I kept thinking that we hadn't watched that much in 2022 until I started this list. Which just goes to show that there were actually some decent shows last year. My taste as always is a little bit documentary, a little bit dark and twisty, a little bit TV detective with just a touch of feel goods.
Unlike the year before it started out strong with a ton of new shows for me to try before fading out as the year went on and Other Half and I were left with watching some really old TV shows from back in the dark ages aka the 70s. Yes we were that desperate though luckily both Survivors and Colditz turned out to be not too bad and at least kept us entertained through the endless winter that seemed to drag on and drag. I'm mean seriously snow in Oct? Crazy stuff.
So here's what managed to save us from going stir crazy throughout the year.
Super/Natural
A lovely feel good nature show narrated by the soothing voice of Benedict Cumberbatch. What more could you ask for really.
Inside the Mind of a Cat
Have cat, will follow or perhaps more realistically have cat... will be a slave for the rest of your life and get use to your cat wanting 3am smooches. At least in my household. Thankfully there's this show to tell you exactly what's going on in your cat's mind. Most likely where's my dinner and why haven't you gotten it yet.
The Hidden Lives of Pets
I've definitely been on a whole animal kick this year. What can I say except it's the perfect feel good viewing when everything around seems like a struggle and the weather is just one constant up and down change. This is just the thing to curl up with.
The Witcher
Man with sword, fighting monsters. Well you just knew that I was gonna to watch the heck out of this and it's so good. Even better when you watch season 1 and 2 back to back.
Vikings Valhalla
More men with swords. I was easily persuaded. I mean seriously how could I not when I had this guy to swoon over.
Swoony feels aside it's also the perfect action pack show with a little bit of everything to keep you happy.
Stranger Things
Of course along with all the light and fluffy and swoony feels I just had to have a dose of my usual dark and twisted. Which pretty much sums up Stranger Things. It's also the kind of show which you might want to watch during daylight hours. Great music though.
Shining Girls
Speaking of dark and twisted look no further than this twisty sci-fi thriller that will really make you head spin. But wow is it good.
Severance
And if twisty is your thing then you might want to check this out. I have absolutely no idea what's going go but weirdly that's have the addictive fun. Helped hugely with some wonderful characters that you actually care about.
Hawkeye
The perfect Christmas viewing. It's fun, it's light and has some awesome Christmas music. Plus some action and some friendship bonding. Just what you need at Christmas time.
The Marvelous Mrs Maisel
I probably spent half my time swoony over the clothes in this show that's funny and angsty at the same time and a telling portrait of a woman's life in the late 1950s. The dialogue is to die for. Which is no surprise since it's written by the writer and creator of Gilmore Girls.
The Ipcress File
I have a serious weakness for spy stories so it's no surprise that I really liked this. Added bonus of being set in the 60s for that whole Cold War vibe. Crossing fingers that they do more of these.
Slow Horses
If this is Gary Oldman's swan song before he retires then it's a bloody good one. Aptly supported by Jack Lowden who needs to do more of these kind of things. Quirky spy drama that is so me and one that shows a bit more of the mundane work that spies probably do.
The Capture
As hard as it is to pick my favourite show of the year this one might just be it. So good that you just have to binge watch in one sitting. And OMG that ending. Now it's just the waiting to see if that's it or if there will be another season.
Grace
You just knew that there had be at least one crime show eventually and here's the 1st of my crime picks from the year. Starring the always excellent John Simm.
Van der Valk
A crime show set in Amsterdam? I am so there. And there's going to be another season. Even better.
Shetland
7 seasons and it's all over and what a great series it was with murder and angst galore and all set in remote Shetland islands.
Karen Pirie
If they don't do another season of this I'm going to be super annoyed because I need me my British crime fix. Especially now that some of my shows are finishing. Sort of like Vera (another Brit crime) but with a younger star whose a little bit less grumpy.
Three Pines
And finally a British/Canadian crime show that is both quirky and exciting with a Twin Peaks kind of vibe to it, though don't let that put you off. It's basically a series of murder mysteries with one big murder mystery running through them all. Think Hercule Poirot meets Twin Peaks meets Murder She Wrote. Slightly weird but good.
