15. “Reservation Dogs” (FX)
Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi created one of the best new dramedies in years with this FX on Hulu ensemble piece about Indigenous people living in Oklahoma. Culturally rich, hysterically funny, remarkably heartfelt, and ultimately incredibly moving, “Reservation Dogs” follows four Indigenous teenagers in a small rural community, balancing stories that haven’t really been told on television before with universally relatable themes, especially for young people. Wonderfully episodic–each of the eight episodes could basically work as a standalone short film–the cumulative impact of “Reservation Dogs” is a sort of tapestry of rich, lovable characters. Standouts include the future star Devery Jacobs and wonderful character actors like Zahn McClarnon and Wes Studi. It’s a refreshingly unpredictable show, producing big laughs in one scene and incredibly moving character beats in the next. It’s going to be fun to watch these kids grow up. – BT
14. “WandaVision” (Disney+)
How would Marvel Studios take its blockbuster storytelling and translate it for a TV audience? Well, the world found out in the most unlikely of ways, as “WandaVision” debuted and mixed ‘Avengers’ storytelling with classic sitcoms and a touching story of loss and grief, all told through the prism of a relationship between an orphan girl and her android lover. It’s weird, wild, thought-provoking stuff, and a real change of pace from the formulaic MCU films that preceded it. “WandaVision” not only kicked off Marvel Studios’ introduction to Disney+ and streaming, but it did so by showing just how the power of episodic storytelling can not only work for the MCU but actually enhance it. And by the end of its 9-episode run, you’re going to find yourself shedding a tear for the doomed relationship at its core and discover how much you care about the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany). Oh yeah, and Kathryn Hahn is great. – CB
13. “What We Do in the Shadows” (FX)
The third season of FX’s biggest current comedy hit was bound to be a bit of a letdown after the brilliance of their breakthrough second season but it’s still one of the most consistently hysterical shows on television. Created by Jemaine Clement as a spin-off of his 2014 film of the same name, the writers of “What We Do in the Shadows” embedded the idea of “what do we do now” into their very narrative as the vampire roommates of Staten Island struggled with what to do after learning that their familiar was a lethal hunter of creatures of the night. The writing is still sharp but what really stood out in season three was the incredible chemistry of this ensemble. Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, and Mark Proksch know how to bring out the best in each other as comedic performers. May they continue to do so for years to come. – BT
12. “Maid” (Netflix)
One of the most unexpectedly moving and successful dramas of 2021, this Netflix show is based on the book “Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive” by Stephanie Land. Margaret Qualley gives maybe the best performance of the year as Alex, a woman who flees her abusive boyfriend Sean (Nick Robinson) in the show’s opening scene, sending her on a journey to try and provide a safe roof over her daughter’s head. She ends up cleaning homes, befriending a wealthy client named Regina (Anika Noni Rose), and making other friends along the way, but “Maid” is a smarter show than the traditional melodrama it could have been. It becomes a character study about how we balance independence with relying on the kindness of others, and there’s not a false performance in the entire piece. Unexpectedly moving and even funny at times, it’s one of Netflix’s best shows. – BT
11. “The Beatles: Get Back” (Disney+)
With all his bonus directors cuts and extended versions of various projects (looking at you, ‘Lord Of The Rings’), Peter Jackson is certainly not one for brevity. His 8-hour Beatles documentary ‘Get Back,’ about the making of their second last record Let It Be, (which actually became their last record because it was released after Abbey Road) is an immersive deep-dive into the making of this legendary album. Culled from over 60 hours of footage and over 100 hours of additional audio or something insane like that, Jackson is clearly overwhelmed by this goldmine treasure trove of footage and that’s why the docu-series is three parts and 8 hours. While some had major issues with its baggy, leisurely pace (see our review), the doc is still nonetheless fascinating. Experiencing songs in an embryonic state, coming to life before your eyes is pretty amazing, even some of it is just jamming. Plus you get some drama (George Harrison almost quitting the group), some incredible stories, and moments (Billy Preston sitting in with the band on keyboards and then being invited to stay cause he’s so amazing is incredible to watch). Perhaps most engrossing is the subtle way it shows a Beatles break-up: Paul McCartney ever-so-slightly trying to lead and steer the ship in the face of their recently deceased manager, and everyone else ever-so-slightly resenting him for doing it, even though it clearly needs to be done. If anything, ‘Get Back’ is an aftermath document about how the loss of one crucial cog in the wheel, set the stage for the dissolution of the world’s greatest band. – Rodrigo Perez
