It's the end of the year, and it's about time to catch up on some reliable TV shows of the year. The women of Passerbuys have caught up and found that most second seasons, like Insecure and Master of None lived up to their premiere season, if not better. The year, however, belonged to HBO's Big Little Lies, which topped the list in the very binge-worthy season.
1. Big Little Lies (HBO)
Based on Liane Moriarity’s bestselling book, and featuring Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley, this darkly comedic series tells the tale of three mothers whose seemingly perfect lives unravel to the point of murder.
Recommended by: Nicole Najafi, Melissa Flashman, Gia Salvaggio, Noemie Le Coz, Angie Venezia, Stephanie Danler, Mari Andrew, Susan Alexandra, Kalen Kaminski, Mina Alyeshmerni
2. The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
Adapted from the classic novel by Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale is the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States.
Recommended by: Kristi Garced, Nicole Najafi, Gia Salvaggio, Zan Goodman, Katie Garcia, Stephanie Danler, Sara Haile, Susan Alexandra, Natalie Pace
3. Stranger Things 2 (Netflix)
It's 1984 and the citizens of Hawkins, Indiana are still reeling from the horrors of the demagorgon and the secrets of Hawkins Lab. Will Byers has been rescued from the Upside Down but a bigger, sinister entity still threatens those who survived.
Recommended by: molly young, Ly Ngo, Nicole Najafi, Zan Goodman, Natalie Pace
4. Insecure: Season 2 (HBO)
Creator Issa Rae (The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl) stars as Issa Dee, who struggles to navigate the tricky professional and personal terrain of Los Angeles along with her best friend Molly (Yvonne Orji).
Recommended by: Jasmine Imani, Sara Haile, Susan Alexandra, Erin Allweiss, Ana Giraldo-Wingler
5. The Crown: Season 2 (Netflix)
Based on an award-winning play ("The Audience") by showrunner Peter Morgan, this lavish, Netflix-original drama chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) from the 1940s to modern times.
Recommended by: Gia Salvaggio, Angie Venezia, Stephanie Danler, Natalie Pace
6. Master of None: Season 2 (Netflix)
The Emmy award-winning comedy is back! After traveling abroad, Dev (Aziz Ansari) returns to New York to take on challenges in his personal and family life, a new career opportunity, and a complex, developing relationship with someone very meaningful to him.
Recommended by: molly young, Zan Goodman, Mari Andrew
7. Game of Thrones: Season 7 (HBO)
The penultimate Season 7 of this blockbuster hit series focuses on a convergence of armies and attitudes that have been brewing for years.
Recommended by: Katie Garcia, Susan Alexandra, Puno Dostres
8. Veep: Season 6 (HBO)
Former Senator Selina Meyer finds that being Vice President of the United States is nothing like she hoped and everything that everyone ever warned her about.
Recommended by: Nicole Najafi, Sara Haile, Susan Alexandra
9. Planet Earth II (BBC)
Experience the world from the viewpoint of animals themselves. From spellbinding wildlife spectacle to intimate encounters, Planet Earth II takes you closer than ever before.
Recommended by: Noemie Le Coz, Mari Andrew
10. Twin Peaks: The Return (Showtime)
In the 1990s, residents of quaint northwestern town Twin Peaks were stunned by the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer. Now 25 years later, Special Agent Dale Cooper, who investigated the student's death, heads out on an odyssey that returns him to the Washington town.
Recommended by: Sarah Winshall & Nicole Steriovksi
Honorable Mentions:
Words by Jessica Jacolbe