The Best TV Series I Watched in 2020
I watched a lot of TV in 2020. Like, a lot. It’s probably due to, you know, Miss Covid. In 2020, I watched a lot of great shows, a few bad ones, revisited some of my favorite shows of all time (Community, Watchmen), and found new all-time favorites. I finally caught up with and finished shows I’d been putting off (Bojack Horseman, The Good Place, New Girl, Veep) and got back into reality television (The Circle, The Circus, House of Ho, Next In Fashion, Terrace House). To my surprise, Apple TV+ is home to two of my absolute favorite new shows of the year. That’s right, I said Apple TV+!
I tried to find a unifying theme between all the shows I loved watching in 2020, but there wasn’t one. They range from tragecomedies to politics, racial reckonings to hopeful optimism. They’re all from different streaming services, including Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, and Showtime.
Below you will find a list and description of the best 15 shows I watched in 2020, in alphabetical order. These shows are all different in genre and medium. I hope I’m able to convince you to check out at least one of them. And if you do, let me know what you think!
Bojack Horseman
A show starring a self-destructive anthropomorphic horse person might not sound all that appealing but rest assured this is one of the best shows of all time. It follows the titular Bojack Horseman (voiced by a phenomenal Will Arnett), a former Hollywood star who’s an emotionally abusive alcohol and just straight-up asshole to the people around him. Over the course of its six seasons, with each one somehow more depressing than the last, we follow Bojack’s path towards redemption and becoming a better person. The show questions if that’s even possible.
Unlike most shows where storylines are wrapped in a tidy bow, or their lead characters are given happy endings, Bojack Horseman shows there are real consequences for your destructive, hurtful actions. Not only does Bojack have to deal with his own issues, but pretty much all of the supporting characters (also voiced by stellar actors, including: Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Paul F. Tompkins, and Aaron Paul) are also fucked up in their own way. The show’s strength is in its raw and honest depiction of depression, addiction, and, something you rarely see on mainstream media, asexuality. This is a show that manages to combine tragedy and comedy effortlessly, to great effect.
2020 was the year Bojack Horseman finally ended. Throughout its six seasons, the question we viewers kept asking ourselves were: “Is Bojack redeemable?” and “Is the show going to end with Bojack’s death?” Without spoiling the ending, the way his story gets wrapped up felt right.
When the show first debuted, it got mixed reviews. But starting halfway into the its first season the reviews started to pick up. And ever since then it’s been consistently proclaimed as one of the best series year after year.
You can stream all six seasons of Bojack Horseman on Netflix.
The Circle
I don’t tend to watch reality competition shows (besides the occasional cooking ones), but I started watching The Circle because a friend was raving about it—and it didn’t take long before I was hooked too! The show starts off simple enough. Eight players, each of whom move into their own flats in the same apartment building, create online profiles in “The Circle” app, uploading just a photo, relationship status, and short bio. These players never meet and are only able to communicate via private DMs and group chats. Each episode features various challenges, and at the end of each day the players must rank one another. The two highest-ranking players each day become “influencers,” having the ability to block (i.e. remove) another player from the game permanently. Once a player is blocked, a new one comes in to take their place. For such a straightforward and simple game, there’s surprisingly ample strategizing and manipulation that takes place. But the best parts are the genuine connections the players make with one another.
This isn’t a shallow, superficial show I expected it to be. Like The Great British Baking Show or Terrace House, it’s more wholesome than what we’d expect in today’s cynical landscape. Despite being a competition with a large cash prize, the most successful players are the ones who are nice, honest, and simply being themselves. You would think a show where all of the participants hide behind a screen would have less of it, but it’s a welcome surprise that there’s so many genuine personalities that shine through. There are several moments in the show where, strategically, it would be in each players’ best interest to rank their friends low in order to become an influencer, but often times, they choose to rank their friends high in the name of loyalty and friendship. It’s heartwarming to watch. And surprisingly, this seems to be a uniquely American thing, as international versions of the show have seen players backstab and be more strategic. Who would’ve thought?
The show premiered on Netflix just a couple months before the start of the pandemic but it’s the perfect show to keep you company when you’re stuck inside and alone. It’s the type of show that can be enjoyed both with a group reacting to everything together, and also alone in your bedroom when you’re feeling anti-social but want the warmth and comfort of being surrounded by pure hearts. The more you watch, the more the players in The Circle feel like your actual friends.
You can stream The Circle on Netflix. The first episode is available for free on YouTube. It has been renewed for a second and third season.
