2020 TV Awards
Despite how rubbish 2020 has been on the whole, the quality of TV has far exceeded expectations and in my eyes it’s one of the best years of TV I’ve ever seen in my life. There has been a large number of excellent series, both fictional and non-fictional, available on traditional TV and satellite services, as well as via streaming. So, what are my top 10 favourite TV shows of the year? Bear in mind there's an awful lot of TV I didn't get around to watching or finishing this year so I will only consider series I have seen every new episode of, so that means no Mandalorian I'm afraid. Let’s get counting shall we!
#10 High Score (Netflix)
#10 High Score (Netflix)
It’s rare that as a gamer you’re able to find decent films or TV shows about video games. High Score was certainly a step in the right direction though as it presented various aspects of the history of videogaming, from its roots up to more recent events, in ways that I have never seen tackled before. Regular appearances from contestants of early videogame championships (before they were called e-sports and were held in shopping centres), as well as detailed information about industry progression from the minds behind some of the most important games in history such as StarFox 64, Ms. Pac Man, and E.T: The Extra Terrestrial.
Whilst I was not a fan of the show’s narrator, High Score was overall an enjoyable and educational experience even for someone who considers themselves as well versed in videogame history as myself.
#9 Westworld Season 3 (HBO)
Whilst I was not a fan of the show’s narrator, High Score was overall an enjoyable and educational experience even for someone who considers themselves as well versed in videogame history as myself.
#9 Westworld Season 3 (HBO)
After a disastrous Season 2, the odds were stacked against Westworld to recover for its third and at one point seemingly final season. Despite never achieving the same quality of the incredible first season, Season 3 does a lot to correct the mistakes made in Season 2 and provides a season that is full of unexpected twists and explosive action. Shifting its focus out of the amusement park and into the wider world, Westworld Season 3 is all about corporate espionage and the ignition of a war between A.I and humanity on a much grander scale. Where Season 4 goes I am unsure, but it certainly worked hard to recapture my interest in the show.
#8 The Walking Dead Season 10 (AMC)
#8 The Walking Dead Season 10 (AMC)
The Walking Dead has been on one hell of a warpath in recent years to re-establish itself as a show worth watching. After a string of low-quality seasons, the last few years the show’s creators have been hard at work restoring it to its former glory and Season 10 is one of the shows best since its initial outing. Upon writing this list it has recently been announced that Season 10 will actually continue through 2021 due to Season 11’s production being halted because of the pandemic; the most recent episode of Season 10 was designed to be the series finale so I’ll consider it in this list out of technicality. One thing is for certain though, with a comeback like The Walking Dead has had I cannot wait to see how the final season plays out in 2022.
#7 The Boys Season 2 (Prime Video)
#7 The Boys Season 2 (Prime Video)
Amazon’s The Boys came out of the gates kicking and screaming last year with a bold, bloody, and fresh take on deconstructing the superhero genre with a look on how superheroes are such a hot commodity since the explosion of the MCU in Hollywood. Whilst Season 2 doesn’t quite match the incredibly high standards set by the first season, it does expand on the story in interesting ways and the cast deliver some kick ass performances. Full of sex, drugs, racism, gratuitous violence, and a whole lot of the word c*nt, The Boys Season 2 is not for the easily offended, or those prone to being grossed out by exploding heads.
#6 Two Weeks to Live (Sky)
#6 Two Weeks to Live (Sky)
A quirky little one-off black comedy with Game of Thrones’ Arya Stark on the leading role; Two Weeks to Live tells the story of Kim (Maisie Williams), a girl raised in isolation by her mother, who goes out on her own to visit her dad’s favourite places from before he died so she can finally lay his ashes to rest. However, when she is tricked by two young men she meets in a pub into thinking that the world will end in two weeks the group ends up fighting for their lives against a group of gangsters who Kim kills the ringleader of out of revenge for murdering her father.
Two Weeks to Live is exceptionally funny and has a great cast, not to mention that most of it was filmed in and around my hometown of Herne Bay, Kent. Two Weeks to Live is a short, sharp, burst of energy to your system that is the perfect pallet cleanser coming off the back of a bigger more brain intensive series.
#5 Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich (Netflix)
Two Weeks to Live is exceptionally funny and has a great cast, not to mention that most of it was filmed in and around my hometown of Herne Bay, Kent. Two Weeks to Live is a short, sharp, burst of energy to your system that is the perfect pallet cleanser coming off the back of a bigger more brain intensive series.
#5 Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich (Netflix)
If 2020 was the year of COVID-19 then 2019 was most definitely the year of the Epstein Sex Scandal. This documentary series follows the evidence trail back to the 1990’s, as well as even further back in Epstein’s career to try and help audiences understand how someone so well-known with friends and connections all over the globe could have been soliciting minors for sex for so long. The documentary pulls no punches and attempts to pin those connected to Epstein, but yet to have received any scrutiny from the law, into a corner and expose their potential involvement with a crime ring that crossed continents over decades. A fascinating, but at times uncomfortable watch.
