Top 20 Greatest One Season Wonder Shows
#20: “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” (2019)
The Dark Crystal - Top 10 Greatest Moments
Success has always come slowly to “The Dark Crystal” franchise. Jim Henson’s 1982 passion project wasn’t a huge financial or critical hit, but has since become a fantasy classic. Henson would’ve been proud to see his creation inspire this prequel series, which maintains the spirit of its predecessor with mostly practical effects and a harsh yet hopeful tone. “Age of Resistance” is arguably even stronger in terms of character, themes, and worldbuilding, calling “Game of Thrones” to mind. It might not be as violent as that fantasy series, but it’s just as intense and dramatically compelling. Days after winning an Emmy, Netflix canceled the series. With any luck, “Age of Resistance” too will gain a cult following, opening the door for a return to Thra.
#19: “The Prisoner” (1967-68)
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Where American shows are notorious for dragging things out until no longer profitable, British television is inclined to bow out while ahead. Yet, some shows leave such a large imprint in pop culture that you’d swear they were on longer. “The Prisoner,” for example, is draped in iconic imagery, from the Village’s bicycle logo to the mysterious “Rover,” aka that big white balloon. The series wrapped up after 17 episodes, going down as one of the earliest cult shows. It’d also leave audiences on *arguably* the first controversial series finale, which is essentially what creator/star Patrick McGoohan aimed for. The ending further ensured that Number Six’s story would be remembered and revisited. In that sense, the Village truly is impossible to escape.
#18: “Forever” (2014)
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When a show is titled “Forever,” the creators were probably setting themselves up for irony. Even so, audiences weren’t ready to say goodbye to Henry Morgan after 22 episodes. The series followed a Sherlock-esque doctor played by Ioan Gruffudd who’s died more times than Kenny on “South Park.” Also like Kenny, Henry can’t seem to stay dead, spending two centuries trying to unravel the mystery of his immortality. Although the critical reception was mixed, “Forever” found a passionate following. Despite performing well in terms of DVR viewership, low live ratings were at the root of “Forever’s” cancellation. A fan campaign wasn’t enough to save it, but we suppose Henry finally got what he wanted: a chance to rest in peace. The memories are forever, however.
#17: “When They See Us” (2019)
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“If they’re innocent, then why would they confess?” Ignorant questions like this epitomize why the Central Park Five - now the Exonerated Five - are just a small fraction of the countless individuals who’ve been wrongfully incarcerated due to a mix of racial profiling, forced confessions, and a broken system. By the end of this miniseries’ first episode, the audience is sure to be left shocked, heartbroken, and enraged. These feelings only intensify as director Ava DuVernay continues to peel back the layers of injustice. Just as integral, DuVernay hones in on each accused young man and their family, reminding us that behind the one-sided news coverage, these are all human beings. Each performance drips with raw humanity, especially Jharrel Jerome in an Emmy-winning turn.
#16: “Mare of Easttown” (2021)
Kate Winslet also won an Emmy for her bold performance as Detective Mare Sheehan. Had “Mare of Easttown” been condensed into a feature, it might’ve won her another Oscar. This material works better as a miniseries, though, allowing more time to explore Mare’s personal life and inner turmoil. A mystery surrounding the death of a young mother hooks us in, but we can see setups like that in any police procedural. There’s only one Mare Sheehan, who’s consumed by grief, disappointment, and a sense that her best years are long in the past. Solving this murder may bring Mare some closure, although it will also open the door to more tragedy. While Winslet is open to doing another season, some cases are better left closed.
#15: “Profit” (1996)
People often point to Tony Soprano as the one who popularized antiheroes on TV. Fox could’ve beaten HBO to the punchline three years earlier if only they had given “Profit” the time to find its audience. The show was already on its way to doing so with critics praising “Profit” as a breath of fresh air. Maybe too fresh for mainstream viewers, who weren’t sure how to feel about ruthless protagonist Jim Profit, played by Adrian Pasdar. This amounted to low ratings with Fox just airing four of the eight completed episodes. The other half later surfaced on the now-defunct Trio network. A classic case of being ahead of its time, “Profit” foreshadowed a media landscape where antiheroes are cheered on rather than condemned.
#14: “Normal People” (2020)
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Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal have broken out as two of our most promising stars. “Normal People” marked a significant turning point in their careers, making for one of the most fleshed-out pairs we’ve seen in any medium. Edgar-Jones plays social outcast Marianne and Paul Mescal is popular athlete Connell. The two enter a sexual relationship with deeper feelings buried beneath the social pressures that prompt them to keep things on the down low. “Normal People” is much smarter and more mature than one would expect from a teen drama, watching these two grow individually and as a couple. Life continually gets in the way of their complicated relationship. Whether or not they’re soulmates, Marianne and Connell wouldn’t reach their final destinations without each other.
