Note: This list is based off my own personal opinion of what I thought were the best shows of 2018, and are listed in alphabetical order. To qualify for this list, a show must have aired some time in 2018; I would like to mention I was not been able to watch every show that aired in 2018, and a series might not qualify if it aired later in the year and did not air enough of its season before the start of 2019.
Notable Shows I Missed: Atlanta, Legion, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Barry, The Americans, The Haunting of Hill House, Pose, This is Us, Sharp Objects, The Terror, Wild Wild Country.
"Maniac" is a series that had all the promise in the world, with a talented cast, tons of funding from Netflix, and directed by the incredibly talented Cary Joji Fukunaga, it could have been the best show of the year. While it might not have been quite as good as I was hoping for or built it up in my head, it's still a damn fine program. Taking place in a retro influenced future, "Maniac" revolves around Owen and Annie, two people suffering from depression, PTSD, and more. The decide to enter into an experimental drug trial not to solve their issues, but for a little extra cash. But along the way they discover themselves, and may even find out how to live with their issues. It's hard to explain what I found disappointing about this series, but there is something holding it back. But there is more than enough here to love. An interesting world, a relatable story, and flawed characters you can't help but root for. While it's unlikely that we will see this show continue, it was great while it lasted.
Is this one even a surprise anymore? Since it's debut "Better Call Saul" has appeared on this list every year, because it is the most consistently great show on TV. For those who don't know, "Better Call Saul" is a prequel series to the critically acclaimed drama "Breaking Bad." With the former following the minor character Saul Goodman, also known as Jimmy in "Better Call Saul." Due to the result of last season's finale, Jimmy's older brother Chuck dies in a house fire. While Jimmy appears alright, this begins the first in his belly to become the Saul Goodman we would see in "Breaking Bad." "Better Call Saul" is a slow burn, but an intense one. Featuring several of the best characters on TV, this series has been nothing short of great since the very first season. Acting, directing, writing, everything is top notch. While maybe not the most compelling or intense show on this list, it very well might be the best.
It's with shows like this I'm very glad Netflix exists, because without it I never would have watched this show. I didn't see any high profile reviews, never watched a trailer, I had never even heard the name. But one day I went to Netflix and it was there on the homepage. So I gave it a shot and it was one of the most impressive miniseries of the year. The story revolves around Sargent David Budd, a police officer and veteran suffering from PTSD who is promoted to being the bodyguard for a controversial politician after an act of bravery. As time goes on and growing closer to his protected, he gets involved in dangerous conspiracies that could put England in a tough spot. What I think liked best about "Bodyguard" would be that it doesn't overstay its welcome. At only six, hour long episodes, it's a quick but fulfilling watch. And with some of the most tense moments on TV in 2018, it's one that you shouldn't miss.
If you were to go back in time and tell me the best show Netflix ever produced would be an animated series about an anamorphic Horse who was formerly a famous TV actor but now suffers from a myriad of personal demons, I would have been down right confused; but it turns out that's exactly what happened. Bojack Horseman made its debut back in 2013, while it showed promise in its second half it wasn't anything to write home about. But starting with season 2 things changed, it went from another run of the animated comedy to one of the smartest shows on TV, and that trend has continued ever since. This season primarily focuses on Bojack's experiences on his new show, his continued battle with his many personal issues, and a new addiction to painkillers that results in one of the worst moments of his life and one of the darkest moments we've ever seen on TV. Since season 2, this show has consistently been one of the best shows on TV, it is smart, complex, emotional, funny, and exceptionally made. And with this fifth season, it has cemented itself among the all-time best animated series for adults.
Talk about the comeback show of 2018, this season saved this show's reputation. "Daredevil" is a Netflix series based off the Marvel comics of the same name, and was Marvel's debut show on the online platform. A far darker and grittier outing than anything we had seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the first season blew away many viewers with being so damn good; but after that things got tough. Season 2 of the show was far more lackluster, and was greatly outshined by its sibling shows "Jessica Jones" and "Luke Cage." Fortunately with this third season we see a return to form. Matthew Murdock, AKA Daredevil, is have a crisis of self as he feels he is losing his edge and begins training once again to be the hero/Devil of Hell's Kitchen. All while Kingpin is plotting his return to power and a new antagonist is rearing his dangerous head. Season 3 really was a step up, more action packed, better storytelling and plot lines, and the true return of one of the best small screen villains of all-time. The only downside is that the show has been canceled, so the set-up for season 4 ultimately amounts to nothing. While I'm sad to see "Daredevil" go, I'm glad it went out with a bang and not a whimper.
