TV I Watched in 2024 (Part Two)
All the shows I watched in the second half of the year!
Welcome to the FINAL WEEK of my 2024 Media Mayhem! This is yet again a long one, with almost 60 TV shows to talk about, that I'm sure I will test the limits of Substack and your email providers, so I'll try not to ramble too much here up top.
As I mentioned in July, mid-year I only covered shows that wouldn't have episodes for the rest of the year, so these shows are shows I've watched at least one episode of in the last six months. Some are long-over shows I binged, so I'll talk about those as a whole, and then of course there were plenty of shows that just started, that but for the shows that I talked about in last year's round-up, I'll try to focus only on their most recent season (without giving away any major spoilers.) I hope this is the kind of list you'll come back and reference next time you're looking for something to watch, because these lists are partly for me to express myself, but they’re also to be able to tell people about shows I liked and turn them on to things they may not have known about otherwise.
I once again broke these down into (admittedly very broad) genres, and let you know if it's gay or not right from the jump. Somehow the "vibe" section ended up being a weird logline for each show but hopefully it still gets the job done. Also, as always, I provided links to my Autostraddle reviews where applicable.
Okay, no cliffhangers here, let's check out those TV shows!
Abbott Elementary (2021 - present)
Vibe: Mockumentry about hilarious elementary school teachers
Is it gay? More behind the scenes than on
This show is so charming and funny. I love every character, and I have a deep appreciation for it as someone who worked in the NY public school system for ~6 years. Often with ensemble comedies, there are one or two characters who feel like the "weak link" who I can't stand, and in Season 1 I was afraid that was going to be Ava for me, but now she's my favorite character. I hope this show lasts forever, it brings me so much joy.
Ghosts (2021 - present)
Vibe: Woman bonks her head and can see ghosts of ridiculous people who died on her property over the decades
Is it gay? A little!
I'm delighted to report that the most recent season of Ghosts is just as delightful as the rest. They are always coming up with fun ways to introduce new ghosts, new scenarios, new situations, and I laugh out loud every episode. It's such a unique band of characters and I will never get sick of this show. It remains one of my favorite comedies on television.
The Lake (2022 - 2023)
Vibe: Former teen dad takes his somewhat estranged teen to his lake house, family shenanigans ensue
Is it gay? Indeed!
I watched this because I saw Jordan Gavaris was in it, and it was really cute and sweet. I'm glad I watched it over the summer because it felt like a summer vacation type of show. It's a very over-the-top comedy with some ridiculous characters, but it has some really sweet moments, and the teen daughter is bisexual, which makes her gay dad very happy. It's a fun, quick watch.
My Life is Murder (2019 - present)
Vibe: Xena solves crime with sarcasm and sass
Is it gay? Sadly not really
This was a show I watched with my parents and it was a hidden gem I don't know how I missed. Lucy Lawless being hilarious and solving murders??? Absolutely, yes. It's set in Australia in the first season and New Zealand in the second, so the accents are delightful. Lucy Lawless is also just so charming, I would watch her watch paint dry.
The Decameron (2024)
Vibe: Deeply unserious period piece about people quarantining from the plague
Is it gay? It sure is
Loosely based on 14th century short stories, this show is about some truly ridiculous people who go to an Italian villa to "wait out" the plague. There is nobility, people who think they're more noble than they are, people pretending to be nobility, and the villa staff with a secret they have to keep from their new influx of guests. It's a truly wacky show. The cast is amazing, the costumes are incredible, and it made me laugh a lot. Plus, bonus gays.
Jill Trent, Science Sleuth (2024)
Vibe: Adorable YouTube webseries about college kids with a mystery to solve
Is it gay? The gayest!
My friend Taylor Burke worked on this show and told me about it, and I had a great time watching it. I haven't really watched a webseries since Carmilla so it gave me some nostalgia, plus the episodes are little snack-sized videos, most of them landing around 5 minutes. A quick watch, but a super cute one.
Only Murders in the Building (2021 - present)
Vibe: A millennial and her boomer friends keep getting caught up in murder mysteries
Is it gay? Season 2 was but not Season 3 or 4
This must be the most fun set in Hollywood, because the longer this show goes on, the more famous and plentiful the guest stars become. This season they hilariously and purposefully patched up some plot holes from earlier seasons, as they made their transition from NYC to LA. In Season 2, they established that Mabel was bisexual, but they simply have not mentioned it since, which is a bummer, but overall the show remains silly and fun.
