Recent TV Series

 


There were a handful of TV series that kicked off in November and December of 2023 that didn't finish their seasons. Since the criteria for my Best of 2023 was a complete season, these shows didn't make the cut despite a promising start. But most have wrapped up here in January, so it's time for a quick catch up. Let's dive in. Shows appear in alphabetical order.

The Curse (Showtime)
About: The series comes from Nathan Fielder and Bennie Safdie, who star in the show along with Emma Stone. It had a 10-episode season, with the final two dropping in January. It had a cringe-worthy comedy style that was meant to make you uncomfortable. Despite that, Stone and Fielder, in particular, were quite good with their performances. But this definitely sought to push the envelope. That was true of the finale, which was unlike anything I'd seen on TV. That wasn't actually a good thing. The finale was absurd in the worst ways for me, ultimately providing something of an unsatisfying resolution to a weird series. I struggled with the tone throughout, so I was even more disappointed but what I felt was an under-whelming finale. It likely won't make a Top 10 list.

Fargo, Season 5 (Hulu/FX)
About: It's been a few years since we got a season of this anthology series, but I loved what I saw from this new installment. Noah Hawley does a great job crafting a tone and a story. Juno Temple, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Lamorne Morris and Jon Hamm were all strong in this series. The first seven aired in 2023, with the final three coming in January. I loved the home stretch of the series, with the final two episodes in particular delivering some excellent production and some deep emotional moments. More than once I felt a great swell of emotions in the finale, including a final sequence that was nothing short of brilliant. This series delivered from start to finish, and currently it's the top of the heap for me on my 2024 list.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Apple TV+)
About: This one, meant to fill in some gaps in the modern monsterverse, got its start last November. But the final two episodes of the season came here in 2024. The initial hook was Wyatt and Kurt Russell playing different versions of the character Lee Shaw. But there ended up being something of a strong emotional core to the show and an interesting final couple episodes. I didn't love this one as much as others, but I felt like it was a strong season and a solid expansion of the world.

Reacher, Season 2 (Prime Video)
About: This one got a start in December but finished up with its final few episodes in 2024, ending on Friday. Not everyone enjoyed the second season, which admittedly had something of a different style. But I enjoyed the season-long journey. However, the violence and ultimate actions of our "heroes" in the finale itself gave me some pause. The season started strong but I wasn't as taken with the ending. Still, it was ultimately a satisfying journey and I'm excited to see where Alan Ritchson takes this character next.

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