I haven’t been watching much in terms of actual shows for a good while, then while listening to a podcast a host casually mentioned they had rewatched Chernobyl, how it still holds up, that there’s a reason it got as much acclaim as it did, etc. So I thought I’d give it a go and wow, loved it (still one episode left to watch).
Had me thinking, what else have I missed out on? What are some “absolute cinema” TV shows that still hold up and and are considered must watch?
The Good Place. Season one is just to set it up, please stick with it through at least S2. The ending makes me cry every time I watch it
My gf and I like to say that, based on the premise, The Good Place had absolutely no right being as amazing as it was. Phenomenal.
As a non religious person, I wrote this show off for years. I recently watched it and it was amazing. Can’t recommend it enough.
Same. The advertising didn’t do it justice, so I ignored it as some Christian-adjacent pandering. I was very incorrect about that.
For anyone who doesn’t know, it’s an intelligent, witty, creative comedy about moral philosophy and friendship. There’s an absolutely hilarious episode dedicated to The Trolley Problem. If that sounds interesting to you, then I think you’ll love this show.
I love the lady who’s stuck in purgatory and everything there is just meh
Shes also in Workaholics, does a great job in that show too
It is the only show that I know that managed to hold its quality up all through the end. It’s amazing
One of the most thoughtful, educational, and funny shows. I rewatched it a few times and it was great every time.
I made it… Almost through season 1? I don’t remember how far. There were clever bits, but it just didn’t grip me. I hate to invest that much time into something that people keep recommending just to make it to the end and… Yeah.
That and severance. It took so long to get started that I fell off that too. People say it’s great though.
Avatar:TLA was great and so was Arcaine and Blue Eye Samurai though!
Eh, at the end of season 1 there’s a huge twist that nearly everyone loves. You should finish the season.
It’s also why I STOPPED watching the show, but I’m very much in the minority.
Is the twist that they are actually in hell? Cuz I guessed that about halfway through the first episode when every single character was an insufferable ass. Which coincidentally is also why I stopped watching. Very American humour I think, it felt similar to Parks and Rec, another one which everyone seems to love that I bounced off hard.
Spoiler
I think so. I saw a spoiler online where the mayor guy says something along the lines of “is this the bad place?” But even knowing that… I guess I just didn’t enjoy ride enough to make it to that point? Ok, so they’re in the bad place… Now what? File a grievance? Maybe there’s no good or bad place and they’re all in purgatory? Idk. Maybe the humor just didn’t hit.
Shame I could only upvote you once. Rewatched it three times already, I think it’s time for a fourth. It’s really, really good
Oh fork. Fork! what the fork!!
I always plug Scavenger’s Reign. It’s a a sci fi survival show about a set of people who get stranded on an alien planet animated kind of like a graphic novel. The creators used a bunch of nature documentaries as inspiration to create a truly alien and interdependent ecosystem, but the theme tells you everything you need to know about the tone.
Also, animated sci fi comedy, The Venture Bros
I’d add Pantheon to this list for amazing sci-fi adult animation. I loved both Scavenger’s Reign and Common Side Effects.
I know that Common Side Effects is getting a second season. I really wish Scavenger’s Reign would get another season. That show is amazing.
Edit: Also, not a tv show, but the animated French film Arco was lovely. Beautiful hand drawn animation, set in the far future, and not just another dystopian story. Will also mention another animated French film Mars Express was pretty cool.
Scavenger’s Reign
The most imaginative show I have seen that displays an alien ecosystem. Beautiful and creepy.
The best show I could only get through one episode of. It was just a bit too gruesome horror for me, but if you have the stomach for it, my single-episode impression was that it’s an excellent work.
Great show and themes but the ending fell flat for me. I’m not going to spoil anything but they had a major missed opportunity in creating better character arcs and tying everything together. It also felt more like the characters were only trying to reach a goal (not spoiling) the whole time instead of spending more time appreciating the planet and the journey.
It wasn’t an amazing show but it was definitely good if you’re into sci-fi, survival, and animation.
DARK on Netflix.
It’s not for everybody but I loved every second of it. In summary (without spoilers):
I tried watching it on two occasions, but I felt like I needed a spreadsheet in hand to keep track of things.
How bad are we talking? Is it like kid abuse stuff? If so it’s a pass.
It got one part where a kid is dead, then there’s another part where a kid is about to be raped(unsuccessful, but still incredibly hard to watch), but overall it’s just a really small part of it. It’s a mindbending story that in some way really hard to wrap your head around.
