Favorite TV shows and movies of 2020

When I need an escape, I usually turn to my TV for comfort, and 2020 was no better time to do so. There have been quite a few interesting finds, but because of COVID, there were also a lot of delayed releases and several highly anticipated shows and movies could not be finished properly, or saw their production halted. Hopefully, we’ll get to enjoy them in 2021! I’m especially really looking forward to finding out what happens in the third season of Succession.

I must admit, although I tried to look for new things to watch, this year has been more about making myself feel good and get a laugh. There’s been a lot of Golden Girls, Friends, Community, Archer playing on repeat. There were also a lot of highly talked about shows I chose not to watch, like Tiger King, because they did not resonate with me or intrigued me as much as they did everyone else.

But I digress. Here’s a list of my favorite shows and movies of 2020, in no particular order.

Television

Better Call Saul (season 5)

The fourth season was a disappointment and I even went as far a wondering if I’ll watch season 5. I’m thankful I did because they got right on track with what turned out to be the best season since season 2. The tense story line between Nacho and Lalo, who, by the way, turned out to be a formidable villain, kept me on the edge of my seat, and I’m glad something is finally happening with Kim.

Best episode of the season : Bagman (episode 8)

Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet (season 1)

Mythic Quest was one of those shows that looked so silly in their trailer that I held off for a while. As huge a fan as I am of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, I was pretty much disappointed in all the creators’ and actors’ side projects (The Cool Kids, A.P. Bio, The Mick, etc), which made me a bit reluctant to give Mythic Quest a chance. Silicon Valley had just ended and I felt like Rob McElhenney’s new project was a bit too similar a show. How wrong was I! Mythic Quest ended up being one of the highlights of the year.

Best episode : Quarantine (special episode filmed during, you guessed it, quarantine)

What We Do In The Shadows (season 2)

That show was a revelation. Season 1 aired in 2019 but I didn’t start watching it until this year, mid season 2. From that episode on, I was hooked. I saw the movie the series is based on a few years ago and it was OK. There were some very funny bits but as a whole, the film was just alright. So when they announced a TV adaptation, I was nonplussed. Turning movies into TV series usually dilutes the story, but I have to say, in this case, it’s false. The series was created and written by the same people as the movie, Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, and it appears that they saved their best ideas for TV. Following a different set of vampires, the TV version is more diverse, wittier and way funnier! The idea of Colin Robinson, an energy vampire is pure genius!

Best episode : Colin’s Promotion (episode 5)

Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun (season 1)

This American-Australian sketch comedy show is silly, weird, chaotic, absurd and it’s exactly what we all need right now. Their comedy reminds me of Monty Python, and I dare you to watch their show without cracking a smile!

Best sketch : The Mr Gentlemen's Barber

Truth Seekers (season 1)

Every time Simon Pegg and Nick Frost team up, they hit comedy gold. This time they co-created a paranormal comedy TV series for Amazon about two engineers working for an Internet provider who, in their spare time (and during work hours) also investigate paranormal activities. The series is at times funny, spooky and endearing, and is, as a whole, pretty entertaining.

Best episode : The Haunting of Connelly’s Nook (episode 1)

Also noteworthy:

• The Queen’s Gambit : Loved the outfits, liked the story as a whole but hated the finale.

• C’est comme ça que je t’aime : there were some inconsistencies along the line but as a whole, I pretty much enjoyed this show about 2 bored couples getting into organized crimes and killing sprees.

• Schitt’s Creek and The Good Place : the final season was nowhere near as good as the first ones, but it’s the last season of one of the best and funniest feel good series we’ve had in a while, so they deserve a mention.

Stand up specials

Only four specials stood out, in my opinion, and were memorable enough to be mentioned below.

Jim Jefferies : Intolerant

I haven’t seen a Jim Jefferies special I haven’t enjoyed and his latest is no exception. This time, he tackles his newly diagnosed lactose intolerance and as someone who suffers from the same ailment and who chooses to ignore it, I feel seen! His own special spin to a very straight forward story is what makes him stand among the elite.

Jerry Seinfeld : 23 hours to kill

Speaking of elite, Jerry Seinfeld dropped his first special in 22 years, called 23 Hours to Kill. Was it predictable? Yes. Did he take any risks in his content? No. But the risk comes from his reemergence after such a long time and doing a special when the expectations are so high. What 23 Hours to Kill provided was classic Jerry Seinfeld wit, self-assurance and timeless humor. He doesn’t need to take any risks and we don’t expect him to. As Brian Tallerico, from rogerebert.com so well puts it, “If anything, “23 Hours to Kill” is like catching up with an old friend, something all of us wish we could do in person in 2020 more than we can.”

