My Favorite Shows I Watched in 2017
Television is so good in our day and age it's hard not to have something new to watch, especially with the popularity of Netflix and other streaming services. I used to watch more movies than anything, but ever since I stopped working at the movie theatre - thus, ever since I stopped getting to see movies for free - I unfortunately haven't had time to see lots of movies every year. On the bright side, prestige television is becoming so common now that the line separating film and television is becoming more blurred.
Below you'll read about some of the memorable shows I watched in 2017. This includes shows or episodes that originally aired before 2017 but I didn't watch until 2017.
American Vandal | Season 1
True crime is all the rage right now, after a series of popular docu-series and limited series like 'Making a Murderer', 'The Jinx', and 'The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story'. 'American Vandal' is unique because it's not a true crime, but it's depicted as if it was. This mockumentary follows a high school student named Peter (Tyler Alvarez) as he documents and tries to solve the mystery of who spray painted penises on all the faculty's cars. Everyone believes fellow student Dylan Maxwell (Jimmy Tatro) did it, and he gets expelled. Peter believes Dylan is innocent and embarks on his investigation to find out the truth.
The premise is silly but it's great because of how seriously the characters (and the show) takes this relatively minor offense. The show is funny, but what makes it truly work is its mystery angle. If the mystery and investigative aspect of the mockumentary wasn't suspenseful, the show would've faltered. But 'American Vandal' does a great job of getting us invested in the case, running into various red herrings, as well as making us wonder whether or not Dylan truly is innocent.
Better Call Saul | Season 3
Okay, unpopular opinion, but 'Better Call Saul' might actually be a better show than 'Breaking Bad'. We'll probably never know because no one seems to be watching it! The spinoff retains the original's battle of wits-style storyline, but it's different enough to not feel like a rehash. I didn't care enough about Saul Goodman in the original show to want an origin story, but Vince Gilligan is a genius and he gave me something I didn't know I wanted - or needed.
Gilligan and Bob Odenkirk, who portrays the titular character when he was still going by Jimmy McGill, do an excellent job of making the main character likable. In 'Breaking Bad' Saul was a dirty lawyer who provided some comedic relief to the drama. But 'Better Call Saul' makes him a sympathetic character we root for despite seeing his slow downfall. In a way, the show is a tragedy because we know how it ends, yet we still watch and hope he comes out on top despite knowing better.
Like 'Breaking Bad', every episode of 'Better Call Saul' is excellent. My personal favorite from the season is "Chicanery," which features a climactic battle of wits between Jimmy and his brother three seasons in the making. It's thrilling, sad, and everything in between because we know no matter who wins, it won't end happily.
Bojack Horseman | Season 4
This is one of the rare shows that gets better with every season. Actually, television is so good right now that I shouldn't be that surprised. I feel like a lot of people pass on this show because it looks like a weird show about an anamorphic horse. Yes, that's what it is, but it's so much more. This is a show with an honest and heartbreaking portrayal of depression and addiction.
Throughout the show Bojack has done and said terrible things to his friends, family, and strangers. Unlike other shows that may wrap up storylines in a neat and tidy bow, 'Bojack' shows there are real consequences for the things you do. Everyone has their own demons and they have to be addressed before any progress can be made.
I don't know how, but every season of 'Bojack Horseman' gets more depressing than the last. The supporting characters are each dealing with their own issues too. Pretty much all the characters in this show are unhappy and are trying find out how to live with this sadness, or how to turn it around. Surprisingly, though, the last shot of the season shows a potential change for its next season because it finally shows Bojack seemingly happy - really, truly happy, for the first time on this show.
What makes this season special is how it deals with the past. A major focus of this season involves Bojack's mother Beatrice and we see major glimpses of her upbringing and how she became the scornful woman Bojack wants nothing to do with. One of the season's standout episodes (of which there are many) is the devastating "Time's Arrow," which depicts Beatrice's fragmented memories and shows a life filled with disappointment and one that's lacking in kindness.
Other standout episodes include "Ruthie," an episode that takes place in the distant future and features a descendant of Princess Carolyn as she gives a history lesson about one of the worst days of her life, and the ending of the episode hurts my heart just thinking about it; and "Stupid Piece of Sh*t", as we get inside Bojack's head and see his internal thoughts, which has been praised for giving a realistic depiction of what it's like to live with depression.
