Favorite Shows of 2022 With movies behind us, we can now talk shows (not TV); since if we are being honest, most of us don't watch them on our TV's and most of them arent even on TV channels. I tuned in to around 30 shows in 2022, and once again settled on 7 to highlight from the year. I chose not to include The Boys S3, as I tried to include shows that were new to 2022 not simply an additional season. With that we can begin the countdown (once again in no particular order).
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Pantheon I mentioned Pantheon a few weeks / months back and I only want to say a few words. Arcane was the best animated show of 2021 and Pantheon is just as good. Different, sure. But the storytelling they manage to achieve in just 8 episodes is fantastic. A must watch for any sci-fi fan.
Severance Not sure if its a co-incidence I managed to book end my year with two fantastic sci-fi shows, but the one to kick everything off in 2022 was Severance.
Directed (and created) by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle, this show felt like a cultural phenomenon in my small bubble... it was everywhere. Taking a concept we've rarely seen, placing it during a time-period where many couldn't leave their home and wanted escape. Severance struck gold. Beyond its amazing performances, THAT final episode and a story that actually had a pay-off at the end, it was the art direction and atmosphere that truly drew me in. The cold, mundane, colour barren offices of Lumon paired with a soundtrack that would throw you off center without warning, made the actors unnerving performances (especially Milchik played brilliantly by Tramell Tillman) all that more captivating. It was a show I couldn't wait to watch every week and I only pray that they take as much time as they need to deliver a just as good season 2.
Tokyo Vice A show set in a 90s Tokyo directed by Michael Mann? IN. Though Mann unfortunately only directed the opening episode, the tone he set was brilliantly continued in every subsequent episode. For those unaware, the story follows Jake Aldestein (played by Ansel Elgort) who is the first non Japanese reporter hired by the prestigious Yomiuri Shimbun paper. Through his neivety Jake gets embroiled in the Tokyo underbelly; with both the Yakuza and Japanese police taking the character on a wild journey. I'd feel bad without mentioning Shô Kasamatsu (who played Sato) as the standout of the show. His charisma and style commanded my attention even surrounded by a seasoned actor like Ken Watanabe - I'll be super interested to see what he does next. If you're a fan of crime shows, I highly recommend Tokyo Vice. (oh and the way language is used in this show, is so so good).
Players This show was so much better than it had any right being. Players, a mockumentary on the esports scene (league of legends specifically) was quite possibly the most emotional and hype show of the year. The creators managed to take the fall of Nightfall, the introduction of Organizm (as the hot new thing) and invest us in their relationship in no time (from the train-wreck lowst, to the down right inspiring highs). I somehow managed to get enjoy a show, about a game I had 0% interest in, purely based on it's characters and writing.
If you love workplace comedies and have any semblance of an interest in esports, Players might just be for you.
The Bear What happens when a fine-dining chef returns to his hometown in Chicago to run his fathers small eatery? Chaos, rage, shoot-outs, hilarity and some amazing food (thats' what). The Bear is a hyperfocused dramedy, immaculately led by Jeremy Allen White (playing the lead Carmen), throughout 20ish minute episodes where we see Carmen journey from his return to Chicago, to hopefully elevating his dad's eatery to something profitable. Each episode is jam packed with high-heated clashes between characters, especially those between Richie and literally anyone else, but there is one specific episode (a one-shot 15minute nerve-jerker) that will have you absolutely stunned. Definetly give this one a go and I recommend binging it if you can (its little over 2 hours I think all together) to really experience the madness.
Black Bird I've been mourning the loss of Mindhunter for what seems like 3 years, but finally a show has come that tickled the itch Mindhunter had left. Written by Dennis Lehane (of Gone Baby Gone, Shutter island and Mystic River fame), Black Bird tells the story of Jimmy (a low-level drug dealer) becoming entangled in a plot to catch a notorious serial killer. No show made me feel so uncomfortable, so on edge, so nervous as the interactions between Jimmy and Larry. The show acted as an acting masterclass by Taron Egerton and Paul Walter Houser, with both using each other to elevate themselves. The scene where Larry so calmly and eloquently spills his guts about his doings with the girls to Jimmy, leading to Jimmy's complete breakdown in his cell was incredible to watch. Very few scenes stuck with me, like that did.
Abbot Elementary Lastly for something a bit more lighthearted. I was hoping Blockbuster would fill my work-place comedy sized hole this year (lol no chance), but thankfuly, we took a chance on Abbot Elementary and were rewarded handsomely.
Like any great workplace comedy, it's all about the characters and thats what Abbot nails so, so well. Created by Quinta Brunson, this show turns so many teacher tropes into relatable characters; from the crazy and unqualified Headteacher (Ava), to the stoic but weird teacher (Gregory). I loved coming in every week, to see what this group of people would get up to, and how at the end of the day they always wanted to do right by the kids (well almost). I know season 2 is currently airing (and sounds just as good) but I / we decided to wait till its all out, as once you start Abbot Elementary is really hard to put down.
Enjoy
