We’ve been looking back at our favorite movies and video games of 2017 over the past few days, and we even enumerated our biggest disappointments of the year. Now, in the final days of 2017, the Fandomania staff lists our favorite TV shows that aired during the past 12 months. Check it out!
The Punisher
“I was very pleasantly surprised by the show’s thoughtful, honest exploration of the dual allure and toll of committing violence. As with all the Marvel Netflix shows so far, it also expertly portrays the varied and lasting repercussions of trauma. Jon Bernthal is phenomenal in the title role, deftly balancing gruff traditional masculinity with raw vulnerability.” – Celeste Monsour
“I wasn’t expecting much from this series, and it ended up blowing me away. Jon Bernthal is perfect in this role, and The Punisher quickly has become my second favorite Marvel Netflix season, coming in just behind Daredevil Season 1.” – Jason Dorough
“Netflix was on fire this year with its release of Marvel shows. The Punisher handled violence and PTSD issues with a raw vulnerability that was compelling.” – Mandi Harris
Runaways
“I was skeptical about this show, but I’ve enjoyed it so far. The teenage cast is smart and overall likable. I like all the mystery surrounding the show as well. I feel like the characters and plot will continue to grow deeper.” – Mandi Harris
“I’m a big fan of the original Runaways comic series, so I was excited to see how it would be adapted. So far the TV show has nailed most of the characters, and the major changes that have been made all work in the context of the show.” – Jason Dorough
Stranger Things
“Can I really write anything that hasn’t been said before? The follow up to Season 1 swamped me with feelings. Who didn’t fall in love with Babysitter Steve? Eleven kicked even more booty! There are just too many good things to list here.” – Mandi Harris
Dark Matter
“My only real complaint about this third and final season is that they clearly didn’t know that’s what it was when they wrote the finale and we were left with another giant cliffhanger! Still, it was one of the most consistently enjoyable shows during its whole run, and this season continued the ongoing theme of what makes people (and androids, and AIs) who they are against a backdrop of galactic civil war, alien entities, time travel, and other good stuff. Here’s hoping for a TV movie to wrap things up!” – Celeste Monsour
American Gods
“I’m a huge Neil Gaiman fan, and American Gods is probably my favorite of his novels. I absolutely loved this version of the story! I just hope the recent changes for Season 2 don’t ruin it.” – Chad Walker
Star Trek: Discovery
“I’ve seen Star Trek episodes here and there, and I’ve watched the movies, but the franchise never really pulled me in until now. Discovery has me hooked with its subversion of many Trek tropes and with its gripping serial format.” – Jason Dorough
12 Monkeys
“The action zipped all over the timeline this season, with some truly surprising — and satisfying — revelations that flesh out the ongoing conflict so much more. Jennifer continues to be an absolute trip to watch. Get me a ticket to her one-woman show!” – Celeste Monsour
Mindhunter
“Seeing what the world was like before we coined the term ‘serial killers?’ Don’t mind if I do. Mindhunter started out slow but quickly made me stay up until 3 am to see how the debut season wrapped up.” – Kendra Beltran
Doctor Who
“Not my most favorite series ever, but a solid showing for P Cap, and I liked the new companion, Bill. And Missy, of course, who I enjoyed (but still don’t completely trust) now that she’s no longer a plot device.” – Ann Wells
Star Wars Rebels
“The Last Jedi let me down, but Rebels continues to be peak Star Wars. As the show has launched into its final season, the connections to the movie timeline are getting stronger, and the characters have secured their places among the pantheon of Star Wars heroes.” – Jason Dorough
A Series of Unfortunate Events
“After the disappointing movie version of one of my favorite book series, I was hesitant about the Netflix TV version, even with Neil Patrick Harris as Olaf. I shouldn’t have worried. It captures the books’ spirit quite nicely, and I absolutely love most of the changes they made!” – Chad Walker
GLOW
“I thought GLOW would be a silly and fun diversion for an episode or two, but I ended up loving the whole thing and can’t wait for more.” – Jason Dorough
Longmire
“It’s not SF but it has connections with its two stars, Robert Taylor (The Matrix) and Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica), the sheriff and deputy of a small, sparsely-populated but nonetheless exciting and sometimes crime-ridden fictional county in Wyoming. The sixth and final season that dropped on Netflix in November was a fitting end to the show. It wrapped up all the hanging plot threads from previous seasons and put a nice big bow on top for the characters.” – Ann Wells
The Expanse
“The second season of the Syfy space opera once again both brought tense action and delved deep into interplanetary politics, growing the cast to expand (no pun intended) the scope of perspectives and story elements being explored as things continue to heat up between the many factions and forces vying for control (or freedom).” – Celeste Monsour
The Handmaid’s Tale
“Margaret Atwood’s story is one I think of far too frequently since I first read it. The Hulu show really didn’t help my paranoia. But wow is it a powerful (and all too plausibly real!) story!” – Chad Walker
The Defenders
“The Defenders was a great combination of growing pains between heroes and serious action.” – Mandi Harris
iZombie
“Still one of the most darkly funny yet emotionally engaging series on TV. I’m intrigued by where things are going next season with the secret of zombies being out in the open!” – Celeste Monsour
Outlander
“Season 3 is based on my favorite Outlander book, Voyager. My expectations were wonderfully met. I think I’ve teared up multiple times because of the sheer emotional genius the actors bring to the screen.” – Mandi Harris
Superstore
“Not since The Office has a workplace comedy made me laugh so much that I had to watch each new episode on a loop.” – Kendra Beltran