Great show!
DARK is a show to watch in ADHD Hyperfocus, which is what I did.
Took way too much scrolling to see Dark.
One of the best time travel stories, I have seen. Also one of the best German language shows ever. There’s a great website that helps you keep an overview over timelines, characters, and storylines.
Uh that does not sound like a good time
Battlestar Galactica 2000s remake. It’s soooo good
SO SAY WE ALL 💪
It’s worth watching just to see the performance of Edward James Olmos. That dude put in the performance of a lifetime.
He played his role so incredibly well. The show wouldn’t have been the same without him
Yeah, and he did it without needing to be the star. I’d say it was probably Katie Sackhoff who was the star, although Jamie Bamber (Apollo) was also a key actor. But, Adama glued the whole thing together.
So many of the older actors on that show were legendary though: Mary McDonnell, Michael Hogan, Donnelly Rhodes, Dean Stockwell, etc. I’m not saying that the younger actors were bad. Many, even most of them were good. It’s just that Edward James Olmos or Michael Hogan could communicate so much with just a grunt.
…with the caveat that it is an intense show. No scifi CV is complete without it. Just don’t expect to sit down and unwind with it.
Here’s a short selection of series that really stood out for me over the past few years.
All are there for different reasons, but they were all quite amazing IMHO. (also, I’ve included spoiler-free summaries 😉)
Devs
A software engineer investigates the secretive quantum computing division of her cutting-edge tech company after her boyfriend goes missing.
This felt like some of the best early Black Mirror episodes, stretched out over the length of a well-paced short TV series. In a way, it’s also similar to Severance, in the best of ways.Our Flag Means Death
An 18th-century aristocrat abandons his life of luxury to become a pirate.
Funny, touching, extremely intelligent… if you like the work of Taika Waititi and his friends (What we do in the Shadows), this is a must-watch.Scavengers Reign
When a deep-space freighter crashes on a beautiful but profoundly perilous alien planet, the scattered surviving crew must navigate a surreal, violently interconnected ecosystem in a desperate bid for rescue.
The best Sci-Fi series I’ve ever seen. This may be the first tv series I’ve seen that actually translates the vibe of some of the best Sci-Fi/space-opera writing I’ve read.Killing Eve
A bored MI5 security officer and a glamorous, unpredictable assassin become locked in a deadly, globe-trotting game of cat-and-mouse.
Amazing actresses playing terrible people. It is so we’ll made I think everyone needs to watch this one.Utopia (UK)
A group of online forum members unearths a bizarre graphic novel rumored to predict global disasters, suddenly finding themselves hunted by a ruthless, shadowy organization.
This show is SO unique. The way it looks, the vibe, the story… everything hits SO hard! Just the intro sequence had me HOOKED! (Note: it was never finished; but it does have a pretty good ending regardless).NOTE: only the UK version, not the American one, trust me. It’s **brilliant __ ** but prepared to be very disappointed it didn’t get another season.
UK Utopia has two seasons and has something approaching an ending. The second season isn’t nearly as good, excluding S02E01, which was genuinely great.
Seconding American Utopia === bad as well.
Devs and Scavengers Reign are superb shouts.
In this list, I’ve only heard of Devs and Our Flag Means Death, but those two alone are so goddamn good that you have my complete trust on the rest! Definitely going to check them out.
Crikey, Utopia, I forgot about that. Thank you for reminding me.
Came to say Devs aa well.
The first few seasons of Killing Eve were great, but IMO the quality really dropped off at the end.
Scavengers Reign
I liked the character writing, and I liked many of the scifi parts, but i was missing the “hard scifi” that the plot should revolve around in a scifi story. i.e. the futuristic stuff doesn’t affect the story much and the character arcs would have worked just as well in 17th century exploration story. Compare that to hard scifi like “the expanse” or “westworld”, where many parts of the story can only work because of the specific way the world works.
if you prefer soft scifi over hard sci, than Scavengers Reign is a strong recommendation.