This show is really powerful, and it's quickly become one of my favorite shows because of how honest and raw it is about serious issues.
Bonus tidbits - this show is full of memorable quotes:
"The woods are dark and scary, but the only way out is through."
"Do you ever get that feeling that to know you more is to love you less?"
"It's just really hard to need people."
"You know, it's funny; when you look at someone through rose-colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags."
The Carmichael Show | Seasons 1, 2, and 3
I started this NBC sitcom in 2017 but unfortunately it got canceled within the same year after just three seasons. This multi-camera show created by and starring Jerrod Carmichael is unique because of its simple, yet effective premise. Each episode focuses on a controversial topics and social issues as its major characters - mostly all members of the same family - discuss, argue, and talk about it.
Most of the time the show is smart and funny when it tackles its controversial subject matter. But there are some rare occasions it misses its mark, such as the episode "Cynthia's Birthday," which focuses on the N-word and its usage; the show didn't offer any convincing insight or arguments about the controversial word.
The show received major news attention last year because of NBC's decision to pull an episode about Carmichael's character surviving a mall shooting. The decision was made after back to back mass shootings occurred in Virginia and San Francisco. Carmichael felt that the decision to not air the episode was a disservice to its viewers as the episode portrayed a thoughtful discussion on gun control. The episode was eventually aired at a later date, and upon viewing it, I personally felt like it didn't deserve to be pulled because it's about the aftermath of the shooting, and nothing about the episode felt disrespectful to any shooting victims.
Dear White People | Season 1
'Dear White People' was originally a 2014 feature film before Netflix turned it into this critically-acclaimed television show. I've never seen the original film but I heard the first episode more or less works as a recap of the events of the film.
The show focuses on a handful of black students in a predominantly white Ivy League university as they navigate a "post-racial" America. It's a timely show with biting commentary on important issues that face the black community in America, including appropriation and assimilation, colorism, police brutality, sexuality, and more. Also, it's pretty damn funny.
When the show was announced, a lot of haters (mostly white) cried "racism!" due to its title. It's the same idiotic noise that surrounded the television show 'Black-ish'. It's even funnier when you consider the marketing for the show uses the tagline "Bet you think this show is about you." It an almost meta way, white characters are offended at the campus radio show that shares the same title as the show. But the icing on the cake is that 'Dear White People' isn't really about white people at all. At its heart, 'Dear White People' is a show about black characters, their interactions with one another, and how they navigate an oppressive world.
'Dear White People' is one of the best shows I've seen in 2017 and also probably one of my favorite shows of all time. Only one season is available right now, but thankfully Netflix ordered a second season. All of the episodes so far are very good, but the standout for me is "Chapter V," directed by Barry Jenkins ('Moonlight'). The episode includes a frightening run in between the major characters and campus police, but also clever comedic moments like when the characters are criticizing Tarantino and filmed as if they're speaking directly to us.
The Good Place | Seasons 1 & 2
The latest comedy from sitcom-God Michael Schur ('Parks and Recreation' & 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine') stars Kristen Bell as Eleanor, who has died and gone to the show's version of Heaven called "The Good Place." I don't love 'The Good Place' as much as Schur's other shows but what keeps me coming back is its unique format.
Though it's a half-hour comedy, the first season of the show takes a lot of inspiration from 'Lost'; it uses flashbacks to flesh out its main characters, and the show is heavily serialized with a cliffhanger at the end of every episode, which is extremely rare for a show like this.
The first season ended with a game-changer reveal, causing the second season to continue to change in a huge way, as well as no longer follow the flashback-style show of season one. Schur didn't have the series mapped out after this major twist, so he and his writers have to continue challenging themselves and continuously reinvent the show. You'll know what I mean when you watch the show. This is a show that tries to offer something new for half-hour comedies and largely succeeds.
Grace and Frankie | Season 3
There's nothing particularly outstanding about the premise of 'Grace and Frankie' - the titular characters' husbands reveal they're in love and marry one another, forcing the two women to form a new relationship and start a new life after their respective divorces - but the show keeps me coming back because of its charming cast, especially Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
'Grace and Frankie' offers some much-needed representation to the over-65 crowd in a sea of television programs that feel more millennial. Grace, Frankie, and their ex-husbands Robert (Martin Sheen) and Sol (Sam Waterson) are all 75+. Their stories throughout the series focus on the typical "old people" stories like health, retirement, the existential thought of impending death. But more importantly, the show covers topics that don't typically get screen time when it comes to older characters - like sex, coming out the closet, divorce, starting a new chapter of your life so late in the game, etc. It shows older characters in a more relatable way, seeing them go through the same struggles as those much younger.
