Top 10 TV Shows of 2017

Every year television proves itself to be a medium that continues to push boundaries and break down barriers, 2017 is one of the finest examples of this yet. Throughout the year there have been a wide number of series that have pushed the envelope in terms of storytelling, visuals, and subject matter. From old favourites to new, there have been plenty of shows this year to get stuck into, and plenty more that I personally still haven't seen. The following is a list of my top 10 TV shows of 2017, which means I'll be basing it off shows that I've seen. Unfortunately I can't watch every single show, so if some of your favourites aren't here I most likely haven't gotten around to them. So let's begin shall we?

10. Big Mouth

Upon first glance, you may think Big Mouth is nothing more than your average adult cartoon, in line with the likes of South Park and Family Guy, however, it's so much more than that. The show follows Nick (Nick Kroll) and Andrew (Andrew Goldberg), two boys bordering on their teenage years whose experiences with puberty manifest themselves in bizarre ways, most notably in the form of  sleazy hormone monster Maurice (also voiced by Kroll). In Big Mouth nothing is too crude to show, for example there's one scene where one of the characters imagines the rest of his basketball team as giant penises, so that's a taste of what goes on in this show. However, it always manages to back up its vulgar sense of humour with messages regarding puberty to which many of us can relate to. One episode deals with a character coming to terms with his sexuality (accompanied by a Freddie Mercury-led musical number about the joys of being gay), while another looks at unplanned pregnancy through the use of a pillow (don't ask). It's obscene and relentless, but it's also quite empathetic, and it's ability to deal with such mature themes without becoming too preachy is one that translates well with viewers. Big Mouth was definitely the surprise animated hit of the year, currently holding an unbelievable 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and with that cliffhanger at the end of it all one can hardly wait for the second season. 

9. Mr. Mercedes

It's been quite a year from Stephen King on both the big screen and the small screen. From the likes of IT and Gerald's Game, King has seen a number of successful adaptations of his novels this year, and Mr. Mercedes was one of the most gripping of them all. Based on his novel of the same name, Mr. Mercedes follows retired detective Bill Hodges (Brendan Gleeson) who clashes with a mysterious figure who claims to have been behind a violent homicide that Hodges never solved. The results are a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with extremely violent consequences. Mr. Mercedes will forever be remembered for having one of the most shocking opening scenes ever, I'm not going to spoil it here, but it's safe to say that nothing was held back. After such an explosive opening, it was hard not to become enthralled in this tense mystery-thriller that is somewhat reminiscent of a Michael Mann film. We view these events unfold from both sides, through the eyes of Hodges himself, and the disturbed 'Merceded Killer' Brady Hartsfield (Harry Treadaway) watching both of them develop and seeing how their actions effect each other. With every violent turn the show takes, things become more and more afflicting before building up to an incredibly suspenseful finale where our two central characters finally come face-to-face. As well as that, it's got one of the best television soundtracks in recent years, with the likes of Pixies and The Cramps on the playlist. Mr. Mercedes was one of the most enthralling crime-thriller's of the year, with several aspects sure to make viewers quite uncomfortable as well, in classic King fashion. King has two more novels about Bill Hodges and co. so a second season is certainly on the cards, and judging by the first, it's sure to be another wild ride. 

8. Game of Thrones- Season 7

The biggest show on television returned a little later than usual this year, with only 7 episodes instead of the usual 10, however, Game of Thrones still managed to deliver another superb season that set up what looks to be a truly epic final run. This season saw a number of characters finally crossing paths, as Jon Snow (Kit Harrington) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) joined forces in order to combat the horrific white walkers approaching from the North. Meanwhile, Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) began to assert her power as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, while the rest of the Stark children formed a strong alliance back in Winterfell. It was a highly satisfying season in terms of fan-service, with many characters finally meeting, reuniting, and returning after a long absence, it certainly allowed for all the pieces to finally fall into place. Like every season, the seventh included some truly breathtaking sequences as well, most notably the Battle of the Goldroad and that truly shocking final sequence on the wall, it's not one to forget so easily. This season also saw some marvellous special effects as well, particularly the dragons who had never felt so imposing before. Amidst all of the action and overlapping story arcs, it did feel as though the writers were playing things a bit too safe in comparison to earlier seasons, however, judging by how things are set up for season 8 one can be sure that this won't last for long. Alliances were made, promises were broken, and all the pieces fell into place in one of the shows most epic seasons yet, it's safe to say that the final season will be something spectacular.