How to Die Alone (2024 - present)
Vibe: Messy woman tries to get her life together after a near-death experience
Is it gay? Not that I can recall
Sometimes it's stressful to watch someone make bad choices, but sometimes it's entertaining. This show goes back and forth on stress vs amusement levels, but overall I am glad I watched it. It ended up being an inspiring spin on not taking life for granted and not wasting time we're not guaranteed, while also being very funny.
Colin from Accounts (2022 - present)
Vibe: Two people share custody of a dog they almost killed, entwining their lives in chaotic and messy ways
Is it gay? There is indeed a queer subplot
I wish someone had told me that the titular Colin was a dog, I would have watched this show a lot earlier. This show involves a lot of heterosexual nonsense, but it is quite funny, and even though the main male character who I think I'm supposed to be rooting for is toxic and unlikable to me, I do overall enjoy the show. And the queer secondary characters, of course.
Happy's Place (2024 - present)
Vibe: The sitcom Reba but set in a bar instead of a house
Is it gay? No
I won't lie, this one probably won't stay on my list much longer. I watched it for the nostalgia - I loved the original Reba show when I was in high school - but it's what I call a Boomer Sitcom. The kind of shallow humor that my parents love but I find grating after a while. (Also in this category are some of their other faves I tried but, despite loving the casts, couldn't get into: Kids Ruin Everything, The Neighborhood, and Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage.)
Based on a True Story (2023 - present)
Vibe: Couple gets tangled up with a murderer and makes a podcast about it
Is it gay? No
I adore Kaley Cuoco. I watched way more Big Bang Theory than I ever would have otherwise because of how effortlessly hilarious she is, and I was enthralled by the range of her talents displayed in The Flight Attendant. Based on a True Story is no exception. As someone who listens to true crime podcasts, I could have easily taken offense to this show, but there's a difference, in my opinion, to people who listen to true crime because their anxiety likes to know every possible scenario in the world to feel more prepared somehow and those who would have written love letters to Ted Bundy. Anyway, as long as you have a good sense of humor about it, this is a romp of a show.
Taskmaster UK (2015 - present) + Taskmaster New Zealand (2020 - present) + Taskmaster Australia (2023 - present) + Junior Taskmaster (2024 - present)
Vibe: Comedians follow instructions poorly, hilarity ensues
Is it gay? Many LGBTQ+ guests over the years
When I ran out of episodes of Taskmaster UK to watch, I started branching out to other English-speaking countries. While none are quite as good as the original, they are all still exactly the same format, so they are still very amusing to me. Jury's still out on whether or not I care for Junior Taskmaster despite loving Rose Matafeo, but I'm sure I'll report back.
Exandria Unlimited: Calamity (2022) + Critical Role: Downfall (2024)
Vibe: History of Exandria, revealed + gods behaving badly
Is it gay? Boy-gay
These are Critical Role spinoff miniseries that happened amidst the third campaign that I enjoyed very much but would not make much sense to watch if you've never seen any of the Bells Hells campaign.
Critical Role: Bells Hells (2012 - present)
Vibe: A ragtag group of misfits have to decide the fate of the gods
Is it gay? So, so gay
I am loving this campaign so much and have been dragging my heels on catching up because I am afraid it's nearing its conclusion and I never want to run out of episodes. Imogen and Laudna mean everything to me.
Bob's Burgers (2011 - present)
Vibe: Silly family fun set in and around a burger joint
Is it gay? Guest stars/characters are
This show is consistently wonderful. I'm obsessed with Louise and love episodes centered around her most of all. She's such a little chaos goblin. But I love this family and the shenanigans they get up to. It's clever and silly and fun and so full of heart.
The Great North (2021 - present)
Vibe: Silly family fun set in and around Alaska
Is it gay? Jane Lynch joined the cast as a gay aunt
This show has all the same vibes as Bob's Burgers but with a different cast of characters. Jane Lynch's addition to the last season is hysterical and I love how Honeybee is the grounding force to the Tobin family's weirdness. It's funny and ridiculous and sweet.