This is one of those shows that is simply a pure delight to watch. It's not challenging to watch, it doesn't always break new ground in storytelling, but you fall in love with the characters and root for them as they navigate uncharted territory in their lives.
Late Night Television
Before Donald Trump's candidacy, I didn't really watched late night talk shows except 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver'. However, Trump's 2016 campaign and eventual presidency has given these types of shows more creative fuel as well as more importance in the age of "alternative facts." The American news-media landscape is a mess, and the 2016 Presidential Election was the perfect example of how bad it truly is (Hillary's emails!).
There are still shows like 'The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon', whose host famously gave Trump an extremely light interview, and was way too nice to a race-baiting, sexist demagogue. Thankfully we have plenty of other shows that provide fact-based news in easily-digestible segments. In the age of Trump, the following shows have been heavily devoted to clarifying facts and calling out the Trump administration on their consistent bullshit, and I honestly believe you'd do yourself a favor if you watched these shows - especially if you're the type who'd rather receive the news in an entertaining, but still factual manner as opposed to simply reading about it. If not entire episodes, you can at least watch their respective segments on Youtube, which usually gets uploaded after each airing:
Master of None | Season 2
Aziz Ansari's masterpiece 'Master of None' finally returned after almost a year and a half of waiting, and it was so worth it. What makes the show special is that each episode feels like its own short film. Two of my favorite episodes, from a season full of fantastic episodes, include "New York, I Love You" and "Thanksgiving," two episodes where Aziz's character isn't central to the story.
The former focuses on three separate stories featuring characters usually reserved for the background; it's a funny, loving, and simple portrait of New Yorkers. It's a testament to the show's writing strength to dedicate an entire episode to characters we've never met before and not have us miss any of the main players, yet one that can still be as funny and engaging. The latter is a coming-out story involving 'Master of None' regular Denise (Lena Waithe) across multiple Thanksgivings with her mother. Angela Bassett gives a stellar performance as Denise's mother as she struggles and spends years processing her daughter's coming out.
Rick and Morty | Seasons 1, 2, and 3
I included all three seasons of 'Rick and Morty' on this list because 2017 was actually when I finally started watching the show (I know, I know), and I binged the entire thing pretty quickly. It's co-created by Dan Harmon, whom I am a big fan of because he created one of my favorite shows of all time, 'Community'.
What I found surprising about this animated series is its surprising level of depth. Yes, it's fairly outlandish, and it mostly works as a comedy, but at its heart the show is about loneliness, depression, and at times, the existential question "What is the point?" It's an underlying theme often hidden behind the show's hilarity.
In regards to season 3, "Pickle Rick" is a fan-favorite because it's so fucking crazy (and hilarious), but my personal favorite episode from the season is 'Morty's Mind Blowers' because the concept is so similar to some of the best episodes from 'Community'. The episode is a twist on the recap episode trope, but with scenes we've never seen before from the show. It's not only funny, but it's endlessly rewatchable.
Sense8 | Season 2
This is a brilliant show from The Wachowskis ('The Matrix', 'Cloud Atlas') and J. Michael Straczynski ('Babylon 5') that follows eight strangers whose minds seem to be connected somehow; they're sensates.
There's a mystery-thriller angle to the show in the form of a man named Whispers, who works for an organization called BPO. Whispers and BPO are hunting sensates for reasons we don't know, but that's not really the interesting part of the show. What makes 'Sense8' special is that it's about the universal human experience.
The eight main characters are wonderfully diverse and live around the world - a Kenyan bus driver in Nairobi, the daughter of a powerful businessman in Seoul, a trans woman hacktivist in San Francisco, a Hindu pharmacist in Mumbai, a DJ from Iceland, a safe-cracker in Berlin, a closeted Mexican actor in Mexico City, and a police officer in Chicago. Because these characters are from different walks of life, we get to experience each of their worlds. And because they live in different countries, we get to see the physical beauty of the world.
