Hello. This is the first post I’m making. It might also be my last post, frankly I’m undecided. I make this list every year and my friends said I should post it. You win, friends of mine.
Making a list like this feels a little bit clickbait-y or ESPN talking head-y, but honestly this is the aspect of television that takes up most of my bandwidth. I am constantly thinking of how shows stack up against each other, especially in the context of the year in television as a whole. Essentially, I don’t find that a ranking like this reduces art into competition, on the contrary I think comparison like this helps people shape what they are looking for most in a TV show. Totally fair if you disagree with that, though, you are welcome to not read this. Maybe I shouldn’t be turning away readers in my first post, though…
Anyway, let’s get to the list. Despite this year’s lack of a flagship show like we’ve had in years past, some incredible stuff came out this year, and you should be watching it. The only criteria for a show to make this list is that it is a scripted narrative show that aired in its entirety in the year 2024 (sorry, Renfaire, there’s one every year). And if I left out a show you like, that means that I either didn’t see it or I thought it was bad. Here we go!
20. Squid Game (Netflix)
I have no idea what the collective consensus is on season 2 of Squid Game. I might be too high or too low, a hater or a fanboy, I have no idea. Fittingly, though, Squid Game is in this spot because it feels like it’s stuck in the middle. The continuation of the South Korean smash hit seemingly can’t decide if it wants to act as a sequel to the original or if it wants to play the hits on the thrills of season one. The show still dials up the intensity in a way only Squid Game can, but as a viewer I am stuck not knowing what is supposed to be most important. Is this season about Gi-hun’s revenge or should I throw myself into the brilliant cast of new players? And if it’s both, surely the abrupt ending of this season leaves those two avenues underserved. Either way, despite its anticlimactic finale and wishy-washy focus, season two still feels like the Squid Game of old, at least to a certain extent.
19. The Gentlemen (Netflix)
In Guy Ritchie’s first TV project in over 20 years, The Gentlemen give us a fun, stylish and delightfully over the top crime series. It has all of the typical Ritchie trappings, while adding the very 2020’s wealth porn that we all clamor to see on our screens (maybe we should stop clamoring). Theo James and Kaya Scodelario shine in the lead roles, with the former carrying himself as if he should have been tapped as the next Bond. The MVP of this show, however, is Daniel Ings, who refuses to stop knocking it out of the park as Freddy, the immature, coke-addled, rooster costume clad failson of the noble Halstead family. If you like British crime movies, particularly Ritchie’s, this one is right up your alley. Plus, Ray Winstone is in it, so it has to be good.
18. The Penguin (HBO)
In the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that I thought this show was going to suck, which is saying something because I worked on it. But, fortunately for all of us, I was very wrong (this is not the only show I was wrong about, but more on that later). While Colin Farrell’s transformation is remarkable, this show rests on the performance of Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone. Her portrayal of a damaged, disillusioned, lonely and largely insane crime heiress eats up the screen, and this looks like the moment that Milioti goes from being a good actress to a household name. The Penguin often finds itself alternating between gangster movie ripoff and beautiful homage, but by the end of its eight episode run it strikes the perfect balance. If you like Batman stuff or mafia stuff and you’re not an asshole about it, you’ll like this show.
17. A Gentleman in Moscow (Paramount+)
Look, sometimes I can point to elements of a show or its visual style or its strong performances as points in its favor, but that’s not how I feel about this one. A Gentleman in Moscow works because the finale made me cry, ok? Is that so horrible? Ewan McGregor is as charming as ever, and the winding narrative is fascinating and fun, but what drives this one home is its meditation on found family. Whether its a fading starlet trying to reinvent herself, a cook too shy to declare his love or an orphan searching for a father, this show manages to bring a bunch of lonely people together, and while it can feel a bit too heartwarming at times, it’s still going to hit you where it hurts.
16. English Teacher (FX)
It’s difficult to discuss TV comedies without devolving into “let me explain a funny scene to you” territory, but believe me when I tell you, English Teacher is fantastic. Brian Jordan Alvarez’s new FX series is smart, biting and incredibly fresh. The ensemble cast shines, headlined by Sean Patton, who finally seems to be getting his due. Trust me, give this show a whirl, it has “staying power” written all over it. It may seem like I’m asking you to make a leap of faith with this show here, but if you’re looking for a sitcom to fill the void, this might be your best bet.
15. The Sympathizer (HBO)
This series is better than a cool poster and the “Robert Downey Jr. plays a zillion roles” gimmick. The Sympathizer is equal parts Coen Brothers-esque crime drama and intense spy thriller, and while it can feel meandering at times, by the end the show drives its point home. Sandra Oh is as spectacular as always, while relative newcomers Hoa Xuande and Vy Le feel like stars in the making. And yes, Robert Downey Jr. brings the heat while playing approximately four characters (although some come together better than others). If you have wanted your spy shows to have the courage to be weirder, then this one is perfect for you.
