Best TV shows of 2022, so far (January-Mid-March)

So I’ve decided to break my TV watching recap into 2 or 3-month brackets instead of waiting till the end of the year. One reason is that my memory really is no longer what it used to be and another is that my end of year recap doesn’t include shows that maybe deserve a spot. Recapping what I’ve watched over the past 3 months allows me to have a fresh memory of the shows as well as it gives more room for more shows.

In all honesty, this beginning of the year was full of surprises! Shows I was convinced I would hate turned out to be favorites while shows I was waiting in anticipation to watch turned out to be duds.

Between January and mid-March, there’s been 5 show that deserve, in my opinion, a mention.

The Silent sea

This Korean scifi series is far from perfect but it has enough originality and intrigue for me to tune in for another episode and want to know more. The story takes place in the near future where Earth suffers from extreme water shortage and follows a space crew sent to the moon on a mission to retrieve mysterious samples from an abandonned research facility where five years prior, all the staff died in bizarre circumstances. Sure, there was some clumsiness in the writing and my first opinion after the first few episodes was that it’s probably an Alien rip-off, but they’ve managed to turn things around and some plot twists have made The Silent Sea a show deserving of more attention.

Archive 81

My previous comments about The Silent Sea’s clumsiness also applies here, for Archive 81. This is a supernatural horror series about a man who’s hired by a mysterious company to restore videocassettes belonging to a student who made, 15 or 20 years prior, a documentary about an appartment building in New-York. As he restores and watches the seemingly mundane footage, he quickly realizes that he’s getting pulled into an intrigue involving mysterious fires, disappearances, cults and conspiracies. Are there plot holes? Yes. Are there unnecessary jump scare techniques? Absolutely. But once again, the show has managed to bring enough to the table to catch the viewers’ attention and make them want to know more.

Suspicion

Suspicion premiered on February 4 and I’m only a few episodes in so my critique will only be about what I’ve seen so far. Four strangers, all ordinary British citizens, are accused of kidnapping the son of a high profile American media mogul. The kidnapping happened in a New York hotel, when all four characters happened to be there. As they desperately race to prove their innocence, one can’t help but wonder if they’re really telling the truth. I must admit that the 4 main characters are nor really sympathetic and I’m not really rooting for them, but curiosity got the better of me. I want to know what happened, who did it and why.

C’est comme ça que je t’aime

Being born and raised in Montral, Quebec, I’ve always been very critical of local TV shows. They very often lack creativity, borrowing from existing American shows, and/or lack nuances and subtility. I can literally count on the fingers of one hand all the Quebec productions I actually like : Rock et Belles Oreilles, Tout sur moi, La petite vie, Les Invincibles and Infoman. Last year, another series can be added to the list : C’est comme ça que je t’aime, a show about two couples who turn into murderous criminals during their kids’ stay at summer camp. The show is not constant but it’s got some killer hilarious lines! The second season has just begun to air and we binge-watched it in no time. Still pretty funny.

Peacemaker

Now this is a show I was sure I would hate! I didn’t even have the intention of watching it because I dislike anything about superheroes. What changed my mind was when I heard some hype about the opening credits and checked it out on Youtube. It was pure genius and convinced me to give the show a chance. I have to say that Peacemaker was a big surprise. Funny, silly, insightful and action packed, with a great ensemble cast and killer dialogues, this series is so different from the movie it’s supposed to come from! I saw bits of the Suicide Squad (1 and 2) and hated it. The TV series is nothing like the movies. The first half of the season is better than the second, but still, I can’t wait for season 2.

So that’s my top 5 series so far, but that’s not all I watched, though. I mentionned earlier that there were some shows I was waiting for with much anticipation. Well, when they finally aired, I was deeply disappointed. These are shows like Severance (too much emphasis on purposeless visuals) and The Afterparty (bad writing for such a talented cast). And then there were shows I just watched out of boredom, hoping to stumble on a surprise, like Dollface (season 2), The woman in the house across the street…., The girl before, Murderville, Shining Vale, Our flag means death. Unsurprisingly, they were disappointing. I also started watching the 4th season of Killing Eve but my interest wanes with each season.

Anticipated for the next months

Shows I’m excited to watch for the next few months include:

  • The Larry David story

  • Peaky Blinders (season 6)

  • Stranger things (season 4)

  • Better call Saul (season 6)

Hopefully, I’ll discover someting new as well!

