The year was intense for goodbyes and reunions, with lots of praise here at Miscelana. It’s not an easy task, but are we going to rank the Best of the Year?

1- Succession – HBO Max

The farewell to the HBO Max series was unanimous because it really surpassed the others in interpretation, surprises, plots, and text. He could have continued, but he chose to stop at the peak. Now we have to look for her successor…

2- Ted Lasso – Apple TV Plus

Another farewell, fans wanting more of Ted Lasso, the series about the American coach who had to save a football team in England became a worldwide sensation. It started to make us feel good (apparently), it covered dense and relevant subjects, with some frustrations along the way. How can I not complain about avoiding #tedbecca? We will miss him.

3- Only Murders in the Building – Star Plus

I’ve been in love with the series since its debut and I find it fascinating, innovative, and bold in its storytelling, not so much because of ‘surprises’ and visual innovations, but because of the narrative details that are intelligent, curious, and fun. Season three kept us guessing until the end, with a sensational musical and Meryl Streep‘s illuminating presence. How can you not want more without being a psychopath knowing that to do so more people have to die?

4- The Last of Us – HBO Max

The game’s adaptation was one of the most anticipated content of the year and, therefore, one of the biggest risks for the platform. And what a success! True to everything fans knew (and expected), it couldn’t be left out of one of the year’s biggest highlights.

5- Daisy Jones and the Six – Amazon Prime Video

Another adaptation whose expectations were even exceeded with impeccable delivery, so much so that the “biographed” herself, Stevie Knicks, praised the production. Exciting, correct, and with an unforgettable soundtrack.

6- The Gilded Age – HBO Max

My passion for the period series is not disappointed with this original production by Julian Fellowes. Yes, there is a certain anachronism, but within tolerability and a parade of figures and true stories among characters created by the same showrunner as Downton Abbey.

7- The Morning Show – Apple TV Plus

The series took a while to get going, we have to remember, but in this third season, it kicked the bucket and created unpredictable twists that gave energy to the story, although it also created a somewhat complex situation to bring in some important characters. Do you know what it means? We want the fourth season to come soon!

8- The Great – Lionsgate Plus

My favorite, is the stunning costumes, clever soundtrack, and an anachronistic version of Catherine the Great. With moving performances from Nicholas Hoult and Elle Fanning, the series transformed a toxic relationship into something romantic (only those who watched it understand what I’m saying) and although it ended before the end, it was in a stunning moment. I will miss you!

9- The Crown – Netflix

There are six years, and six seasons that captured with emotion and precision the long reign of Elizabeth II, from her 25th birthday until her golden jubilee in 2002. This means that – to the dismay of the Royal Family – 27 years after her death, Diana returned to torment them with her popularity and charisma. If Emma Corrin was award-winning and perfect as the princess at a young age, Elizabeth Debicki is her reincarnation. There are still five episodes left, but there is no doubt that The Crown is among the best highlights of 2023.

10- Barry – HBO Max

Closing in on just 10 titles was difficult, I’m not sure those who were left out didn’t deserve to be here, but Barry‘s last season, even with a logical conclusion within its constant respectability, left us tense, guessing, and never, never bored. Its innovative narrative, its strange humor, a series that passed in the shadow of Succession, but of equal importance. That’s why it’s one of the 10 best.

Honorable mentions
If these are the 10 best, there are honorable mentions of other highlights in 2023.

• Ahsoka and The Mandalorian – Disney Plus
  The Star Wars series isn’t quite Andor (the best of all), but for Star Wars Rebels fans it was a delight. His connection with Mandalorian was perfect, and if we’re in the field of chipping couples here… our Grogu gained a potential mom in Bo Catan. It was fun!

• The Wheel of Time (Amazon Prime Video), The Witcher (Netflix) and Silo (Apple TV Plus)
  
  If fantasy and science fiction is your thing, 2023 was full of offers. The Wheel Time made a lot of progress in its 2nd season, for those who read the books there were some liberties with the story, but, overall, a success. The Witcher was more uneven, a shame because it was Henry Cavill‘s farewell to the role. Silo was a bit of a surprise, there is more to come and it could still be an important series. The first season was great!

• Loki, Disney Plus
  Another farewell, less unanimous than Succession, but worthy of being among the best. The final season’s argument seemed sufficient for half of the episodes, but it was the path of Loki’s final transformation, a sympathetic antagonist who is among Marvel’s most popular heroes. An incredible trip for those who followed and enjoyed the entire journey

• Hijack, Apple TV Plus
  
  The series starring Idris Elba did not seem to conclude the entire plot that made flight KA29, between Dubai and London, the most violent, tense, long, and unpredictable possible. Kidnapping in the Air left us theorizing, cheering, and with our mouths open in eight episodes that seem to be just the pilot. Yes, the surviving passengers have landed in London, but those responsible are free. And now?

• Physical, The Buccaneers and The After Party, Apple TV Plus
  
  Apple TV Plus has sort of positioned itself once and for all in 2023 as THE content platform with Hollywood’s biggest stars. I didn’t even mention other successes like Shrinking, but having a series that started out heavy like Physical, but ended positively; a lukewarm season of a previously brilliant The After Party, and an adaptation along the lines of Bridgerton of the classic The Buccaneers shows the versatility and how it came to fight with the traditional ones. Seeing how it holds up in 2024!

• The Wonderful Mrs. Maisel and Bad Omens, Amazon Prime Video
  
  Although I didn’t enjoy his farewell, I need to highlight one of the first Amazon Prime Video series to win Hollywood’s main awards, transforming this unpretentious piece into a classic. Midge was acidic, complex, and brilliant. I’m glad you achieved fame!

The return of Bad Omens had its surprises and fewer laughs, but a relationship that we want to develop more. Will we have a sequel?

• And Just Like That, HBO Max and Special Operation Lioness, Paramount Plus
  
  We couldn’t name two pieces of content with strong female characters that are more opposite than these two series, but they stood out among women. After skidding at the premiere, the return of the women of Sex and The City gained a better track, but one that also exposes the wear and tear of the formula. Trying to get it right by responding to criticism was quite tiring, but we’ll have more to see if it’s really time to say goodbye to Carrie and company. The Paramount Plus series brought together Nicole Kidman and Zoe Zaldana in a story with real inspirations, well-conducted for the time being, but concluded with a rush and loose ends. Will we have more? Waiting but I see good dramatic potential and would be interested in more.

Did you agree with the choices? Was there anything missing? Which?

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