The Circus: Inside the Craziest Political Show on Earth
I discovered The Circus last year but, to my surprise, the show’s been on the air since 2016! The Circus is like a drug for political junkies like me because its concept is so fascinating. Basically, this is a docu-series that follows American politics every election cycle. The thing that makes the show unique is we follow it in near-real time. For example, the most recent episode (the season six premiere) aired this past Sunday; the episode was filmed the previous six days. And it’s safe to say it was an eventful week, with Democrats winning both U.S. Senate races in Georgia, and the insurrection at the Capitol, and the show featured a behind-the-scenes look at all of it.
Past episodes have included interviews with Democrats and Republicans alike, 2020 Democratic presidential candidates and their staff, and even Trump’s inner circle like Steve Bannon and Roger Stone. One of the most memorable scenes I can recall featured Joe Biden just before the 2016 election, in which he was asked why he didn’t run that year: he gave an emotional answer that included the criticism that he was taking advantage of his late son’s death. It was a gut punch just hearing this.
PS: Original co-host Mark Halperin was removed from the show in 2018 due to sexual harassment allegations. The current slate of hosts are all great and includes: journalist and national-affairs analyst John Heilemann, who co-authored the books “Game Change” and “Double Down;” Mark McKinnon, political advisor for five successful presidential primary and general election campaigns, and co-founder of No Labels, an organization dedicated to bipartisanship and political problem solving; journalist and author Alex Wagner; and Jennifer Palmieri, a political advisor who served as White House Director of Communications from 2013 to 2015 and the Director of Communications for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.
PSS: McKinnon stepped down from the McCain campaign in 2008 after Barack Obama became the presumptive Democratic Party nominee for president because he believed Obama’s election “would send a great message to the country and the world.”
You can stream The Circus on Showtime. You can view the Season Six premiere for free on YouTube.
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Yes, that’s the real title of the series. It’s ridiculous, just like the show, and I love it.
When I first heard Disney was making a television show based on the High School Musical franchise, I was excited but hesitant. It’s pretty obvious Disney is into the nostalgia machine right now with all of its remakes of hit classics, and I hoped the new tv series would go in a more interesting route than being an empty shell of the original films. Then came the first trailer and I was instantly won over. What could’ve been just a superficial show was something much more interesting and delicious. HSM:TM:TS is a meta take on the franchise, presented in a mockumentary format, following students that attend the actual school the High School Musical films were filmed at, as they put on a stage production of the original film.
When the show finally came out, not only was it good (what a relief!), it also brought back memories of Glee. The scene transitions, cast energy, and some of the humor is similar to Glee, though more PG. And I dig it. Even better, each episode features a new original song, in addition to covers of the original film. The cast, featuring real-life teenagers, is excellent all around; I think they’re better than all of the original cast members.
My favorite original song from the series.
You can stream High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+. Season two is going to have the students perform a school production of Beauty and the Beast!
Homecoming
This psychological thriller is based on the fictional podcast “Homecoming” by Gimlet Media (I’d never heard of a fictional podcast before - so cool!). It’s a handsomely made series all around, from the directing (season one was directed by Sam Esmail of Mr. Robot fame), editing, sound, and overall style. And each season is led by a stellar cast (season one features great performances from Julia Roberts and Stephen James, whereas season two are led by the talented Janelle Monae and Hong Chau). The series revolves around the Homecoming Transitional Support Center, a live-in facility that claims to be in service of transitioning U.S. soldiers back into civilian life. But as the show progresses we soon realize there’s more to Homecoming than we think. What I appreciate about the show is how each season is its own self-contained story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. It’s not quite an anthology series, as season two is definitely a follow-up to the events of the first season, but it’s just so nice to see storylines not be dragged out for the sake of being mysterious (I’m looking at you, J.J. Abrams!). Also, I had no idea until the first episode that each episode would be 20-30 minutes. I’m so used to dramas and thrillers having hour-long episodes that it’s actually quite refreshing to have shorter episodes. The amount of time dedicated to each episode feels just right.
You can stream both seasons (only 17 episodes!) of Homecoming on Amazon Prime Video.
Into the Unknown: Making Frozen II
Most behind-the-scenes looks at the making of films are passable, but rarely are they ever this compelling. In fact, I may like Into the Unknown: Making Frozen II more than I do the actual film!
I know it’s naive to say this about a Disney product, but this six-part docu-series feels surprisingly unfiltered and honest. We see co-directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck struggle with the sequel’s story and the pressure of following what is arguably the biggest animated film of all time (Frozen, which they also directed together). The series gets emotional when it discusses Buck’s loss of his son and how it influenced the film and one of its characters, and when a producer talks about a fan who wrote them a letter saying how the first film saved her life. And in addition to her directorial responsibilities, we see Lee’s new role as Chief Creative Officer of Disney Animation Studios (after Pixar legend John Lasseter stepped down following sexual misconduct allegations). In addition to Lee and Buck, the series follows artists Robert and Kristen Anderson-Lopez as they attempt to live up to their successful songs from the original film. A major focus of the series is on “Show Yourself,” Elsa’s big third act musical number (and, in my opinion, the best song in the film). Throughout the series, we bear witness to the creative process of creating the sequel’s musical numbers, and it’s wild to see how tough it was for the artists to crack the song, and how “Show Yourself” almost wasn’t meant to be.
Into the Unknown is one of the best programs you can see on Disney+ right now.
Love, Victor
Love, Simon was my favorite film of 2018 and one of my favorite films of the last decade, so I was excited when I heard it was getting a television spinoff. Love, Victor stars Michael Cimino as the titular Victor, a teen who moves to Atlanta, Georgia and attends the same high school as Simon (though, Simon has already graduated by the start of this series). The series is a coming-of-age dramedy that follows Victor’s struggle with his sexual identity. To my pleasant surprise, the show differs from Love, Simon in a small, yet huge way: instead of simply being gay (like Simon), Victor isn’t yet sure what his sexuality is: he could be gay, bi, or anywhere else on the spectrum. It’s a powerful creative decision that provides more onscreen representation for anyone who’s still navigating their sexuality.
PS: Love, Victor was originally produced for Disney+, but was moved to Hulu due to its more “mature” content. This is absolutely ridiculous. Yes, this isn’t a Disney Channel-type show, but it’s also not graphic. The show covers important topics many kids and teens go through, including underaged drinking, sex, and, of course, Victor’s sexuality. It’s a damn shame Disney felt the show was too mature for Disney+ when it’s still the home to The Simpsons.
You can stream Love, Victor on Hulu. It has been renewed for a second season!
Little Fires Everywhere
Little Fires Everywhere is an eight-episode limited series based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by Celeste Ng, starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. In the first two episodes, I thought I knew what this show was about and where it was going: this would be a show featuring two mothers (one is white, the other is Black) from different socioeconomic backgrounds and how they come into conflict with one another. These first two episodes were slow burns, carefully building up its world and characters. But by the time a shocking revelation is unveiled in episode three, the show transcends this simple premise. What follows is an engrossing tale that is, at its heart, about motherhood.
The acting on the show is phenomenal and it’s a shame the show didn’t garner more acting nominations and wins. Witherspoon and Washington are both great, as expected (it’s amazing how Witherspoon can play such an unlikable character while making us feel for her), but the real shoutout needs to go to the show’s child actors. Seriously, child actors are always hit or miss (usually misses), but every single child actor in this show was convincing and great. They deserved nominations, damnit!
You can stream all eight episodes of Little Fires Everywhere on Hulu.
Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet
Two of my absolute favorite discoveries from 2020 are from, surprisingly, Apple TV+; the first is Mythic Quest. I wasn’t particularly interested in the show’s premise, which follows a video game studio that produces a hit Warcraft-like massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) called “Mythic Quest,” but the show is created by folks whose works I’ve enjoyed. It’s co-created by Charlie Day and Rob McElhenney, the stars and creators of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and Megan Ganz, the former writer for Community (my favorite show) and Modern Family, who is also a writer and executive producer for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Plus, it co-stars Danny Pudi, who portrays one of my favorite television characters of all time on Community. As you can see, this is a comedy gift for me.
Since I don’t have any interest in MMORPG, it’s pretty important for me that the show features interesting and likable characters, and that the show is actually funny. Thankfully, it succeeds on those fronts. The lead characters are Ian Grimm (played by McElhenney), the self-absorbed creator of "Mythic Quest,” and Poppy Li (Charlotte Nicdao), the studio’s lead engineer, who acts as the show’s straight-man in a studio filled with over-the-top characters. The ultimate draw of Mythic Quest is the meaningful relationships between all of the characters.
