All new 2016 shows...
22. Westworld
“
Westworld is a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin.” – Having been billed as HBO's successor to “Game of Thrones”, Westworld was my most anticipated show of the year. It has a team of pure excellence. Anthony Hopkins, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright and Evan Rachel Wood, who all brought their A game so each character, whether it be a robotic farm girl or a misanthropic scientist, was uniquely layered with many emotions and recognizable traits. And directors including Jonathan Nolan, Michelle MacLaren and Vincenzo Natali, made it a fun show to look at but also challenging with everything in the screen being
important to the narrative.
The "challenging" facet of the show persisted in the non-linear storytelling approach too. There are dream sequences, main characters with their own arranged narrative that can be altered by others (you'd watch the same thing a few times but with little differences), multiple timelines shown in an episode, so it can become frustratingly confusing. I managed to cope (the discussions I had with friends after each episode–one of the joys of watching the show–made it easier for me) but the constant jumping all over the place resulted in a loss of rhythm and that made it frustrating for me when watching at times. It's helpful that I was invested in most storylines and I enjoyed it's relentless commentary on everything.
So I would say the season was a good outcome though not the outcome I wanted as my most anticipated new show of the year. I'm hopeful the next season will be better since it reminds me of another HBO series "The Leftovers", which had a fascinating yet middling first season with similar drawbacks as Westworld, only to go on and have a near-perfect second season. Imma chill with the expectations doe.
21. The Night Of
“
After a night of partying with a female stranger, a man wakes up to find her stabbed to death and is charged with her murder.” – HBO’s new crime drama was a destined hit–one of its creators was a writer for the classic “The Wire”, it was filling a void left by “True Detective”, and so when the series began in the summer it became a quick obsession for many people including myself.
It didn't offer anything flashy or new from the crime genre, but instead, it gave us a masterfully crafted drama that had top acting, storytelling, and cinematography. Lead actors Riz Ahmed and John Turturro gave performances that are worthy of Emmy nominations, and there's a scene in the fourth episode when a lawyer reaches out to its client on a human level before a plea deal that is one of the best of the year.
Nevertheless, the first half of the series was noteworthily better with its focus on the legal process then prison system but the second half was engrossing all the same. Some may find the finale disappointing (it was to an extent–not for the lack of "answers" but how they handled one character), yet I think overall they managed to give a well-balanced, realistic ending. It shows how the justice system can shatter a person's world and others around them. You can definitely tell the creator worked on "The Wire" after the final scene finishes lol.
20. Quarry
"
Mac Conway returns from Vietnam to Memphis in 1972 only to struggle with acceptance and his experiences as a Marine sniper. He is recruited by The Broker to join a group of contract killers who work along the Mississippi River." – Quarry showrunners Michael D. Fuller and Graham Gordy worked on my favourite show of the decade
Rectify
, so I was very excited for it to premiere, and luckily it bears resemblance with the morality of an alienated man returning home being a similar subject, yet it differs in tone when incorporating violent and explosive scenes which are filmed with such technical proficiency.
The finale has one of the best-directed TV sequences ever–I was shocked when watching as it echoes the My Lai massacre. The near ten-minute long take brilliantly enables us to experience what the main character had been feeling all season with the chaotic and deadly event. And just on a small scale, the show does a brilliant job at keeping a consistent, authentic 70s feel of Memphis (note: all episodes are directed by Greg Yaitanes) and using music from the era to arguably play a huge role.
It does have a few weak points though with dull moments here and there and the two main characters not being that interesting. But the show works on that as the season progresses and like I hinted at above the finale is one of the strongest episodes of the year with a special sequence. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the show will be getting renewed for another season which is a bummer but I'm content with how the season ended.
Most underrated show of the year!
Replies - Music
I would say it was overhyped.
low-key her best song to date 
Love Hannah, really excited about her ep