7. A Series of Unfortunate Events

Many of you will remember Daniel Handler's marvelously morbid children's books written under his pseudonym Lemony Snickett, following three orphaned siblings who overcome a number of bizarre obstacles to escape the clutches of the evil Count Olaf. While they were adapted into an enjoyable film with Jim Carrey, it ultimately failed to spawn a franchise and it looked as though we had seen the last of the Baudelaire orphans, until now. Developed by Barry Sonnenfeld and Mark Hudis, the series put Neil Patrick Harris in the role of the malevolent Count Olaf, while Patrick Warburton takes on the role of the mysterious narrator Lemony Snickett. The series managed to capture the tone of the books down to a T, that morose sense of melancholy blended with some pitch-black humour to create a dark mystery series that is both enthralling and hilarious. Harris particularly stands out as Olaf, adding a distinctive layer of menace to the character that wasn't as prominent in Carrey's portrayal. As well as that, he further manages to bring to life all of Olaf's aliases, from the Italian snake-handler Stefano, to one-legged sailor Captain Sham. Then of course, there are the wonderful visuals that feel like a unique cross between the films of Wes Anderson and Tim Burton, creating this dark, yet quirky world for our characters to inhabit. It was an absolute pleasure to see these books finally getting the attention they deserve after all these years, the format of a television series is much more suitable for such an extensive story, allowing for more in-depth developments that could not have been done in the film. The first season only covered four of the twelve books as well, so we can expect further adventures for the Baudelaire orphans in the coming year. 

6. American Gods 

Based on the bestselling novel by Neil Gaiman, American Gods follows ex-convict Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle) who meets the mysterious Mr. Wednesday (Ian McShane) upon his release from prison, pulling him into a dangerous conflict between the old gods of mythology, and the new. With Hannibal's Bryan Fuller serving as one of the first seasons showrunners, naturally the visuals are second to none. The show is packed with some truly gorgeous cinematography that really breathes life into these characters and the world in which they inhabit, but it's not all style-over-substance either, as American Gods has an interesting narrative to match its sense of style. It only covers a small portion of the book, allowing to further develop these characters and for the story to unravel at a slower pace. It's evident from the first episode that this is another show continuing to push boundaries, we know this when we see Yetide Badaki's character Bilquis consuming a man with her own vagina during sex. Yep, you didn't misread that, trust me. It's a show that blurs the lines between the real world, and the world of the supernatural that pits these mythological figures and ancient deities against modern society. It deals with the old being replaced by the new, and how these older customs manage to survive through this. Season 1 acted as the essential set up for things to come, introducing the ensemble of characters and setting up their respective arcs. With the setup complete, it's safe to say that season 2 will be equally alluring and will hopefully continue to push boundaries with its overall strangeness, even without Fuller as showrunner. 

5. Stranger Things- Season 2

The first season of Stranger Things was the surprise hit of 2016, paying homage to the likes of Steven Spielberg, Stephen King, and John Carpenter, while establishing its own mythology as well. Since its release last year, the show became a cultural phenomenon, raising expectations significantly for season 2, and it's safe to say it certainly exceeded all of them. Set a year after the events of the first season, Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) struggles with the trauma of being trapped in the upside-down, suffering from strange dreams and hallucinations that reveal to him a new threat to the town of Hawkins. The second season of Stranger Things feels more like a sequel than a mere continuation of the first. It introduces new characters such as skater-girl Max (Sadie Sink) and computer wiz Bob (Sean Astin), the new boyfriend of Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder). As well as that, it expands upon the mythology of the upside-down, introducing a new, more powerful threat than the last and forcing our protagonists to fight back yet again. Once again the show contains an endless list of cultural references to films such as Ghostbusters, Aliens, and even going as far as to use one of the tracks from John Carpenter's Escape From New York score. However, the show became much more of its own thing this season, relying less on homages to older films to instead expand its own mythology and develop its characters. The most interesting development of all was that of Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) who went from all-round arsehole last season, to a real American hero this time round. It was a thoroughly enjoyable season that I dare say was better than the first, resulting in a satisfying conclusion while hinting that things aren't quite over for Eleven (Millie Bobbie Brown) and co. 

4. Legion

The superhero genre has become somewhat overstuffed on both the big screen and the small screen, however, Legion acted as a breath of fresh air into the tiring genre in what was one of the most unique approaches to a comic book adaptation ever. Set within the X-Men universe, the series follows David Haller (Dan Stevens), a man suffering with mental illness who discovers that he is actually a mutant with a variety of superhuman abilities. The series was created by Noah Hawley of Fargo fame, who has proven himself yet again as one of the best creative minds in television right now. Instead of telling a straightforward superhero story, Hawley opts to create a more psychological and surreal series that feels more in line with the works of David Lynch than anything else. Using flashbacks and hallucinations, Hawley crafts this unique narrative style that slowly unravels itself throughout and constantly encapsulates the viewer. The visuals and use of colour are also particularly striking as well, feeling almost reminiscent of a Stanley Kubrick film at times. It's a fresh take on comic book adaptations both visually, and in its narrative style. While Dan Stevens gives a powerful performance as our central protagonist, the real star is the scene-stealing Aubrey Plaza who takes on the role of his mysterious companion Lenny. This certainly marks a career highlight for Plaza, she truly owned that role. If David Lynch and Stanley Kubrick ever collaborated on a superhero project, Legion would be the result. However, despite all of these comparisons to other filmmakers, this is very much Hawley's work and marks another notable achievement for the writer following the success of Fargo. It's most definitely the highlight of the superhero genre this year.