Bingeable TV shows

There is nothing I love more than turning my brain off and lie on the couch, in front of my TV, for hours of binge watching. I’ve been doing that since I was a kid and it still remains my favorite activity to this day. A few weeks ago, I made a list of reading recommendations but if TV shows are more your cup of tea, you’re not alone! I’m currently out of new stuff to watch so I decided to revisit some personal favorites and binge watch them. If you’re also looking for something to watch, here is a list. Hopefully there’s something you haven’t seen yet, or something you forgot about and would like to watch again. At the moment, I am way more into comedies than drama, so my list is a bit lopsided!

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Sitcoms

Community

By far one of the most brilliant, creative and unique sitcoms ever, Community recently made a return to Netflix (all 6 seasons!). I don’t know how many times I’ve binge-watched this show but I never get tired of it. It has gained a cult following but remains pretty much unknown to the mainstream, which is unfortunate. Their paintball episodes are my personal favorites. They were so good that season 2’s paintball episodes directly led to its directors, the Russo brothers, being hired to take the helm of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Season 1’s paintball episode was directed by Justin Lin, known for the Fast&Furious movies as well as Star Trek Beyond. I’ve lately started researching about the show (its cast and creators) and I sincerely hope that a documentary or a book be made about Community’s behind-the-scene action. The show itself is smart, hilarious and perfect for all pop-culture fans, but what happened behind the curtain also deserves to be documented. Except for season 4 (when Dan Harmon, the show’s creator was fired) and the final season (when half the main cast had left) seasons 1 to 3 and 5 are nearly perfect. I truly hope the movie gets made, with all of the original cast!

The Golden Girls

A classic! On the air between 1985 and 1992, The Golden Girls is a pioneering show on so many levels! This sitcom dealt with deep, edgy and oftentimes serious concepts like sexuality, dating, death, and so much more, while managing to be extremely funny. It’s Sex and the City before it was even a thing! The humor, the banter between the characters and the quality of the writing make the Golden Girls a must for everyone. We watched it again not so long ago, and though the clothes and decor are outdated, the humor wasn’t. It made me laugh out loud then and it still does. Not that many sitcoms have managed to be timeless!

Silicon Valley

After 6 seasons, Silicon Valley’s series finale aired on December 8, 2019. This is one of the best, funniest and most accurate TV shows about tech culture and it has managed to be great from beginning to end. Watching the characters and their pet project, Pied Piper, progress while at the same time slowly implode was a true pleasure!

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

With 14 seasons, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is now tied with The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet as television's longest-running live-action comedy. It’s just been renewed for a 15th season, which will officially make it the longest running sitcom on the air! This show is not for everyone. It’s irreverent, its characters are horrible human beings with no moral compass who have done despicable things to each other and to other people, but it is also one of the funniest and smartest shows on the air right now. Definitely worth a watch. It’s very hard to find a clip that best represents the show so I included here a scene from one of my favorite episodes.

Life in pieces

I loved that show I cannot understand why CBS would cancel it when its programming was so lacking. That’s a real shame because Life in Pieces, which is way better than Modern Family by the way, had a stellar cast and was really funny. All four seasons are now available on Netflix.

Archer

I’m not a fan of animated series but Archer is one (out of 2) exception. With 10 seasons available, Archer is an incredible series rife with great humor, pop-culture references and Easter eggs. It’s The Office meets James Bond. Yes, we sometimes see Duchess (Archer’s code name, named after his mother’s dog) out on a mission, but most of the action takes place in their headquarters where the spies have to file expense reports and deal with HR. The last few seasons are a bit weirder because they take place in comatose Archer’s mind, but they remain nonetheless very entertaining. The series was supposed to return for an 11th season on May 10th but the release date was pushed back because of the pandemic.

People of Earth

Another great show, funny and original, that was cancelled too soon. After only 2 seasons, TBS decided to pull the plug for some reason. Half The X-Files and half The Office, People of Earth takes place at 2 different places : on Earth, in Beacon, New York, where a group of abductees (they prefer to be called Experiencers) meet up in a church basement to discuss their alien abductions, and in a spaceship, where 3 aliens of different species work together, abducting humans. Smart, different and insightful, it’s a shame that this show was not given more rope.

