With the availability of TV Shows on a multitude of platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Hulu, in addition to network television, the possibilities are the most that they have ever been. Some shows measure up, while others fall flat. To be fair, there are only so many ideas out there, so some shows that seem promising come across as having already been done, to the point where we can clearly see what comes next, taking out the suspense factor.
Still there are other shows who take formulas that they know work and the acting and directing take it to levels that make for really watchable and binge-able television.
Here are my nominations for the best TV shows that came out in 2018. Some of these are part of a series that started earlier than this year, but I started watching them this year with the new season that came out (starting from the pilot episode, of course).
Better Call Saul - The spinoff to Breaking Bad - a show that everyone who has seen it agrees is one of the top 5 shows of all time. This show chronicles the professional and personal life of everyone's favorite lawyer before he became Saul Goodman. Bob Odenkirk returns as Jimmy McGill, a lawyer with heart who fights for the little guy. It highlights the heartbreaking relationship with his brother Chuck (played by Michael McKean) and the deep bond his good friend Kim (Rhea Seehorn), who knows him better than anyone else (or seems to, enter season 4). This show is beloved by Breaking Bad fans and some even laud it as "better", for its rich character development. In seasons 1-4 we get to know the backstory of other BB characters such as Mike - played brilliantly by Jonathan Banks, as well as Gus Fring, Hector Salamanca, and his deranged nephew, Tuco.
Ozark - I wasn't sure about this show when I started it. I had heard it mentioned enough times in enough ways for it to hold my interest, but the first episode left me less than enthused. I wondered how is this plausible? In what universe does this character Martin Byrde launder money for a drug cartel? However, as the first season goes and into the second (released this year), we learn the backstory, the little minute choices that can lead to huge consequences. Not only does the story line hold up enough for believability, but the acting, holy crap the acting. I have to say that I love Jason Bateman - Arrested Development was one of my favorites, and while I was impressed with his acting the ones who really stood out for me are the kids. Marty and his wife Wendy's (Laura Linney) children Charlotte and Jonah, played by Sofia Hublitz and Skylar Gaertner, are great and really help tie the Byrde storyline together, especially as the show goes on. But Ruth. Julia Gardner plays Ruth Langmore, a character that will make you feel a shocking range range of emotions every time she comes on the screen. I haven't seen anything like it. I started watching this show and after I got into the third episode I was completely hooked and had to watch it all the way to the end. The beginning makes you think maybe you've seen this before, but I promise you that you haven't.
Atypical - Michael Rappaport and Jennifer Jason-Leigh are main credits for this show, however, the standout acting and narrating is done by the show's breakout cast member, Keir Gilchrist. Gilchrist plays Sam, a high school boy with with Asperger's. It takes what Parenthood did with the storyline of Max Braverman and develops it further, showing that children living on the autism spectrum aren't always yelling and throwing things to get their way. Sometimes they are unsure, going to weekly therapy sessions, more scared and isolated than aggressive, and always directly honest, sometimes resulting in pain and sometimes resulting in hilarity - and usually some combination of both. Also superb and noticeable is the role of Sam's sister Casey, acted brilliantly by Brigette Lundy-Paine. The acting throughout the show by Paine and Gilchrist - alongside their less green castmates - is believable and beautiful. The show makes you laugh as it deals with real-life issues and shows that perfection in family is less important and realistic than having a solid foundation of love and support.
Schitt's Creek - Is not your typical sitcom. Fans of Christopher Guest films such as Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show will remark at the wonderful comedy duo that is Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy. Only in this show, we get the added bonus of Levy's children Dan (as the eccentric and skeptical David, with the best scowl face in the biz) and Sarah (as the town's local diner's waitress, Twila). Movie buffs will also notice Chris Elliott (Groundhog Day, There's Something About Mary, Scary Movie 2, and others). The only thing that could possibly make this show greater is the return of Parker Posey and the rest of the Guest film veterans, but as makes sense to the show of course. The episodes are short and packed full of quippy one-liners and eye rolls and deadpan comedy that those with a more sophisticated comedy pallet are sure to enjoy.
So that's my top picks. There's a lot of TV out there, but I believe these are the best, in 2018. What are your favorites? I would love to know.