I appreciate the show’s smart humor and how it doesn’t simply appeal to the lowest-common-denominator-type comedy (think CBS comedies). There are two huge episodes of the show that takes dramatic creative leaps. The first appears halfway into the season, in which the entire episode revolves around two new characters (played winningly by New Girl’s Jake Johnson and How I Met Your Mother’s Cristin Milioti) and none of the main cast. It’s a dark and dramatic episode that feels like its own show, or even a short film. The second is a special quarantine episode that was written and filmed after the first season had already premiered on Apple TV+, during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike other 2020 shows that have made quarantine episodes, Mythic Quest’s didn’t feel lazily-executed. The episode is actually funny, has a lot of heart, and is genuinely moving. I teared up watching that scene near the end of the episode. This special cemented the show as one of the best shows of 2020, and one of my new favorite shows of all time.
You can stream all ten episodes of Mythic Quest on Apple TV+. If you’ve bought a new iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac, or Apple TV you may be eligible for a free one-year subscription to Apple TV+.
Never Have I Ever
I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen a show like this that was instantly likable and truly great from beginning to end, especially in its first season. This coming-of-age story from Mindy Kaling (The Office) and Lang Fisher (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) follows 15-year-old Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) as she navigates her life as an Indian-American teenager. We witness Devi dealing with typical teenage tropes like finding a boyfriend, fighting with rivals, increasing her popularity, etc. The show has an instantly likable cast, but its lasting appeal is how well it balances its comedy with, surprisingly, trauma. I look forward to its second season, which will hopefully expand on the more serious aspects of the show. Also, the show has a killer soundtrack!
You can stream Never Have I Ever on Netflix.
Next In Fashion
This new fashion competition show’, co-hosted by Queer Eye’s Tan France and fashion model Alexa Chung, both of whom also serve as judges, features 18 professional fashion designers from all over the world—emphasis on “professional.” Unlike Project Runway, the designers in Next in Fashion are industry professionals who have designed for A-list stars, including Beyonce and Ariana Grande. All but one of the designers have their own labels. They’re all competing for $250,000 and the chance to retail their collections on Net-a-Porter, a luxury fashion retailer.
At first, Next In Fashion may be a little off-putting. I didn’t like its over-produced style and editing, nor their decision to pair up its 18 contestants with one another, basically creating nine competing teams. But I was quickly won over, mostly thanks to the personalities on screen. Yes, having competitors be paired off for most of the show was an odd thing to see, but it admittedly results in some stunning designs that probably wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for these designers pushing each other to their creative limits as partners. This only raises the emotional stakes once, halfway through the show, the remaining pairs start competing as individuals. The thing that makes the show stand out, besides its unconventional pairing system, is something the show may not have much control over: the chemistry between the contestants, and just their overall likable personalities. The show doesn’t have drama or bad blood you may see in other reality tv competitions. Even when the show tries to force drama (like splitting the teams up to make them compete against their former partners), the superficial drama never appears. The designers still love and support one another, even if that means they risk losing. It’s the type of wholesome appeal Netflix has mastered in its reality TV department (including Queer Eye and The Circle).
The show also features guest judges every episode, and it’s a pretty solid group. The most memorable is Kerby Jean-Raymond, founder of Pyer Moss. Without spoiling too much, let’s just say he has a strong (yet welcomed) voice, which leads to some tension with the other judges. The episode I’m referencing is Episode four, in which the designers had to create streetwear. What comes next is a heated discussion regarding cultural appropriation. It’s a much-needed discussion for the show, considering many of the designers and judges, like France and Chung, view fashion through a predominantly Eurocentric lens.
The international element of the show is another unique aspect. The designers are from all over the world: Pakistan, Puerto Rico, China, England, South Korea, Mexico, India, Scotland, Italy, Canada, and the United States. This allows us to see a variety of works and different styles. Combine this with the fact that they’re all professional designers, it means we almost always see amazing designs from them.
You can stream all ten episodes of Next In Fashion on Netflix. Unfortunately, the show has been cancelled after just one season.
The Reagans
The Reagans is a four-part docu-series from Matt Tyrnauer (Valentino: The Last Emperor & Where’s My Roy Cohn?) that takes a deep dive into the lives and influence of, you guessed it, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan. This is a must-see for liberals and conservatives alike, especially for those who believe in the mythical greatness and goodness of Ronald Reagan. The series depicts shocking parallels between Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, not just the fact that they’re both television stars who became the most powerful men in the world, but to their populist appeal, racist dogwhistles, proponents of policies that enrich the wealthy, installation of cabinet officials who are antithetical to the mission of their respective departments, and neglect of public health crises. There’s even a mention of Joe Biden! When Reagan won in a massive landslide, news anchors were asking who would be the new face and leader of the Democratic Party after Jimmy Carter’s loss. One anchor mentioned the young and junior Senator from Delaware.