Bert Kreischer : Hey Big Boy

Bert Kreischer’s jolliness is infectious. His specials are usually about his life as a dad and husband, and so far, I’m not tired of hearing about it, because he’s one hell of a good storyteller.

Dave Chappelle : 8:46

This is not so much of a comedy show but an important one nonetheless, where he addresses all the violence and police brutality taking place in the US.

movies

Horse Girl

Co-written by and starring Alison Brie, Horse Girl is by far one of the weirdest films of the year. This psychological drama about a shy young woman slowly dripping into madness (or is she?) is superbly well acted.

Invisible Man

This is another remake of the story we all know too well, but with a surprisingly interesting twist, making the film worth a watch. Elizabeth Moss plays the traumatized and abused girlfriend of a deceased tech giant, who is convinced her boyfriend is not only still alive, but that he’s harassing her by being able to become invisible.

Save yourselves!

We were looking for new movies to watch on Halloween and stumbled on a few comedic horror, including Save Yourselves! This film about a couple deciding to reconnect with themselves by retreating to a cabin and unplugging their phones and computers, only to find out they’re in the midst of an alien invasion is original and pretty funny. They have no survival skills whatsoever and must fend for themselves against an army of murderous, furry pouf-like aliens.

Extra Ordinary

Save Yourselves! was good, but Extra Ordinary was better. This is a movie about a shy driving instructor who reluctantly uses her supernatural talents to help a widow save his daughter’s soul from a has-been rock star who practices black magic to regain fame. A bit of over acting from Will Forte, but the highlight of the film is Maeve Higgins as Rose Dooley, the psychic driving instructor, and the chemistry she has with Barry Ward, who plays the distraught father.

The King of Staten Island

Even though his movies are all about 30 minutes too long, I am a huge fan of Judd Apatow and his body of work. Starring Pete Davidson and loosely based on his life, The King of Staten Island is nowhere near Judd Apatow’s best film but an average Judd Apatow movie is still a pretty good one. The highlight of the film, though, are all the supporting cast, which includes Bill Burr and Marisa Tormei, as well as all the amazing actors portraying Scott Carlin’s (Pete Davidson) friends.

Palm Springs

Yes, it’s Groundhog Day but with 2 (actually 3) people instead of one, but we can forgive this little detail since the film is actually very well written and acted, as well as being very funny. I was actually reluctant to watch this film, the reason being what I mentioned in the previous sentence, and I never really liked any of Andy Samberg’s work (Digital Shorts being the exception). But I must say, he and Cristin Milioti are fabulous as the the two main characters stuck in a time loop, and though his role is small, J.K. Simmons is amazing, as usual. All things considered, Palm Springs may be the best comedy I’ve seen this year.

documentaries and docuseries

The Go-Go’s

I knew the songs but I knew nothing of the band behind them. This documentary revisits the meteoric rise (and eventual break up) of one of the most successful all female bands of all time. The testimonies from the band members are candid, heartfelt and at times, humorous, while the film makes us remember how good the Go-Go’s songs are.

Beastie Boys Story

Instead of a straight forward documentary with an off-camera narrator, the Beastie Boys Story, which was written, directed and produced by Spike Jonze, takes the form of a live stage performance by the surviving members of the band who, in front of an audience, tell the intimate story of their careers and friendship.

The Comedy Store

This is the series to watch for any fan of stand-up comedy. This docuseries recounts, through the testimony of countless comedians, the history of one of the most legendary comedy clubs in the US, The Comedy Store.

The Bee Gees : How to Mend a Broken Heart

I was never a fan of the Bee Gees but this documentary made me one. I had no idea they had such an incredible career and how talented they were!

David Foster : Off the Record

This is another documentary that made me discover the depths of an artist’s career. I vaguely knew who David Foster is and was superficially aware of his body of work, but this film allows its viewers to witness his work process and his evolution through time. Quite an interesting watch.

American Utopia

Not a documentary, but I’ll put it here nonetheless. This has got to be one of the best shows ever. Directed and produced by Spike Lee, from a screenplay by David Byrne, the film is a live recording of a Broadway performance of a modified version of the album American Utopia. An absolute must.

Also noteworthy

• I’ll be gone in the dark : the fascinating story behind writer Michelle McNamara’s obsession with figuring out who the Golden State Killer is. Her book was published a few years after her sudden death, but her indispensable work has allowed the police to finally catch the criminal. The docuseries’ topic is captivating, but it’s a few episodes too long, dwelling a bit too much on unnecessary details.

• Spaceship Earth : the topic alone makes the film worth a watch. The story is so unbelievable that it’s hard to believe such an experiment actually took place!

Alright, I think that’s it for 2020! Give these series and movies a try if you haven’t seen them already, and here’s to hoping for more new amazing things to watch in 2021!

