From Euphoria to House of the Dragon: Ranking best shows of 2022

While there were ample shows that could be touted a miss, there are others exceeding the audience's expectations

KARACHI:

It's been a memorable year for OTT with a plethora of shows hitting streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO, among others. The audience was spoiled for choice when it came to picking the best offering.

There were also ample shows that could be touted as a miss (I'm looking at you, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), but there are several which exceeded the audience's expectations. Here, we rank seven top shows of 2022 that made it to the list.

1. Euphoria season 2

I'll be honest, when we started this year, I wasn't sure I would be interested in some high-school drama. It wasn't 2014 and I thought I had moved past the said genre, but when I ended up watching the first season of Euphoria in a single night, it truly made me reconsider. Surprisingly, the Zendaya-starrer, with its twists and turns made out to be the best show of 2022.

The evolved storyline coupled with brilliant performances from the cast – especially Alexa Demi nailing it as Maddy – made for a great watch. The second season saw Rue (Zendaya) finally coming clean as she fought her own demons. The new season also highlighted a budding romance, a broken friendship, and a cliffhanger that had me screaming at the screen. Safe to say, Euphoria season 3 is my most awaited show.

2. Derry Girls season 3

All good things must come to an end. The girls at Londonderry have had a stellar run and the final season of the critically-acclaimed show stands at second position in the list. Derry Girls season three premiered on Netflix on October 7 this year. Erin, Olga, Mitchelle, Clare and James bid us farewell in a hearty, feel-good show that shall be remembered in years to come.

Derry Girls, written by Lisa McGee, tells the story of five high school students in Northern Ireland, clutched within a national conflict. The show's subtle way of highlighting a dispute alongside well-fleshed-out characters is relatable yet believable.

3. The Boys season 3

Ah, our great supes came back for a party in the third season! The Boys, created by Supernatural's Eric Kripke, has become one of the most popular shows on Prime Videos. The Boys picked up from its preceding season and added yet several layers to the well-crafted plot, which made my jaw drop many times in the recent installment – and for that alone, the show lists as the third-best of 2022.

There's hardly an antagonist in recent times I have come to abhor as much as Anthony Starr's Homelander. Starr alone was enough for me to wait for the new season to see how the story unravels. However, as always, the show surpassed expectations and emerged as the best installment of the series so far.

4. House of the Dragon season 1

Now, if there's one thing you should know about me, it is that I am an avid - and I mean AVID - Game of Thrones fan. I mourned Ned Stark's death, gasped at the Red Wedding, cheered when Jeffery Baratheon's face turned violet, smiled ear to ear when Sansa Stark fed Ramsay Bolton to his own hounds and ultimately became resentful when the makers completely killed Daenerys Targaryen's character arc and with it, the show.

So, best believe I was pumped when a prequel announcement was made. House of the Dragon's first season gave a detailed look into the House of Targaryen and the events of what went down at Westeros 200 years before Game of Thrones. True to its GoT plot, House of the Dragon was lauded for its gory, exuberant display of Kings Landing and well, its fair share of incest. The first season sets the perfect ground for the infamous Dance of the Dragons, and I can't wait to see what else is in the store. Season 2 is reportedly set for a 2024 release.

5. Stranger Things season 4

The latest installment of Stranger Things broke records – and rightly so. The sci-fi thriller was a continued story of the kids at Hawkins and the new challenges they faced. With Vecna breathing down their necks, Eleven and co try one more time to make it out alive amid the chaos and succeed – with a heartbreaking loss. Stranger Things season 4 was divided into two volumes – both turning out to be exceptionally good.

One thing about the show is that it truly does get better with every season. The VFX, the special effects and the acting prowess of the cast make it a fan-favourite, and I, for one, am not complaining. The last and final season of Stranger Things is set for a 2024 release.

6. Ozark season 4

Here's the thing about Ozark: it slowly grows on you. If you are also someone who watched the first three episodes and ended up being extremely underwhelmed like me, trust me when I say that it gets better. And boy, oh boy does it get better! The fourth and final season of the crime thriller sees the story of Marty and Wendy Byrde in the offshores of Ozark take a turn for worse as the family frantically tries to come out of the mess.

The show gives a fitting farewell to some of the most liked characters in the last season that will bring you to the edge of your seat. Ozark is underrated; believe you me. And there are very few slow-paced shows that manage to deliver in the long run with some of the best performances. Ozark seemingly won it all with its jaw-dropping finale.

7. The Summer I Turned Pretty season 1

I am obsessed with the feel-good genre of the early 2000s. The Princess Diaries, 10 Things I Hate About You, What A Girl Wants, Freaky Friday and Mean Girls are my calling. So, imagine my delight when I came across Prime Video's The Summer I Turned Pretty. The show premises around three teenagers and their complicated love life, intertwined with a friendship that has lasted for decades.

The first season of the show brings back the good ol' romance and there's nothing wrong with that! With the number of grim shows making rounds at the OTT, The Summer I Turned Pretty comes off as a breath of fresh air.

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