Better Call Saul

Network or Service: AMC, AMC+, Amazon Prime Video

Episodes: 63

Starring: Bob Odenkirk (Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman/Gene Takavic), Rhea Seehorn (Kim Wexler), Jonathan Banks (Mike Ehrmantraut), and Giancarlo Esposito (Gus Fring)

IMDb Synopsis: Before he was Saul Goodman, he was James “Jimmy” McGill. The prequel-sequel to Breaking Bad follows small-time attorney Jimmy McGill as he transforms into the best criminal lawyer in Albuquerque, Saul Goodman.

What I Found: One of the best TV shows of the past decade and, in parts, an even better series than its famed predecessor. Better Call Saul somehow took a scummy comic relief character and turned him into a complex, sympathetic main character, one for the ages. The trademark writing, acting, and cinematography that elevated Breaking Bad above its contemporaries does twofold with Better Call Saul, with a less violent and more subtle show that sees the many other ways to break bad. I loved all of these characters, from carryovers like Saul and Mike to newcomers like Kim and Nacho Varga. I will miss any show in this universe, but I think I’ll miss Better Call Saul even more than Breaking Bad.

Amphibia

Network or Service: Disney+

Episodes: 58

Starring: Brenda Song (Anne Boonchuy), Justin Felbinger (Sprig Plantar), Bill Farmer (Hopadiah “Hop Pop” Plantar), and Amanda Leighton (Polly Plantar)

IMDb Synopsis: Ordinary 13-year-old Anne Boonchuy finds a music box that sends her to Amphibia, a world full of frogs, toads, and giant insects. With help from the locals, like the Plantar family, she must adjust to life in Amphibia while trying to get back home. Along the way, she discovers the first true friendships of her life.

What I Found: A fun fantasy show that introduces viewers to such a unique world and sweet characters. For a kids show, Amphibia actually has some interesting commentary and quite a bit of mature subject matter on topics such as differing societies, adolescent friendships, and familial relationships. It’s hilarious on an episodic level and surprisingly emotional in overall arcs each season and even across the entire show. Be prepared to be more invested in a cartoon than you have been in a long time!

Critical Role’s The Legend of Vox Machina

Network or Service: Amazon Prime Video

Episodes: 13

Starring: Laura Bailey (Vex’ahlia “Vex”), Taliesin Jaffe (Percy), Ashley Johnson (Pike), Liam O’Brien (Vax’ildan “Vax”), Marisha Ray (Keyleth), Sam Riegel (Scanlan), and Travis Willingham (Grog)

IMDb Synopsis: They’re rowdy, they’re ragtag, and they need to pay their bar tab. Vox Machina, a band of misfits turned mercenaries for hire, must embark on a quest to save the realm of Exandria from dark, magical forces.

What I Found: A hysterical, horny, fantasy romp that is as close to the best Dungeons and Dragons adaptation we may ever get. I have never been more hyped to watch Vox Machina kick some ass, and I’m pretty sure I have never laughed with a character more than Grog. Fans of Invincible for the animation, gore, and character work will quickly become fans of The Legend of Vox Machina. Sometimes, it kind of seems like you need to be familiar with the D&D campaign that inspired this show (that being Critical Role) to fully get the backgrounds and relationships of these characters. Yet they’re all so likeable and debaucherous simultaneously that you can’t help but root for them.

Peaky Blinders

Network or Service: BBC, Netflix

Episodes: 36

Starring: Cillian Murphy (Thomas “Tommy” Shelby), Paul Anderson (Arthur Shelby), Sophie Rundle (Ada Shelby), Helen McCrory (Polly Gray), and Finn Cole (Michael Gray)

IMDb Synopsis: Thomas Shelby returns to Birmingham, UK, after serving in France during WWI. He begins to make a name for himself as a bookmaker, racketeer, and most importantly, a gangster. He leads the Peaky Blinders and controls the city with intimidation, drink, and guns. As he carves out a business empire for himself and his family, Tommy becomes increasingly haunted by the ghosts of his past and the traumas of the war. And he will find out just who is strong and powerful enough to take him and the Peaky Blinders down… if there’s anyone out there who can.

What I Found: An amazing piece of historical fiction that gets into the grime and crime of England in the early 1900s. Peaky Blinders is a stylish, badass show with modern rock music and plenty of slow motion to go with the gangster flair and violence. It also possibly has the first in-depth examination of PTSD in World War I veterans, which was equal parts fascinating and heartbreaking. It sort of departs from its gangster roots in later seasons, when Tommy becomes more involved in Britain’s politics, yet the characters, writing, acting, and directing are all just excellent. It’s absolutely worth seeing the Peaky Blinders’ story to the bitter end.