Submitted by pm_me_reason_to_livx t3_10gzuzs in television

I feel like talking about TV shows today... lol.

Now we are a quarter way through the decade (2020 -), and I was just wondering by the end of it (2029), what shows that have premiered so far will we consider some of the best of the 2020s (and show up on all those "Best TV shows of the Decade" lists).

Now I have seen over 300+ new shows since 2020, and around 50 of them were genuinely great... give or take. But for the ones I think will stay with me through a barrage of new shows over the next 7 years, and will be considered by me as some of the best of the decade by end of it, I have chosen 5. Each from different categories/sub-genres, with different attributes, that offers different kinds of viewing experiences, but I don't deny the possibly of even better shows being released in these genres or ones that executes similar ideas more outstandingly in the next 7 years.

My first pick is for the coming-of-age genre (and an obvious pick to those who've read some of my post before), Desenfrenadas a.k.a Unstoppable on Netflix. Done over a hybrid "serie de carretera" premise this Mexican series accomplishes a lot, but I think its sincerely written characters and its reverence for the beautiful sides of Mexican culture is what takes the cake. It's one of the most soulful series I've ever seen, all while being just a fun series to watch. It doesn't lack the youthfulness that should come with the coming-of-age and it shows us a journey that feels really meaningful.

If we're talking about dystopian or post-apocalyptical series from the speculative-fiction genre, I know there are plenty more options to come, but as of right now, I think Anna from Sky Italia is the best post-apocalyptic series we've had so far this decade (yes... better than Station Eleven). Story-wise, it's honestly bold and shocking at points, definitely not lacking emotional weight either. But its best feature are its production design and artistry in my opinion. Juts absolutely wonderful.

If we're talking comedy... well more accurately 'comedy-drama', Blindspotting from Starz manages to be hard-hitting with its social-commentary, creative in its delivery and overall presentation, and just a cultured and hilarious show overall... that plot-wise, kind of feels like should've been a wholesome family sitcom before shit went all wrong (in the best way possible for us viewers).

In terms of crime-drama, I think ZeroZeroZero from Sky Italia will be a hard one to beat. It has a unique but demanding premise that's executed perfectly in my opinion. In fact I think this should be ranked up there amoungst the best crime-dramas of all time... but might've just been released at a time when most people just don't care maybe?

It feels obligatory to pick an animated series as well. Most of you will go for Arcane or Invincible, which is ok, but I'd have to pick Sonny Boy from Madhouse studios as the best animated series I've seen so far this decade. It's creative, it's innovative, it's unique... less in the premise itself but more in the it goes about telling its story, and of course the art-style. It feel... existential... but in a surreal and symbolic way that also brings about profoundness. There's nothing quite like it and I don't think there'll ever be anything like it for the next 7 years.

And for my last pick, it is a popular one, so it may ruffle some feathers, Squid Game from Netflix. A survival thriller with a pretty fucking exciting premise even though harrowing, nothing else have come close to giving me such intense levels of nail-biting and edge-of-the-seat moments.

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MeCritic t1_j55mlgt wrote

I would say Reacher. Really surprising action-thriller show, with fantastic pace, great cast, characters and the whole direction. I really enjoy the fort season and cannot waited for next one. It really reminds me Banshee.

Then Legend of Vox Machina also on Prime. Really funny animated fantasy series. And probably only watchable fantasy on Prime. Really good.

Pachinko, Apple did wonderful job with this Korean drama on which also worked Kogonada.

Another really good stuff - How To With John Wilson, Dave, Mythic Quest, Perry Mason, Severance...

And then Andor. Currently the best live-action series from Star Wars Universe with really good atmosphere, and cast.

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StinkyBadger t1_j55wpx8 wrote

I love Reacher so much, I end up regularly putting it on whenever I'm having a "what do I want to watch moment" and end up bingeing it within a day again.

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MeCritic t1_j56e6zd wrote

Yeah they really nailed the cast. I hope we can enjoy season 2 within this year.

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sergiocamposnt t1_j55lu1c wrote

1st Veneno (2020; Atresplayer/HBO Max)

2nd Severance (2022; Apple TV+)

3rd We Are Lady Parts (2021; Channel 4)

4th Pachinko (2022; Apple TV+)

5th The Queen's Gambit (2020; Netflix)

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myeff t1_j55mqi7 wrote

I had never heard of Veneno or We Are Lady Parts. They both look interesting, will check them out.

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Maxwyfe t1_j56ef7a wrote

We Are Lady Parts is really good and fun to binge.

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pm_me_reason_to_livx OP t1_j55mqgv wrote

> Veneno

great pick... great pick.