14. Lioness (Paramount+)
Yes, the Taylor Sheridan-verse has finally gotten to me. The calculus on this one is simple: Zoe Saldaña screams at people and then shoots people in the face, and occasionally some great espionage gets sprinkled in. It’s awesome. While the plot this season had moments where it faltered, and other moments where it didn’t really make any sense, Lioness was immaculately watchable throughout. It has exactly what I’m looking for in a guns blazing spy thriller, and I am going to stop writing this for a little and go watch some clips of Saldaña doing her classic screaming and shooting. Would recommend.
13. What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
In its final season, our favorite group of vampiric roommates got up to a lot. They took on Wall Street, faced their daddy issues and gave us a (sort of) heartfelt goodbye. Great guest stars continued to trickle in to tangle with our lovable undead friends, from Zach Woods to Alexander Skarsgård. WWDITS was as funny as ever in its last act, and I will sorely miss this lovely, hilarious, incredibly stupid classic show. If you haven’t seen this show then you should watch it, no matter your personal taste. And if you’ve seen it and you don’t like it, then you really are the most devious bastard in New York City.
12. Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Baby Reindeer is different. At times a psychological thriller, at others a love story, and all throughout an unwavering examination of trauma and the way it changes how you see yourself. Shows like this don’t come around very often, especially those with performances like what Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning put forth. This one will make you want to curl up in a ball forever, and before you know it you’ll be clicking “play next episode.” A show this heavy isn’t for everyone, but if you find yourself in the mood to delve into the depths of a man’s psyche, or to be gripped by a story with too many turns to count, this show is just what you need.
11. Hacks (Max)
Hacks may have taken a step back in its third season, but this show is still operating at a level most shows can only dream of. Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart are as electric as usual, while Megan Salter and Paul Downs kick it up a notch this season. While this show is at its best when the ground is rockier between our beloved Deborah and Ava, Hacks can’t help but be sharp, lovely and downright hilarious. If you have somehow not watched this show, you need to rectify that as soon as you can, if for no other reason than to get our boy Christopher McDonald back on your screen.
10. House of the Dragon (HBO)
I’ll admit it, I read Fire & Blood, and yes, that has informed my experience with the second season of House of the Dragon. A few moments with this season frustrated me, largely due to many of our main characters being left to tread water for episodes on end as other plotlines are allowed to catch up to them, but all in all I would still give this season a passing grade. If not for the writer’s strike and some belt-tightening at HBO (damn you, Zaslav, give me my finale) this season may have ended on a satisfying note, but sadly we do not live in that world. The performances still sparkled this season, particularly from Tom Glynn-Carney and new cast member Kieran Bew, and the sheer scale was still a sight to behold. This show is still good, and I eagerly await its third installment, but boy is it frustrating when television economics make the shows I like worse.
9. The Bear (FX)
Two shows in a row where my main gripe has more to do with the industry than the show itself. The Bear came back for its third installment this year, and many people, including myself, found it to be a bit lackluster. The entire cast still puts in brilliant work, and the show still maintains its tone that is entirely singular, but it is the pacing of the season where this show seems to fall flat. It’s no secret that The Bear was originally planned to be three seasons instead of four, so I don’t entirely fault the creative team for putting out a season that felt like an awful lot of place setting for the meal that will come next June. I do, however, feel the need to evaluate this show on its merits. Both can be true. It’s hard to judge this season for feeling like a season split in half due to network pressures, yet the third chapter of The Bear did not come close to the heights that the first two reached. I am hoping this will all feel worth it when I do my list next year.
8. Fallout (Amazon)
This is the show I was the most wrong about. I thought Fallout was going to be a soulless cash grab mining the fandom of a video game I never even played, but when I saw my number one boy Michael Emerson in the trailer, I had to give it a whirl (I also worked in the office next to them in New York and would freak out whenever Kyle MacLachlan walked by). I was floored by the balance this series was able to strike. Darkly funny and irreverent, soulful and nostalgic, while also delivering a near perfect Sci-Fi Western. Buoyed by the fantastic performances of Walton Goggins and Ella Purnell, two characters on a collision course who could not seem further apart, Fallout shocked me with its ability to be many things at once, and all of them were remarkable. If you played the game or not, if you like laser guns or six-shooters, this one is a can’t miss. Also Matt Berry is in it, so like, you kinda have to watch it.
7. Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
It’s telling that I watched seven Apple shows this year and only one made my top twenty, but I’m not here to discuss industry trends across streamers. Slow Horses returned like clockwork and delivered once again. Its fourth installment may have not delivered like the first two, but the world’s favorite spy series still brings the laughs, thrills and good old fashioned espionage that we crave so desperately. Gary Oldman continues to put up possibly the the best TV performance of the 2020’s as Jackson Lamb, and the addition of Hugo Weaving was the X factor that made this season work so well. Slow Horses should not only be applauded for its ability to deliver on its usual trappings that have made it one of the best shows of the decade, but also that it continues to reinvent year after year while still feeling like the show we love. If you haven’t watched this show yet then you have to figure some shit out.
