Only five for this one, hopefully I can get to a few more shows next year.
Honorable Mention - Westworld Season 4
This ones is a bit sad though worth a mention. Westworld really came out swinging when it debuted but unfortunately quality declined, it shows some promise here and there and finally in season 4 it started to right the ship. There was mystery, intrigue it was asking the big questions and set itself up for a potentially very interesting final season. But alas poor ratings and the insanity of what's going on at WB Discovery got to it with the show being cancelled and even unceremoniously axed from HBO Max to be shopped to a FAST service. Its HBO so it's possible it could come back and Jonathan Nolan/Lisa Joy are working on Fallout which will hopefully be good but alas what could have been.
#5 Peacemaker
This should not have been a surprise given its pedigree but if you had spinoff show about Suicide Squad character Peacemaker as one of my favorite shows this year then id be surmised. Picking up after the Suicide Squad the show is centered on John Cena's PeaceMaker a terrible person with some redeeming qualities. The cast in general is pretty good by standout is definitely Vigilante an insane person. The series has a lot of heart to it as most things James Gunn does, looking forward to a second season.
#4 Stranger Things 4
I am someone who really enjoyed season three of stranger things especially the change in tone, setting though I have to admit Stranger things 4 is a really good return to form evoking more horror from season 1 and 2. Pretty similar premise to the prior seasons though we do get a bit more teaming up. Highlight character Eddie Munson obviously. I will say the Cali crew was a bit underused and the Russia plot was a bit all over the place though it definitely had its moments. Strongest thing was the general Hawkins, Vecna plot, its cool seeing these characters grow and certain characters come into their own. Looking forward for Stranger things 5
#3 House of the Dragon
This is a pretty interesting one as I personally thought this was on shakey ground and that maybe the shenanigans of the GoT Season 8 had damaged the brand but turns out Game of Thrones done well is still pretty good and can draw an audience. It not perfect I think the timeline progression can be a bit rough on viewers and while the performances are great switching main leads mid-way through is a bit jarring despite how much the leads look alike. Anyway it's pretty hardcore game of thrones, politics, intrigue, dragons, incest it's all that x10. Anyway great season of TV, some amazing scenes and the last 2 episodes are really good. Looking forward to the next season, not looking forward to waiting though.
#2 Andor
I liked Rogue one, not as much as others but I thought it was decent so when they announced a Andor standalone series I was pretty meh on it, like who is asking for this. Turns out this is one of the best shows of the year, best Star Wars thing in years might even be the best Star Wars thing since the original trilogy. Andor is a Scifi Political thriller mostly following the titular Andor plus other key players in the early days of the Rebellion. Its split into three episode arcs and while nothing beats its prison arc its nothing short of an amazing series. There is so much tension, intrigue when it comes to the plots and so much detail that builds on existing star wars. When it comes to characters aside from Andor and Mon Mothmas plot armor its so interesting to see these smaller characters play their part for or against the rebellion. This show does such a good job with its characters top the point that I could not help but be impressed at how good one of the ISB officers was at her job. Anyway if it was not for the number 1 this would have hands down been my fav show of 2022.
#1 Severance
This is show about people who work for a company where you work and personal memories are kept sperate from each other. You live your life normal but when you go down the elevator a chip turns on and you are suddenly a different person with only work memories. The premise is amazing and as someone who has worked/works in an office so much about the show to relate to. This show has a really strong cast a bunch of them are basically playing 2 roles with how the mechanics of the show work. Adam Scott is really good in this but id have to highlight John Turturro and Christopher Walken who really shine. The show really explores to the extreme that whole dynamic of having a work and personal life. And while the premise is amazing and our characters amazing, it’s the overarching plot, mystery, the company Lumon that really bring the show together. I think this is a best debut for a show since Westworld Season 1 hopefully it can maintain its quality better. But yeah def worth checking about and def worth the Apple TV+ sub such a cool creative show and I can't wait for more.
