Similar to the amount of films I watched this year, television shows were also lacking by comparison to prior years! But still, I packed in 45 shows totaling 400 episodes! That’s still nothing to sneeze at! Here’s some of the stuff that I really liked.
Somebody Somewhere – As I’m sure I’ve said in every review of this show, I just feel so good after I watch this! I am gutted that it’s over after just three short seasons, but gosh, they were all so perfect that I guess I can’t be too mad. The third season sees some hiccups between friends, but it’s really just about finding there footing after some rather large life changes. I am thrilled that Sam and her sister have a good relationship now – crazy what three seasons of character development can do for Tricia. Sam finally got her arms around Joel and his new life, and she even manages to connect with Brad like she wouldn’t allow herself to do before. But what’s even more giggly and cute is her and ‘Icelnad,’ the man renting her father’s home, trying to flirt with each other over the course of the season. I promise you won’t regret having this show be a part of your life.
Cobra Kai – Even though this ended clear back in January and it wasn’t even the whole final season, I am still going to count it. Because it’s just so freaking good and I needed another excuse to remind people that they should watch it! In this final season, Miyagi-do and Eagle Fang, aka Daniel and Johnny, have finally come together to create the super dojo needed to succeed in the Sekai Taikai. Of course, it’s never going to be as easy as we think it’s supposed to be. So that means there is plenty of sabotage, back-stabbing, and unlikely allies to lead to a brutal finale. Don’t worry though, things do end up in a positive spot for our main cast of characters, and that brought me so much joy. But also sadness that it’s over.
XO, Kitty – Again, another series that premiered very in the year, but I’m still thinking about at the very end. In my opinion, there was way too much time in between seasons of this show, but that’s neither here nor there. We learn that Kitty is allowed back at KISS, and she vows that she will leave all of the chaos behind her to really thrive in her second chance at the school. If only it were that easy. It’s like she simultaneously has three people pursuing her and none at all. I think it’s unfortunate that she really didn’t get much time to try and figure out her feelings. Even if some of those feelings might be unrequited, I still think she needed more time to sit with those by herself. Anyway, aside from the odd love triangle, there is a new girl in the mix in Dae’s life and she is an absolute psycho. So glad to be rid of her by the end of the season. Kitty’s definitely got a new journey lined up and I feel like we are going to be seeing the aftermath of it in a new season.
Hazbin Hotel – Trust me, I’m as surprised as you are that this show has made the list. This series is two things I am usually extremely opposed to: animation and musicals. But that’s exactly what this is! Hearing a song so early in the first season really took me by surprise, but the show itself is so vulgar and funny that I can’t help but like it. Blessedly, none of the songs are repetitive enough that they get stuck in my head, but I can appreciate the different genres and styles that they ace. After defeating Adam and the other angels from the most recent purge, Charlie has to try and convince the sinners of hell that not all angels are bad and that her hotel actually can save them. Heck, Heaven can’t believe it themselves when Sir Pentious shows up at their gates. The added vocal talents of Darren Criss and Patrick Stump this season are TOP TIER. I doubt this is a show for everyone, but for some reason it’s landed with me.
Stranger Things – I don’t think me adding the juggarnaut to the list is recency bias – they totally stuck the landing for the series finale! Clearly a marketing technique, the final season was released in three parts: one at Thanksgving, Christmas, and the final ‘episode’ at New Year’s Eve. Feeling unmotivated, I waited until the weekend before the final episode aired to binge this whole last season, and I’m glad I did because I COULDN’T STOP! Even though they killed Vecna at the end of last season, none of them are at all confident that he’s actually dead, especially with the sick and twisted future he showed Nancy before he vanished. Plus, Hawkins is still split in fours, and the military aren’t going anywhere. In fact, they are more focused on capturing Eleven than anything. They know a final battle is coming and the lead up, along with the epic finale has made me decide that it was worth the wait.
My Secret Vampire – This cute, short, KBL came into the mix way late in the game, but it has to be the best BL I spent time with this year. Admittedly, the number was low, but still. Usually I’m one to complain about how short KBL episodes usually are, but the format seemed to really fit this one. Before starting his school studies, Dongha moves into a room in a house otherwise inhabited by vampires. While three of them are scheming to get their first taste of fresh blood, Juwon is trying to fool himself into thinking he doesn’t care about this kid. Of course, they live two very different lives, but in romance, if you’ve got chemistry, you’ve got to make it work. The leads in this series were so cute and really sold it for me. Love!
Heated Rivalry – As I’m sure most can agree, Heated Rivalry really ended the year right. Shane and Ilya have been hockey rivals since their late teens, but they’ve also been hooking up that whole time, as well. Keeping it a secret proves more challenging as the years go by, especially as they start to learn more about themselves and the true feelings they harbor for each other. Played to perfection by two newcomers, what really shocked me most about this adapted series is the fact that it was done so by Letterkenny and Shorsey co-creator, Jacob Tierney. I can tell you that those two shows couldn’t be any further from the vibes that Heated Rivalry brings. I’m thrilled to be getting at least one other season. Look out for a full review soon!