Fleabag

This show has been a revelation! It’s brilliant, emotionally charged and hilarious. There are only 2 seasons, the second being the best one, but what awesome seasons they are! No more can be said about this show.

Dead like me

Another cancelled too soon show. Dead like me was a truly original and different dramedy about a young girl, George, who was killed by space debris and became a grim reaper, collecting people’s souls before they die. Since grim reapers don’t get paid, she must also hold down a job in order to pay for rent, food and anything else. And, as it turns out, there is as much bureaucracy and paperwork in death as in life. In a Vulture article, Margaret Lyons perfectly explained why Dead Like Me resonated as much to its audience : “Dead Like Me isn’t about George finding herself through the gentleness and thrill of romance – it’s about her finding herself through the cruelty and randomness of grief.” Shit happens but we must find a way to power through anyways. Or else, what’s the point? Funny, witty, real, Dead like me deserved much better. Only 2 seasons aired before the show was cancelled. There was also a movie but it’s so horrible, no one should watch it.


Drama

The Americans

I still can’t believe a show as amazing as The Americans did not get the recognition it deserved. A lot of people still haven’t seen this series yet, and they are missing out on what I consider among the top 10 best TV shows ever. The series ended in 2018, after 6 seasons, with a series finale that will probably go down history as one of the best. Based on actual events, where KGB agents infiltrated the US government while pretending to be American citizens, The Americans follows two such agents, Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, during the cold war. The show is not entirely about espionage. It’s also about one’s sense of identity, morality and loyalty.

Star Trek - The original series

Don’t mind the over acting and pay attention to the themes. Then, you’ll realize that this series from the 1960’s is far superior and more forward-thinking than most current sci-fi shows and that without it, most programs would not have existed in the first place.

Hannibal

This TV show based on the characters from Thomas Harris’s books, Hannibal mainly focuses on the relationship between the iconic cannibal psychiatrist and Will Graham, a gifted profiler with some dark issues of his own. Hannibal is mainly a police procedural where some very disturbing murders are being investigated. It is visually captivating and unsettling at the same time. The discomfort stems from the brutality of the murders but also from the fact that cannibalism kind of makes us hungry. We are aware that human flesh is the main ingredient in Hannibal Lecter’s meals but they are all so beautifully plated and look so exquisitely appetizing that a part of you sort of want to taste…

Succession

I watched the first season with a detached interest but was captivated during the second season. There is something about watching the filthy rich make terrible decisions and self-destruct that is incredible mesmerizing. This saga about siblings and their father fighting over the control of the family’s media conglomerate, willing to do the worst to each other and to other people, becomes an addictive watch. It is over the top and it is soapy, but it’s also extremely well written and acted.

Dark

This German mind-bending show about time-travel is fascinating. Watch as many episodes as you can in one sitting so you don’t get too lost in the story line. It is confusing at times, but it’s also definitely worth it. A bit slow at the beginning, but once the pace picks up, it doesn’t stop! A third season was recently released, where they’ll tackle time-travel as well as inter-dimension travel!

one day binge

If you don’t want to spend more than a day watching TV shows, there are a bunch of great 1 season series that you could watch.

  • Lodge 49 : there are technically 2 seasons of Lodge 49 before it was cancelled by AMC, but you could only watch season 1. That first season was magical; they expertly managed to walk the fine line between tragedy, comedy and the fantastic but for some reason, they failed to recreate that particular mood, the quirkiness and eccentricities, for the second season, and for that reason, it fell flat and felt a tad over the top. That being said, even though season 2 was a bit disappointing, I still believe that Lodge 49 was cancelled too soon.

  • Good Omens : this adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s classic has a lot of flaws but we’re willing to see past them because there is also a lot of positive, starting with the incredible chemistry between the two main actors, Micheal Sheen and David Tennant.

  • Russian doll : this special take on the Groundhog Day concept is a lot of fun to watch. I thought I’d quickly get tired of the repetitiveness (every time she dies, she wakes up again, in her friend’s apartment, during her birthday party) but they’ve managed to make it interesting.

  • Mythic Quest : Raven’s Banquet : Despite the fact that it was created by Rob McElhenney, co-creator of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, one of my favorite shows, I still was so reluctant to give this show a chance because it looked so ridiculously over the top. It turned out to be a whole lot better than expected! I’ll even go as far as saying that it’s very good! Their quarantine episode was pure genius.