Enjoy and have fun!

Movies and TV shows I thought were going to be bad but turned out to be pretty great

This is my mea culpa. I’m usually good at predicting whether a movie or TV show is going to be watch-worthy or not, but there has been a bunch of cases I have judged way too quickly, without having given them a chance and then I realized how great they were. Sometimes, these flash judgement we make can cause us miss out on some pretty good content, which is why I now watch any new TV show for at least 3 episodes before deciding if I’m going to continue giving it a chance or if I want to ditch it. For movies, I must say that the art of making good trailers has been lost. All movies look bad now if we only watch their trailers.

Anyhow, I’ve compiled a list of my top five movies and TV shows that I have misjudged the most. Here they are.

movies

John Wick

When I saw the trailer for John Wick’s first installment, I simply thought “not another mindless action movie where Man gets mad, man wants revenge, 60 minutes of unrealistic action scenes, man kisses woman”. But you know what? As soon as the bad guy killed that puppy, I just saw red and wanted bloody revenge. Kidding aside, though my projected summary is relatively accurate (he did want revenge, but he did not kiss a woman at the end), the cinematography is way better than any contemporary action movie, like say, The Fast&Furious. The action sequences are very well thought of and well choreographed, and did not overly rely on CGI. I waited some time before agreeing to watching this film and I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised! I had a great time viewing it, so much so that I watched the second and third installments, and will probably watch the upcoming forth! John Wick 2 is not great. Far from it but John Wick 3 was a lot better.

Asterix : Mission Cléopâtre

The Asterix comics have been a staple in my childhood, as well as that of most francophiles in the world. The animated film versions became a must for all my Christmas holidays. I love the humor, the sarcasm, the stories and the characters so much that I’ve read the comics over and over again. When they announced they’ll be adapting them for the movies, in 1999, I was concerned and rightly so because Asterix et Obelix contre César was a horrendous film. I tried to watch it but had to stop. The costumes, the set, everything was horrible. In 2002, they decided to make another adaptation, this time written and directed by someone else, Alain Chabat. And behold, Asterix et Obelix : Mission Cléopâtre. Though I kept hearing good things about this film, I was reluctant to see it for fear of being disappointed again. I finally caved and went to watch it at the movies. It’s now by far one of my favorite comedies! I still quote some scenes every now and then for a laugh! Other adaptations have been made after this one but all failed to live up to it. This one and only Asterix cinematic adaptation is the only one worth a watch. Am I glad, now, that my sister literally forced me to go watch it with her! Though not all that faithful to the story line, the movie succeeded at encapsulating the mood, the in-your-face attitude of the characters, the humor of the comic series. And that’s what matters.

Jumanji : Welcome to the jungle

Every now and then, I plan a “Me” day. During such day, I just spoil myself by spending a whole day just by myself, doing what I want. It helps me disconnect a bit and not having to interact with anyone sometimes relaxes me. Over a year ago, during a particularly uneventful “Me” day downtown, I decided to go to the movies. The only film that hasn’t already begun was Jumanji : Welcome to the jungle. I really wasn’t a fan of the original film and hadn’t heard anything about that one, but, what the hell, I decided to go. It was mid-week so the room was empty (the best!). I really did not expect much from the experience and as it turned out, I had a lot of fun! This was a really imaginative way of rebooting the film, the jokes were very funny and the actors excellent! I came in expecting a boring movie for kids similar to the 1995 version but came out happy and satisfied because a lot of jokes are for people my age. It’s not great cinema but very good entertainment! The follow up film wasn’t as good, but that was kind of expected.

21 Jump Street

Really did not expect to like that film at all! I was not a fan of the original TV series, and I am not really a Channing Tatum fan. The only reason I went to see it was because we were bored and needed to pass some time before out dinner reservation. We didn’t want to watch anything dramatic or too serious and 21 Jump Street looked like the light comedy we needed at the time. To be perfectly honest, I expected some dumb teen movie with lots of slapstick and genitalia innuendos, but little did we know that we’d actually have a good time watching it! Some jokes and lines were actually hilarious! The follow up movie was good but not as much as that first one.

Spy

If there’s a movie that suffered from bad advertising and could use a much better trailer, it would be Spy. That film looked so stupid, judging from the trailer. I thought it’d be another lame spy comedy like Johnny English or Get Smart, filled with terrible slapstick jokes. I refused to give it any time a day for a while, till one night, it was playing on TV. There was nothing else to watch so I thought “sure, why not?”. As it turned out, I laughed so hard during Spy! Jason Statham’s character requesting the face-off machine still cracks me up! That movie, written and directed by Paul Feig really is hilarious. Check it out for a good laugh.