> Severance

I'd have to see with Severance. All the other shows I picked have self-contained stories... where as, they wouldn't necessarily need a 2nd season (though second seasons of Squid Game and Blindspotting are coming), but Severance is the kind of series where it all goes down the drain if they aren't able to give us a payoff that's both satisfying and makes sense. kno what i mean?

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Locutus747 t1_j55nlc6 wrote

I think it’s too early for severance. The first season was good but it feels like a lot of mystery/atmosphere and we don’t yet know if there will be a payoff. It reminds me like lost where the mysteries were more intriguing than the answers we eventually got.

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SeriousInvite347 t1_j56ewcz wrote

I'm hoping that Severance is the true follow up to Mr Robot that we all deserve. But only time will tell if that hope becomes a reality

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TapedeckNinja t1_j563qxl wrote

Ted Lasso, Invincible, Yellowjackets, The White Lotus, House of the Dragon.

If we're including miniseries then 1883, Mare of Easttown, and The Underground Railroad.

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smesch83 t1_j55mv3c wrote

  • I think "Underground Railroad" was great - but it's a mini-series/limited series, and that makes it somewhat easier to be consistent: the beginning, middle and end are SO clear, especially since it's adapted from a novel. (for similar reasons, I LOVE "Five Days at Memorial" and the not-adapted-from-a-source-material mini "It's a Sin", but I'm insecure if they should be on best-of-the-decade lists.)
  • if **"Andor"**s second half / second 12 episodes continue on this level of quality, I can absolutely see it making such a list.
  • I understand that people love "Severance", but I think the capitalism-as-religion-thing is too one-dimensional and trite so far and I'm not sure if a second season can be quite as good. I can see this going in the "Lost" direction: getting quirkier and more specific with each season, but losing some of the more... universal profoundness of the premise.
  • and "Interview with the Vampire" was unexpectedly great so far, but I think it's too early to tell.
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jogoso2014 t1_j5695y6 wrote

The list can change but what immediately comes to mind in no particular order is:

Station Eleven

Midnight Mass

Fleischman in Trouble

Reservation Dogs

Underground Railroad

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WalrusJack t1_j56dr6y wrote

So there's a ton I haven't watched, but my absolute favourite is Severence. I'm highly anticipating the next season. Generally am more into sci-fi, horror and westerns so my lists are definitely biased that way.

Other Great Shows in no real order:

Ted Lasso (Fully expected to dislike this show, and was blown away)

1883

Outer Range (Great for the niche audience who like westerns and sci-fi)

Yellojackets

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Hunters

Mayor of Kingstown

Maid

Squid Game

Alice in Borderland

Mare of Easttown

Upload (Another surprise on how much I enjoyed it)

House of the Dragon

Worth Watching

Devs

Reservation Dogs

Station Eleven

Murderville (A bit up and down)

MacGruber (If you like the movie)

Invincible

Defending Jacob

How to with John Wilson

The Bear

Pantheon

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BogeyBogeyBogey t1_j55t4ti wrote

AEW Dynamite - premiered on Oct. 2nd 2019, so I'm going to count it just because it was just kicking off at the end of the year.

The Hangman Page saga that went the few years was great. The Pandemic Era took a moment to find footing, but it had some great matches, moments, and stories. The rise of the Redeemer, Kenny Omega's descent into madness, The Dark Order, Darby Allin's rise, the Cody-verse (results may very)

It has been a hell of a trip and there is weekly great action.

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Maxwyfe t1_j56eurg wrote

What I'm seeing is I need to watch more Sky Italia. Is Anna really better than Station Eleven? Because Station Eleven was great - not just because of the performance and production value, but the timing of its release made it even more impactful.

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sergiocamposnt t1_j5blhs6 wrote

Both shows are on the same level imo. But Anna is way more brutal and disturbing, so some people hated it because of that.

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AgentElman t1_j56qjgi wrote

Ted Lasso

Teenage Bounty Hunters

Murderville

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Still_Equivalent9450 t1_j5703ld wrote

Ongoing shows:

Severance

Reservation Dogs

The Rehearsal

Abbott Elementary

We Are Lady Parts

Miniseries:

I May Destroy You

Station Eleven

The Underground Railroad

The Queen's Gambit

Maid

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Nobodycares2022 t1_j5663o6 wrote

Ted Lasso

Chucky

Ghosts

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

Yellowjackets

A League of Their Own

Paper Girls

I Am Not Okay With This

Why? Because I really enjoy them.

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Some-Quarter2028 t1_j59vt8p wrote

Decade? No. Early 2000s had some good shows. Since 2010 nothing good ever happened. Wokeness took over

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