TELEVISION
1. Andor
A masterpiece set in the world of “Star Wars” that is horrifingly more relevant to our times than Tony Gilroy could ever have imagined.
2. The Studio
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg nailed the inherent day-to-day chaotic frenzy of the movie business so well that, within a few hours of the first few episodes dropping, we received five messages from producers and studio execs saying it was giving them PTSD. Well done, gentlemen. Well done. [Our review]
3. Adolescence
In a year of one-shot wonders across all media, creators Jack Thorne, Stephen Graham, and director Philip Barantini set a high bar for anyone attempting to add their spin to the genre. Oh, and like Reinsve, Erin Doherty in everything moving forward, please.
4. Alien: Earth
As with “Fargo” and “Legion,” Noah Hawley took a big, big swing and knocked it out of the park. The new entry to the “Alien” ethos is shockingly timely (perhaps too much), genuinely scary (and we’re not just talking about the xenomorphs), features a space vessel crash that was more impressive than 95% of the visual effects on the big screen this year, and a sensational flashback episode that we hope made Ridley Scott smile somewhere. And many may hate the term, but damn, this is cinematic world-building at its best.
5. Pluribus
Vince Gilligan’s inspired spin on the “end of the world,” alien invasion, apocalypse genre may seem quiet and small, but it is just as scary as a blockbuster where an asteroid slams into the Pacific Ocean. However, for the most part, the scenario is just a mechanism for a mediocre fantasy writer, Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), to demonstrate how inherent human needs are often manipulated in even the most dangerous realities. Carol’s task in saving the world is a daunting one, but as the first season progresses, you begin to wonder if she even really wants to.
6. Severance
After an ambitious first season, Dan Erickson and Ben Stiller somehow take the journey of Mark and his severed co-workers to another level. We were genuinely not-so thrilled by the ending of this second go-around, but everything up to that final race down Lumon’s endless hallways was often incredible. I mean, we’re still confused half the time, but from an emotional and visual perspective, it’s a genuine artistic achievement.
7. Hacks
You’d think the never-ending frenemy relationship between Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) would be getting old by now, but no. The comedy series continues to ask: Can we change? Can we grow? Or are we, inherently, who we always were? These 10 episodes didn’t hit the overall heights of season three, but when Deborah gives up her dream gig for Ava? You might just start to believe.
8. Dying For Sex
Michelle Williams, impeccable. Jenny Slate, heavens. Like Reinsve and Doherty, let’s put Slate in everything, please.
9. Jimmy Kimmel Live
What happened to Jimmy Kimmel following the assassination of Charlie Kirk was unconscionable. How Kimmel returned and tackled the “controversy,” with the world watching every moment, every breath, was utterly inspiring.
10. Death By Lightning
A pitch-perfect Michael Shannon gives a long-forgotten president, James A. Garfield, his due in a perfectly structured four-episode limited series. Throw in superb turns from Matthew Macfadyen, Nick Offerman, Betty Gilpin, and Bradley Whitford, some taut direction from Matt Ross, and you’ve got prestige television at its best.
Honorable mentions: “The Diplomat,” “Task,” “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” “The Gilded Age,” “Heated Rivalry,” “The White Lotus“
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