My Favorite TV Shows Of 2022

Pop Culture Weekly Round-Up 30/12/2022

Hello everyone! I hope you are all enjoying your purgatory week. The week between Christmas and new years is such a weird time. I had no idea what day of the week today was until my phone reminded me that I still had to write this part of the newsletter. I was like, “Friday? No way! where did the time go?” that is purgatory week for you.

Me during the purgatory week.

Anyway, this week’s newsletter is all about my favorite TV shows of 2022. I watched a lot of series this year but these ten stuck with me. I also wanted to acknowledge a few shows that I enjoyed but didn’t make the final list. STRANGER THINGS’ fourth season was the best one so far and almost made my list. FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE was a series that came out of nowhere and impressed me a lot. PACHINKO was also an amazing watch. I loved how emotional it was and its high-production quality. I can’t wait for the second season. So without further ado, here are my favorite shows of 2022.

Me watching TV in 2022

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My Favorite TV Shows Of 2022

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON - SEASON 1

This precursor to the well-known HBO television series GAME OF THRONES brings in the dominance of House Targaryen. The series is set almost 200 years before the events of GOT. HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, which is based on George R.R. Martin's "Fire & Blood," follows the story of the Targaryen civil war, in which King Viserys I Targaryen's children decided to fight for control of the Iron Throne.

Honestly, after the two last terrible seasons of GOT, I had very low expectations for this prequel series. But hey, it was much better than I thought it would be. And despite its ups and downs, the first season of this series was entertaining to watch. The performances, sets, clothing, and cinematography, in my opinion, were the strong points. And the weak points included the erratic pacing, which included some absurd time jumps before the show's middle episodes became very slow. Additionally, I felt that the supporting characters lacked depth.

But overall, I found it enjoyable. Unquestionably, it's a positive step. Nearly a Redemption for GOT seasons 7 and 8. Maybe the upcoming season of HOUSE OF DRAGONS will finally let me forget how disappointing GAME OF THRONES turned out to be.

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS - SEASON 4

This hilarious series follows (mockumentary style)  three vampires and an energy vampire, who bores his victims to death, living in a Staten Island house with their familiar/bodyguard, Guillermo.

The third season of WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS ended on an intriguing cliffhanger. However, season 4 kicks off a year after, and almost nothing from that period is shown. So basically, you will be disappointed if you have spent a lot of time thinking about what would happen in season 4 after that finale. But in my opinion, that was for the best. In its fourth season WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS reinforces its strengths without fundamentally altering the show’s formula. The characters have grown and changed in the year they were apart from each other, but they are still mostly the same odd gang that we love. 

This season smartly capitalized on the audience's devotion to these characters. Because even though they kill people and consume their blood, we like them and want the best for them.

OZARK - SEASON 4 

The season finale of one of my favorite shows was great. It was a very wild ride since the first episode of the first season. The series followed Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) a father who relocates his family to the Missouri Ozarks when a money-laundering plan goes wrong. In the first three seasons, we saw Marty and his wife/accomplice Wendy Byrde (Laura Linney) dealing with the Mexican cartel, violent hillbilly gangs, crazy farmers, and sketchy FBI agents.

I can’t remember the last time I watched a season of a TV show that had so much tension. The last two episodes alone are breathtaking. I’m not going to spoil anything but, I’m pretty sure the final episode will forever be divisive. Especially the last 10 minutes. 

But I enjoyed the whole season and I’m very happy with how they ended the series. For me, it was a bitter-sweet time. I'm pleased that the last season had a satisfying conclusion, but I'm sad that the show has come to an end. OZARK had such a good run but I appreciate them ending it instead of dragging it out for money and ruining the series. 

BETTER CALL SAUL - SEASON 6 

BETTER CALL SAUL was able to create an amazing storyline throughout six seasons. This loved BREAKING BAD prequel has established itself as a suited successor to the original series. It brought us the misadventures of Jimmy McGill before he became known as Saul Goodman. The series enhanced well-known characters as well giving new characters interesting plot lines. BCS also effectively linked in storylines from BB. Given that many of its character’s backstories, including Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) and Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks).

At first, I thought this series couldn't possibly match the quality of its predecessor. But this gem has proven me wrong. The first two seasons were sluggish, but once it got going, it never stopped and finished Jimmy's journey compellingly and dramatically. Throughout three distinct timelines, BETTER CALL SAUL was able to keep viewers wondering for pretty much the entire run of the show. 

ATLANTA - SEASON 4 

What can I say? I love this show so much! After 4 seasons Atlanta will forever be one of the most creative and provocative TV shows ever. The fourth and final season kept putting its four main protagonists on several bizarre random engagements. And I loved that. 

All ten episodes were remarkable and the writing, cinematography, and acting were all amazing.  I love these characters and I was sad to see the show end. But I enjoyed every minute of these episodes we had. 

And if you never had a chance to watch ATLANTA before I highly recommend spending the weekend binge-watching it. All episodes are available on Hulu. If you like great storytelling with a heavy dose of weirdness and beautiful cinematography, you will love this show as much as I do. 

