The Best Shows of 2022
The streaming era has given us an overabundance of television. With an almost-two-year-old daughter and so many things available to viewers, I didn’t get to watch everything that I thought looked good, but I watched enough to make a solid top ten list.
Hopefully, it gives you a few ideas for what to watch next. Zoom to the bottom of this article if you want to jump to my complete rankings.
Choosing just ten favorites was a tough task, so I had to do some serious thinking and reflection to come up with my top ten picks. First, let me explain the lens through which I view TV so you can better understand my rankings.
I’m partial to dramas and realism
Dramas are my favorite genre because they often reflect the realism of life and the random, unpredictable moments that can happen in it. This realism makes dramas more engaging and relatable for me, as they capture the complexity and unpredictable nature of the human experience.
In contrast, other genres, such as horror, can sometimes feel over-the-top or unrealistic because they try to fit within the genre without being true to life or how situations would play out if they happened in reality.
I especially enjoy magical realism because it portrays mythical, magical, or amazing things as they would happen in reality, with real consequences.
The other thing I love about dramas and realism is that they can, and often do, include elements of other genres. Take the Sopranos for example. This is my favorite show of all time. Its comedy elements are more apparent in the show than anything else and are often considered the best part about the show. Tony is a sad person and his reactions to situations are mostly hilarious because of how absurd, yet believable they are.
That’s the beauty of Sopranos, capturing hilarity and tragedy sometimes in the same scene. A lot of the shows I included on my list have the same elements that are as blended as real-life.
Now that that's out of the way, let's get into my favorite shows of the year. I'll show you my train of thought as it demonstrates how the year's shows impacted me. I'll break it down into categories that reflect my thought process as I put this list together.
Category One: Shows I couldn’t forget…
These are the shows that immediately came to mind when I initially sat down to make my top ten list. I didn’t need to Google or research anything to know that they would all be candidates to be included in the best shows of 2022 list.
Barry, Season 3
Barry, a show on HBO, follows the story of a hitman in Hollywood who takes acting classes, in hopes of changing his murderous ways. It has an impressive cast, including Bill Hader, Henry Winkler, Sarah Goldberg, and Anthony Carrigan.
The third season was highly anticipated, with a three-year gap between seasons due to COVID-19. I almost forgot what had happened in season two, but this season hits hard and reminds you of everything that happened before.
It stands alone, though, as the best season yet. It has emotional depth and the cast gives captivating performances. Bill Hader, who also directs the show, delivers a powerful portrayal of the damaged Barry. It’s dark, funny, entertaining, sometimes hard to watch, but incredibly thought-provoking.
The best thing about it: analysis of the dark psyche of Hader’s character, Barry, and how it affects everyone in his vicinity.
Better Call Saul, the Final Season
The final season of AMC's "Better Call Saul" explores the consequences and regret faced by the main character, Saul Goodman (also known as Gene Takavic and Jimmy McGill). Throughout the series, we see both Saul's present life as Gene, a manager at a Cinnabon in Omaha, and his past as the ambitious lawyer Jimmy.
In the final season, we are left wondering if Saul will ever feel true remorse for his actions and if he will be able to develop a conscience. The series, which started as a spin-off of the popular show "Breaking Bad," followed Jimmy's transformation into the ruthless lawyer known as Saul. It introduced iconic original characters, like Nacho and Kim Wexler.
It also fascinates with deep looks at the law and how it can be manipulated by those willing to “break bad”. The final season is amazingly both fan-service and extremely dedicated to the integrity of the story.
The best thing about it: its ability to deliver narrative pleasures and payoffs that might be considered "cheap tricks" in other shows, such as cameos and simple themes like ‘right versus wrong.’
House of the Dragon, Season 1
The first season of "House of the Dragon," a prequel to "Game of Thrones," has received mixed reviews for its world-building and use of dragons. Set 200 years before "Game of Thrones," the show follows the Targaryen family as they fight for control of the Iron Throne and the use of dragons as weapons of mass destruction.
The season has introduced a cast of characters and laid the groundwork for a civil war, but some have criticized its slower pace and lack of action. People really didn’t like the time jumps but I was actually a huge fan of this aspect because it portrays the generational effects of decisions made by our main characters. The season finale included a dragon battle and left the stage set for future conflicts. The show is streaming on HBO Max.
The best thing about it: each character's motivations (particularly in Emma D'arcy's portrayal of Rhanayrea Targaryan) which lead to gray areas and Shakespearean tragedy that echoes through generations, from parents to children to grandchildren.
The White Lotus, Season 2
HBO's "The White Lotus" is a show about a luxury resort in Sicily. The second season starts with a guest at the resort finding a dead body in the Mediterranean and follows the conflicts and power struggles between the guests and staff at the resort. The season finale leaves the audience wondering who might be the perpetrator and victim in the various conflicts that arose throughout the season, including jealousy, greed, and infidelity.
The show delves into the transactional nature of relationships and the role of power dynamics in human interactions. Despite the focus on death and violence, the show also explores the deeper emotions and vulnerabilities of its characters.
The best thing about it: One of the best things about the show is the high-stakes fun it provides, as well as its close look at relationship dramas and the luxurious setting of the resort in Sicily.
Moon Knight, Season 1
Marvel Cinematic Universe's new series, "Moon Knight," follows the story of Marc Spector, a man with dissociative identity disorder who becomes the superhero Moon Knight. Oscar Isaac stars as Spector and gives a standout performance as both Spector and his alter ego, Steve Grant.
The show is set in Egypt and introduces several Egyptian gods, including Khonshu, Taweret, and Ammit, all of which are brought to life with impressive CGI. Although the show deals with dark themes, such as abuse and trauma, it is overall praised for its storytelling and performances. The costumes and visual effects are also praised, although some reviewers have noted that not all of the VFX are up to par.