  • You, me and the Apocalypse : This is a British/ American mini series about a group of people who struggle with the inevitable apocalypse after it is discovered that a comet is on a collision course with Earth. The series as a whole is a bit uneven but there are some pretty funny moments that make it worth while!

  • Police squad : before there was the Naked Gun franchise, there was a TV show called Police Squad, also starring Leslie Nielsen. Unfortunately, no one understood the Zucker brothers’ sense of humor then and the project was quickly thrown away. It’s hard to believe what made the Naked Gun so legendary is also the reason why Police squad was cancelled.

That’s about it for the moment. There are, of course, a ton of other watch-worthy TV shows, but these are the ones I liked best.

Have fun!

Great TV shows that were seriously underappreciated

Last week, I stumbled on a very mediocre sitcom while casually flipping through channels, looking for something good (or just okay) to watch. I was surprised (or should I rather say upset) to see that this unfunny, unoriginal, lame show was still on the air while so many better sitcoms or dramas had been cancelled and forgotten. I know there’s no accounting for taste, but still …

The point I’m trying to make is that I’ve seen a LOT of TV shows in my time, all ranging between life-changing to downright awful. Somewhere in that array, is a special selection of series that were a lot better than the ratings let on. They deserved more appreciation and must not be forgotten. Or at least, deserved more chance. It’s always baffled me why so many subpar shows live on for years on end, while much better ones just get tossed aside in a heartbeat. The titles in this article are some of what I consider the most underappreciated TV shows ever. Of course, there are many, many more, but these are my personal favorites.

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DEAD LIKE ME (2003 - 2004)

I stumbled on Dead Like Me by pure accident. I just turned the television on, and there’s this show that’s about to premiere. Back then, I was very much aware of upcoming TV shows; I had a pretty elaborate calendar of what’s airing, where and when. Yet, I never heard of Dead Like Me. Seemed like it appeared without any promo. As soon as it aired, I immediately fell in love with it. As an antisocial (or is it socially awkward? or is it both?), I tend to identify with such characters. And George Lass is just that: a socially awkward girl who’s trying to figure out how she fits in this strange and hard to understand world. She dies in the first episode. Not much of a spoiler here, that’s the premise of the show. As the space station Mir was reentering Earth, it was fast disintegrating and its toilet seat broke off to fall directly on George, killing her instantly. First blow, she realizes that she’s dead. Second blow, some stranger (played by the amazing Mandy Patinkin), the only person on site who can actually see her, announces to her that she is now a grim reaper (the grim reaper who took her soul before she’s killed reached his quota and finally got a promotion). Then she learns that even dead, she must find work to be able to find a place to live and pay the bills. This is an exceptional show about family tensions, work place dynamics and basic human interactions, but with a morbid twist. Bryan Fuller left after the first season and, because of that, the second season wasn’t as tight as the first, but still, Dead Like Me deserved more viewership.

WONDERFALLS (2004)

Also created by Bryan Fuller and starring Caroline Dhavernas, this short-lived series is about an unambitious college graduate who works at a souvenir shop next to Niagara Falls. Her life is turned upside down when objects around her start interacting and talking to her and giving her orders, forcing her to meddle into other people’s lives for reasons she does not understand. This show was so original and witty that I have a hard time understanding why it only lasted one season! Upon some research, I quickly learnt that Fox did not give Wonderfalls any chance to succeed by not promoting the show at all and giving it horrible and always changing time slots. It’s a real shame because Wonderfalls, in all its perkiness and humanity, deserved an audience. Bryan Fuller went on and created another dramatic comedy in 2007, Pushing Daisies, which was very similar to Dead Like Me and Wonderfalls in its colorful style, but unlike its predecessors, Pushing Daisies was actually a success. Though it was fine a show, I always felt like Dead Like Me and Wonderfalls were much better. But despite its success (12 Emmy nominations), Pushing Daisies was cancelled after its second season.