The best parts of 'Sense8' are when the characters are experiencing moments of pure bliss. The show is really good at producing montages that just simply make you feel happy. I'm sure the creators of the show know these montages are great because they happen several times throughout the series.
Unfortunately, Netflix surprisingly canceled the series after just two seasons, despite a rabid fan base. It makes sense considering the high costs of producing such a globe-trotting show that doesn't have a strong enough viewership base, but it's a show that will be severely missed. Thankfully, however, Netflix heard the cries and is allowing the creators to craft a two-hour series finale that will air some time this year. There's a lot to wrap up in the series, and I'm sure the finale won't be able to address it all, but as long as it includes some of its signature action sequences and one last happy montage, I'll be satisfied.
Superstore | Season 2
From Jason Spitzer, one of the writers of 'The Office', 'Superstore' is another NBC workplace ensemble comedy that feels like it could be just as good and memorable as 'The Office', 'Parks and Recreation', '30 Rock', and 'Community'. I have a bias for NBC comedies. It might sound rude to say it, but I just feel like NBC comedies differs from the other major networks because they don't cater to lowest-common-denominator kind of humor. This often results in a niche fan-base and low viewership ratings, but hey, they at least receive critical acclaim. That's all that matters, right?
The setting of 'Superstore' is a big-box store chain called Cloud 9, the show's version of a Walmart. Like most shows, it started off shaky but after time it finally found its footing and became a show confident in its characters and humor. America Ferrera and Ben Fieldman are likable leads, and the rest of the supporting cast are composed of hilarious, off-beat characters typical of the best NBC comedies.
The season two finale "Tornado" is an episode I immediately think of when I consider the best of the series. The premise of the episode involves a tornado in the area, and the entire cast is forced to seek shelter within the store. I won't spoil what happens but I just love the episode because of how surprising it is for a sitcom like this. Also the background character Sandra (Kaliko Kauahi) has one of the best scenes in the entire show's short history.
Terrace House: Boys & Girls in the City
My latest obsession (you can ask anyone close to me and they'll confirm my obsession) is the Netflix-produced Japanese reality television show 'Terrace House'. Its premise of six young and attractive strangers living together in a house may remind you of 'The Real World', but thankfully that's where the similarities end. I'm just going to list all the points I've been using to convince my friends and family to watch the show (so far I've gotten just three people to become addicted with me, hehe):
Unlike American reality shows, catfights, sex, and drama are not the focus of the show. The cast is entirely Japanese, which means everyone is incredibly polite to one another, and when disagreements do happen, they talk about it as adults. The show feels more real, unlike many American reality shows that often feel scripted.
It's fascinating to observe another culture as well as to see the beauty that is Japan.
Housemates don't overstay their welcome. When a housemate decides it's time to leave - whether because they've accomplished what they sought out to do, or some other reason - they actually leave the show and are replaced with a new member of the same gender. This creates a different dynamic for the house, which keeps the show from getting stale.
There's a panel of Japanese comedians and celebrities who give commentary in every episode. They watch what we watch and give their thoughts on what's happening, they theorize what certain actions may mean, etc. I thought this aspect of the show was weird at first, but it quickly became entertaining to watch. And the commentators are pretty funny, too!
The show airs weekly in Japan, even while the current season is still being filmed! This creates some interesting scenarios like when the housemates meet or interact with friends, family, or strangers who are watching the current season.
Since the show airs weekly, and because there's over 30 to 40 episodes (with each episode equating to approximately one week in the house), things progress naturally. Relationships, tensions, and the rare drama that happens occurs slowly and realistically.
The theme song is great ("Slow Down" by Lights Follow).
At first glance the show may seem kind of boring, and to be honest, it kind of is. Yet, it's so fascinating to watch! A friend of mine I convinced to watch literally texted me "Okay I'm hooked already. Even though it just seems like every day life. Like they showed them grocery shopping lol." If you need further convincing, feel free to read this articles I read as I became addicted to this series:
"How A Japanese Reality TV Show About Nothing Became A Global Hit" / Buzzfeed
"Terrace House Fixes What's Broken In Reality TV" / Polygon
"Terrace House: The Must-Watch Japanese Reality Show In Which Nothing Happens" / The Guardian
There are currently two season on Netflix, 'Boys & Girls in the City' and 'Aloha State'. The latest season 'Opening New Doors' just started airing in Japan and we will be receiving episodes in "batches" starting in March.
