15.) Wild, Wild Country (NETFLIX)
In reality, there are probably quite a few NETFLIX documentaries that can merit a spot here, but the one I watched, and truly enjoyed, got less press than others, but was so well done. The key to any good documentary for me is to pick a subject that isn't truly known to the current pupulous, but was so god damn weird. Wild, Wild Country, highlighting the roving Shamanist cult that took over a town in Oregon, led by the perversely brilliant Baghwan Shree Rajneesh, and his right-hadn-woman Ma Anand Sheila. If anything, Sheila is the true scary star of this piece, given she's still alive to calmly explain how poisining a town in Oregon made so much sense. To think this happened only 35 years ago in the US was eye opening. The six part series was enthralling throughout, from the rise of the Baghwan, to their interactions with the normal Oregonians, to the scores of people who were in the cult, all seemingly normal know, filled with regret but a pang of longing. Wild, Wild Country proved I probably should watch more of NETFLIX's documentary fare.
14.) Arrested Development (Season 5.1 - NETFLIX)
It's hard to really judge this without seeing the companion second half, but much like Breaking Bad's 'first-half of the fifth season' this was somewhat hit or miss. There were certain aspects that were brilliant, such as anything to do with Buster going to prison, and the family's beach-house that Michael was not supposed to know about. The introduction of the larger 'Ally' family (with Ron Howard himself) was great. The characters remained as funny and well acted as ever (though older, fatter, GOB is nowhere near as good as the original), but the one big miss compared to prime Arrested Development is the political and cultural satire. They still do it, but not nearly as topical as it used to be. Of course, there are issues to address, mainly around Jeffrey Tambor's alleged (but pretty well proven) abusive behavior towards cast members, particularly Jessica Walter, which is tough to stomach. That isn't impacting the ranking, but it is a sad development, and given the reports are it was happening back in the original run, does put a tinge of sadness to one of the Pantheon All Time shows.
13.) Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac & Biggie (USA)
I have to say, peak TV is so voluminous in 2018, that I seriously forgot that this was a show that aired this year. Unsolved was a great little miniseries on a network that hasn't released anything aside from pulp dramas in years. The acting was great, be it the people they got to play Biggie & Tupac, or the LAPD officers that somewhat covered the case (Russell Poole, mainly). It nicely showed the laboriouness of life in the rap scene in the 90's, and the indifference of the LAPD, without going too far in either direction. Apparently t may come back showcasing some other case, and if so I am there, but for now, it was one of the true small gems of 2018, something that had to be actively found wading through a lot of the less-raw, less-real bullshit. ALso, I love this continued turn of Liam McPoyle becoming a serious character actor. He was truly great as Russell Poole.
12.) Trust (FX)
Oh, how I wanted Trust to be better. I'm a full FX believer, and Trust seemed like the perfect recipe: a great story of the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III, played by great actors (Donald Sutherland is amazing as the head-honhcho Getty), but it took a strange turn through the show, showing more of the side of JPIII and his Italian captors (in Italian) traipsing the Italian countryside, pondering the idea of teh captivity, of excess, of so much else. The show is mightily entertaining, but didn't reach previous 'Fargo' or 'People vs. OJ' heights that FX can reach. Apparently there is a second season in the works that would go way back in time to the Elder Getty's rise to pwer, which I'll watch, but I do wonder if this will be a later-day Boardwalk Empire, an undeniably great, watchable show, that probably could have, if not should have, been better.
11.) The Good Place (Seasons 2/3 - NBC)
The Good Place is the one show on this list that still somewhat follows the conventional Network TV schedule, so this covers the end of Season 2, where the Gang knows the Good Place is a trick, and they start colluding with Michael, to the beginning of Season 3, where the Gang goes back to earth in a gambit to save their souls. There is a bit of annoyance to the re-set button the show hits every few episodes or so, but I can live with that for a show that is as funny and witty as this one. Ted Danson and Kristen Bell are national treasures playing perfect roles. The writing is as sharp, but filled with optimistic charm as you would expect from any Michael Schur joint. They've uncovered brilliance with the secondary characters of Ta-hani and Jason and Janet, but even the tertiary players are all so well done. Yes, every now and then there is some annoyance with the plot, but on the whole, it is good to remember there is at least on solid, great, Network sitcom still out there.
In reality, there are probably quite a few NETFLIX documentaries that can merit a spot here, but the one I watched, and truly enjoyed, got less press than others, but was so well done. The key to any good documentary for me is to pick a subject that isn't truly known to the current pupulous, but was so god damn weird. Wild, Wild Country, highlighting the roving Shamanist cult that took over a town in Oregon, led by the perversely brilliant Baghwan Shree Rajneesh, and his right-hadn-woman Ma Anand Sheila. If anything, Sheila is the true scary star of this piece, given she's still alive to calmly explain how poisining a town in Oregon made so much sense. To think this happened only 35 years ago in the US was eye opening. The six part series was enthralling throughout, from the rise of the Baghwan, to their interactions with the normal Oregonians, to the scores of people who were in the cult, all seemingly normal know, filled with regret but a pang of longing. Wild, Wild Country proved I probably should watch more of NETFLIX's documentary fare.
14.) Arrested Development (Season 5.1 - NETFLIX)
It's hard to really judge this without seeing the companion second half, but much like Breaking Bad's 'first-half of the fifth season' this was somewhat hit or miss. There were certain aspects that were brilliant, such as anything to do with Buster going to prison, and the family's beach-house that Michael was not supposed to know about. The introduction of the larger 'Ally' family (with Ron Howard himself) was great. The characters remained as funny and well acted as ever (though older, fatter, GOB is nowhere near as good as the original), but the one big miss compared to prime Arrested Development is the political and cultural satire. They still do it, but not nearly as topical as it used to be. Of course, there are issues to address, mainly around Jeffrey Tambor's alleged (but pretty well proven) abusive behavior towards cast members, particularly Jessica Walter, which is tough to stomach. That isn't impacting the ranking, but it is a sad development, and given the reports are it was happening back in the original run, does put a tinge of sadness to one of the Pantheon All Time shows.
13.) Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac & Biggie (USA)
I have to say, peak TV is so voluminous in 2018, that I seriously forgot that this was a show that aired this year. Unsolved was a great little miniseries on a network that hasn't released anything aside from pulp dramas in years. The acting was great, be it the people they got to play Biggie & Tupac, or the LAPD officers that somewhat covered the case (Russell Poole, mainly). It nicely showed the laboriouness of life in the rap scene in the 90's, and the indifference of the LAPD, without going too far in either direction. Apparently t may come back showcasing some other case, and if so I am there, but for now, it was one of the true small gems of 2018, something that had to be actively found wading through a lot of the less-raw, less-real bullshit. ALso, I love this continued turn of Liam McPoyle becoming a serious character actor. He was truly great as Russell Poole.
12.) Trust (FX)
Oh, how I wanted Trust to be better. I'm a full FX believer, and Trust seemed like the perfect recipe: a great story of the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III, played by great actors (Donald Sutherland is amazing as the head-honhcho Getty), but it took a strange turn through the show, showing more of the side of JPIII and his Italian captors (in Italian) traipsing the Italian countryside, pondering the idea of teh captivity, of excess, of so much else. The show is mightily entertaining, but didn't reach previous 'Fargo' or 'People vs. OJ' heights that FX can reach. Apparently there is a second season in the works that would go way back in time to the Elder Getty's rise to pwer, which I'll watch, but I do wonder if this will be a later-day Boardwalk Empire, an undeniably great, watchable show, that probably could have, if not should have, been better.
11.) The Good Place (Seasons 2/3 - NBC)
The Good Place is the one show on this list that still somewhat follows the conventional Network TV schedule, so this covers the end of Season 2, where the Gang knows the Good Place is a trick, and they start colluding with Michael, to the beginning of Season 3, where the Gang goes back to earth in a gambit to save their souls. There is a bit of annoyance to the re-set button the show hits every few episodes or so, but I can live with that for a show that is as funny and witty as this one. Ted Danson and Kristen Bell are national treasures playing perfect roles. The writing is as sharp, but filled with optimistic charm as you would expect from any Michael Schur joint. They've uncovered brilliance with the secondary characters of Ta-hani and Jason and Janet, but even the tertiary players are all so well done. Yes, every now and then there is some annoyance with the plot, but on the whole, it is good to remember there is at least on solid, great, Network sitcom still out there.