HACKS - SEASON 2

HACKS is so funny and entertaining. I loved season 1 and was very excited about season 2. And I’m glad to say that the series is still fantastic. HACKS is still super sharp and fresh. In season two, the dark mentorship between legendary Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and her young, entitled Gen Z writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder) continues to evolve as the two travel across the country workshopping Deborah’s new stand-up act. 

One of my favorite things about HACKS is how the show masterfully manages the delicate balance of drama and comedy. The writing in the show is top notch and the stories that unfold are insightful, genuine, and engaging. Jean Smart continues to be incredible, and the chemistry between her and  Hannah Einbinder is palpable. The supporting characters are also great and they all got some very well-written and funny scenes. I highly recommend checking this show out. 

BARRY - SEASON 3

BARRY made a triumphant comeback this year. And it kept its status as one of the best and most disturbing shows on TV. I love how it is both tragic and gut-wrenching, as well as wickedly hilarious. I despise the weekly release schedule. I have no patience for this waiting for next week’s episode nonsense. So I waited until all episodes were released to watch them all in a sit.  And oh boy, that was fun!

This series has always been a dark comedy, but this season the focus on darkness was even stronger. This time around, Barry doesn't seem to be the same character. He is a lot less humorous and has a much darker vibe. And I liked it. I enjoyed episodes 1-5, but it wasn't until episodes 6, 7, and 8 that I realized that this season was a masterpiece. These three last episodes were the bleakest, most action-packed, and most ludicrous to date. The amazing car/bike chase and the entire last episode were my highlights of Season 3.  

I felt like this season was all about justice. It's as if all of the bad Karma from the previous two seasons has caught up with Barry in a single smashing tsunami. Only a few shows nowadays have the kind of standard BARRY has. In every season, Hader and Berg can deliver big surprises and amazing action scenes while sustaining their writing, performance, and top-notch plot.

THE BOYS - SEASON 3

THE BOYS made an amazing comeback with a gruesomely fantastic season 3. The series resumes a year after Becca's death. Homelander is still coping with the consequences of Stormfront being revealed to be a Nazi. And Butcher is working for the government. The series delivers even more degenerate superheroes, societal satire, obscene comedy, gory violence, and twisted psychosexual neuroses. You know, all the good stuff.

Season 3 blessed us with things such as —  a massive superhero orgy (Herogasm), a  big Hollywood-musical-style song-and-dance number, some very funny cameos, and of course, a lot of very gory fights. The storyline offered a moral debate this time, how far are you ready to go to attain your goals?  The season’s central theme is Soldier Boy, played masterfully by SUPERNATURAl alum Jensen Ackles. As a result, it allows the series to not only explore new aspects of the plot in the present day but also to go into Vought's past in the last 60 to 70 years. 

In my opinion, season 3 is the craziest season of THE BOYS yet.  it's so good and I had so much fun watching it. It’s just pure enjoyment for those who like such horrific (in the best possible way) things. Kudos to the writing team and all the actors involved in this season for such a great job. Also, thanks to Amazon Studios for having the guts to create something so unique and not go on the easy route of the formulaic, soulless superhero movies and shows that other studios keep spewing.  

THE BEAR - SEASON 1 

This FX’s half-hour dramedy created by Christopher Storer revolves around Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), a young chef from the fine dining industry.  After a devastating family death, he gives up his career in NYC and returns to Chicago to operate his family’s sandwich shop.

I didn’t know what I would get from this show. I’m not a foodie and I don’t care about reality shows with famous chefs. So I was skeptical at best when I heard about it. But I was wrong. THE BEAR is one of the best series I have watched this year. I  got drawn in after one episode and watched the whole season in one sitting. 

The show surpassed all my expectations and never let me down. The writing is brilliant and the storyline is fresh and realistic. And I loved how it has the ideal balance of raw emotions and unique humor. Also whoever is responsible for the music in the show and its end credits has great taste. Needless to say that I want more. I want to see where this story goes next after the amazing season finale episode. FX has found a hit and I’m pretty sure they know that.  This is a must-watch for everyone who loves good storytelling and great acting.

SEVERANCE: SEASON 1 

SEVERANCE is an Apple TV+ series produced and directed by Ben Stiller. The series stars Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, and John Turturro and is set at Lumen Industries, a mystery corporation whose employees have chosen to undergo a controversial "severance" treatment that turns the work/life balance into reality and separates their lives in two.

I loved the blend of dark comedy and satire, as well as the thriller and suspense that the show has. The sinister tone is also a great deal of fun. The cast is consistently excellent, and Ben Stiller does a fantastic job of immersing us in the huge yet bleak grounds of Lumon. 

The premise of SEVERANCE is fantastic. And it works well as an excellent conspiracy thriller and an alarmingly plausible piece of science fiction. The series has a multitude of different qualities such as a workplace psychological mystery, a really good dark comedy, and a strange and disturbing universe.