Here is the list of my favorite 15 shows of 2018. Have not seen many others, so please recommend which ones I should check out, in the comments.
15. The Detectives
This is a Canadian show which reenacts true crime cases and also includes the interviews of the real detectives who worked on the case. I have seen the first season and liked it a lot. Each episode is on a different case and all of the cases are very interesting and intriguing.
14. Sacred Games - Netflix
The show which brought India on the Netflix radar. This one is truly binge worthy and the acting, writing and direction was really good. Saif and Jitender Joshi (Katekar) were my most favorite characters. Nawaz, though acted really well but was repetitive in parts. Also, I felt the purpose of having few characters in the show was not fulfilled. Still, I am eagerly waiting for the next season.
13. Mirzapur - Amazon Prime
This one is though more cheesy than Sacred Games and also wasn't really a novel concept but the acting was truly top-notch and it is placed higher because of the man who is most prominent in the poster above. How can an actor in a supposedly loud show can be so subtle. Pankaj Triptahi is just awesome. Also, rest of the cast, specially Ali Fazal and Divyendu were superb too.
12. a) Dynasties
A nature documentary, narrated by David Attenborough, what else is needed to be said. This BBC docu-feature follows five different species and follow their families or as the show name says, dynasties. I have seen three episodes till now and the penguin one is my most favorite. This clip from the Lion episode has gone viral. The show has a lot more to show. Do watch.
12. b) One Strange Rock - Hotstar
This is a 10 episode documentary about how life thrives on earth. I think i have seen only 2 or 3 episodes from it, but they are enough for it to earn a place in this list. Eight astronauts narrate the episodes and it is hosted by Will Smith. The first episode is named Gasp, and I can say that they could have named the whole documentary the same.
11. Goliath - Amazon Prime
Courtroom drama is one of my most favorite genre and though Goliath in its both seasons follow a court case, it is more of drama than the courtroom. I liked the show a lot and Billy Bob Thornton was very good in it.
10. a) The chilling adventures of Sabrina - Netflix
This is a supernatural horror based on the Archies comic book of the same name. I had my doubts about it, but it is good fun with some good acting and really interesting supernatural elements. I now wish for a crossover with Riverdale (which I stopped watching after first three episodes of second season).
10. b) Charmed
Another supernatural show with witches at its center. It is a remake of a show of same name which ran from 1998-2006. I haven't seen the original but this one is decent and fun to watch.
9. The Flash Season 5/Elseworlds - Hotstar
I love the flash, it is everything what a comic book show should be, that is, fun. Since it has 22-23 episodes in each season, some of the episodes do drag. The latest season has been good till now and I hope it will continue to be so.
This season's Arrowverse crossover named Elseworlds was very good as it gave us more of Superman, introduced Batwoman and the biggest thing that it teased Crisis on Infinite Earths to be telecast in 2019. Can not wait for that.
8. Unforgotten - Season 3
Season 2 of this show was my most favorite of last year. This year again they have come up with a very interesting mystery which surprises you with each episode. The emotional connect of the finale is not as strong as season 2 but despite that it is one of the better shows of this year. Having only 6 episodes helps in keeping the ongoing interesting too.
7. The Looming Tower - Amazon Prime
6. Bodyguard - Netflix
The best opening 20 minutes of TV this year and may be in many past years. All of the six episodes of this british show are full of action filled thrilling moments. The aforementioned first 20 minutes are what almost all shows will save for the finale, but kudos to the team of bodyguard, they took the risk and it paid off. The show doesn't shy away from taking tough route and the finale is also well done. A definite must watch.
5. The Good Place - Netflix (Season 1 only)
What a fun and innovative show. What happens when a woman dies and wakes up in a utopia like "The Good Place" and realises that she was sent by mistake and now she has to hide her identity to keep staying there. This is one show which has surprised me the most and it has twists and turns which you won't find even in many mystery movies/shows. The cast is great, comedy is hilarious and The Good Place is not what you should miss.
4. Sunderland 'Til I Die - Netflix
This documentary tracks the football club Sunderland A.F.C. during the 2017-18 season when they were got relegated from EFL championship league. It encapsulates the football culture of the town of Sunderland beautifully. One of the reviews by Jack Fox in Metro comments about the show "At times it is more gory than Game of Thrones but it is a series worth binging on". Even if you do not follow football, I am sure you will enjoy this one.
3. Sharp Objects - Hotstar
Who doesn't love a good mystery. And when it is based on a novel of Gillain Flynn and stars Amy Adams, there is no reason to not watch it. The slow pace of the show suits the story and the acting is top notch. The mystery is intriguing and the end is devastating. Great work this show is.
2. The Good Fight (Season 2) - Amazon Prime (Only Season 1)
This spin off of The Good Wife is as good as its predecessor and that is a tough benchmark to achieve. The political commentary and the handling of the contemporary issues is one of the highlights of the show. I can not wait for the next season.
1. The Haunting of Hill House - Netflix
This is the best show of the year definitely. It is full of horror, mystery and a very well done family drama. The acting is superb and the the story moves at such a pace that you are always intrigued about what is going to happen next. The 5th and 6th episodes are really brilliant and some of the twists/reveals are superbly done. The jump scares are great and one of them is easily one of the best all time jump scares, I almost screamed. The direction, background music, mysteries all are brilliant. This show is horror, mystery, thriller, drama and is brilliant in all those fronts. Do not miss it.