RAISING HOPE (2011 - 2014)

I always felt like Raising Hope did not get the praise it deserved. It was there but no one was talking about it and as soon as it stopped airing, everybody forgot about it. It’s a shame because they succeeded at making a very funny and authentic family sitcom, which is hard to do considering the amount of family sitcoms that are made every year. Raising Hope is among the few recent sitcoms that’s made me laugh out loud; it produced some hilarious moments, played by a perfectly cast set of actors (Martha Plimpton, Garret Dillahunt and Cloris Leachman among others). If you get a chance to watch this show, please do and you will not be disappointed. It’s essentially about Jimmy, a clueless 23 year-old who lives with his parents and grandmother, who suddenly becomes the father of a small baby girl (the mother was arrested after their one-night stand, gave birth to the baby in prison and is on death row).

HOMICIDE : LIFE ON THE STREET (1993 - 1999)

If you asked people to name great cop shows, they will mention NYPD Blues, Law&Order, The Wire, but one thing’s for sure is that no one will say Homicide: Life on the street. Strange thing is, most TV fans or cop show fans I talk to don’t even know about it! Though it ran for 6 seasons and was critically acclaimed, Homicide always suffered from low ratings. I never understood why so many bad cop shows went on to become fan favorites while a riveting and raw procedural like Homicide just sunk into oblivion. I think it’s by far one of the most underappreciated show of all time. Real and realistic, intense, gritty and just riveting to watch, Homicide had it all: complex characters, convoluted story arches, captivating interrogations and most importantly, detectives Bayliss and Pembleton, the greatest yet most complicated duo of all police procedural. Like Wonderfall, Homicide suffered from bad promo from its network and an ever changing time slot that might have prevented it from maintaining a proper fanbase.

CARNIVÀLE (2003 - 2005)

Carnivàle was a bit ahead of its time. Had it aired some time around now, it would have been a huge hit, but back then, people seemed to be more into reality TV and lighter-themed programs. This is very frustrating because Carnivàle was one hell of a show. Set during the Great Depression, this supernatural drama is about an impending battle between what must be assumed to be good and evil, with a travelling carnival caught in the middle of it. Different, original, visually stunning and unnerving, Carnivàle deserved a much better fate. While it was considered too weird and slow-paced back then, it would have been called a masterpiece now… And though it won a few Emmys, the series was cancelled after the second season due to low ratings.

MillenniuM (1996 - 1999)

MillenniuM is a thriller with supernatural undertones, much like The X-Files (both shows were created by Chris Carter). The series follows the investigations of Frank Black, a retired FBI agent turned consultant who is gifted with the ability to see inside criminals’ minds. He also works for a mysterious society called MillenniuM Group, whose involvement in world affairs are somewhat murky. Though captivating to watch, the show was met with mixed reviews; viewers and critics alike found the story lines too macabre and thought they could be lighter and more fun, which is just ridiculous. The darker tone of the episodes, the creepy murders and Frank Black’s haunting visions are what made MillenniuM so great. Once again, had it aired more recently, in the era of everything-must-be dark, MillenniuM would have been a great success.



BETTER OFF TED (2009 - 2010)

Better Off Ted is another show that was met with a lot of critical acclaim but failed to pan out in the ratings. Its main character, Ted, is the head of the Research and Development department of Veridian Dynamics, a powerful, soulless and dehumanizing conglomerate that is willing do whatever it takes for a profit, even if that meant weaponizing everything and anything, testing on its employees, or creating weird things like killer pandas. This entertaining and original sitcom was cancelled and forgotten about after just two seasons despite receiving a lot of positive reviews by critics. The network didn’t even bother to air the last 2 episodes.

PEOPLE OF EARTH (2016 - 2017)

People of Earth is so good and so special. I sincerely do not understand how or why more people are not watching it! Because of that, this hilarious sitcom was cancelled after just two seasons. Half the show takes place on Earth, in a small town called Beacon. A journalist is writing a report about Starcrossed, a support group for experiencers (a.k.a. abductees but they don’t like that term) only to realize that he might have been one as well. Together, they share their experiences and try to figure out the reasons behind these encounters. The other half of the show takes place in the alien spaceship that’s doing the abductions. Three aliens, each of a different species, work together to abduct and test their human subjects. People of Earth is part The X-Files, part The Office and it is genius! Its two seasons were fantastic and it came as a considerable surprise to learn that People of Earth was not renewed for a third season. A great shame!

If you have the opportunity to watch any of the shows listed above, please do and you will surely have a great time. They are far from being masterpieces but they did go out of their way to be bold and different, and for that reason alone, they deserve more appreciation.

