It's time again to reflect on the past year in television. I'm happy to report that 2018 continues to provide EXCELLENT viewing opportunities for horror/sci fi/fantasy fans. The recent pattern of the best shows appearing on subscription sites continues. This year there are four shows from NetFlix. The rest are from cable stations including: 3 from SyFy, 1 from USA, 1 from BBC America and 1 from the USA Network. For the second year in a row, there were no shows from the Big 3 Networks (ABC, NBC, CBS).
As in years past, several international offerings are included-- 2 from Canada, 1 from Australia, and 1 from the UK. Also interesting (at least to me) is that 5 of these shows are in the crime/ true crime genres, 2 in horror, and 3 in sci fi/fantasy. I watch mostly horror/sci fi so I would have expected more of those shows to make the cut.
A few of my previous selections didnt make the cut this time around. I have given up "The Walking Dead' and "Fear The Walking Dead". If you've read my reviews, you know why! The final season of "House Of Cards" was interesting but had too much dialogue over all. I still watch "American Horror Story", "Z Nation" and "How To Get Away With Murder" but they're getting a bit long in the tooth.
Honorable mentions that didnt quite make the cut include: The X Files (series finale, Fox), Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (NetFlix) and GLOW (NetFlix).
And without further adieu, below are my 2018 favorites. Is there anyone you would add/subtract from the list? Please leave your thoughts/picks in the comments below. Also check out the previous winners here: Top 10 Television Shows Of 2017 and Top 10 Television Shows Of 2016 and Top 10 Television Shows Of 2015 and Top 10 Television Shows Of 2014 and Top 10 Television Shows Of 2013
10. Wynonna Earp- SyFy- Canada- This quirky little show about the great granddaughter of Wyatt Earp continues to shine in season three. She and her gang of misfit friends and family continue to fight the undead (revenants) in order to break a curse. "Wynonna" has the best fanbase of any show on TV. This is in part because the cast/crew show their love to fans and vice versa. The world would be a better place if it was full of #Earpers. See my reviews here
9. Killing Eve- BBC America- UK- This sleeper hit follows a low level MI5 agent as she is slowly drawn into the web of an international assassin named Villanelle. The two become increasingly obsessed with each other. We're never sure if they want to kiss, kill each other or both. Excellent performance by Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer. See my reviews here
8. The Sinner- USA- Season 2 continues to provide a how done it story since we already know who done it. Bill Pulman is excellent as a emotionally damaged detective. Carrie Coon provides a compelling foil. And Elisha Henig is heartbreaking as a young boy in distress. See my reviews here
7. Sharp Objects- HBO- This eight episode series is based on a novel by Gillian Flynn. Camille is a severely troubled woman who returned to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri to report on several child murders. The show is excruciatingly painful to watch as Camille deals with her extremely overbearing mother and tries to hold onto the one thread of sanity she has. Excellent performances by Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson. Make sure to watch the closing credits or you'll miss out BIG TIME. See my reviews here
6. Mindhunter- NetFlix- "Mindhunter" depicts the creation of the FBI's Behavioral Sciences Unit by Holden Ford and Bill Tench. The actors are great. The interviews with serial killers are truly frightening (especially Edmund Kemper). i cant wait to see who they profile in season 2. See my reviews here.
5. Channel Zero- SyFy- "Channel Zero" is an anthology series with a different story told each time. Out of four stories thus far, "The Dream Door" is my absolute favorite. And I also really enjoyed "Butcher's Block" and "No End House". The visuals of "The Dream Door" are like nothing else on television. All I'm going to say is...watch it for yourself. See my reviews here
4. Travelers- NetFlix- Canada- The third season has our favorite team of Travelers still desperately attempting to change the future. This time around lots of bosses, significant others and warring factions are in the mix. Sure this is a sci fi show but it's more about our struggle to survive and to make meaningful connections with one another. See my reviews here
3. 12 Monkeys- SyFy- One of the best sci fi shows EVER on television, season 4 provides a non stop thrill ride leading up to the series conclusion. Bring a pen and paper. You're going to need to draw some timelines to keep track. This show is not for the passive viewer. See my reviews here
2. Wentworth- NetFlix- Australia- This wildly popular Australian series doesnt get the respect it deserves in the US. The "women in prison" drama has been compared to "Orange Is The New Black" but the only thing they have in common is, well, women behind bars. Currently in it's seventh season, "Wentworth" is super addictive. No one is safe in this prison and any one can die at any time. See my reviews here
9. Killing Eve- BBC America- UK- This sleeper hit follows a low level MI5 agent as she is slowly drawn into the web of an international assassin named Villanelle. The two become increasingly obsessed with each other. We're never sure if they want to kiss, kill each other or both. Excellent performance by Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer. See my reviews here
8. The Sinner- USA- Season 2 continues to provide a how done it story since we already know who done it. Bill Pulman is excellent as a emotionally damaged detective. Carrie Coon provides a compelling foil. And Elisha Henig is heartbreaking as a young boy in distress. See my reviews here
7. Sharp Objects- HBO- This eight episode series is based on a novel by Gillian Flynn. Camille is a severely troubled woman who returned to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri to report on several child murders. The show is excruciatingly painful to watch as Camille deals with her extremely overbearing mother and tries to hold onto the one thread of sanity she has. Excellent performances by Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson. Make sure to watch the closing credits or you'll miss out BIG TIME. See my reviews here
6. Mindhunter- NetFlix- "Mindhunter" depicts the creation of the FBI's Behavioral Sciences Unit by Holden Ford and Bill Tench. The actors are great. The interviews with serial killers are truly frightening (especially Edmund Kemper). i cant wait to see who they profile in season 2. See my reviews here.
5. Channel Zero- SyFy- "Channel Zero" is an anthology series with a different story told each time. Out of four stories thus far, "The Dream Door" is my absolute favorite. And I also really enjoyed "Butcher's Block" and "No End House". The visuals of "The Dream Door" are like nothing else on television. All I'm going to say is...watch it for yourself. See my reviews here
3. 12 Monkeys- SyFy- One of the best sci fi shows EVER on television, season 4 provides a non stop thrill ride leading up to the series conclusion. Bring a pen and paper. You're going to need to draw some timelines to keep track. This show is not for the passive viewer. See my reviews here
2. Wentworth- NetFlix- Australia- This wildly popular Australian series doesnt get the respect it deserves in the US. The "women in prison" drama has been compared to "Orange Is The New Black" but the only thing they have in common is, well, women behind bars. Currently in it's seventh season, "Wentworth" is super addictive. No one is safe in this prison and any one can die at any time. See my reviews here
1. The Haunting Of Hill House- NetFlix- Mike Flanagan's adaptation of Shirley Jackson's 1959 novel is excellent in every way. On the surface the 10 episode series is about a haunted house. But when you look closer it's actually about a family and the trauma and love that they share. The series is technically excellent (with several super long tracking shots and ghosts hidden in almost every frame). The adult and child actors are perfection. My only negative is that I wish there was more of it. See my reviews here
Photo Credits:
https://www.ign.com/articles/best-horror-tv-shows-on-netflix-right-now
GMonsterTV
TV: Heavy On Horror, Sci Fi, Fantasy & Adventure
December 25, 2018
No comments: