TV Series Watched in 2024

TV is always hit or miss; some connect, some don't but aren't any less awesome. Some, though, are less than stellar. Now, keep in mind for a discussion on series watched in 2024, it won't make this list unless I 

1. Finished the season in question in 2024, and 

2. actually FINISHED it, and didn't stop partway. With 2 exceptions where I wanted to share why I stopped.

The Best:

Star Trek Strange New Worlds seasons 1 and 2 (2022/2023) - With so many decent to good post-Star Trek series over the decades including the daring (but at times a bit out of control) Star Trek: Discovery, finally, there is a new Star Trek series that is AT LEAST as good as the original series (TOS), if not better in some ways. The Next Generation managed this over its many seasons, but Strange New Worlds accomplishes this right out of the gate. Covering the Enterprise years under command of Christopher Pike, it is simply brilliant. Great acting, writing, and never losing the HEART that makes Star Trek, well, Star Trek.

The Chosen season 4 (2024) - this has been such a fantastic, professionally-done series. The casting is tremendous, and the creators stay on target with biblical events while striving to make these people three-dimensional and human by adding what they feel is an actual, expected result/response by each. This series has opened up the Gospel in such a real, respectful way. Seriously, even if you're not a believer, I think you'd appreciate this show.

Fargo season 5 (2023) - This is almost always a fun, albeit violent series. Juno Temple (Ted Lasso) is absolutely tremendous with her outrageous North Dakota accent. and Jon Hamm shines as the evil, evil bad guy. With an excellent supporting cast including Joe Kerry from Stranger Things and one of my faves Jennifer Jason Leigh, this one will keep you riveted (and at times laughing) the entire season.

Young Sheldon (all seasons) - my wife and son binged this entire series in '24 so I saw most of them. Really well done, sweet show.

Runners Up:

Before (limited series. 2024) - Billy Crystal in something very different and unique. Worth it to see young Jacobi Jupe's heartbreaking performance.

Bodkin (limited series, 2024) - a fun fish out of water story set in Ireland. Beautiful locations, fun people, terrible murders.

Teacup season 1 (2024) - this was actually quite good, but got knocked down to runner up because the last 5 mins spoiled everything, forcing a setup for a second season. (Just finish the story, showrunners; if season 2 happens - which I hear now it won't - you'll work it out.)

Walking Dead season 7 (2016) - I've been sneaking through season 7, just curious, and fast forwarding through slow parts, but I can't deny the acting in these shows is stellar.

Not Great

The Acolyte season 1 (2024) - Like Ashoka before it, watching this was like watching one of those Disney movies where they take a classic cartoon and make a "live action" version. Felt like a pretty weak installment of Star Wars universe. Some good parts, like Manny Jacinto, but not enough.

Foundation season 2 (2024) never finished, and I loved loved loved season 1. I could not make it through the first episode of season 2. Absolutely non-sensical in every way.

The Prisoner (limited series, 2009) I didn't finish this, which is too bad because one of my favorite shows growing up was The Prisoner (1967) by Patrick McGoohan. This remake was just a bit, I don't know, drawn out and atmospheric to the point it really didn't make much of an impact until stuff started blowing up in episode 3 or 4. The originals series, yes, was a slow burn, but when you try and force "slow burn" it comes out drab.