Now that 2017 is over, it’s time to look back to our favourite things from 2017 with some articles where we will talk about our favourite games, shows, movies, books and comic books.
In this one I will be talking about my favourite TV shows of 2017. There are a lot of shows that I have left out because there are so many I started but never finished. I have to be in a certain frame of mind to watch some shows; I have to be very focused, and that’s the main reason why I haven’t finished (or started) acclaimed shows like Mindhunter or Alias Grace.
Anyway, moving on to the list.
5. Season 4 of Black Mirror
Sure, this was a late addition (released only two days before the end of the year) and it was one of my most anticipated shows of 2017. Sure, looking forward to a show that’s so bleak and soul-crushing might be a bit much, but there’s something about Black Mirror that I really like.
Five minutes into USS Callister I was hooked into the season. This episode was one of my most anticipated episodes of the season (mostly because I found the setting odd and I wondered how Charlie Brooker was going to deal with it) and it surpassed my expectations! So did the episodes directed by Jodie Foster and John Hillcoat.
But there’s a clear winner this season, Hang the DJ. It’s the best episode of the season and one of the best Black Mirror episodes. Not on the level of San Junipero but it’s almost there. Unfortunately, this season also has one of the worst episodes of the whole show. But in spite of that, season four of Black Mirror is as thought-provoking as you’d expect it to be.
4. The Good Place
I had heard a lot about this show but didn’t pay attention to it until I saw it was on Netflix. I only knew that Kristen Bell and Ted Danson were in it. When I started it and saw that it’s a Michael Schur show then I instantly knew it was going to be good. I mean, the man wrote for The Office and created Parks & Recreation.
The thing is, I didn’t expect I was going to like this show so much. To put it bluntly, The Good Place is forking great. That’s all I will say about it. I’ve been having withdrawals ever since the show went on winter break but thankfully it’s going to be back soon. This show is part of why I enjoy Fridays. If you haven’t watched it then go start it right now.
3. Stranger Things 2
I really enjoyed this season, even the episode that everyone seems to hate. Though to be fair, I always wanted to see other places apart from Hawkins in the show.
I also liked that we saw glimpses of Lucas and Dustin’s family life. But what I appreciate the most is that this season made me love the character that I hated the most in season 1; Steve Harrington’s character arc this season was a thing of beauty. I already have a father, but I want Steve Harrington to adopt me and give me hair tips.
But apart from that, this season did what I wanted it to do: take things further.
2. American Gods
For a long time, this was my favourite show of 2017, at least until the show that’s on top of this list arrived.
I’ve said enough in my reviews, though. Right now I’m a bit worried about season two, however, because both Bryan Fuller and Michael Green left their showrunner positions due to budget disagreements with Starz. They have to get new showrunners now, so I wonder if the show will be delayed by much or if it will have the same quality.
1. Twin Peaks: The Return
Twin Peaks is one of my favourite shows of all time. I didn’t watch it when it first came out because I was still a kid, but I remember things vividly, mostly the whole “Who killed Laura Palmer?” question. When I finally watched it, I understood why it’s such a big deal. Twin Peaks casts a long shadow and its influence can be seen in a lot of shows. Modern TV wouldn’t be the same without it.
So when this revival was announced, I was very excited. Both the original series and Fire Walk With Me left plenty of threads dangling and it felt like we’d get them all wrapped nicely.
David Lynch and Mark Frost broke me. This show is what all revivals should be. Sure, it would’ve been easier for them to just write a pure fan-service story where Dale Cooper returns to Twin Peaks, eats cherry pie, drinks coffee and gets together with Audrey Horne. This isn’t what we got and I’m thankful that’s the case.
I still lack words to properly express how much this season meant to me. I appreciated seeing the familiar faces (especially Kyle MacLachlan, he was amazing) and seeing new faces (to Twin Peaks) like Laura Dern or Naomi Watts. It’s been months and I’m still thinking about it, I will be thinking about it for years to come. And as soon as I can, I’m buying the blu-ray boxset to watch the whole show from start to finish.
When David Nevins said this was the “pure heroin version of David Lynch” he wasn’t lying. And episode 8 is the living proof of that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsdRG0mJj-w
What were your favourite shows of 2017? Let us know in the comments!
Angry Spaniard, adoptive Irishman. Writer, reader, tea drinker and video game player/designer.
