Best of 2021 - TV

 

In a year where we are still going through the war that is Covid, most of us would spend much time watching and streaming TV shows. This year, there have been plenty of great shows. Some old, some new and many we have watched this year would've come from streaming platforms such as Disney+ and Netflix. Marvel started their set of Disney+ original shows, South Korea gave us a show that is basically Hunger Games for people in debt and Amazon gave us a non-Marvel and DC superhero show that is pretty brutal by animation standards. Streaming is now bigger than ever, so let's take a look at some of the best shows (at least in my opinion) that we all sat down and enjoyed this year:

All TV shows on this list are ones that have been seen only in this year in most countries. All either new or old ones that have a new season. And don't forget that I haven't watched everything.

Only Murders in the Building (Season 1)

Steve Martin and Martin Short may be getting old, but are still going strong with their comedy. The last time I saw them in action before this show was on a Netflix comedy show and honestly despite their age, they still know how to make people laugh. Now Only Murders in the Building falls under that genre known as black comedy which usually means a comedy that has some darkness to it. The pair and Selena Gomez all play characters that live within a building and they just so happen to be into a true crime podcast. But when a murder happens in the building, they work together to crack the case while making their own podcast to make a profit as they investigate. It's funny as heck with some dark moments too and a wonderfully funny cast. It had the makings to fail, but somehow it succeeds in being pretty good. Looking forward to season 2.

Loki (Season 1)

Yesterday I talked about the Marvel films I liked that came out this year. But films were not the only Marvel things to be out this year as Disney+ became host to some original MCU shows featuring characters that were unlikely to have their own films despite being supporting characters on the big screen. Loki is about everyone's favourite god of mischief who from a universe where he escapes the Avengers in 2012, finds himself in a time organization working to prevent sudden unexpected things occurring in the timeline. We get a bit of nostalgia, a few varients of Loki and it all ending with the multiverse being created which paves way to such things like Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and of course Marvel's What If...?. It was an interesting show that saw this alternative variant of Loki being vulnerable, finding love in himself and becoming a villain turned hero like his late mainstream counterpart. Looking forward to season 2, especially as I want to know what becomes of him following what he did.

WandaVision (Season 1)

Two of the most unexpectedly powerful Avengers who are in love and go through some decades doing sitcoms. An interesting premise, but not one that is wholly original because you guessed it, something seems very off. As the first Marvel original on Disney+, it (at first) is very different to the usual MCU thing. But it does start to have the formula as it continues while re-introducing us to some old faces and surprise visitors. It's a pretty fun show that shows off Elizabeth Olsen's sassy side and Paul Bettany's humorous side which had been lacking in the films for some time. But of course even though it is all fun and games, there are some dark twists and turns throughout. But all good fun that may not have been desperately wanted, but hey we got it.

What If...? (Season 1)

Now, for a long time, Marvel have done countless stories in the comics which have often been accompanied by their "What If..." stories which offer alternative scenarios to mainstream events. This show is basically that, but giving us alternative events to what we see in the films, with many of the actors reprising their roles. We find out things such as Peggy Carter becoming the super solider, the Avengers dying before forming into a team, if there was a scenario where zombies roamed the Earth and so much more. All observed by the Watcher who, despite vowing to never interfere, ultimately has to when a version of Ultron begins taking over the multiverse with the Infinity Stones. It is a well-made series, with its only downfalls being the animation and the length of each episode. I guess it's trying to make itself be the animated version of the otherwise live action MCU, but coming across as a bit off so to speak. On the length front, you can do a lot in 45-60 minutes compared to 20. But other than those, it's a good series and one that I hope will have many seasons because the possibilities are endless.

Invincible (Season 1)

DC and Marvel are great at what they do in terms of animation (though in my honest opinion, DC are better at it if any of their animated films have anything to say about it), but it does on occasion feel like a rare occurrence when a superhero show or film that isn't associated with those two giants in any way, comes about. What I like about Invincible is that it's not got anything to do with those two companies despite characters being loosely based on their heroes. Plus unlike many Amazon shows, this one really goes all the way in terms of violence, adult themes, blood, gore and everything. In some ways its like the Kick-Ass films, but the characters actually have powers. It's a phenomenal show with fantastic animation, plenty of story and character development and a few twists too as the titular hero comes to know what it takes to be a hero even if it means going up against his all powerful dad. Looking forward to seeing where we go to next with this hero of sorts.

Squid Game (Season 1)

A surprise hit for this year came in the form of a Korean show that was basically in development hell for some time. This was because many companies were not interested since its inception back in 2009. That is until Netflix came along and basically gave the show a chance to shine as part of their push to bring in more foreign non-English speaking shows. It was fantastic to watch. Think of it as Hunger Games, but every player is in serious debt and only by taking part, can they be in a chance of winning lots of money. But as the show goes on, we realize that every game is a game you would have no doubt played as a child and losers die. It's that kind of show where the stakes are high and your life depends on it. Its a great show that falls under the "edge of your seat" category and does in fact get more serious and more emotional as time goes on. It was originally envisioned as a miniseries, but news of a second season means this game has more to offer (that and the person behind wants to make other things too with Netflix).

