Best TV of 2023
TLDR
Update on the Series
Alright, we’re finally up to date, so this is a full review of my favorite television shows this year. I’ll give a one sentence background into each, discuss why it stood out, why it’s relevant, what I liked about it, and why you should watch it. Unfortunately, we do have a lot of second seasons that did incredible well this year, so while I’ve already written on some of them, I’ll have to regurgitate why I like them so much (more) now.
We Are Lady Parts (s1)
Comedy Drama / 6 Episodes / 24 - 25 minutes each
Peacock (as of November, 2023)
A short series of the amusing and heart-wrenching trials and tribulations of an aspiring all-female Muslim punk band in London.
It is original and relatable. It’s funny and powerful. A near perfect must watch series for literally everyone.
Intersectionality. This is a diverse representative cast of Muslim women in a western society; each character has a different connection to music, a different level of religious devotion, and a different experience. The show does an excellent job of clashing cultures, traditions, and communities.
I really appreciated the range of characters. It felt like every woman was represented along the spectrums. Traditional - Modern, Immigrant - Native born, devout - agnostic, married - single, family - lonely, extrovert - introvert, etc. etc. Creator, Nida Manzoor, absolutely crushed it, creating a beautiful tapestry of humanity. I didn’t love all the songs, but I appreciated the effort.
You’ll like it if… you liked Ramy or Ted Lasso.
For All Mankind (s2)
Historical Science Fiction / 10 Episodes / 46 - 82 minutes each
AppleTV (as of November, 2023)
In this alternative universe, the USA and the USSR have established relatively consistent space travel with the moon, and both have started moon bases, to continue developing space travel, but more specifically for research and commercial mining.
Season 2 is even better than Season 1. Also the series has established its 7 season arc, with each season lasting a decade. The first was the 1970s (getting to the moon), this one is the 1980s (building out the moon), season 3 is the 1990s (getting to Mars), and so on and so forth. It means characters will come and go, through drama, but also simply through age. It’s a fascinating way to meticulously build this epic space saga. I’m very hopeful they complete the seven seasons.
As space travel is getting a reinvigorating investment boom, I can only hope that we attempt bases in space and the moon, and try to send someone to Mars within my lifetime. I’m fascinated by this frontier, and in the meantime, I can live through this excellent sci-fi series, amongst others.
I’m always partial to a time jumping story. Skipping large portions of time and letting us fill in the gaps allows us to feel like we’re (efficiently) growing and progressing with these characters and stories. We’re seeing the full development of an alternative America and world, and decades are passing. Children in the first season are adults in the third. I also found out that the specific event that has changed in this alternative world is that Sergei Kolarov didn’t die (under uncertain circumstances) in 1966 and instead continued to lead the Soviet program to get to the moon in 1969 before the Americans did in 1969. You meet this fictionalized version of Sergei in season 2.
You’ll like it if… you liked season 1, The Expanse, or Foundation.
The Last of Us (s1)
Science Fiction / 9 Episodes / 43 - 81 minutes each
max (HBO) (as of November, 2023)
Cordyceps fungi have infected humans, creating a zombie like crisis, causing catastrophe, and ending civilization as we know it; in a post apocalyptic world, two people travel as survivial companions, hoping to find a better situation.
Video game adaptations are tough, most don’t do well. This show is the highest ranked live action video game adaptation on Rotten Tomatoes, that should tell you something. Pedro Pascal is a wonderful lead, but the support cast is excellent as well.
Why it’s relevant - This show premiered as COVID was finally winding down, and wow did the intro scene from the show really hit hard. However powerful and large scale the world has been built, this show does a wonderful job of narrowing the scope to a few individuals and you follow them intimately. For those who played the game, Pedro does Joel justice, but also some writing changes helped make it even better. Particularly the ending.
I was personally a bit exhausted from the zombie genre, but Pedro and Bella Ramsey’s connection was perfection. And there’s also a sort of standalone episode 3 that is widely lauded as one of the best episodes of television ever.
You’ll like it if… you liked the video game, The Road, The Walking Dead, 28 Days Later, I Am Legend. Any sort of post-apocalyptic / zombie property.
Foundation (s2)
Science Fiction Fantasy / 10 Episodes / 45 - 69 minutes each
AppleTV (as of November, 2023)
The Foundation continues its rebellion against the Empire, with multiple arcing storylines that get a bit crazy.
Another second season better than the first season. Whereas For All Mankind and The Expanse are set in pretty hard sci-fi that feels not too far fetched from our own timeline, Foundation is many steps beyond. More fantastical. It’s big and brash, and a bit ridiculous deus ex machina at points, but geez is it cool.
This season dives much more into Demerzel’s, the android, origins. Lots of thought provoking stories around the efficacy and ethics behind AI / androids and empire building.
It’s just a fun sci-fi fantasy romp.
You’ll like it if… you liked Dune / Dune 2, or Altered Carbon, Battlestar Galactica, or Westworld (particularly the later seasons).
The Bear (s2)
Comedy Drama / 10 Episodes / 30 minutes each
The Beef is closed and the crew begins work on renovating it and themselves to reopen it as a sit down restaurant, The Bear.
Keeping this trend going, season 2 is better than season 1. A lot less focus on Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), who takes a back seat for entire episodes, in order to focus on vignettes of Marcus, Richie, and Sydney. Plenty of cameos throughout, apparently actors were clamoring to be included in the show.
In an era of highly picturesque food and fine dining are ubiquitous, it’s a great behind the scenes look at the mental health and strain of those in hospitality that work hard for those perfect meals. Season 1 was lauded for its accurate portrayal of a busy commercial kitchen.
I wrote earlier that the third episode of Last of Us was one of the best ever. Fishes, episode 6 of season 2 of The Bear, is up there too. While it is sort of a standalone episode, set five years before, you do need to have the knowlege of the cast. More of a prequel, than standalone. It’s beautiful and chaotic at its most choreographed, demonstrating how the show, and most families ebb and flow between love and hate. Richie’s standalone episode is beautiful, I’ve rewatched it multiple times already.
You’ll like it if… you like Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Master of None, Atlanta, and Fleabag.
Honorable Mentions
Mrs. Davis
This was one of the most ridiculous and insane shows out there. It’s hard to pitch and describe, but basically an AI algorithm assistant like Siri has radically changed humanity and the main characters hunt for the Holy Grail… I don’t really know how else to put it. It doesn’t make a lot of sense, don’t overthink it, don’t over work the plot, just enjoy the absurd chaotic mess.
The Expanse (s3)
Still continues to be the best hard space sci-fi show out there. It’s incredible how much they covered in 13 episodes. Amazing characters left and right, hard to talk about more without spoiling it, but this is sci-fi tv at its finest.
Reservation Dogs (s2)
I only left this one off the list because I think it technically came out in 2022. So I opted for The Bear, which was more recent. This show somehow surpassed the first season, while staying very true to its original ethos. This show is a must watch for anyone.
Poker Face
While not a huge fan of the genre, this is a well made detective show with a fun twist on the genre. Almost a postcard of Americana, Natasha Lyonne brings us on a very enjoyable and beautiful ride.
Beef
This intense ever escalating conflict that unravels lives is entirely too stressful. Constantly wanting to take a breath and meditate, you can’t argue with the incredible acting and production of this spiraling disaster.