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While it pains me to not do a top 4, I for the sake of brotherly consistency I will present this top 5 end of the year list. With binging being the most appropriate method of taking in new media, it makes sense that this golden age of television is continuing down a quality track. 2018 ended up bringing us a wide variety of great shows, but it’s the already established shows that really stood out this year. Here are my picks for the best TV series of the year.
Bob’s Burgers
No surprise, new episodes of Bob’s Burgers are still very well done. (ha) The majority of season 8 premiered this year, and season 9 is already super strong. The Belchers continue to deal with generally low stakes hijinks and troubles with such clever dialogue, that this has to be the best sitcom currently airing. “The Hurt Soccer” from season 8 does the best take on an underdog team struggling to score a single point in a season, and highlights my favorite relationship: Louise and Bob. In season 9, Mr. Fischoeder shows his beautiful wacky and slightly evil self again in the best way in "The Taking of Funtime One Two Three". If you haven't started watching this show yet, this is the best series I can recommend that you don't even have to start from the beginning.
The 100
This is a show that I did not expect to really get into, but the trials and struggles it puts on the main characters are nothing less than gripping. The extreme but oddly believable take on a post apocalyptic Earth centers around younger characters as most CW shows do, but the decisions the characters are forced to make are for a very mature audience. This season was greatly highlighted with the first two episodes. “Eden” is a survivor-like story in which Clarke struggles for survival in an environment that would starve most people with simply the lack of hope. “The Red Queen” focuses on another storyline altogether with one of the most tragic characters, Octavia, taking the most extreme measures in order to preserve humanity. The actions of both Clarke and Octavia in these episodes are detrimental to the survival of the human race, so like...no pressure right?
American Vandal
This was a big surprise for me when the first season came out last year. It looked like a hilarious parody of a documentary that made a great trailer, but I was unsure how a mockumentary based on who painted penises on teacher's cars could keep things going for a whole season, but it did. The second season this year seemed even more childish since it focused on poop, but the second season is even better. It's a shame the show got canceled, because I believe they found a great format to deliver a completely ridiculous concept told in a completely serious manner. I can't say too much without giving anything away, but this is a mystery you will need to check out with a surprisingly hopeful message at the end. As long as you have the stomach for it.
Daredevil
Another Netflix show unfortunately canceled. People have been declaring this as the best season of Daredevil and it's for good reason. Do you want your villians to just come and go with a few quips, cool action scenes, and no substance? Too bad! If you are being introduced to a character in this show, you will know by the end exactly who they are and what traumatic experiences shaped their personalities. Matt Murdock having the juggle a near-death experience (you can skip Defenders if you want, but it ends with Daredevil getting hurt a lot) with his friends/family, and the combination of Kingpin and Bullseye. When viewing it as the unfortunate last season, it even makes for a good send-off (though no superhero related show or movie can end with a dramatic reveal, no matter how much it actually makes sense). Oh, and who doesn't prefer Daredevil's look in the first season to the red suit? They brought that back, and he looks super dope.
Steven Universe
One of my all time favorite shows continues to knock it out of the park. Secrets are revealed, questions are answered, and hilarity ensues. Steven and his crew continue to grow and evolve in ways that most cartoons dare not. It would be insulting to the audience if Steven and his gem family were to learn pivotal information about his mother and NOT be in an existential crisis. With all of the heavy dimemas and emotional growth, the show still manages to make time for the ridiculous. If a gem decides she wants to be a cowboy now, why not? If Garnet wants to pose for a painting simply because it’s something she wouldn't do, go for it! It’s also both bold and exciting for the show to further explore the character of Stevonnie who is shown more and more to be both man and woman in their solo episode, “Jungle Moon”.