Superstore, “All Sales Final”

(aired March 25, 2021)

I like a good ending. Superstore was a quirky little mid-season replacement that was unremarkable at first, but grew into a perfect show that represented the essential worker, social justice issues, the wealth gap, and everything we hated about the pandemic. The quality character development and running gags made the series finale everything a series finale should be. What a sweet farewell to a show I’ve already rewatched (and would rewatch again) front to back since its departure.

Reservation Dogs,

“What About Your Dad”

(aired August 23, 2021)

This show was not only a darling of 2021 television, but this episode absolutely nailed the problem of cyclical relationship choices that perpetuate in cultures and families, and from one generation to the next. The show itself, fully cast and staffed with Native Americans, was heartwarming, hilarious, and thought-provoking while unveiling a world on a reservation in Oklahoma. Its quiet method of addressing generational and personal trauma while adding humor to the mix was unique and worth the journey. The end scene in this episode, where Elora wants to leave for California and realizes Bear has spent her hard-earned money frivolously was, for me, the highlight of the show’s inaugural season.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine, “PB&J”

(aired August 26, 2021)

Doug Judy is my favorite part of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and I love that the show gave us an entire farewell episode dedicated to Doug and Jake’s oddball (and somewhat toxic, but always fun to watch) friendship. Watching Andy Samberg and Craig Robinson on screen is such a joy, and you can tell they had fun making this episode. Also, I won’t ruin the ending, but it sealed off the Doug Judy saga nicely for the show’s final season.

Ted Lasso, “Fathers and Sons”

(aired September 10, 2021)

I definitely don’t need to rave about Ted Lasso here, or there, or any-fucking-where. But I will rave about this episode of Season 2. It’s an episode that gives a lot of space to the lurking theme of fathers that lingers beneath the surface of the show, and ends with the hug heard ‘round the world, that swells my heart every time I think about it. There’s few moments from television or movies that I can think of that do reconciliation right without making it a big, unrealistic hullabaloo. This moment with Jamie and Roy in the locker room, where we as viewers collectively remember that all humans are just inherently broken in some way and are absolutely deserving of grace, is just so perfect. 

American Crime Story: Impeachment,

“Man Handled” (aired October 12, 2021)

I’m a little biased on this one, as I have loved (almost) everything that Ryan Murphy has ever created. American Crime Story is always a well done show, and it handled the Clinton impeachment story delicately and with diplomacy. No party was more or less guilty than the other, and having Monica Lewinsky as a contributor to production added an extra element of intrigue to the unfolding of the story. Sarah Paulson’s portrayal of Linda Tripp is phenomenal, and focusing on the perspective of the women (Paula Jones, Linda Tripp, Monica Lewinsky, Hillary Clinton, etc) and less on the men was brave and unique. The visuals, and the particular focus on food (with Linda Tripp making her Slim Fast shakes every morning, and the quiet still shots of empty yogurt containers at desks, and Linda and Monica’s constant discussions of diets and salads), were as perfect as any Ryan Murphy production ever is. This particular episode, however, was striking in that it absolutely highlights Monica’s precarious situation and the manipulation it involved. A fair warning: Harsh language in the clip above.

The Shrink Next Door, “The Party”

(aired December 3, 2021)

If you have always wondered how people get caught up into codependent and/or narcissistic relationships with nefarious people, you should watch The Shrink Next Door. Not only is it a true story, but it’s a realistic picture, played out on television, of exactly how it happens. The conversations that Dr. Ike (Paul Rudd) has with Marty (Will Ferrell) in his office, to cover for himself after every offense, are simultaneously masterful and triggering (if you’ve ever found yourself in one of these relationships before). This is how it happens, folks - people claim they care and you think they are helping you, except they’re just not, except it’s often really, really hard to separate the good moments from the bad. This particular episode, “The Party,” displayed that well, and in the end everyone is still in the corners of their toxicity, where (unfortunately) a lot of people stay for a really long time.