TV shows

Better call Saul

Breaking Bad was such a perfect series that I honestly thought that Vince Gilligan throwing himself into a spin-off so quickly (or at all, for that matter) would be a bad, bad mistake. And with Saul Goodman, of all the characters? He was the comic relief in Breaking Bad, but would an entire show revolving around him be watchable? Wouldn’t he get old and/or annoying after a while? The answer is no and no! Hence the genius of Vince Gilligan. He’s managed to create a whole new captivating show around a known character, brought back other characters from Breaking Bad, but it never felt like a Breaking Bad series. It’s something completely different, leading to the events of Breaking Bad. How amazing is that? I think Vince Gilligan succeeded where Fear the Walking Dead failed : a spin-off prequel that can stand on its own. We’re into the 5th season and I still can’t wait to see what happens!

Archer

I’ve never been a big fan of adult cartoons. Sure, there was a time when I watched The Simpsons and Family Guy, but that got old pretty quickly and I soon lost interest. I was told Archer was a perfect show for me but I was reluctant to give it a chance. I saw tidbits and thought it looked kind of vulgar, so I brushed it aside. One night, there was nothing to watch on TV and I stumbled on an Archer marathon while flipping through the channels. Since there was nothing else on, I decided to give one episode a chance. I ended up going to bed so late that night because I could not stop watching and laughing! Archer is rife with pop culture references and incredible humor. And it IS made for someone like me! I became obsessed with it. The good thing is that Archer had already been airing for a few seasons when I picked on, so I treated myself to an amazing marathon! Archer is the perfect mix between Arrested Development (Jessica Walter, who plays Lucille Bluth, actually lends her voice to play the mother in Archer as well!) and The Office.

Rick & Morty

I pretty much started watching Archer and Rick&Morty almost at the same time. I had heard of Rick&Morty before, hearing that it’s hilarious, super smart and funny, but like with Archer, I saw a clip and deemed it too vulgar as well. I mean, an old guy burping all the time as he speaks? Really? That’s supposed to be funny? And just like Archer, I started watching Rick&Morty when there was nothing else on TV! I actually gave it a chance because of how much I liked Archer and reconsidered my stance on animated shows for adults. And what a discovery that was! I could not stop watching and reveled at how smart that cartoon was! I was disappointed there was so very few episodes per season but loved them all nonetheless. This is a series that is filled with pop culture references, that sometimes deals with deep scientific facts in an incredibly humoristic context. I don’t know how they do it but I can’t get enough.

The Good Place

I was reluctant to give the Good Place a chance for two reasons : first, it comes from NBC, a regular network and not cable. It has been a long while since I’ve watched and enjoyed a show that comes from a network that isn’t cable or a streaming service. NBC and the likes are no longer what they once were, especially NBC. The times of Must-See-TV are long gone. The second reason I expected The Good Place to be bad is the super colorful, super bright visuals of the show. I thought it’d be too happy and obvious a show for me to enjoy. She’s a bad person who ended up by accident in the Good Place? Time for some ridiculous misunderstandings and over-the-top scenarios! Is what I thought the show would be. And how wrong was I to underestimate The Good Place! It has got to be one of the smartest TV shows there is. It teaches philosophy and morality in each and every episode, with great humor and originality. The Good Place is brilliant in how it teaches its viewers about complex concepts, how it renews its self every season and how hilarious it can be at the same time. The finale was a bit of a misstep but who cares when the rest is so great?

Schitt’s Creek

I have already talked about Schitt’s Creek in a previous post about the best TV shows of 2019, and I’m going to talk about it again, because I absolutely fell in love with this series. This is my biggest mea culpa. I used to roll my eyes whenever a commercial for Schitt’s Creek would play on TV or at the movies. The title sounded crass, it’s Canadian and quite frankly, a riches to rags story sounded unimaginative. Yes, I do have a bit of a prejudice when it comes to Canadian television, for many local shows I have watched haven’t demonstrated any level of originality or creativity. After a while, well, yes, I start assuming things. Anyhow, I don’t exactly remember how or why we decided to give the show a try, but I do know that we started watching 4 seasons in. I was hooked during the very first episode. Catherine O'Hara is amazing! Her weird accent, her wigs, her mannerism, are all priceless and her character will go down history as one of the greatest. The sitcom is now a few episodes short from its series finale and I cannot wait to see how it goes. I’ll be sad I won’t get to see all these colorful characters anymore, but I’ll be glad I caught on soon enough to live it with everyone!

Well, that’s it! If you haven’t watched any of the movies or TV shows yet, for the same reasons I did, may I suggest that you take the time to give them a chance. We may not have the same tastes, but you might discover something new! You never know.

Until next time, enjoy!

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.

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)

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.