#4 Utopia (Prime Video)
#4 Utopia (Prime Video)
Channel 4’s Utopia is among my favourite TV shows of all time that was cancelled in its prime and viewers never got to see how the show would end. Six years later in collaboration with author of Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn, Amazon rebooted the show with an American cast in the hopes of breathing new life into a property that holds such great promise. It worked too with many aspects of the show being better than the original (as well as some that weren’t, but overall a pretty solid remake). A group of comic book fans who uncover an unreleased manuscript for the sequel to their favourite comic, only to discover that it details an impending pandemic. A secret organisation starts to hunt them down and literal madness ensues. Unfortunately, be it low viewership numbers or poor timing of releasing a paranoia driven thriller about a pandemic during a real pandemic, Utopia did not meet Amazon’s expectations and it too will no longer see the light of day. So, check it out and campaign to Amazon to get it revived so we can get more of this awesome show!
#3 The Third Day (Sky & HBO)
#3 The Third Day (Sky & HBO)
These last three entries were so difficult to choose between because they were not only some of the year’s best TV, but they are also some of the best TV I’ve ever seen. I was so spoiled for choice this year! The Third Day sees Marc Munden (creator of the original UK Utopia series, see above) collaborate with Sky & HBO to create a TV series quite unlike any other you’ve seen before. Due to the pandemic, it didn’t quite plan out how it had been envisioned but it is a stunning watch regardless. Two three-part miniseries bookend an ambitious twelve hour live performance that tells the story of Sam (Jude Law), a man grieving the loss of his son as he becomes trapped on Osea Island, just off the coast of Essex. The locals are preparing for a festival, but he suspects foul play at hand and begins to unearth some horrifying secrets about the locals, the island, and himself. Followed up by Helen (Naomie Harris) and her daughters travelling to Osea following the festival in search for Sam, who witness what he has become, as well as what role they have to play in Osea’s rebirth.
Incredible performances, gorgeous cinematography, rich real-life history setting the stage for a pulse pounding psychological thriller that left me with my jaw on the floor after every episode. Whilst the live performance may not be to everyone’s taste, I cannot recommend checking out the six traditional episodes enough. Some of the most expertly crafted TV I’ve ever seen.
#2 Tiger King (Netflix)
Incredible performances, gorgeous cinematography, rich real-life history setting the stage for a pulse pounding psychological thriller that left me with my jaw on the floor after every episode. Whilst the live performance may not be to everyone’s taste, I cannot recommend checking out the six traditional episodes enough. Some of the most expertly crafted TV I’ve ever seen.
#2 Tiger King (Netflix)
Just as the world was going into lockdown Netflix provided audiences with a show that would keep people talking about it not only for the rest of lockdown but for the rest of the year. A documentary series that begins as a peek behind the curtains of big cat sanctuaries in the United States and their alleged mistreatment of the animals, Tiger King pulls the rug out from under your feet by uncovering a murder mystery case, attempted assassinations, cults, polyamory, drug trafficking, and suicides. What starts as a documentary about animal welfare rapidly escalates into something out of a crime thriller and its proof that sometimes reality is indeed stranger than fiction. With an extremely memorable cast of eccentric individuals, Tiger King is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen and a real example of you have to see it to believe just how crazy this thing gets.
#1 The Queen's Gambit (Netflix)
#1 The Queen's Gambit (Netflix)
Here we are, we’ve had a list of superheroes, zombies, pandemic paranoia, child sex rings, and big cats…and now we have reached the end where what awaits is just a simple game of Chess.
The Queen’s Gambit tells the story of Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), an orphan who discovers she is an extremely gifted Chess player. Set during the 1960’s, Beth attends competitions and progresses through the ranks with her goal being to become the #1 ranking Chess player in the world. Along the way she faces stiff competition both in terms of skilled players, but also from the media and their ideas on why a woman shouldn’t be playing Chess. She also needs to battle her own demons with her addiction to sedatives and alcohol.
The Queen’s Gambit is the ultimate rock star story, but rather than a rock star it’s a Chess player. All the highs, the lows, and everything in between, The Queen’s Gambit has it. With exceptionally terrific performances from the main cast, gorgeous sets and costumes, as well as a story that can appeal to anyone regardless of their understanding or opinion of the game. If you watch anything this year, make sure it’s The Queen’s Gambit.
The Queen’s Gambit tells the story of Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), an orphan who discovers she is an extremely gifted Chess player. Set during the 1960’s, Beth attends competitions and progresses through the ranks with her goal being to become the #1 ranking Chess player in the world. Along the way she faces stiff competition both in terms of skilled players, but also from the media and their ideas on why a woman shouldn’t be playing Chess. She also needs to battle her own demons with her addiction to sedatives and alcohol.
The Queen’s Gambit is the ultimate rock star story, but rather than a rock star it’s a Chess player. All the highs, the lows, and everything in between, The Queen’s Gambit has it. With exceptionally terrific performances from the main cast, gorgeous sets and costumes, as well as a story that can appeal to anyone regardless of their understanding or opinion of the game. If you watch anything this year, make sure it’s The Queen’s Gambit.