2021 Anthology: The TV Shows I Watched This Year, Ranked
Earlier this year, I decided I would keep a ranked record of all the content I consumed in 2021. Here are the list of shows I watched, ranked (taking bets on how long this list will be by Dec. 31).
Finished Watching.
1. Insecure S1–4 (HBO Max) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It was thoroughly satisfying to live through the happy-sad-crazy-lonely-at-the-same-time world of Issa Rae et al. The story lines provided the perfect balance of escapism and realism. I didn’t realize how much I needed a show that depicted being in your late-20s in metropolitan America as a person of color, and I am so grateful to Issa Rae for creating a show that finally felt like home.
Finished on 6/3/21
2. Alex Rider (Amazon Prime) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I grew up religiously reading and re-reading the Alex Rider series, and this TV adaption was everything like I imagined the society and Alex’s character to be. It took a few episodes for me to get hooked, but then the show had me on the edge of my seat.
Finished on 1/3/21
3. Everyone is Doing Great (Hulu) ⭐⭐⭐
It was so fun to see James Lafferty and Stephen Colletti on TV after so many years. However, the meta-shtick parallels between One Tree Hill and the show’s fictional Eternal did grow old for me after the first few episodes. James Lafferty largely carried the show, and the supporting characters just were not as compelling.
Finished on 1/30/21
4. Beauty and the Baker (Netflix) ⭐⭐⭐
Kinda trash, kinda fun. I enjoyed it.
Finished in APril 21
4. Being Serena (HBO) ⭐⭐⭐
Being Serena focused on Serena Williams’ experiences balancing a relationship, pregnancy (and then motherhood), and her career. I enjoyed getting to know Serena through her words. I’m glad I saw it.
Finished on 2/15/21
5. Dirty John: Season 2 (Netflix) ⭐⭐
The Becky Broderick story is undoubtedly fascinating and tragic, but I felt that the show didn’t give me enough to have a perspective on her case. I didn’t find the other characters (Dan Broderick, the kids, friends, etc.) compelling or relatable.
Finished on 6/6/21
6. Bridgerton: Season 1 (Netflix) ⭐
Bridgerton conveniently chooses facets of the 1800s to keep (sexism, classism) and abandon (racism) as fits its target narrative. Frankly, I don’t care to glamorize the aspects that we’ve worked so hard as a civilization to break over the last two hundred years. Bridgerton is a no for me, dog.
Finished on 1/10/21
