Television. We watch way too much of it here, but we’re okay with that. We’re not aiming to be critics and we’re not aiming to make history here. We judge what we think is the best of the year not off reviews that people post or some fancy technical crap. It’s all based off feelings, as fandom is about a lot of feelings.
Television shows make us invested based off the stories that they tell and the actors that they cast. Our favorite shows start a conversation and spark loyalty. Fandom is a strange thing – some will want to follow what the critics say and some want to just feel a connection.
Our list of the best shows of 2025 may not be like other outlets, and that is okay. These lists are subjective. And well, we’re just gonna say this – we’re listing them randomly.
9-1-1
Sometimes our relationship with 9-1-1 might be closer to love-to-hate (like when they killed Bobby Nash, because what was that?), but overall, we still can’t look away from the procedural firefighter drama. Maybe it’s because Angela Bassett, who will have us tuning into anything. Maybe it’s because this is actually one of the few procedurals on TV that is actually diverse, and doesn’t consistently pay dust to its POC characters. Or perhaps it’s because we’re still just waiting for the show to bite the bullet and give us Buddie.
Or it might just be all those things combined, and the fact that despite the losses (can we bring Bobby back, please?), this still feels like a family. A family we don’t like sometimes, but a family nonetheless.
The Way home
We love the way that Hallmark is pushing beyond their usual with their movies and series. When The Way Home premiered we were not sure what to expect. However as time went on we loved that about the show. Led by an all star cast – The Way Home has led us on a time traveling journey through a pond. While, we’re not thrilled that the show has been cancelled, we’re so excited to see what happens next.
While we’re sometimes confused about the pond and how it works, but we love watching it all unfold. We want the Landry family back together. We want to know if Colton is still alive. There are so many questions.
And that’s part of the reason why this show is one of the best – it sparks a conversation and keeps people invested. We can appreciate that. We’ll miss it when it’s gone.
HEATED RIVALRY
Heated Rivalry feels like a breath of fresh air within an often straight TV landscape that apologetically explores a soft yet steamy relationship between two hockey players trying their best. The two leads have really great chemistry and whoever is doing the directoring and cinematography is doing masterful work that adds to their journey instead of making it a blunt story about two guys just having sex. There’s a blossoming bond there that will hopefully act as a gateway to more LGBTQ+ stories being explored on our screens.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
While this may be the one that a lot of people may not agree with, we’re good on saying that it’s one of the best shows for us this year. The conversations around The Summer I Turned Pretty were some of the most intense conversations online. Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah – it didn’t matter. Whatever side you were on, you watched on baited breathe.
The show was a lesson in fandom. It was a lesson in how fandom is still alive and will forever be. Sometimes it just isn’t as loud as you would think or it’s in places that you may not see the conversations.
The twists and turns, the departure from the books, the lessons that Belly learned, are just some of the reasons that we loved the series. The evolution from the books to streaming was one that we think that a lot of people can be and are thankful for.
THE PITT
If there was ever a show that deserved all of the praise it is The Pitt. The Pitt stands out as one of the best shows on television because it iscompelling, character-driven storytelling. The cast makes every scene feel authentic, as if you are really in a hospital and the chaos is truly going on around you. The scenes are emotionally grounded and as a viewer we are engaged with every scene. The show is developed in a way that other shows could learn from. A master class in how to build a world and tackle themes that are important and actually happening in the world. The creators’ strong narrative vision shines. Every episode is memorable.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
While the show is just coming out right now, we’ve seen it and will stake that it is one of the best shows out there. Adaptations are a dime a dozen these days and we’ll be the first to say that they aren’t all good. But this version of Percy Jackson is so good. The writing, the actors, the lessons and the cinematography has us watching every move that the show makes.
We love Percy Jackson because of the way that it caters to its fan base, but not in a way that is fan service. It honors the book and the fandom, but it also makes it fresh and new. We love that the author is engaged and a part of every part of the production.
We didn’t mind the movies, but we love the television show. Disney, you did good here.
THE TRAITORS
All praise Alan Cummings and his hosting of The Traitors. Yes, it’s a reality game show set in Scotland and the celebrities on it are a lot. Seeing them compete and trying to figure out who is lying and telling the truth is a lot of fun.
The game? To try and figure out who is a faithful and who is a traitor. The thing that we learn through games and round tables that celebrities are good liars.
Everything is a strategic move on the show, but we do think that the relationships that are built are the best parts of the show. In those moments you see the best of them.
ALL THE NCIS SHOWS
We could do them individually but we’d say the same thing about NCIS, NCIS: Origins, NCIS: Tony & Ziva and NCIS: Sydney. The shows all have the crime-solving angles, ships that we love and obsess over, and character development unlike any other show. We love the forensic science, teamwork, and we are obsessed with all of the characters.
While each franchise has a different tone, the universe is distinctive, they maintain the elements that make NCIS what it is. Strong leaders, character driven arcs, and a family element that fans love. The shows are always evolving and staying relevant with the times.
The NCIS franchise has heart, suspense, and the shows are always an engaging experience. Whether you are new or long time fan of the franchises, any of the NCIS shows are some of the best on television. Thank goodness for procedurals.
WE WERE LIARS
If you’ve like us – yes, we’ve read the book and we knew what would happen. However that being said, them bringing the adaptation to life gave us a new appreciation for the story. We watched every second, captivated and not even thinking that what we knew what was going to happen, but just waited for the next scene to play out.
And yes, that’s a compliment.
The people behind the show were so good that they took us out of the book world and made us live in the series – as if it was brand new. They made us live in the moment and then destroyed us with the final episode. We’re still thinking about it.
RANSOM CANYON
Before you yell about this one – we said what we said and we stand behind it. Ransom Canyon was one of the best shows on Netflix this year. The ranches, the mysteries, the actors, the stories – we love every moment. The show made us smile, laugh, and also made us angry. When a show forces the good and the bad emotions out of you, it’s not a bad thing. That’s a good thing.
When you are emotionally involved with a television show, you can’t look away from it. You binge it and look forward to each episode. We did that with Ransom Canyon.
THE DIPLOMAT
Kerri Russell, we’ve loved you for forever and will continue to watch you in everything that you do. In The Diplomat, you shine. You’re fierce and you are strong. The twists, the turns, the romantic entanglement – all while under so much pressure – we’re for it. We love the conspiracy of it all and hey, who doesn’t love the European of it all.
We are always interested in politics and this show is just that. Very political. But we don’t mind.
Not at all.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
- Severance – yes, it’s really good and we love the show. We have so many questions about the show, but it’s just that because we had to wait three years for this season, that we lost some passion for the show.
- Dying for Sex – loved this show, it’s just that it depressed us so much that we had to walk away for a bit because it saddened us and well, also embraced a part of it. Everyone is putting it on their list so we chose other ones and made our peace with it.
- The Studio – Definitely one of the best, but also gives us PTSD since we work in the industry.
- Andor – everyone tells this writer it’s great, but I don’t know it, since I don’t do anything Star Wars so it’s an honorary mention
- Adolescence – Great show, but also very paralyzing
- Deli Boys – we’ve never laughed so much and we appreciate anything that makes us laugh.
- High Potential – one of the most innovative, fun, and engaging procedurals out there. So good.
What is your favorite show of 2025? Tell us all the things.
