by: Yanick Theodose
2017 was another banner year for television, rife with a collection of shows that should not be missed…
It feels TV series just keep on getting better with each passing year, and it appears as if this Golden Age of Television we are living in continues to roll on. As a matter of fact, several big Hollywood actors and directors have decided to bet on it and that has increased both the offering and the quality of the series that premiered — or carried on — in 2017. Here are a few of the ones I think demanding viewers should not miss.
I recently read a comparison between Tony Soprano (The Sopranos), Walter White (Breaking Bad) and BoJack Horseman, the main character of the series named for him. It was part of a review that stated that the protagonist of this animated series was becoming one of those legends that come around sparingly. This is one of the best television series out there, and in its fourth season, which premiered this year, it has proved to be funny and heartbreaking in equal doses. Not only does BoJack — a humanoid horse — make it appealing, but also the rest of the characters are engaging, including Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris) and Todd Chavez, whose voice belongs to multifaceted Aaron Paul, the breakout star from Breaking Bad, and Alison Brie does a wonderful job as the voice of Diana Nguyen. Give this series a chance, and you’ll soon find yourself hooked on the creative and crude way in which it portrays Hollywood.
Another series that shouldn’t be missed is Mindhunter, which was originally released in October on Netflix. Created by Joe Penhall, this series is produced by Charlize Theron and David Fincher. The latter — who seems to be fascinated by serial killers and was behind Seven and Zodiac —directed some of Midhunter’s best episodes. Following the story of two FBI agents seeking to understand how criminal minds work while developing profiling techniques, the way in which this story unfolds is masterful; few series take their time to reveal facts and understand its characters like this one does. Considering the underlying topic, it’s not for all audiences, but those who are into crime dramas will surely — and tensely — enjoy Mindhunter.
Aimed at the soft spots of our national fascination with popular culture and bolstered with characters that are easily likable, on its second time around Stranger Things did not disappoint. If you were born in the 80s — and understand all the references made in this series — or even if not, the idea of a group of friends solving mysteries and saving each other never gets old. In the second season, there seems to be an intention of digging a little deeper into the sometimes-complex nature of the characters that make Stranger Things a unique work of art, one that has even brought Wynona Ryder back into the spotlight.
The Handmaiden’s Tale, an adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel, is another series worth watching despite its sometimes sensationalist crudeness. Big Little Lies, starring Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon, premiered in February 2017 and is another great product that tackles some very current issues regarding domestic abuse and parenting. As far as comedies go, The Good Place has an interesting premise and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt can certainly make you laugh, but if you want to end the year in a great mood, make sure you watch the ninth season — eleven years after the eighth one came out — of Will & Grace. Time has passed, but in this case, for the better.