Sci-Fi is an extremely broad genre, and I was mostly trying to keep things vague and spoiler-free; but
spoiler
this series did two main things that I’ve never seen at this level: creating a real sense of someplace “alien”, something that is so far from human comprehension that the characters AND the viewer are both totally at a loss; and I adored the way it recreated the visual style of classic Sci-Fi visual artists (mostly Bande Dessinée, including the likes of Moebius, Jodorowski, and the Métal Hurlant crowd).
quote from spoiler
a real sense of someplace “alien"
Yes. so much this!
spoiler
Too often the aliens just feel like green humans, and the worlds are just “earth but only the deserts” or “earth, but more water”. I guess that’s because it won’t sell well if the audience can’t relate enough with the world and its inhabitants. But still…
Ted Lasso. Surface level it’s a “fish out of water” story of an American College Football coach going to England to coach Professional Football (soccer). In actuality it’s a show about loss, growth, relationships, and packs more emotions than you’ll know what to do with. I know a lot of people gush about it, but I’m not being hyperbolic when I say that it might be the most perfect show I’ve ever watched.
Similarly, Schitt’s Creek. A lot of similar themes, also a nearly perfect show. I will say that it took me a little bit to get past the first couple of episodes because it seemed like all of the characters were kinda awful, but that’s really setting things up for character growth.
The characters in Schitt’s Creek are characters you think are awful people who hate each other, but you quickly realize they’ve got hearts of gold and really do love each other.
Heard nothing but good things about Ted Lasso as well so I think this one is now on my list, thanks!
Schitt’s Creek I think I tried to watch way back but don’t think I even got through the first episode for the reason you just said, couldn’t stand the characters.
I promise, if you make it past the beginning of Schitt’s Creek the show will reward you with some real emotional payoff.
Third season of Ted Lasso gets to be pretty saccharine and certain plots are rushed, but by then the characters have built up so much goodwill that you’re willing to ride it out.
Also, if you find him immediately grating, give Ted himself about three episodes at the very beginning to turn into an actual human. It’s worth it.
We will see if the upcoming season four can recapture any of the magic.
Whoa season 4?! Yay: Wednesday August 5th, nice! Thx
Seconding cowfodder’s comment, if you can manage to tolerate the Rose family at the beginning of Schitt’s Creek, seeing the character growth is so very worth it, in my opinion. YMMV of course, but I’d encourage giving it another shot.
Ted Lasso also has some great character redemption arcs. Though in this case the main character (Ted) is immediately likeable, which I think makes for an easier start in comparison. And in case “immediately likeable” infers thoughts of him being a simple or shallow charter, he is not.
Ted lasso was good but I will caveat it- as someone who likes football and that angle the series strayed very far from being about football and went heavy into emotions, etc. Notably season 2 and on.
Schitts is amazing though start to finish.
As someone who hates football, Ted Lasso was wonderful because at no point was it ever really about football.
I loved Mr Robot
Edit- I’d also throw in Fargo. The season with Chris Rock and Jason Schwartzman was weak but the rest are great (Especially seasons 2 & 5)
Second this. It’s my fav show
Another show that I was into until the big reveal at the end of season 1 and lost all interest. And I’m definitely in the minority.
I assume you are referencing Mr. Robot? (looks like your comment is before their edit to add Fargo)
Me too on this one. Very strong beginning but it went a very unexpected direction.
I was going to say that, I need to start my fifth rewatch…
I find the anti china nonsense thats makes zero sense and the ending being limited redistribution only to americans very troubling and really ruined the whole show.
Breaking Bad!
Hast to scroll way too much to find this. Breaking Bad might be peak TV.
Probably one of the few shows that had a proper ending as well that didnt leave me feeling disappointed.
Breaking bad is really good TV, but it felt like it was this “let’s do a cringier nihilistic thing every episode” feeling, like Better Call Saul.
Better Call Saul https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Better_Call_Saul
This show is better than Breaking Bad IMHO.
better than Breaking Bad
Loved breaking bad but I’ve always said the same.
I absolutely love both shows, but for me Breaking Bad takes the top spot.
So surprised by how many people seem to hold this opinion. I watched all of BCS and wished I had my time back.
Vince Gilligan is on another level. Pluribus is sooo good so far too.
Breaking bad has good action but the story telling in Saul and the character arcs are 👌
I was not at all a fan of the final half I must say. Other than that it was great through most of it!
Agreed. Breaking bad has more action and is exciting. But I’ll pick the character study with flawless writing every time.
True Detective, season 1
Severance is amazing and worth watching multiple times.
The Walking Dead through the end of season 6
Futurama
Ted Lasso
The Good Place
3rd Rock From The Sun
Band of Brothers
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (don’t let the trailers fool you— it starts kinda slow but it’s an adult storyline and is phenomenal from like middle of Season 1 on. The last four episodes are iconic for me. You can skip the movie.)