The Dragon Prince (2018 - 2024)
Vibe: High fantasy about dragons and princes that is also cute and funny
Is it gay? It sure is
Stunningly animated with a beautiful and sprawling story (and REALLY cute dragons), I've enjoyed the evolution of all of the characters in The Dragon Prince. I actually haven't watched the seventh and final season yet, but I can't wait to, because not only do I love the little titular Prince and his dragon, but also his brother, their quirky friend, himbo guard, deaf lesbian warrior and her queen, a trans wood elf, and even the complex "villains." It's the kind of show I can't tear my eyes away from, and sometimes even find myself recording sound clips of to play backwards since the "dark magic" on the show are backwards speech and there are clever little things hidden there, too.
The Legend of Vox Machina (2022 - present)
Vibe: D&D but make it animated
Is it gay? Why yes, yes it is
I've been loving watching people who never watched the original Vox Machina campaign of Critical Role watch this show and enjoy how intense this story got over the years. I also have been enjoying the things that weren't in the original campaign that have been added to the show, including but not limited to being able to delve into Lady Kima and Lady Allura's backstory more. This show is truly a labor of love by its creators, and it shows.
Arcane (2021 - 2024)
Vibe: Gritty rebellion drama with sisters, lesbians, magic, and more
Is it gay? So fucking gay
Don't be fooled by the years next to the title of this show, there are only two seasons of this show, but whew what great seasons they are. The second season was well worth the wait, and even though I know those animators haven't seen their families in years I do wish we had more time with these deliciously complex characters. My TikTok feed has been approximately 50% Arcane since the series ended and I am not mad about it; I swear, I learn about a new small detail the animators put in every day. It's such a brilliant show, and I get a little teary just thinking about it.
NCIS: Sydney (2023 - present)
Vibe: Classic NCIS, but down under
Is it gay? Not...yet?
I watched NCIS: Hawaii (RIP) when I found out it was getting gay, and I enjoyed it very much, and still miss it. So when I heard Olivia Swann (aka Astra from Legends of Tomorrow) was going to head up NCIS: Sydney, I decided to check it out. It's...fine. It's no Hawaii. But I'm still holding out hope some gays will appear.
Found (2023 - present)
Vibe: Missing person PI company with a twist; also Zach Morris is there
Is it gay? Occasional case-of-the-week gayness only
This is one of my favorite procedurals; it's one of the only ones I watch to watch, not just as a comfort background show while I do other things. I love that it's a PI firm and not the cops that do their investigating, and I love how personally invested everyone on the team is. They're a trauma bonded little family who will do whatever it takes to find the missing people who come across their desks, all while dealing with some Big Problems of their own.
Alert: Missing Persons Unit (2023 - present)
Vibe: Police drama meets family drama
Is it gay? Sometimes
The first season of this show had such a compelling throughline story while also having a case-of-the-week, and that isn't the case for the second, but I'm still very much enjoying the cases. It's a little less fun than Found because it's the FBI (I think? I...don't pay that much attention if I'm being perfectly honest) but I enjoy it anyway.
9-1-1 (2018 - present)
Vibe: LA emergency services ft. boss bitch Angela Bassett
Is it gay? Yes!
The longer shows like this go on, the more ridiculous their emergencies are, and the more I enjoy them. This year? BEENADO. Which is my actual literal nightmare but it's okay. I love the found family feels of firefighter shows, and even though Angela Bassett's character gets herself into so many Very Big Emergency Situations that she should probably work in Shondaland's Seattle, she is always fun to watch. Plus: bonus Jennifer Love Hewitt!!! And you know I love that girl. (And yes, she cries a lot. If you're good at something, lean in!!)
9-1-1: Lone Star (2020 - present)
Vibe: Texas emergency services ft. Gina Torres
Is it gay? Trans main character!
This show has similar vibes as its parent show, with a found family and wild scenarios. Except this one has Gina Torres being a badass, which is always a win in my book. Unfortunately, this spinoff didn't follow 9-1-1 to ABC, and Fox is cancelling it after this season, so just a few more episodes of mayhem to squeeze in before Rob Lowe decides if he wants to move back to New York or not.
