10 Shows of 2022
Around New Year's Eve of 2021, I started making a list of all the television shows I was watching. The list includes any show that I have started (dating back to 2013ish) and have yet to finish. There were forty-six shows on the list. My primary goal for 2022 became to finish ten shows off the list – a task that seemed easy.
I made a spreadsheet (of course) by going through my head and my streaming service watchlists trying to remember each show. Then, I listed the number of episodes, the number I have watched and the percentage of the show I have completed. Finally, I added columns for completion dates and ranking. I alphabetized and color coded the spreadsheet – creatively titled Unfinished Shows – for my sanity.
I completed my goal of finishing ten shows - here are my brief thoughts on each (listed below in order of completion date)!
Emily in Paris
I did not like it and thought season 2 was worse than season 1. Emily was almost insufferable as her one-dimensional perspective created problems for everyone around her. Emily’s lack of effort towards or appreciation for French culture is disappointing. I would much rather see a show about a girl absolutely in love with France and the culture instead of snubbing it at every opportunity (or a show about Mindy or Sylvie). I am already watching season 3… I rank it a 4/10. (Finished on 1/5/22)
This Is a Robbery: The World’s Greatest Art Heist
This was a thrilling Netflix documentary about the Isabella Gardner Art Museum heist in Boston and it was perfect. I cannot even remember why I started it, but it had me absolutely hooked from the first episode. It is a highly informative four-part series that kept me on the edge of my seat until the end. If you love true crime, heists, and art history but are not into gore or violence this one is a wonderful choice. 10/10. (Finished on 1/10/22)
Salt Fat Acid Heat
I call this one a cooking exploration show, and we need more of them. Think Cannes film festival worthy food network (do not think too much) helmed by Samin Nosrat - it was a creative and beautiful look into the pillars of cooking told from unique perspectives and interwoven with rich cultural insights. It reigns as one of my favorites from the year and was phenomenal work by the whole team. It is only four episodes and I wish it were longer. 9.8/10 (Finished on 1/13/22)
Greenhouse Academy
I started this one with my brother (and he finished it long before I did). It was a cute and lighthearted show about two rival teams of genius kids at a prestigious tech school. The plot was unique so points for that. The acting was okay (think PBS kids/Nick/Disney level), but I think the plot twists in the script help make up for that. Fun for the whole family but overall, a 5/10 for me. (finished on 1/23/22)
Seinfeld
I loved (almost) every minute of it. Peak comedy - this cast deserves every rose coming their way. For a show about nothing, it never had a dull moment. As a member of multiple minority groups, however, I did not always love the jokes made at the expense of minority groups (typical then, yes, but slightly off-putting now). But it was hilarious, unexpected, and truly made me want to watch the next episode. They do nothing very well. 9.5/10. (Finished on 3/27/22)
Bridgerton
This show is a crowd favorite, and for good reasons. The cast performances in season 2 were lovely and the whole project just comes together very well across the board. I binge watched it quickly. For me, it is a toss-up which season is better (although Kanthony is my favorite of the two couples) because of the diverging plots. I finished excited and ready for season 3 which is always a good sign. 8.9/10 (Finished on 3/29/22)
Never Have I Ever
This show is so much fun to watch when Devi is not being the worst version of herself. So, most times it is an enjoyable time. I love her chemistry with Ben and Paxton (although that age gap between actors is too much for me to ignore) and the side characters are amazing supporting cast. I feel like each season does a better job than the last at developing stories and dynamics, but it stays deliciously cheesy. It is also very relatable to someone who was nerdy/unpopular in high school (me). 8.2/10 (finished on 8/22/22)
Partner Track
Writing this post cancelation - RIP. It was such a fun watch - think if Suits was on Freeform in the mid-2010s: it is this show and it works so well. It has a cute romantic comedy vibe without falling prey to the worst of the pitfalls. They touched on heavier subjects (like freeform would of course) and its cast was great. I hope they all head on to greater things (Bradley Gibson is already on his way to Mt. Olympus as Hercules on Broadway) and meanwhile I will be rewatching these fondly. And reading the book! 7.8/10 (finished on 9/14/22)
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
The title is a mouthful to say but well worth talking about. The creative team absolutely nailed the drama kids’ drama. The team is clearly pivoting the show well into fresh territory in the absence of Olivia Rodrigo (more on that later). In the best way, she does not feel missed. It feels very much like a different world from season 1 to season 2 with Gina/Ricky/EJ storyline front and center (but Ashlyn and Carlos right there with them). I am excited for the next season! 7.6/10 (finished on 9.20)
Boy Meets World
What a rollercoaster - starts off so good, wholesome, sweet but ends up being a lesson in why television should not romanticize harassment for entertainment. I loathed the last few seasons where the crew is in college - the jokes got worse, the plot line became predictable, and by the end I wanted to fight Cory in a Walmart parking lot on behalf of Topanga, Angela, and Rachel (and I won’t even talk about what they did to Shawn and Angela’s storyline because I am still mad). It gets points for being good early on, but the last couple seasons tank the rating for me. 6.5/10 (finished 11.8)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
This came highly recommended from everyone - and it lives up to expectations! They hit bumps when they switched stations/platforms and the whole precinct started cursing more (which would not be problematic save the bleeping that now interrupted every episode). And then there was the 2020 season - wowie. Not a great start (one of the lowest rated episodes in the whole show) and they needed a good start to recover from the year we were having. The ending was sweet, though, and I cried so it gets a solid 8.8/10.
That is eleven shows total but only ten if you do not count Emily in Paris (my Instagram poll told me it does not count)! Stay tuned to see the spreadsheet and which ten shows are on deck for 2023!