BEST TV IN 2020

With sports and commuting canceled, Luis had more time to watch television shows (on streaming services) on bigger screens. Here are his favorites that he hasn’t written about in previous issues:

Brooklyn 99

My favorite comedy on network television. This season focused mostly on Jake and Amy as they got ready to welcome the baby Peralta. Captain Holt continues to be my favorite comic character on television. The episode when Cheddar is kidnapped maybe the single funniest episode of the year.

Better Call Saul

We fi nally saw the transition from Jimmy McGill to Saul Goodman. This season really took off when it focused on Lalo’s rise and refusal to die. His scene with the incomparable Kim Wexler from the season fi nale was as good as this series has ever been. This was the season that Saul surpassed Breaking Bad in my eyes.

Lovecraft Country

Trippy and magical, HBO’s Lovecraft was such a deep exploration of the mystical with heavy commentary on race relations with a mix of Afro-futurism. It was exactly what you would expect from the minds of J.J. Abrams and Jordan Peele. A touch of horror, a touch of time travel all wrapped into the social commentary revolving around race identity and civil unrest. I can’t wait for more.

Schitt’s Creek

The wedding of David and Patrick, the personal growth of Alexis, Johnny launching his new business and Moira restarting her acting career paid off six seasons of wonderful story-telling and family dynamics in this Dan Levy vehicle. Moira’s pontiff inspired wedding offi ciant outfi t might have been the outfi t of the entire year. Also, kudos to the Emmys for sending all the major comedy awards this season up the creek.

Boys

The second season of this Amazon Prime original ramped up the danger and the drama for Hughie, Butcher, and Starlight. Homelander further cemented himself as one of the most evil characters on television. I’ve enjoyed the series far more than I enjoyed the comic. Amazon has already renewed the show for two more seasons and even has plans for a prequel.

Watchmen

The best expansion to comics IP ever. Damon Lindeloff and crew did the impossible. They wrote a sequel to what is widely considered the greatest comic book of all time... and it was perfect. Powered by Regina King’s masterful performance, the show builds on all the notes from the comic series and turns it up to an 11. I wish there was going to be a second season.

The Mandalorian

I’d say the single best thing on television this year has to be Season 2 of The Mandalorian. The further adventures of Din Djarin and Grogu (Baby Yoda) builds on everything from Season 1 while introducing more of the untapped characters from the universe’s animated adventures. The introduction of Bo Katan and Ahsoka, and the reintroduction of fan favorite Boba Fett have given this show a huge shot in the arm. It is quickly becoming the best thing that has ever been released under the Star Wars banner.

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GIANCARLO ESPOSITO is becoming the go-to villain of the smallscreen, being evil in three shows on this list.

Luis' first collage for ADW in what seems like years

Luis Vega