Criminal Minds (2005 - present)
Vibe: Hot people catch serial killers
Is it gay? Yes! Thank you, Aisha Tyler
Criminal Minds is one of my comfort shows. I love all the characters, I love the format, I love everything about it. And even though I think they're doing Too Much with Voit in the Evolution era, I have to admit he's a compelling villain, and the idea of serial killers having an underground network is, indeed, chilling. All this show needs to be perfect is to finally admit that JJ and Emily belong together.
Rescue: HI-Surf (2024 - present)
Vibe: Imagine if Baywatch and 9-1-1 had a baby
Is it gay? No
This show is bad. I can't stop watching it. Their job is beach, and they're not even always particularly good at it. When they're not trying to save lives and look hot doing it, they're kissing the wrong people, or brooding at the ocean. Being set in Hawaii, it's visually stunning, and listen, they might be sometimes bad at beach, but they DO succeed at looking hot. It's the perfect show to have on while I am doing another task that doesn't require my full attention.
Accused (2023 - present)
Vibe: Stressful lawsuit anthology
Is it gay? Sometimes
I genuinely don't think I like this show?? It's so fucking stressful. And I don't like courtroom dramas, typically. But the storytelling format, showing everything kind of out of order, challenging your assumptions as it goes, is intriguing to me, so I can't quit it. Most of the stories, to their credit, are very compelling, and since it's an anthology, the guest stars are great.
Tracker (2024 - present)
Vibe: Broody man finds lost things with the help of his lesbian aunt(s)
Is it gay? A bit yes
I needed a new background binge, and my dad loves this show, so I thought I'd give it a try. I do like that the titular tracker is an independent contractor who works outside the law, and that he does it because he's good at it and likes to get paid for it, though his personality leaves something to be desired. I do like his plucky gay aunts who help him find cases, though. And his funny tech guy. So I'm in it for now!
High Potential (2024 - present)
Vibe: Neurodivergent genius helps solve crimes her own way
Is it gay? No
I love Kaitlin Olson and miss The Mick more than is reasonable so I was DELIGHTED to realize she was coming back to TV for more than just her (very fun) guest spots on Hacks. Her character in this is basically a modern day Sherlock Holmes without all the woe is me attitude. She's funny and quick and cares little for rules and regulations - she just wants to solve the cases, whatever it takes. She's clever, quippy, chaos incarnate and I love her. Plus, bonus Javicia Leslie! Underused considering she was LITERALLY BATWOMAN, but still nice to see her.
Matlock (2024 - present)
Vibe: Kathy Bates lies a lot while being a badass lawyer
Is it gay? Yes!!
I have some Kathy Bates trauma from seeing Misery too young (my ankles hurt just typing this) and, as I've mentioned, I don't often love lawyer shows, but this has more of a crime-solving feel than a courtroom drama feel, plus a lot of character work and other mysteries, so I've been enjoying it very much. I never saw the original Matlock, so I obviously don't know how it compares, but I am having a good time. And plus, the cast is killer. Skye P. Johnson, who I loved on Good Sam, Jason Ritter aka Mr. Melanie Lynskey, and Leah Lewis from Nancy Drew, whose character is a lesbian!
Doctor Odyssey (2024 - present)
Vibe: Horny cruise ship medical staff is horny
Is it gay? In so many different ways
Like Rescue: Hi Surf, this show is objectively bad, BUT, unlike Rescue HI-Surf, I am deeply invested in the characters on this show and whether or not Phillipa Soo will throuple it out like I want her to. Cruise ship medical emergencies is certainly a new take on a classic, so I'm enjoying it, even though Joshua Jackson's character is RIDICULOUS and won't stop talking about how he was patient zero for COVID, a fact they would have had to waterboard out of me. Also they're keeping a masc lesbian below deck and I just HAVE to know what her deal is.
Grey's Anatomy (the dawn of time - present)
Vibe: Disaster prone doctors gather in Seattle to have sex in on-call rooms
Is it gay? Gayer every year
I mean, I don't think I need to sell you on Grey's Anatomy. You've either been watching it since you were born or you never will. This batch of interns has been my favorite in a long time, and even though half of my favorite ship is officially gone, there's still plenty of queer potential for this season. I'm loving the addition of Natalie Morales, Adelaide Kane, and Sophia Bush; it's like I hit queer bingo.