Best TV episodes of 2018

So I previously wrote a post about the best new TV shows of the year and for a while, I wanted to discuss the best overall TV shows of 2018, but I realized a bunch of watch-worthy series would be left out. So, I decided to go with the best TV episodes of the year.

Some of the series I’ll be discussing bellow started off great (amazing, even) but failed to pan out. That being said, some episodes were so astoundingly good that they deserve to be mentioned and watched.

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Babylon Berlin - Season 1, Episode 2

Babylon Berlin is a tour de force. Co-written and co-directed by Tom Tykwer, Achim von Borries and Henk Handloegten, this German crime drama set in pre-World War II Berlin is incredibly ambitious, visually stunning, and probably the most expensive German TV show ever made. The visuals are breathtaking and they alone make Babylon Berlin worth a watch. In my opinion, there were some major plot holes that I find a bit too distracting after a while, so my interest waned towards the end, but I must say that the nightclub scene in the second episode was in-cre-di-ble! One of the best TV moments ever!

Maniac - The chosen one (Season 1, Episode 1)

Every once in a while, you watch a TV show and immediately fall in love with it. You watch it, cannot keep your eyes off it and know you will be watching every single episode until the end. That happened the first time I watched Breaking Bad and it also happened the first time I saw Dexter and Lost. Breaking Bad was good from beginning to end and never let me down. Dexter and Lost, on the other hand… Maniac falls in the same category as Dexter and Lost. I was instantly drawn as soon as it started playing. It was unbelievable! Where does the show take place? And more importantly, when does it take place? This visually extraordinary series about two social outcasts (played by Jonah Hill and Emma Stone) who participate in a beyond risky drug trial was written by Patrick Somerville and directed by Cary Fukunaga. It started out fantastically (the first episodes being the best ones) and ended on such a weird note that I did not know what to think of it. As soon as they entered the dream sequences, they began to lose me. There were too many of those. Thumbs up, though, for all the visual designs and effects.

The Haunting of Hill House - Two Storms (Season 1, Episode 6)

I am a horror maniac. But lately, I find that horror movies lack imagination and creativity, but most importantly, they lack the understanding of what is scary and why. I can’t stand watching another “horror” where a character is dragged by the leg by an unseen force. That is not scary. It was scary once in Paranormal Activity and that is it. Horror deals with psychology. It plays with your mind. I was glad when we started watching The Haunting of Hill House. I would not go as far as saying that it was scary but it was at least different. It was dark and slow, and did not stoop so low as to use cheap tricks. The story is intriguing , we the viewers are emotionally invested in the characters and the build-up is engaging. It all culminates with Two Storms, a masterfully produced episode that looks like one continuous traveling shot. Some critiques have even called the episode a technical marvel. The making-of of the episode is showcased in the clip above. Unfortunately, the show went downhill from that episode on, in my opinion… Still worth a watch though!

The Americans - START (Season 6, Episode 10)

One of the best series finales EVER! That garage scene will be talked about for the years to come. I still think about it. That and the whole episode. WOW. They have managed to write an episode that no one had anticipated. Who ever said they saw it coming, lied. When The Americans ended, I was left both heart-broken and satisfied. I have seen so many amazing shows end with horrible finales, I feared that would also be the case for one of my favorite series of all time. But, they did not disappoint! I am so surprised that The Americans does not have a bigger following. Though critically acclaimed, it does not have the fan base it is supposed to have, that it deserves to have. It’s been great from season one to the very end, and will go down history as one of the greatest shows ever.

Little Drummer Girl - Episodes 1 and 2

Little Drummer Girl is a superb 6-part mini series directed by Park Chan-Wook that was aired as three 2.5-hour movies. Adapted from John le Carré’s novel by the same title, this series is visually captivating. The first episode sets the tone and wheels the viewer in with its beautiful bright colors, out-of-this-world art direction and wonderfully played characters. Once you saw movie 1 (episodes 1 and 2), you won’t be able to turn away from the following ones.