#13: “Vinyl” (2016)
The “Vinyl” pilot was directed by Martin Scorsese, its all-star cast was headlined by Bobby Cannavale, and the creatives involved included Terence Winter and Mick Jagger. By all accounts, “Vinyl” should’ve been HBO’s next big hit, so much so that they invested $100 million in Season One with a second-season order all lined up. HBO reversed this decision two months after the season finale, which subsequently became the series finale. Even if the show didn’t hit the ground running as some might have anticipated, there was potential that could’ve been expanded beyond ten episodes. With first-rate production values, strong performances, and a distinct 70s sound, the series had all the right pieces except for one: time to get its funk on.
#12: “Wonderfalls” (2004)
Bryan Fuller is a one-of-a-kind talent, but his shows are lucky if they get two or three seasons. “Wonderfalls” only got one, although it packed in more wit and whimsy into 13 episodes than most syndicated shows’ possess in their entirety. Fuller’s inventive storytelling wonderfully compliments the visual energy of fellow creator Todd Holland, who worked on “Malcolm in the Middle.” Caroline Dhavernas is a delight as Jaye, a sarcastic gift shop clerk who finds herself being hounded by muses, which materialize as animal objects. Fox didn’t give this highly imaginative show a chance, pulling the plug after four episodes. Fans eventually got to see the full season on DVD, but if we had a penny and a fountain, we’d wish for a revival.
#11: “Midnight Mass” (2021)
Some people find religion comforting. If you dig into some of the darker themes and concepts, though, any religion can start to sound like a horror story. Creator Mike Flanagan blurs the lines between the Bible and a Bram Stoker novel in a wholly original work of supernatural terror. Vampirism aside, “Midnight Mass” unearths real-world horror as the citizens of Crockett Island begin to adopt a cult-like mentality. This gothic miniseries doesn’t outright scapegoat religion as the villain. Flanagan, who was brought up Catholic before becoming an atheist, unpacks his personal experiences in a story that explores how religion’s flaws stem from humanity. Whether using religion to inspire or control, people can be driven to do the unspeakable when they unwaveringly cling to their beliefs.
#10: “Over the Garden Wall” (2014)
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Throughout the past decade, “Over the Garden Wall” has developed into a Halloween tradition in the spirit of “The Great Pumpkin.” When this miniseries first aired, it almost crept up on us with its Halloween theme. While there’s an eerie vibe and autumn atmosphere from the get-go, Halloween ultimately plays a larger role in the narrative and character development than anticipated. It goes to show that behind any mask, there might be something you missed before. That said, we always notice something new whenever we revisit Patrick McHale’s Emmy-winning creation. Repeat viewings shouldn’t be restricted to October either. From its playful music to its simple yet layered worldbuilding, “Over the Garden Wall” is a satisfying - not to mention quick - watch any time of the year.
#9: “The Queen’s Gambit” (2020)
What to Watch If You Liked The Queen's Gambit
Beth Harmon’s life is a game of chess. She’s a character who keeps everything on the inside, visualizing her next move with an enigmatic look on her face. Beating her at the chessboard is one thing. The real challenge is breaking through Beth’s emotional defenses. Even as Beth grows more confident, something is holding her back from forming meaningful attachments. Vices such as pills and liquor escalate Beth’s obsession with being the best, which may destroy the queen before she can be crowned. Anya Taylor-Joy’s quiet yet multifaceted performance paired with Scott Frank’s vivid direction would mold “The Queen’s Gambit” into a phenomenon, speaking to audiences at a time when isolation was at its peak. It also made chess the most fashionable strategy game.
#8: “My So-Called Life” (1994-95)
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At a time when most teen dramas were dominated by soap opera storylines and very special episodes, Winnie Holzman delivered a surprisingly grounded and adult show entitled “My So-Called Life.” If Holzman’s name sounds familiar, that might be because she went on to scribe “Wicked.” She isn’t the only one who continued to ascend following the show’s sole season. It served as a breakthrough for rising stars like Jared Leto and Claire Danes, the latter of whom won a Golden Globe for breathing life into the angsty Angela. Just as the show tapped into a turning point in Angela’s coming-of-age journey, the show saw the teen drama come of age. Perhaps it was too real for the 90s, proving to be ahead of the class.
#7: “Police Squad!” (1982)
We’re all familiar with “The Naked Gun” trilogy, but even long-time fans of these classic comedies are often surprised to learn that the franchise started as a TV series. “Police Squad!” assembled all of the essential players, including the Zuckers, Jim Abrahams, and star Leslie Nielsen. The series possessed the over-the-top visual gags and silly yet witty puns we’d come to associate with the films. So why did ABC force the series into early retirement after six episodes? Because it had fast-paced humor that required viewers to pay attention, which audiences were incapable of in 1982. Thankfully, film audiences had wider attention spans with TV audiences eventually catching up. “Police Squad!” is like a lost fourth “Naked Gun” movie that fortunately isn’t lost at all.