I still remember the announcement of this show and all the anger that it brought about. Basically, after its announcement trailer a lot of angry white people came out of the woodworks and complained. Down voting the video on YouTube, canceling their subscriptions to Netflix, I'm pretty sure a petition or two were made to protest it. And I'm willing to bet money most of those people didn't even bother to watch the show when it premiered, which probably would have calmed a lot of people down. What many thought would be a show bashing white people start to finish turned out to be a satirical comedy making fun of people of all races, genders, sexualities, and all the stereotypes for whatever you are or identify as. We the second season we see all these young college students dealing with the fallout of their actions from the previous season, as the grow, learn their place in society, and there may even be an old, underground society sending cryptic messages. Just like the first season, I loved this show; smart, funny, and politically/racially charged in all the best ways, this is one of Netflix's true sleeper hits.
This is one of those rare shows that seems to only be getting better as it goes along. The first season was good, the second was even better, and with the third it might have become the best sitcom on TV right now. The premise of the show is a bit complicated to wrap your head around, but it is one of the most original shows airing right now. It follows a group of humans in the afterlife where there is a heaven and hell referred to as the Good Place and the Bad place. The humans are lead to believe they are in the good place when they die but really it's an elaborate torture scenario where they're really in the bad place. With this season a demon trying to help the humans named Michael reverses time to give them all chances to be better people, but along the way the discover a conspiracy that may change everything. Funny, original, and all around great, I'm so happy that this show has become such a success. While it was relativity unknown after the first season, it's since become a hit among audiences. With the conclusion of season three and a fourth season on the way, I'm excited to see where the story goes from here.
"The Handmaid's Tale" is one of those shows that kind of took the world by storm upon its release in 2017. It was an interesting idea based off a respected novel and launched on one of the leading video streaming platforms allowing millions to see it at their leisure. It was a perfect storm that highlighted one of the year's best shows. "The Handmaid's Tale" takes place in a near future where much of the world has fallen into disarray, but part of America has stayed functioning. That function unfortunately comes from an authoritarian government returning to an almost archaic society based on extremist christian ideals. The series fallows June, a young mother who has been taken as a Handmaid, a type of servant woman used as a forced surrogate for her masters; but is determined to escape, reunite with her family, and bring down a tyrannical government. "The Handmaid's Tale" is a hard watch, it is brutal, cruel, and uncomfortable, but people watch it for different reason. Whatever that reason is, they are watching a great, and impactful series.
One of only two new shows to end up in the top 10, this one really stood out to many in 2018 for all it does right, and has already topped many a "best of the year" list from critics and publications.And It's hard to disagree, especially since I think it was easily the best new show of the year. "Killing Eve" is about Eve, an MI5 agent who begins to track down a sociopathic assassin nicknamed Villanelle. As she tries to hunt her down, Villanelle becomes interested in Eve herself, tangling the two in a complicated relationship.
"Killing Eve" is based off of a series of novellas called "Codename Villanelle," and while I have no idea how faithful the show is to the source material, all I know was that I was hooked. Exceptional acting, story telling, character development, and some of the most intense moments of the year result in a show that is worthy of your attention. With a second season on its way all i hope is that the show keeps this level of quality.
This is another one of those shows I had never heard of until after it came out, and I probably wouldn't have heard of it at all if it wasn't suggested to me (thanks Michael, good call). An Amazon series, this has been a real stand out as far as Amazon originals are concerned. Despite a strong catalog, I feel this is the first to hit mainstream success as far as audiences go. The show follows the marvelous Mrs. Maisel, aka Midge. Midge was your average 1950s housewife, but her life falls apart when her husband leaves her for his secretary. Midge has a bit of a breakdown and while drunk gets on a stage at a club and gets a whole lot of laughs, prompting her to become a comedian (the failed dream of her husband). With this season we see as Midge tries to further her career as her personal life conflicts with her professional one. Simply put, this is my favorite comedy on the air right now. Very funny, filled with kooky but lovable characters, it's a comedic "Mad Men" directed by Woody Allen in his prime. If you have Amazon Prime, you have Amazon Instant Video, if you have Amazon Instant Video you have the "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," and if you have the ability to watch the "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" you should watch it.
I'll get this out of the way now, "Westworld" season 2 is not as good as the first. It's still great, but just not as good, let me quickly explain why. The first season was breathe of fresh air, an original concept based off a promising IP, but with this season it feels like the "novelty" has worn off. And with the second season, the plot gets very complicated, and is bogged down by one or two mediocre episodes. Even so, I still love this show. Season 2 picks up shortly after the events of the first, which ended with the robots in the Westworld theme park losing their minds and killing every human they see. This season the company that owns the parks sends in special forces teams to kill as many of the robots as they can find, all while trying to salvage and save as much data as they can. At the same time many of the robots have plans of their own, to survive, thrive, and escape. While that sounds simple on paper, it gets far more complicated when you watch it. Despite its issues, I still would rank "Westworld" among the best shows out there right now. Exceptional acting, nearly unprecedented production value for a TV series, and an interesting premise that hits a lot of the right notes, I'm excited to see what comes next.
No comments:
Post a Comment