Westworld - Akane No Mai (Season 2, Episode 5)

I fell in love with Westworld last year. I have always been a sucker for series about enigmas, conspiracy theories, hidden games or messages, or the likes, and it has been a while since we were treated to a good show of that kind. Then Westworld happened. And to think that I was reluctant to watch it in the first place! I remember the movie and was convinced they will not be able to adapt it to modern times. To my amazement and great joy, Westworld exceeded by far my expectations. When season 1 ended, I wondered “what now?”. How will they be able to follow up such a strong and powerful season? I was convinced season 2 would be a disappointment. I was certain they will not be able to write a strong enough story line that can measure up to that of season 1. Once again, I was wrong! And I am glad I was. What worried me the most about season 2 was hearing they will explore other worlds. There were rumors about a samourai world and I was seriously concerned they will be spreading the story a bit too thin. As it turned out, the episode covering the samourai world, Akane No Mai, was my favorite episode of the season. It was brilliantly written and beautiful to watch. If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for? And if you have, watch the making-of, above, and you’ll want to see the episode again!

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia - The Gang Solves the Bathroom Problem (Season 13, Episode 6)

Alright, changing range here! I only discovered It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia very recently, around the time they finished airing season 12! We binge watched all 12 seasons in no time and laughed so hard the whole time. I still cannot believe it took so long for me to give this show a try! The 13th season aired this year after a brief hiatus and though weaker than the previous seasons (season 12 was the absolute best!), it had some pretty good moments. Episode 6 was one of the funniest of season 13. I did hesitate, though, between episode 6, The Gang Solves the Bathroom Problem (shown here), and episode 7, The Gang does a Clip Show, where the cast recreated to perfection an iconic scene from Seinfeld’s episode, The Contest. Both episodes were hilarious but episode 6 was funnier overall, but regardless, I must say that these guys are comedic geniuses!


Future Man - Pilot (Season 1, Episode 1)

Future Man’s first episode was so great! It was packed with references to a bunch of time-travel movies and TV shows that any movie and/or TV buffs would surely appreciate. I was so enthusiastic after having seen the first episode because there was finally something different, smart and funny to watch. However, the rest of the season was highly irregular, with a few good jokes here and there. The overall result was mediocre. The few good episodes they had, as great as they were, could save the whole season. That being said, the pilot as well as the episode in James Cameron’s house are definitely watch-worthy!

The Good Place - The Worst Possible Use of Free Will (Season 3, Episode 7)

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I hate that I could not find a proper clip for this episode! But it doesn’t matter. The Good Place if one of the most underrated sitcoms out there and it should not be. A lot of people see its quirky, bright and almost slapstick-y exterior and shy away from watching it but truth be told The Good Place is one of the smartest series there are! How many shows do you know tackle philosophy in an approachable and unpretentious manner? And here, not only did they achieve that but they also manage to make it funny! You learn while laughing, without realizing you are learning! How great is that?? The Good Place is so smart and absurd at the same time that it is just a joy to watch. Episode 7 is about whether our actions and decisions come from free will or are they already predetermined (in which case, we cannot escape who really are), but most of the episode takes place in the Tostitos Presents A Public Library Brought To You By GoDaddy, and two of the main characters, Eleanor and Michael, debate it while referencing books like “Philosophy for Dingdongs…For Morons” and “Roses are red…and so is my neck!” by Jeff Foxworthy. It’s brilliant!

Runner-ups

  • Killing Eve: Nice face (Season 1, Episode 1) - The series started out great but there were too many distracting plot holes and Sandra Oh’s character, who was so likable in the beginning, ended up annoying the crap out of me.

  • Game of Thrones: Beyond the Wall (Season 7, Episode 6) - Viserion… I am still devastated.

  • Silicon Valley: Fifty-One Percent (Season 5, Episode 8) - The last few seasons of the show struggled to stay relevant and funny but the fifth season really pulled the show back together! Getting rid of Erlich was a gamble that paid off and really set the series and the remaining characters free. The season’s finale is my favorite episode of the season solely for introducing us to “kiss my piss”! Don’t think for a second that it’s vulgar; it’s actually one of the weirdest, lamest, most awkward and unexpected clap backs ever!

I am racking my brain to think of another episode worthy of being mentioned in this post. I hate it when I leave something out. It’s also during moments like these that I realize how much TV I actually watch… Not being ashamed at all, but it’s a lot, so something is bound to be forgotten!

If you haven’t seen the episodes or the shows mentioned above, I really hope you give them a try. They are worth it.