You can stream all four episodes of The Reagans on Showtime.
Ted Lasso
The biggest surprise of 2020 for me, and my favorite new show, is none other than Ted Lasso. I can’t stop talking about this wonderful show to my friends and on Twitter (sorry not sorry to my Twitter followers). Believe me when I say I did not care at all for a show called “Ted Lasso,” especially one based on a commercial character. Considering television’s history of turning commercial characters into television series flops, I had no faith in the success of Ted Lasso. This is why the show’s creators Bill Lawrence (Scrubs), Joe Kelly (How I Met Your Mother), Brendan Hunt (who also stars as Coach Beard), and Jason Sudeikis (who also stars as Ted Lasso), deserve huge credit for turning the skeptic (me) into a believer.
The show has a simple premise: American college football coach Ted Lasso has been hired to coach an English Premier League football team, AFC Richmond, despite having no knowledge nor experience with English football (aka soccer). We quickly find out the reason for Ted’s hiring is thanks to AFC Richmond’s new owner, Rebecca Welton (a fantastic Hannah Waddingham), who, unbeknownst to Ted, wants to ruin the team after she won ownership from her ex-husband in their divorce settlement. Rebecca believes Ted will run the team into the ground thanks to his incompetence. The Richmond team, press, and fans alike are all united in their skepticism of the new coach. But not unlike the show itself, Ted Lasso the character proves everyone wrong and wins them (and us) over, not by being a secret genius or phenomenal coach, but by simply being a good person.
You see, the magic of the show is it and the titular character’s optimism. Despite some antagonism or butting of heads, no one in the show is a bad person (save for Rebecca’s ex-husband Rupert, portrayed delightfully villainous by Anthony Head). Not even Rebecca, whose goal is in direct opposition to Ted’s success, is portrayed in a hateful way. We learn to like her, and even sympathize for her. It sounds cliche to say this, but everyone Ted interacts with ends up becoming a better person because of his charm, positivity, and genuine goodness.
Another winning aspect of the show is the way it zigs when we expect it to zag. That is to say, it never follows television cliches or tropes. There are certain plot points where, in any regular show, it would be dragged out for entire seasons for dramatic effect. But, instead, Ted Lasso and its characters address these issues head-on, like adults, and it’s so refreshing. There’s a certain point late in the season in which a major secret is informed to Ted, and despite having every right to be unforgiving to the person who has hurt him most, he simply forgives them—plain and simple. That specific moment, representative of the entire show itself, is cathartic.
2020 has been one of the worst, most devastating years in our lifetime. Ted Lasso is one of the year’s few bright spots. It’s a saving grace. As cheesy as it sounds, Ted Lasso has inspired me to become a better person. I was fully prepared to go into the new year holding grudges against friends and family members, but after binging this show I’ve decided to try my best to be as positive, optimistic, and forgiving as Ted Lasso. I’ve made it a goal to be less angry at the world. I won’t alway succeed. After all, I’m only human, and Ted is a fictional character. And it’s been especially difficult considering the first seven days of the year have included a literal coup attempt at our nation’s Capitol. But I’ve already found myself refraining from saying or writing certain negative, angry posts. And I’ve gotta say, I feel better. Thank you, Ted Lasso.
You can stream Ted Lasso on Apple TV+. The show has been renewed for two more seasons.
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Terrace House: Tokyo 2019-2020
The Netflix-produced Japanese reality television show Terrace House is one of my unexpected addictions the last few years. 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. Unlike American reality shows, catfights, sex, and drama are not the focus of the show. The cast is entirely Japanese, and for the most part everyone is incredibly polite to one another. 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 the nuances of 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 it’s 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.
In 2020, I caught up and finished the latest season Tokyo 2019-2020, its most controversial season yet. Panelist Yoshimi Tokui took an indefinite leave of absence after he was charged with not reporting income of over 100 million yen over three years, and the show halted production of the season due to the pandemic, then resumed production, but then was cancelled altogether after the death of one of the season’s housemates Hana Kimura, who died by suicide due to the cyberbullying she’s been receiving from the show’s fans. It’s extremely sad and depressing to realize one of my favorite shows had a factor in someone’s death. The future of Terrace House is still up in the air, but with accusations that the show’s producers encouraged certain fights or plot points, to accusations that the show doesn’t provide adequate mental health support to its cast members, it’s an important moment in time for the show to confront and address its problematic aspects.
