The Best Television of 2022

This year wasn’t too great in terms of shows/movies watched. I was more absorbed in real-life after emerging from the cocoon of the pandemic and had a lot less time to binge-watch. I thought the quality of shows and movies coming out this year was also just about average. Some of the best shows were those on running on their second or third seasons.

That said, here are some shows/movies I enjoyed this year.

Wednesday

Snubnose and I binge-watched this series in the entire space of a weekend. There are lots to love about it. For one, the combination of horror, goth, and teen angst is very well done. Jenna Ortega is a lovable Wednesday Addams. The entire casting of the show is on-point. This show works great for fans (like me) and non-fans (Snubnose) of the comic strip.

The White Lotus

I loved last season’s The White Lotus, so I was happy to see it come back for a second season with a completely new cast and setting (except for one or two fan favorites returning).

While the story is disconnected from the first season, it helps to watch both seasons to understand some of the themes of the overall show.

Both seasons are excellent – short, to the point, and just gorgeous locations. A must-watch, especially if you are into luxurious travel experiences. There’s something about rich people being miserable in luxurious resorts and beautiful places that makes for addictive binge-watching.

Euphoria

I don’t have the words to describe this show. It’s explicit – the drugs, violence, and sex are in your face. It’s a teenage school show, but it’s not for teenagers. I was troubled, disturbed, engrossed – practically every emotion was dialed into the maximum level.

The show has mostly all newcomers (except for Zendaya), but there is nothing amateurish about their performances, and I see them all going a long way in the industry.

Highly recommend it (that is, if you can stomach the intensity). Not going to lie; I had to take several breaks between some scenes because they were that emotional and triggering to watch.

The Sandman

I know that The Sandman got mixed reactions from the audience. But to be fair, it is a complicated series to film. I don’t think they got everything right; there were some significant stylistic differences between Gaiman’s comics and the show, but I feel they got the overall theme right. The casting was fab, I loved the sets and cinematography, and most of all, I loved the Sandman (played by Tom Sturridge). He carries the show on his shoulders.

Only Murders in the Building

I don’t have anything more to say about this show than I have already said here. That said, I did find a dip in quality in the second season. It didn’t have the same liveliness and joie de vivre (strange adjective for a crime show) as the first season, but I still enjoyed it – mainly for the New York vibe and the sparkling chemistry between the lead actors.

A Death in Texas: Candy

I was hesitant to add this show to the list. I liked it, but didn’t love it as much as the others on this list. But like I said, this was generally a poor year in TV (at least for me).

A Death in Texas: Candy was good, but not mind-blowing. I remember it mainly for how pleasantly surprised I was by Biel’s performance, and the cool 80s vibes and clothes. It’s a mini-series, with just 5 episodes, so it didn’t take up much time. Overall, I liked it, even if I side-eyed the way the victim was portrayed.

Still a good watch.