So in a year where Netflix are cancelling things like its gone out of fashion, we had a lot of great TV to watch. From seeing what happens if certain things were different in Marvel to a whole new take on the Middle-Earth universe, it's a year when streaming is at its strongest, but also live TV is still alive and kicking too. So as it was with films yesterday, this list is not a ranked list, but rather a list of TV shows in no particular order that I saw this year which I really enjoyed watching. Most will be seasons of already established TV shows and a few new ones too. So get that small screen going as we look at a few things best watched on the small screen:
The Sandman (Season 1)

Based on the Neil Gaiman series of the same name, this really gave Netflix a chance to shine not too long ago. It's one of those shows that remains very faithful to the source material while doing its own thing in the process. Very difficult thing to do considering how complex the series is, but it's done reasonably well here with good production designs, a great cast who perform well and pretty good visual effects. There is hope for Netflix yet.
Andor (Season 1)

I still think that some studios are making things without even thinking about what fans want. But if I have learned anything in the past couple of years, things will happen if fans beg for it. Disney and Warner Brothers are two companies that have both listened to fans and delivered. Not saying this was one of those things, but it is something no one really wanted, but we got anyway. A prequel to Rogue One with a focus on the five years that lead up to the film and also the very first Star Wars film, A New Hope. It's pretty gritty and grounded compared to some of Disney's other Star Wars offerings on their streaming service, but very mature and we get a taste of the reality that is a galaxy ruled by an emperor with an iron fist. Hoping we get more stuff like this because if anything, these live action Star Wars shows are proving that there is still life in the franchise. But some fans like me would want Disney to do their own thing and not fill in the gaps in their timeline too much. Still a good watch though.
House of the Dragon (Season 1)

So reviewed this one quite recently, so if you want an in depth review, go check that out. But I will say for sure that this spin-off has proven that Game of Thrones can be made well with a good story to follow, a great cast and all the usual trends that you'd expect from a world created by George R.R. Martin. It's not perfect though, with unusually dark scenes (as in very dim looking), pacing issues and time jumps which isn't always favoured well for some people. Nevertheless, the show does make some of us fans forgive HBO for what the final season of the main show, gave us.
Ms. Marvel (Season 1)

This year in the way of Marvel offerings on Disney+ was a bit mixed. I enjoyed Moon Knight, but found a lot of parts a bit confusing and much like with Thor: Love and Thunder, it too tried to establish way too many characters. Whereas I found She-Hulk: Attorney at Law good in parts, but far from perfect with some of the jokes and fourth wall breaks being a bit much. Ms Marvel, on the other hand, managed to find a good balance as it kept its focus on the main character, and it was a lot of fun to watch. Definitely a coming of age story for sure and one done right too. With good visuals, fun acting and a balance when it comes to the fun moments and also the serious moments too. Plus unlike the previously mentioned shows, Ms Marvel had the advantage of not needing to spend too much time establishing the character as most already know her already through video games and just by doing performances of the character too.
The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power (Season 1)

After what happened with Peter Jackson's films, I honestly thought that the Middle-Earth stuff was done. But then came Amazon who decided to tell us a story set many years before both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. This time without a focus on Peter Jackson's universe, but instead a more original universe that falls more in line with Tolkien's original story. Good visuals and a great musical score, makes this series good. But again another one that isn't perfect even in its attempts to cover all the major events of Middle-Earth's Second Age. Definitely a lot maturer compared to Jackson's films which could be because of the many different table-top games that exist based on the franchise. Hopefully will get better in later seasons, but a good start for now.
Sonic Prime (Season 1)

Many of us remember the days when Sonic and other video game characters, had animated shows that people usually watched on Saturday mornings. But recently, his time in TV shows, hasn't been great, whether it's down to the move to CGI or just Sega generally trying to milk the franchise for all it's worth. But I will admit after seeing this show, it made me think that TV shows for Sonic still have some life in them. The films are fine, and the video games are improving, and now the TV shows join them in that sense. It's a good show with good animation, great voice casting and a story that feels an awful lot like those multiverse stories that are becoming big things at the moment. Some of the writing could be better, but it is what it is and it may improve over time should Netflix want to continue the show.
Wednesday (Season 1)

After what happened with the recent animated films, I really thought that there wasn't any hope for the Addams Family going forward. That is, until this show came along. An Addams Family show, with Tim Burton at the helm, feels like the perfect match, and it definitely is. It very much feels like a typical Burton thing, and it explores Wednesday Addams as a teenager, which is different to what came before. We learn a heck of a lot from her as the show goes on, learning about her as a person and what she is truly capable of. Plus also her vulnerabilities and other stuff too. It's a great show that I hope Netflix will continue, and it definitely shows that Jenna Ortega has a good acting range in these roles she has taken on recently.
The Midnight Club (Season 1)

One of the unfortunate shows that Netflix decided to cancel just after one season and honestly, it had a lot going for it. Its similar to sitting around a campfire telling stories, but twisted so that the characters are actually terminal. It's dark, full of experimentation and well acted. Apparently it was ment to last more seasons, but guess it was never meant to be (at least from Netflix's point of view).
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Season 1)

While it doesn't cover the entirety of the gap between the prequels and originals from his perspective, there is enough in this show to say that Obi-Wan Kenobi is still just as wise and bada** as ever. Never gave in to the dark side and in this show, some familiar faces appear and while elements do make the timeline a little messy, that is to be expected. Most writers will forget things in the timeline so it is bound to happen. But overall, another solid Star Wars series for Disney+ and one that fans definitely wanted.
Halo (Season 1)

The mythos of Halo is very dear to a lot of fans and most were pleased that this Paramount+ show, decided to forge its own path while adding stuff to the already well established mythos. While not quite as well written as some of the others on this list, the first season delivered some decent acting, good action sequences and enough to please a lot of Halo fans. Or divide them, who knows.
Better Call Saul (Season 6)

The Grand finale of the Breaking Bad franchise, gives us a few familiar faces, some flashbacks and forwards and just the usual black comedy that the shows have been known for. Its a great finale that puts things into perspective and also brings closure to those lingering questions we had from the main show and beyond. Better Call Saul my friends!!
The Walking Dead (Season 11)

So even though this final season actually started last year, it was this year where it came to an end. A hopeful end that gives all the characters (with some exceptions) some perspective on how go move forward with themselves. It doesn't quite address how to cure the apocalypse, but I guess that can be best left to the future films and spin-offs we are meant to be getting at some point. A great finale to what has been a fantastic series.
Stranger Things (Season 4)

Things just got out of hand with the Hellfire Club. It's coming to an end soon, but this fourth season to one of Netflix's biggest shows, is a bit more mature, has given new life to timeless songs and very dark. But most of all, it's still just as nostalgic as ever and I look forward to what comes next for this show.
So before you turn off your small screen, let's once again remember the people we lost this year who worked mainly on the small screen:
Kevin Conroy - the voice of Batman for multiple generations, but mainly on the original animated series.
Brad William Henke - the guy who played that antagonistic guard Piscatella in Orange is the New Black.
Jason David Frank - the original green and white ranger from the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.
Queen Elizabeth II - Although not directly known for TV, our late UK monarch was always a regular on the small screen. Especially in the news.
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