My Year in Television (2017)

Welcome to the my third annual television-shows-of-the-year list. Netflix has made a huge bet on themselves by willingly going into enormous debt to fund a bunch of their own original programming. That gamble has seemingly paid off, as they are the clear winners of the year with so many fantastic shows in a variety of genres. We also got to enjoy a great year for returning filmmakers in David Simon (The Wire) and David Lynch (Twin Peaks). Here's my top 10 for the year with some honorable mentions as well.

1) The Deuce (Season 1: HBO) - David Simon is a genius at creating ultra realistic dialogue, lived-in settings and making a period piece that also happens to be relevant in today's culture.

2) Twin Peaks: The Return (Season 3: Showtime) - At moments funny, horrifying, and confusing, it is consistently mesmerizing.

3) Better Call Saul (Season 3: AMC) - The show keeps getting better and better. This season is on par with some of the better years of Breaking Bad.

4) The Handmaids Tale (Season 1: Hulu) - While it's certainly tough to watch, it's essential viewing. The filmmaking and performances are top notch.

5) Master of None (Season 2: Netflix) - While maybe not quite as great as season 1, this season was still one of the best things I watched this year. Terrific writing with plenty of laughs and social commentary.

6) Rick and Morty (Season 3: Adult Swim) - Another stellar season. Pickle Rick was the best episode of television I saw all year and epitomized the show: A perfect blend of dark humor, off the wall absurdity and acute insights in human insecurity.

7) Bojack Horseman (Season 4: Netflix) - Perhaps the most consistent season of the show yet. It's without a doubt the best showcase of depression and loneliness on television.

8) Glow (Season 1: Netflix) - An impressive ensemble cast with a wrestling and 80's backdrop. A beautifully written character study with a brilliant supporting performance from Marc Maron.

9) Mindhunter (Season 1: Netflix) - Any scene featuring interviews with serial killers, especially Cameron Britton, were sensational. The main character's relationship and several of the local police cases took too much of the screen time.

10) Sneaky Pete (Season 1: Amazon) - Con-artist material is just so much fun. Not only is there plenty of twists and turns, but also a lot of neat character moments as well.

Honorable Mentions (No Particular Order):

Patriot (Season 1: Amazon) Better Things (Season 2: FX) Godless (Limited Series: Netflix) Fargo (Season 3: FX) Legion (Season 1: FX) Search Party (Season 2: TBS) Insecure (Season 2: HBO) The Good Place (Seasons 1/2: NBC) American Vandal (Season 1: Netflix) Big Little Lies (Season 1: HBO)

Silicon Valley (Season 4: HBO) Brooklyn Nine Nine (Seasons 4/5: FOX) Black Mirror (Season 4: Netflix)