The best thing about it: Moon Knight’s costumes, Oscaar Isaac’s portrayal, and the constellation scene.
Category Two: The top-tier shows that took a little more research to remember
These are the shows that, after a bit of refreshing my memory with some articles and best-of lists, I realized were definitely some of the top-level shows that were released in 2022. They may not have stuck with me as much as the first group, but they were still fantastic television and several made my top ten list after.
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
Winning Time is a drama series about the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers basketball team. The show has faced criticism from people involved in the team at the time, including Jerry West and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who have disputed the accuracy of their portrayal in the show. The show is based on a 2014 book by Jeff Pearlman, but co-creator Max Borenstein has said it was also heavily researched from various sources.
However, Borenstein also acknowledged that concessions had to be made in order to tell a story. Winning Time has been described as an occasionally brilliant but often frustrating show that can be difficult to watch because of the blurred lines between fiction and reality and the negative portrayal of some characters. I enjoyed the fun and wild nature that the show leans into. It’s great for basketball fans, but understand that it isn’t totally true.
The best thing about it: the legends that it includes as main characters and how it treats them as fictional, leaning into the idea of just letting loose with myths about the icons that are already fixtures in our minds.
Severance, Season 1
In "Severance," Adam Scott stars as Mark Scout, the leader of a group of office workers who have undergone surgery to separate the work and personal aspects of their brains. When they are at work, their "innie" selves are conscious, but when they clock out, their "outie" selves take over and have no memory of their time at the office.
The arrangement is disrupted by the arrival of a new colleague, Helly, who begins to question the top-secret work being done at Lumon Industries and prompts her co-workers to rebel. "Severance" is a thrilling and inventive show that explores the blurred lines between work and personal life.
The best thing about it: Ben Stiller's direction and the totally unique storyline that keeps you engaged with the dark corners it explores, which may also be relatable when we think about our work-life balance.
The Dropout, Mini Series
Hulu's "The Dropout" is a miniseries about Elizabeth Holmes, the former CEO of Theranos, a company that claimed to have developed technology to revolutionize blood testing. The series traces how Holmes became a billionaire, only to fall from grace when rumors of fraud surfaced. Amanda Seyfried plays Holmes in the series, which has received mixed reviews for its straightforward storytelling, but has been praised for its compelling story and strong cast.
The best thing about it: Amanda Seyfried's unique performance, especially if you don't know the true story.
The Rehearsal, Season 1
In "The Rehearsal," comedian Nathan Fielder creates elaborate scenarios to help ordinary people prepare for difficult situations in their lives. Each episode shows the work that goes into playing such intense pretend. However, Fielder's motives and control are called into question as the show progresses, and he becomes the victim of his own schemes.
The series explores the idea of deception, both of others and oneself. It also examines the relationship between Fielder and his subjects, as he tries to find a balance between manipulating them and being honest with them. "The Rehearsal" aired on HBO in July 2022.
The best thing about it: The real people that are featured in it and how funny their strange personalities are, especially when they are interacting with the most-strange “character”, Nathan Fielder.
We Own This City, Mini Series
"We Own This City" is a mini-series about the true story of the Gun Trace Task Force, a group of corrupt police officers in Baltimore in the 2010s. The series is based on the book of the same name and is produced by David Simon and George Pelecanos, the team behind "The Wire".
The series follows the story of Sergeant Wayne Jenkins, played by Jon Bernthal, who is a craven opportunist and believes that he is serving the greater good by taking cash and drugs from busts. The series also explores the corruption of other officers on the GTTF and how easy it is for police corruption to occur. The series has received positive reviews for its performances, particularly Bernthal's, and its portrayal of police corruption.
The best thing about it: Bernthal and also the echoes of the Wire that are ingrained in its DNA.
Euphoria, Season 2
HBO's Euphoria has come into its own in its second season, which focuses on the struggles and experiences of young people. The show's creator, Sam Levinson, has put a lot of care into the characters, giving them rich backstories and exploring their inner turmoil. Zendaya's performance as Rue, a character struggling with addiction, is particularly noteworthy, and other characters including Sydney Sweeney, Maude Apatow, and Eric Dane also stand out with their evolution and development.
The second season of Euphoria has higher stakes and a darker tone, with a focus on the characters' pasts and their struggles in the present. The cinematography is also improved, with a switch from digital to Kodak Ektachrome film. Overall, the second season of Euphoria is a strong and confident showing that fully realizes the potential of the show.
Category Three: The ones I want to watch eventually
There are a number of shows that I've heard great things about but haven't had a chance to watch yet. These are the ones that I'm planning on checking out eventually, once I have some more free time.
Andor, Reservation Dogs, She-Hulk, Stranger Things, The English, This is Going to Hurt, Ramy, The Staircase, Pachinko, The Handmaid's Tale and The Boys.
Category four: The shows that don’t interest me but a lot of people like
These are the shows that, for one reason or another, just don't look appealing to me personally. They also haven't had enough outside conversation around them to make them interesting enough for me - but I have to give them a lot of respect.
Rings of Power, Industry, Fleishman is in Trouble, George & Tammy.
Bonus: The one I binged over the holiday season: The Bear
This show was so good and the best thing about it was it was short episodes and fast-paced. Both funny, sad, and pulls you into the world of these chefs.
My Top 10 Best Shows of 2022
#1 Better Call Saul#2 Barry#3 House of the Dragon#4 The Rehearsal#5 We Own This City#6 Severance#7 The Bear#8 Euphoria#9 The White Lotus#10 Winning Time
These are my personal favorites, and I hope that they provide some entertainment and inspiration for other television fans out there. Leave your favorites in the comments below!