The Great British Baking Show
I'm
starting off with an old favorite. In a year that's been hard for a
number of reasons, this show always brings some much-needed joy and
comfort to my life. Even though I was apprehensive about the new judge
and hosts, they ended up being charming in different ways than the
former ones, and I'm looking forward to as many new seasons as Netflix
and PBS will give me. Maybe this year, I'll even start baking more. I've
always wanted to try bread.
Killing Eve
What
a wacky show--in the best way. I didn't expect a show about a serial
killer to be as funny as it is, but all the characters seem so real and
genuine. The whole cast hits it out of the park, and I have a soft spot
for Fiona Shaw's serious, enigmatic Carolyn. Sandra Oh is a particular
strength, and it's wonderful to see her in the lead even if her
character isn't always as put-together and in control. Despite the
synopsis, this isn't simply a spy thriller cut-and-pasted to include
women. I haven't read the novellas on which it's based (the first is
Codename Villanelle
by Luke Jennings), but I think I can credit Jennings as well as show
creator/writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge and her writing crew for featuring
fascinating women who also feel real. There are lots of women in this
story, all of whom are different and messy, and that's one thing I love
to see on TV.
Doctor Who
Although
I'm not quite finished with the season, I found it to be full of wonder
and heart. I was excited at the prospect of a female Doctor, and Jodie
Whittaker certainly hasn't disappointed. She's got a ton of energy, but
my favorite thing about her character is something she said herself in
her first episode: "When people need help, I never refuse." The world's
been pretty dark, and a lot of times, I find that hard to deal with.
Watching this show for an hour reminds me that there are genuinely good
people in this world (and out of it!) who want to help. What I find even
more refreshing, though, is the trio of companions--Yaz, Ryan, and
Graham. I love seeing a more inclusive cast, and I love that they each
have their own strengths and struggles.
This is getting long, so I'll end it with one of my favorite quotes from the season:
May the saints of all the stars and constellations
bring you hope
as they guide you out of the dark and into the light
on this voyage and the next
and all of the journeys still to come
for now and evermore.
Legends of Tomorrow
Apparently, I just love wacky shows! While
Killing Eve skews dark,
Legends of Tomorrow skews
silly while still managing to tackle important topics and hit emotional
beats. Time travel has always been a staple, but the current season has
added magical shenanigans! How could I possibly not love it? That said,
the strength of this show is in its characters and its heart. I'm
always a sucker for found-family stories, and this one features a
timeship full of weirdos who stick together out of necessity before
becoming friends and then family. I can't wait to see what the second
half of the season has in store.
Runaways
Season
1 was a slow burn that I didn't fully appreciate until I rewatched it
in preparation for season 2, which really embraces the found-family
trope as Alex, Chase, Gert, Karolina, Molly, and Nico face the reality
of leaving the (relative) safety of their parents' homes. Not only does
it give them a chance to bond and argue while living under the same
abandoned roof, but it makes them band together to figure out and
increase their powers. Karolina was always a favorite because I happen
to like genuinely nice characters, and it was a treat digging into her
background a bit more. But this season has endeared me to all six of the
Runaways, with Nico and Molly in the running for second favorite. The
show also features some kick-butt music. I'm
really hoping Hulu renews this one because I can't wait to see what's next!
Stay tuned for my favorite movies and books of 2018!
