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2021 was something of a binge-watchers dream. Dozens of new series debuted throughout 2021, along with continuations of some of the best shows in recent memory. With plenty of time and a huge variety of options to choose from, few people had trouble picking up a show to watch throughout the year.
With such a vast number of truly great series to choose from, it would have been hard for any one person to watch them all. However, there are a few standout options that are worth going back to watch for anyone who missed them when they first aired.
10 The Witcher’s Second Season Raised The Bar On Fantasy
Despite the initial success of Netflix’s adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowkski’s novels, The Witcher’s first season did receive some criticism. Its convoluted timelines occasionally made the story hard to follow. The second season tells a much more focused, poignant story than the previous season.
Season two focuses heavily on the relationship between Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer. The White Wolf takes on the role of surrogate father to the young, exiled princess. The powerful sorceress must navigate her own troubles alongside her complicated romance with the titular witcher. And of course, fan-favorite Jaskier plays the perfect comic relief in an otherwise dark fantasy setting.
9 Squid Game Was A Global Phenomenon
It was nearly impossible to avoid hearing the name Squid Game when the first season was airing in the fall. The Korean thriller had seemingly taken over the world with its exciting premise and the compelling story it told.
In many ways a dark satire on modern society similar to shows like Black Mirror, one of the many draws of Squid Game was in the compelling story it told. Also, the performances of Squid Game’s actors, the production, and the popular premise that would thrust Korean dramas into the spotlight.
8 Loki Is One Of The Best Marvel Shows To Date
Despite serving the majority of his time in the MCU as a charming villain and a thorn in the side of the heroes, Loki was always a favorite among the fans. This is why Loki has appearances in so many of the Marvel properties.
The Loki TV series went a step further and turned the norse god from a villain into a somewhat loveable antihero. The pairing of Tom Hiddleston and Owen Wilson was a delight to watch on the small screen. Despite the first season only filling out six episodes, Loki certainly ranks high among the MCU’s TV series.
7 Succession’s Third Season Stepped Up The Game
The third season of HBO’s familial satire-drama Succession remains true to form as one of the best written and acted shows on television. The latest season builds on the widespread success of the first two. Succession remains a must-watch show for fans of both comedy and drama series.
Following the Roy family as they struggle for power amidst the failing health of the family patriarch, season three takes Succession to much more extravagant levels. The dark satire, and complicated dynamics, will keep fans coming back for more. Succession’s fourth season was announced in October of 2021.
6 Arcane Is One Of The Best Video Game Adaptations Ever
Video game adaptations have always been something of a mixed bag. In recent years, the quality has certainly begun to trend towards the better. With the release of Arcane, based on the popular MOBA League Of Legends, that trend was pushed all the way to its furthest extremities.
Telling the story of two disenfranchised sisters, Arcane is a beautifully animated series. Arcane combines moments of intense, thrilling action with poignant and dark storytelling. The first season took more than half a decade in development, but fans will eagerly be awaiting the second season after the brutal cliffhanger Arcane ended on.
5 The Underground Railroad Is Incredibly Well Crafted
The Underground Railroad is an adaptation of a compelling novel, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead. Underground Railroad is paired with an incredible production team (lead by Moonlight director Barry Jenkins). This created something that both elevates and complements that source material.
In both the book and the show, the historical Underground Railroad is reimagined through a veneer of magic realism. Underground Railroad follows the escaped slave Cora Randall, played by Thuso Mbedu, who boards the underground train to escape to freedom in the North. Both the novel and the show are a compelling and unique take on the history of time. Underground Railroad is one of the best miniseries to come out in 2021.
4 Yellowjackets Is A Truly Wild Ride
Despite initial and uniformed comparisons to Lord Of The Flies, Showtime’s Yellowjackets goes far beyond that middle-grade story. Yellowjackets depicts a tragic disaster, combining mystery and dread into a compelling tale that will grip viewers all the way through.
Yellowjackets follows two timelines. One, a young women’s soccer team is involved in a deadly plane crash that leaves them stranded in the wilderness for months. The other, the modern-day lives of the survivors still dealing with their traumatic experience. Yellowjackets keeps the audience guessing the entire way through season one, and will no doubt keep that up in the second season.
3 Reservation Dogs Moves Far Beyond Its Premise
Debuting in the summer of 2021, Reservation Dogs follows the story of four young indigenous teens in Oklahoma. They do their best to escape their drab lives to California, even if they must commit a few crimes to do so.
Despite the simple premise, Reservation Dogs is anything but. The engaging characters navigate through their occasionally surreal lives in a way that keeps audiences engaged. The darker, more serious elements of Reservation Dogs are mixed with a perfect blend of comedy. This is all under the skilled hands of creators, Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi.
2 Shadow And Bone Brings The Popular Book Series To Life
Shadow And Bone is another adaptation that managed to land very well with both fans of the original series and new viewers. Netflix’s Shadow And Bone takes Leigh Bardugo’s popular novels and manages to change just enough to create a show perfect for a new audience. Shadow And Bone still provides book readers exactly what they wanted to see.
The first season adapts the novel while adding in a few elements unique to the show. Season one still calls upon the lore developed in the series. Shadow And Bone is in the trend of incredibly watchable fantasy series airing in recent years, and certainly stands out among the rest of 2021.
1 WandaVision Breaks All The Genre Conventions
Disney+’s WandaVision was anything but what fans expected. Set against the backdrop of the typical American sitcom, WandaVision once again pairs Elizabeth Olson and Paul Bettany. The pair reprise their roles as the Marvel heroes, Scarlet Witch and Vision, following the events of Avengers: Endgame.
WandaVision can be seen as both a deconstruction of the sitcom genre as well as a satirical psychological thriller. WandaVision moves far beyond the typical superhero tropes to create something truly unique. WandaVision is a perfect addition to the newest generation of the MCU.
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