Best TV of 2022
TLDR
Update on the Series
Last one before we’re caught up. It’s getting particularly difficult with the seasons. I’ve seen the second seasons of both Reservation Dogs and The Bear, and they’re both stellar. So I’ll try and write about them a bit more here, and avoid them in the 2023 recap… unless that’s unfair? Still working out the kinks.
Station Eleven
Drama / 10 Episodes / 44 - 59 minutes each
max (HBO) (as of October, 2023)
Well… it’s a story of a global pandemic and it is very dark. It highlighted how many mistakes I made during our real life pandemic if it was more lethal. The show has predictably powerful scenes of losing loved ones, the collapse of society, and conflicts between survivors. But it really makes a name for itself with its focus on art and generational differences in perspective. It’s beautiful, artsy, and dark. Not a light and easy comedy to watch, but certainly a thought provoking story.
You’ll like it if… you liked The Leftovers or The Last of Us. Or if you like post-apocalyptic concepts that deal with new societies built from the rubble of our current one.
Reservation Dogs (s1)
Comedy / 8 Episodes / < 30 minutes each
This is part of the renaissance of television to tell stories from minority communities. In America, there is no group less fairly represented in our media and history than the Native Americans. Taika Waititi at the helm, being indigenous himself in New Zealand, is a perfect person to help produce this show. With equal parts surreal and real, it gives you a humurous depiction of native spirituality. I laughed and cried at this show, and season 2 is even better!
It’s not only a good representation of Natives on a reservation, but it also more broadly speaks to the lack of hope many of our communities in America have. Many feel left behind in our growing disparate country. This show so brutally encapsulates America’s youth’s justified nihilism.
You’ll like it if… you like Atlanta, Master of None, What We Do in the Shadows, and Insecure. This show is also miles better than Rutherford Falls (another Native led show), which suffers from a heavy fatigue of a combination of Ed Helms, generic sitcom, and liberal overly political correctness.
House of the Dragon (s1)
Fantasy Drama / 10 Episodes / 54 - 68 minutes each
max (HBO) (as of October, 2023)
This spin off of the highly popular Game of Thrones actually turned out to be much better than anticipated. As the Game of Thrones series sputtered to an unsatisfying conclusion, this show somehow seemed to take the best of the original and deliver. Refocused on political intrigue and world building, they’ve managed to return to this GoT essence, despite it being a prequel and fans knowing the general strokes of what is to come. Paddy Considine is a revelation as Viserys Targaryen and I greatly appreciated the time jump halfway through the series to give the audience a sense of gratification to see character growth and plot development without waiting years.
You’ll like it if… you liked the early seasons of Game of Thrones. Or other similar political intrigue medieval shows like the Tudors.
The Bear (s1)
Comedy Drama / 12 Episodes / < 30 minutes each
I am not a fan of the kitchen cooking shows generally. I just get too hungry watching them and I don’t find fine dining techniques particularly interesting for a plebian like myself. Oddly cooking shorts on YouTube and social media are more palatable for me, as they are too short to really get me salivating. This show isn’t about cooking. It’s about mental health and community in a very chaotic and stressful profession. I found it full of heart and humor, with healthy odes to food and Chicago. I do think season 2 is even better though!
You’ll like it if… you like good television? It blends drama, comedy, and food very well. Family, friends, coworkers, and romantic relationships are all explored. Or if you’re at all into the fine dining television world, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this narrative take of the stress and balance of it all.
Andor (s1)
Science Fiction / 10 Episodes / 38 - 57 minutes each
Disney Plus (as of October, 2023)
Andor, is set in the Star Wars galaxy, as a 2-season prequel to the best Star Wars film, Rogue One. Rogue One (itself was a prequel to the original Star Wars film, A New Hope) expanded on the literal second and third lines of the whole series: “It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic Empire. During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the Empire's ultimate weapon, the DEATH STAR, an armored space station with enough power to destroy an entire planet.”
Andor follows those steps, and backs off the mystical / fantasy, as there is little to no Jedi / force stuff and mostly serves as a deeper look into the corporation / colonization / subjugation aspects of the Empire. Finally trying to give some more definitive rebuttal to the decades long question of… was the Empire actually the evil? It has some episodes and plotlines that miss, but most work. The characters of Kino Loy and Mon Mothma are particularly great in it. And there are a few episodes that are just absolutely outstanding television, you’ll know it when you see it. I’m looking forward to the second season.
You’ll like it if… you liked Rogue One certainly. But I would expand beyond that and suggest those who like dives into dystopian authoritarian regimes like The Handmaid’s Tale or V for Vendetta would enjoy the in-depth depictions of supression, subterfuge, and stress that Andor offers.
Honorable Mentions
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s a refreshing, if albeit, overly meta take on the superhero story. The lead has some Rachel Bloom in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend vibes, but without the musical comedy and generally bad choices.
Winning Time (The Rise of the Lakes Dynasty) (s1) is a cool historical fiction look at the origins of the modern NBA. I know little to nothing about this era, so it was a great education for me, barring some creative liberties they made with the story (Sorry, Jerry West). It is still a great ride and a pretty good show.
The Gilded Age (s1), I know people will always like Downton Abbey more, but I’m much more interested in New York based American train capitalism and politics than frivolous British people detached from reality. Plus there is a racial component which adds depth. I enjoyed it greatly, though I have heard complaints about Meryl Streep’s daughter’s acting ability. I didn’t mind, though I was much more impressed wth Carrie Coon and Christine Baranski.
Killing It (s1), is just a good rompy sitcom set in Florida. It’s basically just constantly making fun of Florida, and to a larger extend, America’s economic woes. I’d only suggest watching if you enjoy Claudia O’Doherty (From Love and Our Flag Means Death), she and her comedy really carry the show.
Peacemaker, is set in the DC Universe, led by John Cena, who I’m convinced is a pretty great human. It’s chaos, weird, and fun. Blends the typical superhero plots with a more darker reality, similar to The Boys and Brightburn, while still staying on the ‘more standard superhero’ side of the spectrum.