So, we've looked at the shows that Lost It etc, and the shows I ranked as 40 to 21. Now here are my choices for TV of 2022, 20 to 11...
20 - The English
When I drafted this list, I predicted it might get higher when we finish watching the series. As it happened, the final episode made me drop it down the list (and, honestly, it was going to drop out of the Top 20 but it was too late). For five episodes we had some remarkable writing and direction, a rare example of a writer-director (Hugo Blick) hitting the spot in both roles. Then episode six was profoundly disappointing and, surprisingly, a bit boring by the end.
We came late to the party here, only getting Now TV this year and blitzing the first four seasons. Exemplary TV writing. A good example of a show which we know people who've bailed on after one episode cos the people are so unlikeable and the setting so unrelatable (same friends who bailed on Veep). But sticking with it is rewarded with this show that make you never want to be rich or powerful or live in the biggest houses in the world.
18 - The Responder
Martin Freeman as a Liverpudlian cop who's enmired in crime. Way better than that makes it sound. One of those shows that makes their central actors work look so realistic you take it for granted. It's only when you watch actors who aren't as good as this, with scripts that aren't as well written, that you're reminded the quality you're looking at here.
17 - The Tourist
Harry & Jack Williams getting back on form with the sort of writing they do best, surprising at every turn with a good few "never saw that coming" moments. A brilliant ensemble cast, in a story that brilliantly makes the vast arid landscape of outback Australia seem oppressive and claustrophobic.
16 - A Friend Of The Family
An interesting find, based on a true story of a kidnapping and gaslighting. Stayed the course surprisingly well despite (spoiler alert) the true life story fizzling out a bit. The bald guy? That's Tom Hanks' son. And the traditional Olivia Colman Award for most impressive wobbly-lip troubled-face acting of the year goes to Anna Paquin.
15 - The Sandman
I never warmed to the comics at the time, and re-reading them they can be quite variable, depending quite often on the artwork. This is more consistent and, staying remarkably true to the originals, squeezes the best out of what was there in the first place. Some silly voices, and much suspension of disbelief required.
14 - The Capture 2
A great premise, very Black Mirror, told well. Sometimes that's all it takes. Taking a sci fi concept, in this case Deep Fakes, and making it into a crime drama that still appears to take place in the real world is great when it's pulled off well. (As another show, that made the Top 10, demonstrated even better).
13 - Inside Man
This nonsense started jumping the shark before it had even started. The actions of the characters, in particular David Tennant's, beggared belief and had you going "what?" on a regular basis. Cardboard, cartoonish, contrived, and very silly. But, on the other hand, you couldn't not watch it. And there's nothing else like it on the telly (apart from elements of one show that makes my Top Ten this year, which Steven Moffat, the author of this, was also involved in. Serial killer with arms chained to interview table? Stay tuned for that).
12 - Stranger Things 4
Such a cult event. I won't forget in a hurry doing the Comic Con in London and seeing literally hundreds of kids all wearing a Hellfire Club t shirt. For a show to have that much impact is a delightful phenomenon. And this season was way better than the previous one too, so all good.
11 - Better Call Saul 6
Now that's what I call seeing the show through to the end. Keeping the quality and originality as high as it did for as long as it did took some doing. The move into Saul's later black and white world is incredible television, the like of which most people can only dream of achieving.
Which leaves us only my Top Ten TV Of 2022. Here they are...
Prince Of Denmark Street - Amazon - Etsy
Midsummer Nights Dream Team - Amazon - Etsy
