Top 10 Shows to Binge in 2020
#10: “Altered Carbon” - Season 2
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While not a universal critical success, the first season of this Netflix original series was mostly well-received thanks to its strong performances, neo-noir atmosphere, and “Blade Runner”-Esque production values. Season 2 has garnered even better reviews and while it still hasn’t quite reached the heights of Richard K. Morgan’s 2002 novel, this sci-fi series is moving in the right direction. Picking up three decades after Season 1, protagonist Takeshi Kovacs is not only faced with new challenges, but also a new body. In the same vein as “Doctor Who,” the premise for “Altered Carbon” paves the way for multiple actors to serve as a host for Kovacs. Anthony Mackie inherits the role from Joel Kinnaman, breathing new life into this thoroughly engaging season.
#9: “High Fidelity” - Season 1
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If you’ve already read Nick Hornby’s novel, and seen the 2000 film version starring John Cusack, a “High Fidelity” TV series may sound redundant at first. Like the best adaptations, though, this Hulu series takes everything that made previous instalments great, and injects a fresh sound. In a gender swap, Zoë Kravitz of “Big Little Lies” plays Rob, a record store owner who’s stuck in the past in more ways than one. Records may be retro, but “High Fidelity” is surprisingly relevant in a modern world where pop culture is like a second language, nostalgia is the only escape from reality, and there’s a listicle for everything. For anyone who's gone through a bad breakup, there are more than five reasons to binge this romcom.
#8: “The Umbrella Academy” - Season 2
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After “Stranger Things,” “The Umbrella Academy” was Netflix’s most-streamed show between October 2018 and September 2019. Based on the cult comic book series, the first season stood out from the crowded superhero genre with its darkly comedic edge, colorful yet gloomy characters, and a playlist that would make Star-Lord envious. The Season 1 finale left viewers on a mind-blowing note that had everybody asking, “How is the Hargreeves family going to get out of this?” Apparently, showrunner Steve Blackman found himself asking the exact same question after the first season wrapped up. Considering that the first episode of Season 2 will reportedly be titled “Right Back Where We Started,” we can expect to delve deeper into the Hargreeves’ past as disaster looms on the horizon.
#7: “Space Force” - Season 1
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Steve Carell has made it clear that he’s not eager for an “Office” reunion, but that doesn’t mean he’s against reteaming with showrunner Greg Daniels. Co-created by Carell and Daniels, “Space Force” is another workplace comedy. Instead of a paper company in Scranton, this Netflix series revolves around the United States Space Force, which is now an actual military branch of the country’s Armed Forces. Considering that a lot of people have questioned if the U.S. even needs a Space Force, the subject is ripe for satire, especially with Carell, John Malkovich, and Ben Schwartz in starring roles. With “The Office” leaving Netflix in 2021, we can only hope that “Space Force” will fill the void.
#6: “Devs” - Season 1
Between “Ex Machina” and “Annihilation,” writer/director Alex Garland delivered two of the past decade’s most thought-provoking sci-fi films. With this FX on Hulu exclusive, Garland takes us inside a computer company known as Amaya. At Amaya’s helm is an eccentric CEO played by Nick Offerman. Sonoya Mizuno, a regular in Garland’s work, stars as a young engineer who infiltrates Amaya to uncover the whereabouts of her missing boyfriend. Everything connects to Devs, a division of Amaya that’s so secretive that most of its team members don’t even know what they’re working on. If Garland’s past work is any indication, we can expect this eight-episode miniseries to be a layered mystery that’ll leave us questioning the evolution of technology and the state of humanity.
#5: “Hunters” - Season 1
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The streaming generation has provided a much-needed comeback for Al Pacino. His performance in Netflix’s “The Irishman” scored him an Oscar nomination and we wouldn’t be surprised if Pacino’s work in Amazon’s “Hunters” generates Emmy buzz. Pacino plays Meyer Offerman, a Holocaust survivor who brings together a group of vigilantes to do one thing and one thing only: hunt Nazis! While it may sound like a revenge fantasy, the series is very loosely based on actual Nazi hunters. That said, the style, tone, and characters are closer to what you’d see in a ‘70s action movie with a satirical edge. That’s just what we’d expect from executive producer Jordan Peele, who has a way of blurring the line between fiction and stranger than fiction.
#4: “Star Trek: Picard” - Season 1
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If “Star Trek: Discovery” didn’t convince you to subscribe to CBS All Access, then “Star Trek: Picard” should at least get you on board for a free trial. Fans have waited nearly two decades for Jean-Luc Picard to return, especially after “Nemesis” left “The Next Generation” crew on such an underwhelming note. Patrick Stewart reprises his role as the former USS Enterprise captain, who springs back into action after learning that a little bit of Commander Data may still be out there. While different from “TNG,” this follow-up series has been generally praised for its serialized narrative, cinematic direction, and darker tone. Stewart, meanwhile, doesn’t miss a beat as an older Picard who’s ready to boldly go where even he has never gone before.
#3: “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” - Season 1
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The Marvel/Netflix era is kaput, but the MCU’s small screen days are far from over. We’re not ashamed to admit that we totally geeked out when the commercial for Marvel’s upcoming Disney+ miniseries aired during Super Bowl LIV. The show that has us the most excited is “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” Anyone who’s seen “Avengers: Endgame” — so basically everyone — knows why. While the plot remains under wraps, it should see Sam Wilson accept the mantle of Captain America, with Bucky Barnes right by his side. Despite not being a theatrical release, Disney is nonetheless coughing up the big bucks, with a reported $150 million budget. After binging all six episodes in August, we’ll only have to wait until December for “WandaVision.”
#2: “The Haunting of Bly Manor”
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“The Haunting of Hill House” is a textbook example of how to put a unique spin on classic source material that’s already been adapted multiple times before. Whereas the first entry in this horror anthology series took inspiration from Shirley Jackson, the second season, “The Haunting of Bly Manor” is based on Henry James’ legendary novella, “The Turn of the Screw.” While the central characters are different, we will be seeing a few familiar faces, including Henry Thomas, Kate Siegel, Victoria Pedretti, and Oliver Jackson-Cohen. Most importantly, this season will once again be directed by Mike Flanagan, who we’re ready to declare a modern master of terror. Even if you know the original tale inside and out, we’re expecting Flanagan to turn in anything but a straightforward retelling. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Little America” - Season 1 “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker” “Sex Education” - Season 2 “Locke & Key” - Season 1 “Dispatches From Elsewhere” - Season 1
#1: “The Boys” - Season 2
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We’ve seen shows about superheroes and antiheroes, but there hasn’t been one quite like “The Boys.” Season 1 introduced us to a world where superheroes are treated like celebrities. In front of the camera, they come off as humble and caring. Behind the scenes, however, they’re getting away with unspeakable crimes, with an evil corporate empire pulling all the strings. Honestly, even if you took out all the superpowers, we’d still have an eerily accurate representation of hero worship, celebrity culture, and the hotheads ready to stand up against big business. Of course, superpowers do add to the fun here! Season 1 ended on a major cliffhanger, so we can’t wait for the boys to get back in town for Season 2 already.