6. Ripley (Netflix)
This one took me a second. I love the movie The Talented Mr. Ripley, and at first glance I felt like Steven Zaillian’s adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith character had taken the 1999 film and sucked all the good stuff out of it. Then I decided to be an adult, and to stop watching the show for what it wasn’t and to watch it for what it was. Yeah, this show is not as focused on the charm of the Dickie Greenleaf character, or the Italian vistas that look like they’re painted by Michelangelo himself, but Zaillian’s vision adds so much more than it takes away. Andrew Scott’s version of Tom Ripley brings forward possibly the most interesting performance of the year; harboring a sociopathic stillness and a near smugness in his deceptions. Ripley is a brilliant show about what it takes to transcend class even despite its visuals, which are the most striking of any show this year. Whether you’re looking for a show where every frame could be hung at the Met, or if you just want to see the Hot Priest be a cold-blooded lizard, this one is definitely worth a look.
5. Somebody Somewhere (HBO)
Even though I caught onto this show during the run of its first season, I still feel like I’m a late adopter. Great shows make you feel that way. In its third and final season, which ended only a few weeks ago, Somebody Somewhere finished on a high note; ensuring that I will miss my favorite group of Kansans for the rest of my days. This season focused on its main characters exploring the space that romantic love plays in their lives, and ultimately brought itself back to its roots: the platonic soulmate-hood of Bridget Everett’s Sam and Jeff Hiller’s Joel. I can try my hardest to really examine the notes that this show was playing, but the bottom line is that this show made me cry seven Sunday nights in a row. For those who want something heartwarming that never feels sappy: run, don’t walk.
4. Say Nothing (FX)
Goodfellas but it’s a nuanced and heartbreaking examination of revolution, idealism and sisterhood in Belfast during The Troubles? I’m in. Carried by the eight brilliant performances of its four lead characters (two each if you’re counting along) across a forty year period, this series walks the tightrope perfectly. Equal parts revolutionary thrill ride and dour meditation on regret and feelings of futility, Say Nothing strikes a balance that few other shows could dream of. This show never treads water, evolving from episode to episode, with its sixth episode, “Do No Harm,” being among the finest hours of TV this year. If you’re like me and you’ll watch anything Anthony Boyle is in, you’ll love this series; and if you’re a fan of the intense exploration of serious topics, edge of your seat moments, history, Irish accents or watching hot people be cool, this one should be at the top of your list.
3. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Amazon)
I had someone in my life describe this show as “silly.” I don’t speak to that person anymore. Mr. & Mrs. Smith met me right where I was this year, and sat at my number one spot for a hot minute. Led by two titanic performances from Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, this show is able to serve as a sexy spy series while simultaneously picking apart our modern ideas about love and work. As someone who has been a member of the Glover Hive for years (you should watch Swarm, by the way) I signed up for this ride on sight with no expectations, and I found myself floored by it. This series shows us a relationship in bloom and in decay all at once, and feels both too real and completely otherworldly at the same time. You will fall in and out of love the Smiths, as they do the same across the season, and by the end you’ll be wishing you had taken a moment to enjoy the good times just a bit more. Also, this is the only piece of art to use truth serum in a way that isn’t stupid, so it’s worth the price of admission on that alone.
2. Shōgun (FX)
Here is a show that refuses to give you what you want, but always gives you what you need. Loud when you expect it to be quiet, quiet when you expect it to be loud, this story is as surprising as it is brilliant and poetic. Shōgun is teeming with brilliant performances, from Hiroyuki Sanada’s enigmatic power, to Anna Sawai’s quiet defiance, to Tadanobu Asano’s frenzied chaos. From the first episode, viewers are invited into a world that feels new and lived in at the same time, with a sense of scale and power that makes you fall in love with TV all over again. In a year where FX wrestled the title from HBO as the home of the best shows on TV, they bring us the “stranger in a strange land” story to end all “stranger in a strange land” stories. I have no idea what a second season of this show will look like, but it will be appointment viewing when it arrives. Do you like watching TV shows that are good? If you answered yes, then you should watch this.
1. Industry (HBO)
The first season of Industry was good, the second was really good, and the third was great. I do not use “great” lightly. Each component of this show works: from its unique, hair-raising visual style to its plot that moves at a breakneck pace. Creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay are constantly forcing this story and its characters to evolve, with no room for a plotline or theme to stagnate. All four of the lead performances are simply stunning, paramount among them being Ken Leung, who turns in the best acting performance of the year. This season was also given an imense gift this time around, with new cast member Kit Harington putting up the best work of his career. From the fourth episode’s Uncut Gems-esque coke-snort-thriller, to the finale’s nearly Austenian love story, Industry is announcing to the TV world that it has leveled up and is here for the crown.
A large part of the reason I chose to publish this piece was to tell everyone how great Industry is. Shows like this do not come around often, so jump on the ride before it leaves without you. I could talk about this show forever so I’m going to go rewatch the first season of Severance to calm down, but seriously, check this show out.
joe-tv.com 