The worst year ever is almost over, and we are so happy to be saying goodbye at last! It wasn’t all bad, though: we did get to watch some amazing TV. Here were our favourite TV moments of 2020.
Dinner with Mr. Hargreeves – The Umbrella Academy
As soon as this disastrous group of siblings decided to have dinner with their father in an alternate timeline, we knew shit was about to go down. Reginald Hargreeves didn’t have to know anything about his children to get under their skin, and these kids are absolutely incapable of being in the same room and not making a scene. It was amazing.
The girls take the bus together – Sex Education
So much of Netflix’s Sex Education was pure gold, but I will never forget the feeling of watching episode 7. The episode shows Aimee traumatized after experiencing sexual assault on public transit. She’s unable to take the bus and walking everywhere. In detention, she and the other girls bond over shared experience, and end up getting together just to smash things. It’s cathartic, and it’s also a heartwarming scene of female solidarity, as these girls are finally allowed just to be angry. Absolute chills.
Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher – The Crown
Margaret Thatcher is awful, but Gillian Anderson is a treasure, and we could not wait to see her appear in season 4 of The Crown. As expected, she blew us all away, and her appearance on the show ranks in our top TV moments of 2020.
Oliver and Felicity reunite in the afterlife – Arrow
We’ve had a complicated relationship with Arrow throughout its 8 season run, and to say we were disappointed in the finale would be an understatement. Still, this is the show that kicked off the Arrowverse, and we have lots of fond memories attached to it. Seeing Oliver Queen die and the show come to an end was heartbreaking, but it was nice to see him finally happy with the love of his life.
The funeral – Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist
Sometimes we all need a good cry.
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist was one of our favourite new shows of 2020. It captured our hearts instantly with its heart, its cast, and its beautiful musical numbers. But while we knew the show was leading up to Zoey’s dad’s death – it couldn’t exactly have gone any other way – the actual funeral scene was absolutely devastating.
Chidi and Eleanor say “I love you” – The Good Place
The Good Place usually thrives on a combination of deranged humour and deep philosophical questions, but after four seasons, we were invested in these characters. We’d seen Eleanor and Chidi almost get together so many times, and every time, they’d had bigger things to worry about. These two make a lovely couple, and we’ve been rooting for them for years; seeing them finally admit their feelings for each other (for real this time) was a wonderful moment. It also happened in a way that was so perfect for the characters and the tone of the show. Just a fantastic ending to a fantastic show.
Destiel is canon (sort of) – Supernatural
*sigh*
I have to include this one. It’s been on so many of our lists already, but it’s got to be the most memorable TV moment of the years, hands down. Right? And there’s the thing. I almost didn’t want to put this moment on the list, because it isn’t a good moment at all if you’re a Supernatural fan, is it? It’s truly disgusting how badly this show has treated its characters and its fans.
On the other hand, though, this scene set off the most dramatic meltdown I have ever seen on the internet. I will never forget the night of November 5th. The #DestielGate drama has been incredible to watch. The fact that Supernatural ended by crashing Tumblr with a take on the “bury your gays” trope that’s so out there it feels like a parody, is objectively hilarious, and perfectly on brand for this show. I’m calling this one of the best TV moments of 2020, just for the meltdown that ensued.
Oh, Supernatural. What will tumblr do without you?
Paradox Psychosis – The Umbrella Academy
Yes, this show gets two moments on the list, because it’s that good. The Umbrella Academy knocked it out of the park in season 2, and one of our favourite things about this new season was the character of Five. The guy was fine in season 1, but in season 2 he turned into some kind of deranged gremlin, delivering all the best lines and the most comedic moments. In episode 8, he met his greatest foe yet: himself, from the past, who looks older than him. What ensued was absolute comedy gold, with both versions of Five dealing with the seven stages “paradox psychosis”: Denial, Itching, Extreme Thirst and Urination, Excessive Gas, Acute Paranoia, Uncontrolled Perspiration, and Homicidal Rage. This kid is pretty much always in “homicidal rage” mode, so this scene was incredible.
Honourable mention goes to Five’s murder spree. I couldn’t exactly include both of these moments, but that one was good too.
David and Patrick get married – Schitt’s Creek
It feels like 2020 is the year Schitt’s Creek finally got the recognition it so deserved. We’re sad to see this wonderful show end, but what an ending it was! David and Patrick got married, everyone got the ending they deserved, and we all cried buckets watching the finale. Really, what more could you ask for in a finale?
Biden wins the election
Alright, look. I’m not sure I’d call this a “TV moment,” but it did technically happen on TV, and when I asked the other Fangirlish writers for their favourite moments, this was by far the most popular answer. Even for non-Americans like myself, the mix of emotions we felt at those results finally being called – relief at the knowledge that the Trump era is almost over, glee at the thought of how angry the man will be, and even more relief as we all realized the hellish election was finally over and we could all move on with our lives – made this the best TV moment of 2020.