#6: “Band of Brothers” (2001)
Top 10 Best Moments Scenes in Band of Brothers
In 1999, “Saving Private Ryan” lost the Best Picture Oscar to “Shakespeare in Love.” Many factors contributed to this infamous upset, a standout argument being that “Shakespeare” played better on voters’ TV screens than Steven Spielberg’s war epic. “Band of Brothers,” which reunited Spielberg and Tom Hanks behind the scenes, feels like a retaliation against that argument. Yes, the screen was smaller, but “Band of Brothers” stands out as one of the most intense, immersive, and powerful depictions of World War II. Now more than ever, people describe miniseries as movies with longer runtimes. It’s debatable if this started with “Band of Brothers,” but it certainly set a cinematic standard that would be carried on in other HBO miniseries like “The Pacific.”
#5: “Watchmen” (2019)
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An HBO miniseries based on a game-changing graphic novel sounds phenomenal, but fans were initially skeptical. For starters, “Watchmen” would be a sequel rather than a straightforward adaptation. The show was also subjected to early review bombing concerning the character Rorschach. Those who took the time to watch the whole series found that developer Damon Lindelof more than did the source material justice. He surpassed it in some respects, expanding upon the world with the introduction of new masked figures and the return of several key figures. The casting across the board is pitch-perfect, making the story feel plausible even at its most extraordinary. Its blend of classic themes and fresh ideas strikes a balance that few other reimaginings come close to achieving.
#4: “Chernobyl” (2019)
Top 10 Chernobyl Moments
When a tragedy like Chernobyl occurs, people are compelled to say, “Never forget.” Unfortunately, many did forget, as explained through this haunting miniseries. Numerous viewers weren’t even aware of Chernobyl before Craig Mazin’s dramatization hit the screen. Even if they knew the name Chernobyl, people might’ve underestimated the disaster’s scale and how easily it could’ve been avoided (or at least better contained). “Chernobyl” is a daunting reminder of how the unthinkable can become reality. Case in point, less than a year after the series premiered, COVID gave us nightmares of Chernobyl on a global scale. While it thankfully didn’t come to that, this miniseries remains a grim yet essential watch, guaranteeing we’ll never forget Chernobyl or the human errors that can lead to similar events.
#3: “The Honeymooners” (1955-56)
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With a working-class protagonist, an outspoken wife, and dimwitted best friend, “The Honeymooners” is still inspiring sitcoms almost 70 years later. It’s somewhat staggering that such an influential show lasted a season consisting of 39 episodes. This wasn’t a case of the network prematurely axing a groundbreaking show. Jackie Gleason signed on for 78 episodes spread over two seasons. After 39 episodes, Gleason felt the show would dip in quality if he continued, reaching an agreement with CBS to end it. The sitcom initially wasn’t the biggest ratings hit anyway, but Gleason underestimated just how valuable his creation would be down the line. Gleason sold the series and along with its lucrative syndication rights for $1.5 million, which sounds like a Ralph Kramden move.
#2: “Freaks and Geeks” (1999-2000)
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“Freaks and Geeks” is a bit like John Hughes if you removed any of the romanticized elements. There are no spontaneous musical numbers on parade floats, but the characters and conversations couldn’t be more authentic to the teenage experience, especially if you were an outsider. From behind-the-scenes talents like Paul Feig and Judd Apatow to a cast that featured Linda Cardellini and Seth Rogen, it’s hard to think of anyone associated with this project who didn’t go on to have a prominent career. The show was lightning in a bottle that’s never quite been replicated, although the similarly short-lived “Undeclared” came close. We could be angry about its cancellation, but we’re mostly grateful for the 18 episodes we got and how they’re still shaping us.
#1: “Firefly” (2002-03)
In an alternate reality, the Space Western lasted several seasons, inspired multiple spinoffs, and got a Disneyland attraction following the Fox merger. Instead, Fox banished “Firefly” to Friday nights, aired episodes out of order, and canceled the series after 11 of its 14 finished episodes. “Firefly” was far from out of gas, continuing to attract more Browncoats with its intricate worldbuilding, quotable dialogue, and characters who feel real, leading to a theatrical film that provided some closure. Between Joss Whedon’s recent controversy and much of the cast moving on to other projects, rumors of a “Firefly” revival might be the internet getting their hopes up, but the spark hasn’t gone out yet. For now, it remains a testament to how far one season can go.