Chicago Med (2015 - present)
Vibe: Medical drama with ensemble cast full of big egos
Is it gay? No
I debated putting these two medical dramas in the procedural category, but frankly neither of them are particularly soothing, so here we are. The most recent season of Chicago Med has been a little odd. My least favorite character is finally gone, but so are some of my favorite characters. I'm learning to find new favorites (and least favorites), but it feels a little like something is missing. That said, they are always coming up with new wild and wacky medical emergencies, so I'm still in it for now.
Dates, Episode 104, Erica and Kate (2013)
Vibe: Two extremely hot people go on a problematic date
Is it gay? Couldn't get gayer if it tried
I only watched this one episode, with friends, because Katie McGrath is a queen and watching her go on a date with the stunning and effortlessly talented Gemma Chan is always a good time, even though the dialogue in this episode did NOT age well. Or maybe Katie McGrath's character was always meant to be problematic. Either way, it's not the kind of thing you watch for the conversation.
Eric (2024)
Vibe: Bumblebee Cumberbunt is a grumpy puppeteer whose son goes missing
Is it gay? No
I watched this with my parents, and it was somehow a little slow despite only being six episodes. That said, the underlying mystery was compelling enough to keep me interested. It's dark and gritty despite being about a children's show puppeteer, and darkly funny at times, though mostly just dark.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (2024 - present)
Vibe: British Harriet the Spy investigates a cold case
Is it gay? Not that I recall
I know I watched this show. I know I enjoyed watching this show. I know the sweet-faced girl who played Enid in Wednesday starred in this show. I just didn't retain a lot of other information about this show. Which is to say, I think I enjoyed watching it well enough, but it was a bit forgettable overall.
Lady in the Lake (2024)
Vibe: Extremely slow mystery that maybe should have been a movie instead
Is it gay? I didn't watch enough to know for sure
I tried to watch this show, I really did. The cast is great, the costumes are great, the general concept was interesting. It was just so...slow. It wasn't grabbing my attention which was making it hard to follow and eventually I realized I didn't care enough to figure it out, so I stopped watching. (Something you may know is not a thing I do lightly.) Sorry, Natalie Portman. Catch you in the next one.
The Bear (2022 - present)
Vibe: Loud kitchen drama, NOT A COMEDY
Is it gay? Ayo Edebiri is! Her character does not seem to be.
I loved the first season of this show, but I find myself less entranced by it as the seasons go on. There once was a show called Parenthood that I tried to watch but couldn't, thinking, "If I wanted to hear a family shouting at and talking over each other, I would just go visit my own family." Sometimes I feel that way about this show. If I wanted to see coworkers screaming at and not listening to each other, I could just go back to any number of my old jobs. That said, about once a season, there is an episode or storyline that is worth the awards this show earns, and Ayo Edebiri is fantastic, so I keep watching.
Disclaimer (2024)
Vibe: Cate Blanchett story unfolds very slowly
Is it gay? Nope
I often feel the opposite for books turned into media, but this should have been a movie, not a TV show. I love Cate Blanchett, so much, but dear god this story dragged. In the end, I was glad I watched the whole thing, because the last episode made the first six worth the time, but I don't think it needed to be quite so long. (Be sure to read that show's trigger warnings before watching, if you're one who sometimes needs trigger warnings.)
Dexter: Original Sin (2024 - present)
Vibe: Exactly the same vibes as Dexter
Is it gay? Not yet
I just watched Dexter for the first time a few years ago, and enjoyed the concept a lot even though some of it didn't age as well as I would have liked. (Let's just say the vocabulary was very early 2000s.) I'm delighted to report that Original Sin is just Dexter but modernized (while also being de-modernized because it's a prequel); Deb still has the mouth of a trucker, Dexter is still killing bad guys, and now with 100% more Sarah Michelle Gellar, which, if I'm honest, is why I watched the first episodes the day they dropped. They did an incredible job casting the younger versions of the original characters, and I was delighted when Christina Milian showed up.
Black Doves (2024 - present)
Vibe: Kiera Knightly is an assassin spy
Is it gay? Boy-gay
This show slid in just under the wire, because my parents and I watched the first few episodes literally last night, and I'm enjoying it more with every episode. Keira Knightly truly does not age, and she is so fun to watch in this. There's something about a badass woman with blood on her face that inexplicably does it for me. The stakes are getting higher with every episode, and I can't wait to finish the season.