Clarkson's Farm (Season 1)

Taking a break now from the fictional, let's look at a show that I honestly thought would not be all that great. Now Jeremy Clarkson is a controversial figure which kind of goes without saying. But despite what he had done behind the scenes and what he has said about things, it's clear to me that people do prefer him over the current Top Gear presenters and be less controversial than say Piers Morgan or Donald Trump (or more recently, Boris Johnson). Farming may be something that people will instantly not want to watch given how boring it may come across, even though it is important work that they do. But the way Clarkson goes about it is that he makes it more interesting than probably any other farming show out there. At the very least he makes his show entertaining just as he does on The Grand Tour and surprisingly, he comes across as understanding the importance of farming more so than any other famous person alive today. And you know despite the fails that he has been through during his work as a farmer, it's probably the best thing he has been able to do during this period of Covid. Now I haven't ever been a farmer myself, but I have done a small amount of farming in the past and even I know how important farming is and Clarkson gets that. The BBC must really be annoyed at themselves for firing him. Oh well, it's their loss and Amazon's gain (and also ITV too).

Final Space (Season 3)

I'm not going to say that Final Space is a fantastic show because well it tries, but isn't really. Despite this, I do admire the animation that they do as well as trying to balance out the humor and serious moments. Compared to say Rick and Morty and Futurama, Final Space does what those two have tried to do, but not very well. That is being more serious, but adding a few moments of humor here and there. In this final season, which comes about in the wake of the proposed WarnerMedia and Discovery merger, the crew face zombies and a final clash with the Lord Commander and Invictus with some dying, others realizing their inner powers and a few other revelations along the way. Maybe saying its not fantastic is a little harsh, but it is pretty good for the show that it tries to be. Wish there was more, but three seasons is enough, I'd say.

Hawkeye (Season 1)

Still don't get why people are not watching this. Is Hawkeye really that boring of a character? I mean ok sure having a family and fighting with just a bow and arrow may not be as interesting as say being a big green angry monster or a lightning powered god or even a super solider. But in a way and if done right, having a more human like character on the team (and I mean more so than the other human characters), makes him relatable and dare I say it, interesting. So this show came about and well all I can say about it is that its actually pretty good. There's a bit of LARPing, a bit of mafia and gangster shinanigans. Plus a surprise enemy from one of the Netflix shows too, thus proving that those shows are canon. So go on, give the Avenger that is an archer, a chance. You won't regret it!

American Horror Story (Season 10)

I'm honestly not all surprised that the people behind the American Story franchise decided to give us two stories instead of the usual one for American Horror Story. Guess they really wanted to make up for the delays due to Covid. In the first one called Red Tide, a family go on a three month trip to the coast. The man of the family known as Harry Gardner, decides to write some material for a screenplay. Initally remaining unaware of a drug that allows people to create masterpieces overnight at the cost of being zombie like vampires. In the second story called Death Valley, its 1954 and US president Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes aware of the existence of UFOs. Aliens residing in those UFOs want to create a perfect hybrid of alien and human which the president initally wants nothing to do with, but ultimately relents. Two great stories that at first come across as not at all original, but over time you realise that something is amiss. Which makes the stories quite interesting. Don't know if this will be the norm for the show going forward, but its certainly and interesting way to tell more than one story. Speaking of which... 

American Horror Stories (Season 1)

So we all know about the main show and also the show that is to do with crime more than horror. But now we have a show where even though its still horror, every episode is a brand new story with new characters and settings (except for the first two which is a two part story). Not something that hasn't been done before, but it is a great way to allow different writers and other people to make their own stories and not have to be tied to things for the sake of consistancy or continunity. It works reasonably well for this show and I look forward to seeing if there will be more stories going forward.

So that's what you should all be watching on the small screen this year. But before I leave you, let's say a farewell to the TV people that sadly we lost this year:

Peter Aykroyd - a member of Saturday Night Live and brother to Dan Aykroyd. Supporting actor mainly in minor parts, but worth a mention.

Ned Beatty - Widely known as that one actor that can play a warden, a bodyguard and others. He was also in films too.

Dustin Diamond - Once a cast member on Saved by the Bell and didn't really do much else that was notable. Left us too soon though.

Richard Donner - Better known as the man behind the Christopher Reeve Superman films, but had directed a number of episodes for various shows too such as The Twilight Zone and The Man from UNCLE.

Art LaFleur - He was basically that one guy who you would see in nearly everything including TV shows. Appearing in The Incredble Hulk and The A-Team just to name a couple.