I offer you, my friends, an appetizer to my reveal of my list of the best TV Series of 2024 (coming this Thursday). Here are some of my favorite episodes of television this year

Note that these are in no way a ranked list of what I thought were the best episodes of TV. Just the ones I enjoyed for one reason or another

I look forward to seeing you all on Thursday.

The Curse – “Green Queen” (S1, E10, Airdate: 1/14/24)

I’ve spent the entirety of 2024 wanting to write about the Nathan Fielder, Emma Stone series that quite honestly became one of my favorite miniseries of all time. I ranked it somewhere in the middle of my list of 2023 because I hadn’t seen it all, and combined with a friend who yearly gives me shit about doing exactly that, and the fact that this series was clearly screaming out to not be judged on its first half, I found myself at the end of it feeling guilty that I hadn’t given it its proper accolade when I wrote it off. I honestly may have seriously considered it the best show of 2024.

It’s been nearly twelve months since the finale of The Curse and I honestly haven’t stopped thinking about it since. Smothered in critical acclaim for its absolute insanity it buys real estate in your head that it’s never giving back.

The curse is an absolute textbook example in avant-garde filmmaking. The series lived for 9 hours in frustratingly slow burn that not only dared the viewer to punch out…but sort of encouraged it. It then culminated in theatrics of special effects and illusions that were out of this world.

Bluey – “The Sign” (S3, E49, Airdate: 4/14/24)

The first ever full-length episode of the massively acclaimed children’s series that has grown a cult following of epic proportions was a giant flex on its ability to captivate children and cripple the hearts of adults with the ease of Rusty’s Cricket swing. Jam-packed with and an ending that would bring even the most rock-hearted cold soul to weeping shambles, Bluey’s “The Sign” wasn’t just the strongest children’s programming episode of television of the year. It was easily one of strongest twenty-eight minutes on TV all year.

My family has watched it a hundred times since it’s airing and it never disappoints. 

30 for 30 – “I’m Just Here for the Riot” (E149, Airdate: 6/4/24)

One thing you often don’t see on this site is a reflection of how big a fan I am of ESPN’s long running. 30 for 30 series.

I’m Just Here for the Riot is co-directors Kathleen Jayme and Asia Youngman’s documentary on the riot that followed the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Vancouver after the Canucks lost to the Boston Bruins in a heartbreaking Game 7.

The film acts as an inside look at the consequences for young adults prosecuted for their part in a riot after social media essentially upends their entire lives. It’s a stinging commentary on the long lasting effects of social media stupidity and how what was identified as the first riot in the social media world hauntingly predicted what was to come for decades following it. 

Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV – “The Darkest Secret” (S1, E3, Airdate: 3/18/24)

Mild spoiler alert if you haven’t watched Investigation Discovery’s docuseries about the toxic world of 90’s/2000s Nickelodeon children’s programming ahead…

Following multiple episodes tip-toeing around a mysterious victim in the center of sexual assault allegations within the confines of Nickelodeon productions, Drake Bell comes forward and tells his harrowing experience with Brian Peck, a producer on The Amanda Show who stalked, groomed and ultimately preyed upon him for an extended period of time. Drake discussed the aftermath of Peck’s subsequent arrest, trial and conviction and how Hollywood stars came to the defense of Peck; leaving Drake traumatized and in shambles for much of his life. The episode is brutally honest, and Drake’s incredible heroics is unforgettable. 

The Bear – “Napkins” (S3, E6, Airdate: 6/26/24)

Directed by the incomparable Ayo Edebiri, Napkins was a one-off episode detailing the backstory of Liza Colon-Zayas’ character, Tina. Easily the strongest episode in a marginally weaker third season, “Napkins” came away a fan favorite and a highlight of the entire series. Brilliant performances by both Colon-Zayas and Jon Bernthal (in a return to a guest role that won him an Emmy last year, and will likely win him another one this year) showcase the true underrated talent from the extraordinary cast. 

The Penguin – “A Great or Little Thing” (S1, E8, Airdate: 11/10/24)

In the season (possibly series) finale of HBO’s brilliant rendition of the origin of Gotham’s most ruthless devil, everyone settles for their own place in hell while the series’ plot is wrapped up and the character gets his boarding pass into the next chapter of Matt Reeves’ Batman trilogy.

Flawless performances from Colin Farrell, Cristin Millioti, Rhezney Feliz, Deirdre O’Connell and Ryder Allen escalate to the show to an ultimate boiling point that sends the viewer into the shock and horror of what the show was always supposed to be.

It was hard to pick one episode of this series that I thought was its best, but ultimately with a finale that delivered so solidly it’s equally as hard to shy away from it. 

The Simpsons – “Bart’s Birthday” (S36, E1, Airdate: 9/29/24)

The 36th season of the longest running show in the history of the world was a “what could be” of a series finale. For a show that is on veritably nobody’s radar, it was an introspective masterpiece and by far the best thing the series has done in about two decades.

Hacks – “Par for the Course” (S3, E6, Airdate: 5/16/24)

In what is sure to become one of the most iconic episodes of the series, Hacks hit the epitome of its stride leaning on its two brilliant stars and incredible supporting cast.

Hannah Einbinder was particularly at her absolute best with an iconic cameo performance by Christina Hendricks.

Fallout – “The Beggining” (S1, E8 Airdate: 4/10/24)

 In a season finale that essentially flipped the entire series on its head while tying literally every loose knot of its rookie season together, Fallout saved its strongest and most ambitious episode for its last. Heroes become villains. Villains become heroes and albeit a bit predictable, antiheroes rule the day and steal your heart. Most of all it, it bets on itself that it’s got the staying power to become one of the more expansive universes on television.

Shrinking – “In a Lonely Place” (S2, E6, Airdate: 11/13/24)

Shrinking hits the most tragic part of its existence head on with its most innocent victim in a way that stayed true to the series’ “kindness over chaos” mantra.

In an absolutely beautiful scene where young star Lukita Maxwell sat down with the drunk driver who killed her mother (played by gift-from-the-gods Brett Goldstein of Ted Lasso fame who also wrote the episode and acts as executive producer / creator of the series) to talk out the horrific realities of sudden loss.

As a kid who lost his mom at an early age I’m often very cynical of how fictional media portrays that exact scenario. This was an absolute masterclass in how to do it.