Somebody Somewhere (2022 - 2024)
Vibe: Slice of life in a small town
Is it gay? Boy-gay
The most recent season of this show does a great job of displaying the kind of isolation you can do while still technically going through the motions of being around your people when you're in the depths of depression. It's about learning to let people love you even when you don't know how to love yourself, and that maybe it's okay to not have everything figured out.
Heartstopper (2022 - present)
Vibe: Sweet baby gay teens falling in love
Is it gay? It's practically puking rainbows
On paper, I have no business enjoying this show as much as I do. But I do! I love it. I love this little pod of queer, British teens. This season specifically tapped into some topics of gender identity and eating disorders and learning how to ask for help when you need it. It's saccharine and cheesy and like the opposite of types of teen dramas I'm usually into, but these kids are so lovable and this show makes me giggle and kick my feet like no other.
Shrinking (2023 - present)
Vibe: Therapists that desperately need therapy therapize each other
Is it gay? Not quite
I've always found Jason Segel entertaining, but he really steps it up to the next level in this show. This season deals with complex emotions and how to deal with triggers and whether forgiveness is possible. Jessica Williams and Christa Miller are beyond hilarious in this, and it's the kind of show that has you laughing your ass off one minute, and then the next minute it sucker punches you right in the feels. I highly recommend this one.
Bad Sisters (2022 - present)
Vibe: Irish black comedy ft. five sisters vs the world
Is it gay? One of the titular sisters is
I don't know where I've been but I hadn't watched this show until I saw the ad for it at NYCC before every single panel we went to. For a network who is actually pretty bad at promoting its own shows, this was surprisingly effective of Apple TV+. The sisters are hysterical and even though the show deals with heavy themes, it's an absolute riot. Fiona Shaw is in the second season and I've never loved to hate her more.
Sweetpea (2024 - present)
Vibe: Shy weirdo pushed to her limits, to hilarious and disastrous effect
Is it gay? A wee bit
Ella Purnell is having a YEAR. Just absolutely killing it on all fronts. She bowed dramatically on her way out of Yellowjackets and moved on to slay in Fallout, Arcane, and now Sweetpea. She embodies this unassuming girl who simply (and amusingly) snaps, and even though she makes decidedly bad an immoral choices, part of you just can't help but root for her.
Interior Chinatown (2024)
Vibe: Surreal crime drama that upends reality
Is it gay? I am gay for Chloe Bennet
This show is very unique, with an unusual format and a mind-bendy concept, but I had a great time watching the pieces fall into place. I'm also hopelessly in love with Chloe Bennet and she is astounding in this. The show starts off a little slow and confusing, but it really ramps up, and as you put together the pieces and try to break down what's real and not real, it gets existentially fucked in a fun way.
A Man on the Inside (2024 - present)
Vibe: Charming man goes undercover at a retirement community
Is it gay? Not really but I have a femslash ship in my heart
Listen, Michael Schur knows what he's doing. This show is heartfelt and funny and has Ted Danson at his finest. It has all the charm of The Good Place, and with some overlapping guest stars, though nothing will ever BE The Good Place, you can tell in your bones it's from the same creators. Plus, Stephanie Beatriz shines as the overworked and underappreciated but damn good at her job head of the retirement community.
No Good Deed (2024)
Vibe: A couple tries to hide their family secrets while trying to sell their home
Is it gay? On AND off screen
This was a quick binge, with another all-star cast, and a perfect balance of ridiculousness and humor and heartbreaking storytelling. Plus, Liz Feldman (gay comedian and creator of Dead to Me) cast queer actors Abbi Jacobson and Poppy Lui to play a couple, AND Linda Cardellini is once again playing bisexual (miss you, Judy Hale) with Katherine Moennig.
The Boys (2019 - present)
Vibe: What if the Avengers were real and American republicans capitalized on it
Is it gay? Not anymore
This season, I miss Brave Meave quite a bit, but I still enjoyed the mayhem of the season. Lots of twists and turns. Everyone is kind of starting to devolve and go off the rails in the most unhinged ways. Susan Heyward is a fun addition to the cast, as is Valorie Curry (who plays an alt-right nut job but is a lesbian in real life, and also was in the video game Detroit: Become Human), and despite everything about me implying the opposite might be true, I do love me some Jeffrey Dean Morgan. I'll be interested to see how this continues to tie into Gen V going forward.
