Best TV of 2022 — So Far
It’s no secret to fans of good television that time is a precious commodity and sitting down for hours on end to catch up with so many…
It’s no secret to fans of good television that time is a precious commodity and sitting down for hours on end to catch up with so many fantastic series just isn’t happening. It’s part of the collective consciousness these days to bemoan how the bounty of worthy shows available has surpassed even the most imaginative TV fans’ expectations. To borrow from Adrian Monk, this is a blessing … and a curse. Such is life in the streaming age.
Below are the 10 best shows I’ve seen during the first six months of this year. I’ve also thrown in a few others that just missed the cut. So fantastic was the main crop, I almost didn’t rank them. For the first time ever, I seriously contemplated releasing an alphabetized list. That’s how strong the offerings for 2022 have been thus far.
While you check that out, I’ll be chipping away at my To Be Watched queues — a thankless yet enjoyable task. Poor me.
10) Search Party (HBO Max)
The dark comedy wrapped things up in an immensely satisfying way. Although those hoping Dory, Drew, Portia, and Elliot would get their comeuppance may want to temper their expectations. Over five seasons, their stories were consistently hilarious, ridiculous, and completely appropriate for their characters. There was no real emotional growth whatsoever and I have never been happier about that.
9) Gentleman Jack (HBO)
Anne Lister was a real-life trailblazer, an outlier for her era who made no apologies for who she was. It’s easy to see why women wanted to be with her and men wanted to destroy her. Brought to vivid life by the magnificent Suranne Jones, Anne continued to take risks in business and in her relationship with the lovely Ann Walker (played with relish by Sophie Rundle) with varying results. It’s heartbreaking that season two looks to be its last.
8) Breeders (FX)
If you thought last season was rough for Ally and Paul, you might want to sit down. The dramedy about parenthood and couplehood deepened its understanding of these characters during the latest run. While series two focused on son Luke’s growing pains and his fractured relationship with Paul, the spotlight lands on daughter Ava and her now-strained bond with Ally for series three. Not to mention the fissures in Ally and Paul’s marriage that continue due to his anger management issues. It may not be an easy watch, but it is a rewarding one that can be laugh out loud funny.
7) Atlanta (FX)
With the extended hiatus between seasons two and three finally over, this series continued to experiment in bold ways. The latest season was a mix of issue-oriented fables featuring a different troupe of actors each episode and Europe-centric tales starring the regular cast. Never one to rest on its laurels, the series and the outstanding main ensemble — Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, Zazie Beetz, and LaKeith Stanfield — defied expectations.
6) Ms. Marvel (Disney+)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first Muslim superhero also happens to be one of the most delightful characters to ever hit the MCU. Kamala Kahn (a winning turn by Iman Vellani) is a breath of fresh air. When a family heirloom unlocks abilities within her beyond anything she thought possible, Kamala takes the chance to transform her high school self into a force of good. How the show balances her everyday life while offering a rich cultural experience and the expected Marvel action set pieces is an impressive feat that not all of the MCU series have pulled off. Another reason why Ms. Marvel — both the show and the woman — is the superhero we need and deserve.
5) Single Drunk Female (Freeform)
Samantha Fink belly flopped into rock bottom. Yes, it did hurt like a sonofabitch. Thanks for asking. Now she’s back home living with her mom, working at the local supermarket, and attending Alcoholics Anonymous. She’s also reconnecting with old friends and attempting making amends for her not-so-idyllic past while trying her best to stay sober. Don’t worry, it’s a comedy. Sofia Black-D’Elia leads a crackerjack ensemble that includes the iconic Ally Sheedy as Sam’s mom.
4) Euphoria (HBO)
Hitting operatic levels in its long-awaited season two, the teen drama hit the ground running and never stopped. From the flashback of a young Fezco to Rue’s epic foot chase throughout Los Angeles to the revelatory deep dive into Cal’s past to the opening night of Lexi’s autobiographical play, there was rarely a chance to catch your breath. Absorbing and addictive with a terrific ensemble, featuring phenomenal performance at its center from the Emmy-winning Zendaya.
3) The Bear (FX)
Running a restaurant is tougher than you may think. Especially when the sandwich shop you’ve taken over belonged to your recently deceased brother, who was massively in debt, and your crew doesn’t necessarily appreciate what you’re trying to bring to the establishment. Carmen is running uphill and his own issues only add to the weight he’s carrying. The cast is amazing — Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Ayo Edebiri are standouts — and the dark comedy’s Rescue Me vibes are pitch perfect.
2) Heartstopper (Netflix)
This splendid adaptation of the graphic novel by Alice Oseman, who is also the head writer and showrunner, will make your heart lift even as it aches. Nick and Charlie hang out with different crowds; once they meet, however, there is no denying that they are drawn to each other. Friends, enemies, and teenage anxiety threaten to derail their romance before it even begins. A dream of a series, you’ll be deep in your feels and loving every minute. How many times will you rewatch before series two drops?
1) Better Things (FX)
Leave it to Pamela Adlon to write not only a perfect final season, but an exquisite series finale. Throughout five seasons, this dramedy never put a wrong foot forward. We went on an emotional journey with Sam Fox as she navigated her way through a life that she loved as much as her three amazing daughters and her eccentric mother. Not once did the stories or the characters’ actions feel contrived. Everything felt alive and organic, like you were part of Sam’s life and she was part of yours. With Better Things, Adlon created that rare beast most writers and directors only dream of — a masterpiece.
Best of the Rest
All Creatures Great and Small (PBS); Astrid and Lilly Save the World (Syfy); Batwoman (The CW); Before We Die (PBS); Endeavour (PBS); Kung Fu (The CW); Roar (Apple TV+); Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy (CNN); and Stranger Things (Netflix).
Joanne Thornborough is a pop culture junkie with a particular love for film, TV and the printed word. Find her at @cinelitchick on Twitter.