Long Way Round (sequel Long Way Down is excellent also)
The IT Crowd
Marvel’s The Punisher
Chapelle’s Show
Haunting of Hill House / Haunting of Bly Manor
Fringe
The Expanse
Simpsons through season 7
Absolutely love me some Band of Brothers and Fringe. Been wanting to rewatch Person of Interest too.
Person of Interest is very good also. Really good casting.
The IT Crowd is unique, some of the stuff in it is a bit dated now, but some of the jokes in it are so good that I know people who still quote them decades later.
Is third rock from the sun really good I tried it but couldn’t get past my hatred for the laugh track but seen enough recommends that i might try to push through to see if i can get into it?
3rd Rock a decent turn-your-brain-off 90s sitcom, but if you’re having trouble getting into it I don’t think pushing through is going to change your opinion any.
Laugh tracks come with the territory for comedies, sadly, and especially those from the 90s when it was probably at its most egregious levels.
As for the show, yes, please keep going. John Lithgow and Jane Curtin are so perfect together, and then throw in French Stewart craziness, Joseph Gordon-Levitt in one of his first big roles, and Wayne Knight, among many other cameos along the way— it’s definitely a must watch.
The walking dead? Huge zombie movie fan I didn’t finish all of season 3. It just got to the point where this is ridiculous and I turned it off
Yep. After season 6 ending where you meet Negan it kinda goes off the rails, IMO. But the first six seasons are great.
Firefly,
For less cinematic my favorite fun ones are
The good place, and Better off ted
Better Off Ted was classic!
It was ahead of its time in many ways.
Just finished rewatching Firefly again about thirty minutes ago
It’s still top-notch
Nobody seems to have watched it, but “Counterpart”. It’s a mind fuck Science Fiction show. Only 20 episodes, so manageable.
It was cancelled, but the writers knew beforehand and wrote an absolute perfect conclusion for the last episodes.
Also it’s best to go in blind. There are events predicted in the show that later happened for real (I don’t want to spoil it), and it’s fun to think “oh that is how and why it happened”!
Also J.K. Simmons. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterpart_(TV_series)
I can’t recommend this show enough.
Widow’s Bay is a recent horror comedy series starring Matthew Rhys & Stephen Root that’ll be getting a second season. I consume all media and I highly recommend this gem, especially for the person who’s seen everything in these comments. It has excellent, subtle comedy, ramping lore-building in the vein of the best years of LOST, and the story of the week combined with overarching season arc structure of classics like X-Files.
100% recommend this. I haven’t laughed at a show this much in a long time. Matthew Rhys is the king of reactions.
Well put!
I expect the actors loved doing this show, most of them get to perform two versions of the same character. They all knock it out of the park.
Terrific show.
I think most people know that J.K. Simmons is an amazing actor, but he’s rarely the lead character in anything. I’m glad I got to see him as the lead in this, what a performance!
Counterpart
It’s a unique show. Cold War spy games in Berlin involving a gateway to a parallel universe. Mood is somber and intense. Looks great.
Spoiler tags please. What you mention is a really amazing reveal for people who go in blind.
It’s not a spoiler if you learn this in the first episode.
Sure it is, if it is dramatically revealed in the first episode.
A short list
- The Wire
- Twin Peaks
- Dark
- Spaced
- Mystery Science Theater 3000
The Wire
Absolute peak and realistic storytelling around crime, police, gang, poverty, politics, economy, media, society, friendship, failure, inescapable systems. Highly recommended show, even if you don’t like crime shows usually. Some really compelling characters and every season has a different vibe and topic.
Twin Peaks
A show somewhere in the middle of nowhere in a small town in the mountains. It starts with a murder investigation, but goes far beyond it. A growing mystery and surprises will keep you glued to it. Classic TV and in many ways unmatched.
One of the best episodes ever made has to be the one where the only word uttered is “fuck”
Twin Peaks
Plus, generally, you just really like the main characters.
I watched it for the first time a couple of years ago, and it was great.
Fire Walk With Me…not so much. Was good to wrap up a few things, and overall was interesting, but Lynch was way too far up his own ass for half of it, and dropped almost everything endearing about the show.
The wire is so good, but McNulty in the last season is a bit much.
We own this city(might be misremembering the name) was really good too, based on a true story of corrupt cops in Baltimore.
Andor!
Best Star Wars content in a lonngggg time
Better Call Saul! I like it even more than Breaking Bad