You can stream four seasons Terrace House on Netflix: Boys & Girls in the City (my personal favorite), Aloha State (the first and only season to be set outside of Japan), Opening New Doors, and Tokyo 2019-2020 (all episodes featuring Kimura have been pulled).
Watchmen
“This show not only evoked thought, conversation, but exposed history that had been forgotten—all while we were able to entertain.” - Regina King
The HBO Watchmen limited series originally aired in 2019, and that’s when I originally watched it. But I revisited the show again last summer during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests. Premiering just months before our country faced a long-overdue racial reckoning, the series was surprisingly prescient, from the white supremacy of the policing institution, even down to the face masks.
As a fan of the original comics, I was skeptical when it was announced a “Watchmen” television series was in the works. I thought the original story was finite, so what more was there to say? Yet when the TV series aired late 2019, I was pleasantly surprised. The new story transcends the original and delves into more timely themes surrounding race in America —a theme the original comics barely touched upon. Showrunner Damon Lindelof was inspired by “The Case for Reparations” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, which led to the series literally starting off with the Tulsa Massacre. After the first episode aired, the Tulsa Massacre was trending on Twitter and Google searches skyrocketed. Many Black Americans knew this history, meanwhile White Americans thought it was fictional and made up for the show. The show covers the history of policing, the impossibility of reforming a corrupt system from within, systemic racism, Black trauma, reparations, appropriation, and more. One of its central themes is the prevalence of white supremacy in our institutions. It’s a brilliant piece of art that both fans of the original comics and newcomers can appreciate. It’s one of the best, most perfect shows I’ve ever seen.
You can watch Watchmen on HBO, HBO Max, or purchase it on home video.
Shows I Revisited:
Avatar: The Last Airbender: Season two is still the best! Fight me! ATLA airs on Nickelodeon but you can stream all three seasons on Netflix.
Community: My favorite show is finally on Netflix and a new generation of fans was born. Unfortunately, Netflix and Hulu removed the season two episode “Advanced Dungeons & Dragons” due to its perceived blackface in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests over the summer (Amazon Prime Video still has the episode up). I wholeheartedly disagree with its removal, mostly due to the fact that the scene in question did not feature blackface (the joke is that a character thinks it’s blackface, but it’s not). Also related, here is a convincing article that makes the case why we should not remove problematic pop culture. You can stream all six seasons (and, hopefully, a movie) of Community on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Netflix.
The cast also reunited for a virtual live-reading of one of its best episodes (from Season Five), with a guest appearance by The Mandalorian himself, Pedro Pascal!
The Legend of Korra: People loved to hate on Korra back when it originally aired but its recent addition to Netflix has appeared to make people reassess its legacy. The show is good, actually. You’re just mad it isn’t the same show as ATLA. You can stream all four seasons of The Legend of Korra on Netflix.
Other Shows I Enjoyed:
Emily in Paris, The Good Place, Grace and Frankie, Grown-ish, House of Ho, The Mandalorian, New Girl, Superstore, Veep
Worst Shows I Watched:
Dear White People: Look, I loved the first season (especially the brilliant fifth episode directed by Moonlight's Barry Jenkins) and liked the second season. I don’t know what happened with season three but it felt like a different show. It wasn’t terrible, but I just no longer cared for it. I’m probably going to watch the upcoming fourth season since it’s the last one and I’m a completist. You can stream all three seasons of Dear White People on Netflix.
Nora from Queens: Co-created and starring Awkwafina as the titular Nora, this is the first major project of hers that I dislike. The only bright spot is Bowen Yang as Nora’s cousin. Everything else about the show is just sooooo bad and Awkwafina spends most of her time screaming. Nora from Queens airs on Comedy Central and is streaming on HBO Max. The show has been renewed for a second season.
Normal People: Based on the novel of the same name, the series follows the ups and downs of a couple from high school to adulthood. I only made it through three episodes. Despite the show’s critical acclaim, I just didn’t have the patience for this show. It’s too slow and boring for my liking. But I have friends who like the show! And I’m sure the critics and awards bodies are not wrong. It’s just not for me. You can stream all 12 episodes of Normal People on Hulu.
A Series of Unfortunate Events: This show isn’t terrible, and it kept me entertained, but it was never great. After finishing the final episode I thought to myself, “This wasn’t worth spending so much time watching.” But, hey, at least the series finally got a proper on-screen adaptation. You can stream all three seasons (only 25 episodes) of A Series of Unfortunate Events on Netflix.