3. Dark

This moody mystery series set in the small German town of Winden begins with the disappearance of two local boys and the subsequent reaction of the local community. However, as things unravel it becomes clear that the disappearances are linked to a similar case 33 years prior, and that both could be tied by strange, supernatural occurrences within the town itself. To give away any more would spoil this marvelous mystery drama, and that would just be criminal considering how clever it is. Full of twists and turns in every episode, Dark always feels as if its moving somewhere, never coming off sluggish and maintaining that consistent pace right until the very end. It's the type of show that constantly keeps you guessing, even when one mystery is solved, it poses further questions as to how it all contributes to the overarching narrative. Comparisons have been made between it and fellow Netflix show, the aforementioned Stranger Things, but Dark is an entirely different game altogether, dealing with more mature themes and complex subject matter. It might seem too complicated at first with its vast ensemble of characters, numerous allusions to physics and philosophy, as well as its unique narrative style, but in actual fact it only makes things more engaging, prompting the audience to connect the dots and pose their own theories as well. It feels more like a German Twin Peaks than Stranger Things. Full of powerful performances (particularly from Oliver Masucci as police officer Ulrich Nielsen), beautiful visuals, and tied together by a mystery spanning half a decade, Dark is an engrossing show that will undoubtedly leave you itching for more.

2. Mindhunter

Loosely based on true events, Mindhunter follows two FBI agents in 1977 whose job involved interviewing imprisoned serial killers in order to learn how they think and apply their knowledge to further cases. With David Fincher on as an executive producer and director of 4 episodes, naturally Mindhunter's visuals are second to none. The series is full of magnificent cinematography and visual effects to create that distinctive 70's vibe, reminiscent of Fincher's Zodiac. It's immersed in style, but creator Joe Penhall and his team of writers pour an equal amount of attention into the characters and dialogue as well, creating an enthralling story to match. It's wonderfully crafted in all respects, and backed up by excellent performances from its three main stars, Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, and Hannah Gross. Cameron Britton in particular stands out as real life killer Edmund Kemper, capturing his unique sense of charm while giving constant, yet subtle reminders to how disturbed and dangerous Kemper really is. The show truly highlights the importance of the behavioural sciences division of the FBI, emphasising how groundbreaking their work was. Set during a period where there was a lot of ignorance towards the psychology of killers, Mindhunter really gives prominence to the sheer ambition and determination behind its protagonists, and how innovative their research was. Packed full of excellent visuals, a keen sense of detail, and an underlying sense of tension that pays off in the finale, Mindhunter acts as a unique entry to a crowded genre and proves that television is becoming increasingly more cinematic. 

1. Twin Peaks: The Return

Over two decades since Fire Walk With Me, David Lynch and Mark Frost finally brought the world of Twin Peaks back to our televisions in this momentous 18-part miniseries. Set 25 years after the original series' finale, The Return follows special agent Dale Cooper making his way back to our world after being trapped in the Black Lodge for over two decades. Meanwhile both in Twin Peaks itself and elsewhere in America, the events from 25 years prior resurface in connection with a number of mysterious occurrences. To even attempt to explain The Return would be like trying to teach a fish how to cycle, Lynch brings his signature brand of surrealism to the table to craft an altogether otherworldly story that transcends any sort of traditional narrative structure. Both he and Frost do their best to tease the audience as much as possible, leaving us with countless questions every week and answering very little. To call it a satisfying return would be a lie, but at the end of the day, Lynch was never one for fan service. The reason this makes the top of the list however, is because of how much Lynch and Frost managed to push the boundaries of television, both in its narrative and its visuals. This is fully embodied in the phenomenal episode 8, from the operatic atom-bomb explosion, to the ominous Woodsman invasion, the episode left many of us watching in awe as we wondered what on Earth was going on. Backing up Lynch and Frosts material was an enormous ensemble cast, including old members such as Michael Horse and the late Miguel Ferrer, to newcomers such as Naomi Watts and Laura Dern. At the center of it all however, was the immaculate Kyle Maclachlan giving his finest performance yet, even earning him a Golden Globe nomination. Twin Peaks: The Return may not have been the fan-pleasing reunion we had hoped for, but it was so much more than that. This groundbreaking miniseries has changed the television game for good, hopefully paving the way for a lot more creative freedom in TV. Long live Twin Peaks. 

Before we finish up, I'd like to give a shout out to the shows this year that I wanted to watch, but just didn't get the chance to:

Ozark
The Handmaid's Tale
Godless
Master of None
The Deuce 

I'll get around to you some day.

If 2017 has proven anything, it's that television is slowly becoming a much more prominent artistic medium. It is now being utilised to tell new, original stories that just couldn't be done on the big screen, opening doors for creative people everywhere to tell their stories. It has certainly been an impressive year for television, and one can only hope that creative minds will continue to push its boundaries just as much in the years to come.

December isn't over yet folks, stay tuned for another festive post within the next week, followed by the top 20 films of the year by the end of the month. Until next time!