- Mindhunter: Mindhunter is demonstrative of the potential power in television storytelling. Based on a true crime novel, the show follows the FBI’s original serial killer investigative team as they attempt to understand the psychology of the deranged killers they pursue. Season one’s 10 episode run looked at not just the inner machinations of the killers, but their investigators as well. If this were a movie, the writer or director would likely have to pick one. In 1995’s Se7en, director David Fincher opted for the killer. With Mindhunter, another Fincher project, the director opted for both.
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was my first experience with an Amy Sherman-Palladino series. The show’s delightful wit has me anxious for more.
- Big Little Lies: Movie stars are coming to play on the small screen more and more frequently. Those shows are rarely as melodramatic and rewarding (or shot in as beautiful a place) as Big Little Lies.
- Better Call Saul: The folks behind Breaking Bad are still making quality television. Who would’ve guessed?
- Broadchurch: Procedural whodunits don’t get much better than all three seasons of the criminally underrated British series Broadchurch. The series is also served as a coming out party for Olivia Colman (star of The Favourite), and Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who’s 13th Doctor). For that alone, I’ll be forever grateful.
- Rick and Morty: The infamous animated comedy released my favorite of its three seasons in 2017. The hype around the series is well-deserved.
- American Vandal: Season one of the true crime mockumentary demands to know one thing: who drew the dicks?
- The Good Place: Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) wakes up in the Good Place after her premature demise. Eleanor, who did not live a morally upstanding life, realizes that she must be there by mistake. She takes it upon herself to learn moral philosophy, charity, and kindness to avoid demotion to the Bad Place. The Good Place is too pleasant and wholesome for 2018. We truly don’t deserve its charm.
- Vice Principals: Depending on who you ask, Danny McBride and Jody Hil’s comedic styling is either satirical or mean-spirited. Personally, I love the melodrama of Vice Principals.
- Master of None: Master of None offers some enlightenment about the state of dating in 2017, despite troubling accusations about its creator.
A Mixed Review 