Orphan Black (2013 - 2017)
Vibe: Clones try to solve the mystery of their existence
Is it gay? Delightful so
Orphan Black was and is one of my favorite shows of all time. I rewatched the series in anticipation of Orphan Black: Echoes, and I was surprised about how much I didn't remember, or even how many new things I picked up on, considering how many times I've watched this show overall. The show is a technological masterpiece, and Tatiana Maslany is a force to be reckoned with; no one has ever done it like her.
Orphan Black: Echoes (2024)
Vibe: What happened 37 years after the events of Orphan Black?
Is it gay? The gayest
Now, I'm not sure Kira Manning is who I would have followed, of everyone in the original cast, but without the ability to utilize Tatiana Maslany, it was an interesting idea. Seeing her fall into the same traps she gave her mother shit for, falling into new ones of her own, blurring the lines of legal and ethical. Krysten Ritter is great in this, as are her counterparts, and I'm sad this one only got one season, but it will forever join my Orphan Black rewatches.
Snowpiercer (2020 - 2024)
Vibe: Apocalypse train!!
Is it gay? It is, actually
I love an apocalypse story. I love to see people surviving and sometimes even thriving in impossible conditions. The final season upped the stakes, providing hope and taking it away and giving more hope again. It's gritty and dark and fascinating to see an interpretation of how a community might act if all that was left in the world was one perpetually moving train, 1001 cars long.
The Big Door Prize
Vibe: Small-town supernatural mystery
Is it gay? A bit, yes
This is a show I'm still watching not because I am particularly enjoying it as much as I need ANSWERS. I need to know where the machine comes from and what it all means. I NEED TO. There are some funny moments and interesting characters along the way but ultimately I'm in it for the supernatural questions.
Domino Day: Lone Witch (2024)
Vibe: British witch meets a coven and tries to decide if it's for her
Is it gay? All witches are gay
I don't know what it is about British television that makes their 2024 sci-fi look like our 90s sci-fi, but aside from the outdated feel to this modern drama, it was a quick watch and an interesting story about a covenless witch trying to find her way.
The Umbrella Academy (2019 - 2024)
Vibe: Magical adopted siblings try to stop an apocalypse they helped cause
Is it gay? Yes
This is a show that eventually I started to just kind of let happen to me, because the larger story was a bit lost on me. That said, I do enjoy the relationships between the siblings, and seeing the way their powers grow and evolve. If I'm being honest the finale of this show was a bit...underwhelming, but overall I enjoyed this show.
Ghost Whisperer (2005 - 2010)
Vibe: Jennifer Love Hewitt cries as she helps ghosts finish their unfinished business
Is it gay? No but Aisha Tyler is in the first season
I do believe I've written enough about this show for one year. No regrets on this rewatch though; 10/10 definitely recommend.
Teacup (2024 - present)
Vibe: Aliens (???) invade a remote farm
Is it gay? I don't think so
I won't lie, I forgot I started this show until I saw it on this list. I should get back to that. It's one I found out about from a billboard in Times Square and while I'm not sure it warranted such a big marketing budget, the episodes I have seen so far were intriguing. Supernatural mystery where the enemy could be anyone, all taking place on a kind of spooky farm.
American Horror Stories (2021 - present)
Vibe: Anthology horror from the twisted mind of Ryan Murphy and friends
Is it gay? Some episodes are
I keep watching this show, even though season after season it disappoints me. I stopped watching the main seasons of American Horror Story years ago, but I still keep coming back to the anthology series, because inevitably there are diamonds in the rough. But it's so much rough, and I can't honestly say that one or two good episodes out of every 10-episode season is worth the time spent.
Hysteria! (2024)
Vibe: Parody comedy about the Satanic Panic
Is it gay? No
This show is weird and I don't think in a good way? I watched the whole thing, so it wasn't horrible, but it felt a little on the nose. It did a decent job of showing how quickly people can get swept up into things, but I think it missed the point a little. It's kind of like asking "What if the Satanic Panic was well-founded," and I'm not sure that's something that was necessary to explore.
