best' list!

How could the both of you forget Olenna Redwyne?

Because I dislike her. Without spoilers for the show watchers only, she's in the same category of sleaze as Baelish, minus his charm.

Best:
Agent Dana Scully (The X-Files)
She paved the way for the whole "smart is sixy" thing. Pretty much every current show with a smart, strong female lead owes a lot to that character.

Also....
Carmela Soprano
Peggy Olson (Mad Men)
Lisa Simpson
Samantha Carter (Stargate SG1)
Lindsay Weir (Freaks & Geeks)
Buffy
Elaine (Seinfeld)
April and Leslie (Parks & Rec)

Worst:
Debra Morgan (Dexter)
Or any character that exists just be "saved" by a man.

These came to mind instantly for the dislikes;

Shelly Duvall in Popeye but memborable in the Shinning

Barbra Striessand Cher , there singing svcks too

Wait, people born in this century ....

I hope Lady Gaga never decides to act

I love;

Sigorny Weaver (Aliens)

Lucy Lu ( Charlies Angles )

Sandra Bullock ( Made bad choices in real life )

Kate Beckensale ( Van Helsing )

Rene Russo ( Rocky & Bullwinkle )

Liv Tyler ( Lord of the Rings )

Daenerys is my favorite by far. How could you not like her?

My least favorites are Skylar from Breaking Bad and Lori from Walking Dead.

Forgot about her... Where's Carl?