While 2022 may have been a middle-ing year for Hollywood and the Box Office, television seemingly has never been better.
In case you’re looking for something to binge before 2023 comes into full swing, these shows were hand-picked by our head writer and editor as our favorite ways of melting into the couch for the past year.
Peacemaker
Many people have been having strong feelings about the DCEU that is now under the leadership of James Gunn, but regardless of how you think of him, he is a guy that balances comedy and tragedy exceptionally well in his projects.
Gunn’s touch of taste, humor, and over-the-top gory style has never been more exemplified in his (The) Suicide Squad follow-up: Peacemaker. Forming the perfect satirical blend of Captain America and The Punisher, Peacemaker is funny, dramatic, bloody, and heartfelt the bizarre kind of tone that James Gunn excels in. One doesn’t need to get much further than the ear-worm glam metal opening to capture the tone, and it just keeps getting better from there.
Prehistoric Planet
Documentaries, especially dino documentaries, don’t normally make our list for mainstream media recommendations. However, Apple TV’s Prehistoric Planet has succeeded in bringing so much cinematic quality to the table that it has to be discussed.
Given that this year also fell victim to a third Jurassic World film, it’s no wonder dinosaurs have reemerged in popular media. The prehistoric planet is an homage to paleo-media with the likes of Walking With Dinosaurs with on-location shoots and even practical effects. It even has David Attenborough‘s narration and Hans Zimmer‘s score to complete the dino-obsessed nostalgia.
It also delves into much speculative behavior that until this point was only shown in art forms, such as a T-Rex swimming in the ocean, or a Brontosaur having inflatable neck-sacks.
These are elements that mainstream viewers haven’t seen before and this coming to life onscreen is a dream come true for dinosaur enthusiasts. This documentary more than any in the past 20 years since Walking With Dinosaurs, showcases dinosaurs not as bloodthirsy monsters, but as animals living everyday lives.
Relevant Article: “Prehistoric Planet Review: the Dinosaur Documentary You’ve Been Waiting For”
1883
Despite being a prequel to the acclaimed series Yellowstone, you don’t need to watch it to understand this. This spinoff follows the early years of the Dalton family as they begin their move out west, where they would settle on the ranch that will become the centerpiece of Yellowstone.
The whole experience Is a family journey at its core, and sometimes that’s all you need. Most of it was pushed by the characters, from Elsa experiencing life to its fullest to James being a protective but caring father. However, the best character is easily Sam Elliot leading the party and takes no B.S. from anyone. If you are looking for a throwback to the western genre, this is a series for you.
Andor
With a series of disappointing entries in this year’s Star Wars line up, the unexpected highlight was, of all things, a spinoff on a one-note character from Rogue One. What we got instead was not so much Star Wars in the force or lightsabers, but the quality we haven’t seen on this scale on Disney+ before.
From the character to the writing to its worldbuilding, Andor reinforces the idea of what happens under a fascist empire. Not just that, but also the sacrifices needed to fight such a system, and no character exhibits that more clearly than Stellan Skarsgard’s Luthen Rael.
This show is all too happy to drop the “kiddie gloves”, allowing it to go the extra mile that not even The Mandalorian was able to pull off.
This is the most mature Star Wars has ever pushed, not in terms of adult content but in its themes. Andor, above all the rest, shows why The Empire is a dangerous force to be reckoned with. Many of the institutions that preserve The Empire’s hold on the galaxy are also prevalent in dictatorships today. It also reveals the humanity that is often sacrificed and that is often required to fight The Empire. Even our main heroes are forced to make morally questionable choices, and it is in this moral grey that the depth of Star Wars truly shines through.
Related Article: Saw Gerrera’s Sh*t List – Who Are the Rebel Factions in “Andor”?
House of the Dragon
Many were understandably skeptical about this Game of Thrones spinoff – given the almost legendary poor audience reception of its final seasons. However, House of the Dragon exceeds expectations from every level.
Every character has layers to them that keep you engaged throughout the season. In short, this is Game of Thrones returns to form.
For a more in-depth review, click here for our full synopsis and thoughts.
