1. Atlanta - This show was the surprise hit for me and many others. I'm just floored at how incredibly hilarious it was, while also managing to be poignant concerning issues that undeniably speak to me as a black man at the same time. And on a more incredible note, this show just says fuck the rules that most TV shows follow, and instead embraces the surreal. To have a show where its universe can show you whatever the hell it wants, where I had no idea what to expect each week, in its first season no less, is an incredible feat. I thought this would be a simple show about two cousins trying to make something of themselves, but it's far, far, more than that. I don't know if the show counts as slice-of-life or whatever; all I know is that I need the second season to hurry the hell up. Additionally, Episode 7 in particular is easily the funniest TV episode I've watched in years. If you haven't already, please watch it! You're doing yourself a disservice by missing out on this show. Donald Glover deserves all the awards in the world for creating this beautiful world.
2. Better Call Saul - When this show first came out, I somewhat dreaded it, because spinoffs in general just aren't very good, especially if compared to the masterpiece Breaking Bad was. Furthermore, it seemed like it would be difficult to create a compelling show about a lawyer (despite how lovable he is) that doesn't exactly give off the impression that he can carry an entire show. And yet... he can, and the rest of the cast is amazing too. This season in particular was even better than the last one, notably due to the performances of both Rhea Seehorn (Kim) and Michael McKean (Chuck). Also... that ending. Can't wait for Season 3!
3. Bojack Horseman - This show would've been the top comedy for me had it not been for Atlanta's unexpected quality. Initially I wasn't too crazy about the premise and the character designs, but it eventually grew on me. The humor, the puns, the dialogue, all of which excels even more when it goes to darker places, is just something I feel could only be truly appreciated due to it being a cartoon, thereby making it a lot easier to digest. (But not by much). This third season further deconstructs what it means to be a shitty person, the type of person whose existence seemingly makes others' lives worse just by being around them. And that even when you realize said shittiness, it's difficult to successfully break that cycle. It's a bleak yet hilarious tale, but when all is said and done, it does give you genuine hope that it's not yet too late to become a better person.
4. The Americans - Normally this would be in my Top 3, but the current seasons of the aforementioned shows were just a bit more excellent and memorable this year. But as usual, this show continues to be consistent in its high quality. Each year, the situation has only gotten increasingly suffocating for both ourselves and our leads, and it'll likely increase come next year. Furthermore, it had arguably the most realistic and poignant death scene of the year, which even brought a few tears to my eyes. It deserves more viewers, so please check it out.
5. Westworld - As soon as I saw that it aimed to be the "next Game of Thrones", I was intrigued. No idea what it was about when I first watched it, but the performances nonetheless enticed to continue watching, and I'm certainly glad I did. It's nice to watch a show that's comfortable with a slow-burn approach, because when it pays off, it really fucking pays off.
6. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - Who would've thought that one of the best shows out right now would be on the CW? The songs (with lyrics that are often relatable as hell) , the cringe humor, the dialogue, the acting and performances, so much of this show contains such a staggering amount of high quality that it is just hard to believe it exists sometimes.
7. Game of Thrones - This season was a slightly nervous one for fans, myself included, because without a book to properly guide it, it'd be easy to assume that the quality would just take an unfortunate nosedive. And yet, it seems that not being tethered to the book gave the show more freedom than it has arguably ever had, resulting in a quality season where a lot of shit simply got done to say the least, and giving us an episode so grandiose you'd swear you were watching a high-budget movie instead.
8. Stranger Things - The show many were obsessed with this summer, and for good reason. Just felt like a very long, very good movie with numerous stand-out performances, the kids in particular being a highlight.
9. Bates Motel - This season went where we dreaded it would one day go, and I'm extremely excited to see where it goes next from here.
10. Mr. Robot - Great season once again, albeit plagued a little too much by sluggish pacing, hence its spot at the bottom of this list.
Fails of the Year:
1. Walking Dead - Still annoyed as hell by having to wait so long after such a stupid cliffhanger. What makes it even worse is that the current season somehow manages to be just so utterly boring each week, that it took the midseason finale to very slightly restore my waning interest in this show.
2. The Night Of - The first episode was perfection. The rest of the show unfortunately was just never able to match that, and had quite a few scenes that just had you wondering what was the point of it all. It's not necessarily some garbage show by any means, but the finale having something I typically loathe in not just TV, but any medium: A weak ending. So I put it here just because I'm disappointed in the potential that was simply squandered.
3. Empire - Wasn't exactly ever a masterpiece, but the later seasons have managed to become even more over the top and ridiculous, and not at all in a good way. Just had to stop watching it at some point, for my own sake.