Dollhouse (2009 - 2010)
Vibe: Mind-wiped humans gain sentience and try to get science out of the wrong hands
Is it gay? Not gay enough
I wrote about this already as well, and I still wish this had more episodes. Watching it made me extra sad that Eliza Dushku was bullied out of Hollywood, because I think she has such a unique spark that is so fun to watch on screen.
Sweet Tooth (2021 - 2024)
Vibe: Sweet baby hybrid animal children try to escape being hunted
Is it gay? Only in the literal "happy" sense of the word
This extremely precious show came to an extremely precious conclusion this year, and made me weep like a wee babe. It was beautiful and sad and full of beautiful metaphors. I do believe that children are the future, just like the little animal hybrid children are the future of this fictional world. I'll miss this show dearly.
Silo (2023 - present)
Vibe: Post-apocalyptic society in a literal silo tries to learn the truth
Is it gay? There's a lesbian mechanic!
This show had some similar vibes to Snowpiercer, in that it's a small portion of humanity who think they're the only humans left on Earth, trying to form community and thrive. Rebecca Ferguson shines as Juliette Nichols, someone who starts to question the supposed truths the powers that be have been feeding them their whole lives. This season, we get a peek of what's going on OUTSIDE the titular silo.
Wynonna Earp (2016 - 2021)
Vibe: Demon hunting gunslinger cowgirl with a hell of a found family
Is it gay? It's Canadian sci-fi, of course it's gay
Another one of my all-time faves, rewatched in anticipation of the Vengeance movie that I talked about in last week's newsletter. No matter how many times I rewatch this show, I never ever get sick of it. And episodes like Jolene even make me cry when I know damn well what's about to happen.
From (2022 - present)
Vibe: Spooky town where you can check out any time you'd like but you can never leave
Is it gay? Yes 100% of the medical professionals are queer
This is one of my newer favorites, action-packed, spooky as hell, mysteries abounding, and so many people to root for. This most recent season answered some questions and asked a bunch more, expanding the lore and making me think the writers of this show are playing 4D chess. The cliffhanger at the end of the season had me screaming, and I am so glad there will be more seasons to figure out what the hell is going on.
Agatha All Along (2024 - ??)
Vibe: DOWN, DOWN, DOWN THE ROAD, DOWN THE WITCHES' ROAD
Is it gay? All witches are gay but also yes literally this is so gay
I didn't think I would ever love a Marvel show as much as I loved Wandavision. Then in strolled Agatha Harkness saying "hold my broom." Kathryn Hahn is unstoppable, there are hardly any men at all in this entire show, and it's about badass witchy women (and one gay teen) and is just...perfect. Absolutely perfect. The music, the costumes, the sets, the practical effects, all of it. Agatha was one of my favorite parts of Wandavision, and she continued to shine in this show. Wandavision and Agatha All Along are now tied for Marvel favorites in my book, and I'll be rewatching both of them forever.
There you have it! Between the mid-year list and this one, I have covered 120 TV shows that I watched at least one episode of this year. (And this year, I didn't bother to include things like Jeopardy and other things I happened to be in the room with my parents while they watched. You're welcome.) I hope you found at least one show you enjoy from this list to check out, especially during this winter hiatus, or at the very least you were entertained by the sheer volume of television I manage to consume in a year.
The last bit of Media Mayhem comes on Friday, when I'll talk more in depth about my favorites of the year, and then it's back to regularly scheduled programming. I want to thank you all for going on this journey with me every six months. Talking about media is one of my favorite pastimes (I mean, I did make it my job for goodness sake), and since the days of cable have gone by the wayside, a lot of the TV I watch is done as a solitary activity and I would always prefer to share it.
Merry Christmas if you celebrate, happy Tuesday if you don't! Either way, see you back here soon.
Bumblebee Cumberbunt!
Oh my gosh, Leah Lewis is SO GREAT on Matlock! I thought I was the only person I know watching that show (because I’m so old I *do* remember the original; it was set in Georgia and my grandma and I loved watching it together). AND I also LOVE HIGH POTENTIAL. You’re so right that it’s Sherlock Holmes without the emo boy angst. These lists have been such a gift. Thank you. 🧡💜