The Queen's Gambit
There were quite a lot of excellent limited series on offer in 2020, and this list should not be read in any particular order, for each show on it is just as great, in their own way. Most of the world seemed to discover Anya Taylor-Joy when "The Queen's Gambit" premiered on Netflix, but I'd been a fan of hers since Robert Eggers' "The Witch," not only because of her unmistakable star quality, characteristic appearance and powerful screen presence, but also 'cause she's the kind of young actress that seems to unfailingly choose interesting material. And this miniseries, about a drug-addled chess prodigy in the 1960's, is no exception. Like another entry on this list, it's one of those stories that fools you into thinking it's about a real person, 'cause it just feels so real. But then, it's based on a book by a great writer, Walter Trevis, and adapted by a great screenwriter and director, Scott Frank, who previously made the masterful Western series "Godless," also on Netflix. I mean, that'll do it!
The Outsider
Movies and TV series based on Stephen King stories are usually hit or miss, but "The Outsider" is a real masterpiece, if you ask me. What makes it great is that throughout, it never diverts from its realistic style and serious tone, even though it's a supernatural murder mystery, nor does it change its slow and deliberate pace, intense yet devoid of melodrama, violence or jump scares, which creates a psychological horror that manages to really get under your skin. More horror shows should follow the example of "The Outsider" and its tasteful use of creepy mood rather than gore, and Ben Mendelsohn should play depressed cops more often, 'cause it's some of the best acting I've ever seen him do.
I Know This Much Is True
Speaking of an actor giving a career-high performance, I don't think I've ever been as moved and impressed by Mark Ruffalo as I was watching him in the dual role of twins Dominick and Thomas Birdsey in "I Know This Much Is True" on HBO. Of course, Ruffalo's Hulk is the best version of Hulk because he always brings charisma, intelligence and pathos with a tinge of sadness to any part he plays, something that adds an interesting dimension to anything, really. I found myself surprised when I looked up the novel by Wally Lamb and discovered that it isn't a true story, because the misery that befall these two men seem too ridiculous to be made up, in that certain way that fact can be more unbelievable than fiction. That such was not the case, and that I fooled myself into thinking so, is a testament to the brilliance of the story and a credit to the show's director, the great Derek Cianfrance ("The Place Beyond the Pines").
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels
John Logan's spin-off series in name only to the great "Penny Dreadful" is an homage to one of my favorite genres, L.A. noir, mixed with fascinating Mexican folklore, about a murder investigation in the Golden Age of Hollywood that reveals a lot of rottenness at the city's core. The horror isn't all that scary really, but it is fantastically macabre (which is even better), and the whole show is terribly well written, with some unforgettable performaces throughout, particularly from Rory Kinnear (who played the Monster in the original "Penny Dreadful") as a member of the German American bund and Natalie Dormer, the show's star really, who truly gets to shine as a demon in several different disguises, exerting her evil influence in all echelons of society, from gang members to councilmen.
Lovecraft Country
Another great horror drama this year was "Lovecraft Country," which was received with a lot of anticipation from fans of the original book by Matt Ruff. I was woefully ignorant of that bestseller, but that worked in my favor since I came into the show with fresh eyes, my emotions unhindered by expectations or preconceived notions, and thus I was completely enthralled, amused, suitably creeped out, repeatedly enlightened and educated by the rich content of this dark fantasy tale of witchcraft and racism in the deep south during the heyday of segregation. I came as an old fan of H.P. Lovecraft and found so much more, an eclectic bag of goodies, not only monsters and magic but also old school science fiction and a powerful meditation on American 20th century history, warts and all.
The Good Lord Bird
Ethan Hawke has really grown into one of the finest actors in the world in his middle age, and in the role of John Brown, the eccentric abolitionist who led a small civil war in Kansas in the mid-19th century, he really gets to chew some scenery. But watching Hawke make the best of such a juicy leading role is only part of the fun of this HBO series, based on James McBride's novel. This is on many levels first class entertainment, a highly successful combination of serious subject matter, a lovingly made period piece, a really witty, clever script with almost farce-like instances of broad humor, full of colorful characters (like Daveed Diggs' Frederick Douglass, amongst many others) and a terrific soundtrack. All in all, exactly the kind of show we need to watch, learn from and discuss in these times.
Tiger King
Twice I've mentioned that fact often trumps fiction, and Netflix's biggest hit of the first part of the year is a good example of that. "Tiger King" is kind of true crime but mostly a documentary series that is so outrageous, so unpredictable, so hilarious and yet deeply tragic, that it is no surprise it took the world by storm. Unless you were stranded off any kind of grid during Covid, you couldn't have failed to notice that this show about zookeeper and convicted felon Joe Exotic and primarily, his feud with wildlife rescuer and conservationist Carole Baskin became a sensational phenomenon. And the reason for its success is, I believe, for the umpteenth time, that the story's so bizarre, no one could have come up with it on their own.
I May Destroy You
Once again, a Brit proves that they are the best when it comes to writing television drama with an edge, populated fully-rounded characters, featuring believable dialogue and relatable situations, and shows that tackle hot topics in unpredictable and interesting ways. This time, the Brit in question is Michaela Cole, who won several awards both as creator, writer and actor in this effortlessly cool, witty and intelligent show about a rape survivor, featuring a predominantly black cast, which was quite a new thing in a BBC production in 2020. I'm not the only one to feature "I May Destroy You" on their best of the year list, in fact very few critics and websites did not feature it on some list or other, but sometimes the popular choice is the absolutely correct one.
The Third Day
Staying with UK drama for now, this Sky Atlantic and HBO co-production was a surprisingly solid folk horror and psychological thriller mystery which, for those of us horror nerds familiar with the British classic "The Wicker Man," and other similar fare about weird cults on remote islands, did at first feel a bit too familiar. But then the show started mixing it up about halfway through by taking an unexpected turn and switching the narrative point of view a bit, from the initial protagonist portrayed by Jude Law to his wife and child. This somewhat original conceit, along with the beautiful cinematography, terrific acting from all involved, some credible writing and neatly constructed creepy atmosphere, came together nicely to make for an excellent and engaging miniseries dealing with guilt, trauma and madness.
I'll Be Gone in the Dark
I tend not to include true crime on these lists, because they are more often than not rather pedestrian works that are dime a dozen basically, but Liz Garbus' "I'll Be Gone in the Dark" is quite exceptional. It is not only hands down the best true crime documentary series I have ever seen, but it's also so much more than that. For it's really a story about Michelle McNamara, the true crime aficionado who essentially solved the case of the EARONS serial killer/rapist before she herself passed away suddenly in her sleep, only 46 years of age. Her obsessive research for the book that is the basis of this series is what eventually led to the arrest and trial of the septuagenarian killer, which is a first when it comes to amateur investigations, as far as I know. That alone is reason enough to consider this excellently produced doc of an incredible woman and her outstanding work a true gem in an overcrowded landscape of true crime podcasts, books and TV shows.
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