EDGY ‘Fleabag,’ ‘Succession’ kept viewers riveted
‘GLOW,’ ‘Chernobyl’ also made our top 10 TV shows
OK, so maybe a “Murphy Brown” revival wasn’t such a great idea, after all. Same goes for that dismal “Game of Thrones” finale. On the other hand, there was plenty of extraordinary television to celebrate in 2019 — so much, in fact, that we experienced brain cramps trying to settle on just 10 standout shows. But we weren’t about to wimp out on the challenge. Here, then, are the top 10 scripted TV series of the year.
1
“Fleabag” (Amazon): Who knew that a series about a “dirty, pervy, angry, messedup woman” could be so fascinating? Thanks to the brilliant writing and acting of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the second season of this hilariously acerbic British import was exactly that. Routinely addressing the camera and delivering fusillades of wicked snark, our deeply flawed leading lady ushered viewers through a hodgepodge of dysfunctional family relationships, raw emotions, thorny truths and some really bad nosebleeds. Oh, and that forbidden attraction to Andrew Scott’s “hot priest”? That lifted the show to a heavenly new level.
2
“Succession” (HBO): This uproarious drama about the devilish members of a media empire family became even more darkly delicious and irresistible in a near-perfect sophomore season. Packed with wildly unpredictable plot twists and ominous intrigue, it put Logan Roy’s (Brian Cox) once-indomitable dynasty in serious peril. Along the way, we took sadistic glee in watching the ruthless power plays and bitter backstabbing unfold among a riveting group of amusingly depraved characters. To top it all off, there was that wow-worthy cliffhanger that left obsessive fans hungry for more.
3
“Watchmen” (HBO): It’s too bad that Alan Moore, co-creator of the seminal graphic novel, wanted nothing to do with Damon Lindelof’s reimagined adaptation. He missed out on the year’s most audacious piece of television. Thankfully, Lindelof (“Lost,” “The Leftovers”) has never been afraid to take big, bold creative swings. Here, he hits it out of the yard again with a mind-blowing saga set in an alternative America and bolstered by a stellar Regina King-led cast, plenty of visual dazzle, touches of humor and provocative social commentary.
4
“Pen15” (Hulu): Truth be told, the strange conceit of this new coming-of-age comedy had us skeptical: Two adult women — Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle — play versions of themselves as middle-school nerds growing up in the heyday of Blockbuster Video and the Spice Girls. (Their fellow students are portrayed by actual kids). But the leads are so incredibly engaging — and convincing — that the gimmick soon becomes an afterthought. That left us to both laugh out loud and wince at a hilarious, heartfelt series that resonates with all the traumatic awkwardness of adolescence, including what had to be the most torturous first kiss ever captured on film. (He had a “torpedo cat tongue!”)
5
“Unbelievable” (Netflix): Merritt Wever and Toni Collette delivered perfectly calibrated performances in this devastating drama about dogged detectives pursuing a serial rapist. But Kaitlyn Dever is the bruised heart of the series — playing a troubled teen who can’t convince the cops and even her closest acquaintances that she has been sexually assaulted during a home invasion. Co-created by Susannah Grant, with Berkeley novelists Ayelet Waldman and Michael Chabon, and based on actual events, “Unbelievable” moves at a methodical pace, allowing moments to land and emotions to simmer. As a result, what could have been a basic crime procedural is elevated into something that gets into your head and under your skin.
6
“When They See Us” (Netflix): Created, co-written and directed by Ava DuVernay, this emotionally wrenching miniseries recalled the nightmarish plight of the Central Park Five — young males of color who were falsely accused of raping a woman in New York in 1989. Viewers experienced both sadness and brutal jolts of anger as DuVernay explored how these incarcerated teens were abused by a blatantly racist justice system and robbed of their youth. The series is jampacked with excellent performances, none more towering than that of Jharrel Jerome, who richly deserved his Emmy recognition.
BEST OF 2019
7
“GLOW” (Netflix): Season 3 of the acclaimed 1980s period dramedy whisked the socalled Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling off to Las Vegas, where their cartoonish show earns an extended run in a hotel casino. The Sin City setting invigorated an already great series, paving the way for fresh stories and faces (hello, Geena Davis). It also found Ruth (Alison Brie), Debbie (Betty Gilpin) and their fellow ring stars grappling with new personal issues, including physical ailments, romantic entanglements and onthe-road isolation. Characters were fleshed out and relationships deepened, and under all the flashy spandex and sequins, “GLOW” continued to pack an emotional wallop.
8
“Chernobyl” (HBO): Part horror film, part cautionary tale, this chilling miniseries dramatizes the infamous 1986 Ukrainian nuclear accident and tells the stories of the noble individuals who made remarkable sacrifices to save Europe from unimaginable disaster — all while pitted against a culture of corruption and disinformation. Anchored by standout performances by Jared Harris and Emily Watson, “Chernobyl” puts human faces on one of history’s worst catastrophes. It’s difficult to watch, but impossible to forget.
9
“Back to Life” (Showtime) In this darkly comedic, smartly crafted little gem, Daisy Haggard plays Miri Matteson, who, after 18 years in prison, is struggling to gain some existential traction in her small coastal hometown where her return isn’t exactly cause for celebration. Haggard is wonderful in the role, bringing nuance and an endearing sensitivity to a character earnestly trying to make up for all those lost years. Meanwhile, the six-episode series smoothly swiveled between humor and heartache as it followed Miri’s bumpy journey and gradually uncovered fresh details of the crime that continues to haunt the town.
10
“Dead to Me” (Netflix) Two of our favorite TV actresses — Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini — headlined this tragicomedy, which is perfectly tailored for a brisk and amusing binge. Applegate, in a career-best performance, plays a temperamental young widow who lost her husband in a hit-andrun accident. Cardellini is an eccentric optimist who meets her in a grief support group. The two women bond and plenty of wild twists and stunning cliffhangers ensue in one of the year’s most addictive under-the-radar surprises.