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2017: The Year in Certified Fresh TV

by RT Staff | December 19, 2017 | Comments

Find out which television and streaming series, movies, and miniseries were tops in 2017 with this Certified Fresh TV gallery of 85 titles. A show is Certified Fresh when it has at least 75% Tomatometer with 20 or more reviews at the “season level.”

Master of None season 2 Eric Wareheim, Aziz Ansari (Netflix) — Master of None (S2)

Master of None‘s second season picks up where its predecessor left off, delivering an ambitious batch of episodes that builds on the show’s premise while adding surprising twists.

Dear White People (S1)

Timely, provocative, and sharply written, Dear White People is an entertaining blend of social commentary and incisive humor.”

The Good Fight (S1)

An auspicious beginning for CBS All Access, The Good Fight solidly follows its predecessor while allowing for new storytelling styles, a wider narrative scope, and a chance for its lead to explore new territory with a relatable human struggle.

American Crime (S3)

American Crime offers a unique anthology series filled with surprising revelations and compelling inter-connected narratives that opt for original, emotional human commentary instead of tired arguments over current events.

The Good Place (S2)

By voluntarily blowing up its premise, The Good Place sets up a second season that proves even funnier than its first.

Broadchurch (S3)

In its final season, Broadchurch establishes a high standard for police procedurals to come, combining socially conscious themes with suspenseful mystery and a pair of compelling leads.

Insecure (S2)

Insecure displays title-defying confidence in its second season, upping the comedy and deepening the relationships between its talented ensemble.

Sneaky Pete (S1)

Suspenseful, smart, and terrifically cast, Sneaky Pete is part dramedy, part crime caper, and all in all entertaining.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return (S1)

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return picks up right where its predecessor left off, retaining all the cult classic’s crucial ingredients and adding a handful of fresh twists.

Bates Motel, Rihanna and Freddie Highmore (A&E) — Bates Motel (S5)

Bates Motel‘s final season brings the franchise full circle, with a satisfyingly creepy conclusion to the trials and tribulations of Norman Bates.

Halt and Catch Fire, Lee Pace, Scoot McNairy (AMC) — Halt and Catch Fire (S4)

Halt and Catch Fire‘s character-driven drama culminates in an optimistic ode to the early internet age that’s bound to stand the test of time.

Catastrophe season 3 Rob Delaney, Sharon Horgan (Amazon Prime) — Catastrophe (S3)

Catastrophe deepens the drama in its latest season — but remarkably loses none of its comedy along the way.

Allen Hughes, Dr. Dre in The Defiant Ones (HBO) — The Defiant Ones (Miniseries)

The Defiant Ones is a compelling, comprehensive portrait of two visionaries that illuminates both their colorful pasts and their historic influence on the music industry.

Planet Earth II (BBC America) — Planet Earth II (Miniseries)

Planet Earth II offers a spectacular, moving, unprecedented account of the natural world.

Silicon Valley (S4)

Silicon Valley‘s fourth season advances the veteran comedy’s overall arc while adding enough new wrinkles — and delivering more than enough laughs — to stay fresh.

Alias Grace (S1)

Biting social commentary and Sarah Gadon’s hypnotic performance make Alias Grace a worthy addition to the Margaret Atwood adaptation catalog.

The Leftovers (S3)

With reliably ambitious storytelling and outstanding performances from its cast, season 3 of The Leftovers approaches the series’ conclusion as thoughtfully, purposefully, and confidently as it began.

Five Came Back (S1)

Five Came Back tells an inspiring story of five filmmakers who left Hollywood to serve in World War II to captivating effect and should appeal to historians and film buffs in equal measure.

The Vietnam War (S1)

The Vietnam War revisits a dark chapter in American history with patience, grace, and a refreshing — and sobering — perspective informed by those who fought.

Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill - Better Call Saul _ Season 3 (Michele K. Short/AMC/Sony Pictures Television) — Better Call Saul (S3)

Better Call Saul shows no signs of slipping in season 3, as the introduction of more familiar faces causes the inevitable transformation of its lead to pick up exciting speed.

American Vandal (S1)

American Vandal pays satirical dividends while also working as a genuinely absorbing mystery that offers thought-provoking commentary on modern entertainment.

Wormwood (Netflix) — Wormwood (S1)

Wormwood‘s real-life mystery unfolds in hypothetical tendrils guided by Errol Morris’ singular vision and style that will keep viewers engaged despite the four-hour run time.

Mindhunter (S1)

Mindhunter distinguishes itself in a crowded genre with ambitiously cinematic visuals and a meticulous attention to character development.

BoJack Horseman (S4)

BoJack Horseman continues to fearlessly traverse the emotional gamut in season 4, with results that are heartbreaking as often as they are hilarious.

One Day at a Time (S1)

One Day at a Time breathes fresh life into the classic Norman Lear original with a lively, sharp, and proudly old-school sitcom bolstered by a surfeit of heart and terrific performances from Rita Moreno and Justina Machado.

Black Mirror (Netflix) — Black Mirror (S4)

Black Mirror proves with its fourth season that the series still has ample source material to terrify fans with technology that is now — or soon could become — an integral part of our lives.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (S3)

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt continues to thrive with a comically agile cast, notable guest stars, and a forceful influx of funny.

Narcos (Nicole Rivelli/NETFLIX) — Narcos (S3)

Narcos continues to evolve in its third season, drawing on historical details to take viewers on a thoroughly gripping — and unsettlingly timely — journey into darkness.

The Keepers (S1)

The Keepers draws on riveting, real-life terror to expose long-buried secrets — and tells an inspiring, brilliantly assembled story along the way.

The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu) — The Handmaid’s Tale (S1)

Haunting and vivid, The Handmaid’s Tale is an endlessly engrossing adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel that’s anchored by a terrific central performance from Elisabeth Moss.

A Series of Unfortunate Events (S1)

Enjoyably dark, A Series of Unfortunate Events matches the source material’s narrative as well as its tone, leaving viewers with a wonderfully weird, dry, gothic comedy.

Harlots (S1)

Harlots uses its titillating subject matter to draw the viewer into a deeper drama about the intersection of survival, business, and family.

The Americans (S5)

In its penultimate season, The Americans brings long-simmering storylines to a boil while heightening the spy-thriller stakes and deepening the domestic drama — all brought vividly to life by superb performances from its veteran cast.

Love (S2)

In its sophomore season Love treads the balance between comedy and drama with greater confidence, going deeper into the endearing, frustrating, delightfully realistic relationship of Mickey and Gus.

Better Things (S2)

Better Things‘ second season plays even more adroitly to its strengths, weaving confidently between stinging humor, caustic observation, and poignant drama.

Stranger Things (S2)

Stranger Things‘ slow-building sophomore season balances moments of humor and a nostalgic sweetness against a growing horror that’s all the more effective thanks to the show’s full-bodied characters and evocative tone.

GLOW Alison Brie — GLOW (S1)

With spot-on 1980s period detail, knockout writing, and a killer cast, GLOW shines brightly.

Twin Peaks (S3)

Surreal, suspenseful, and visually stunning, this new Twin Peaks is an auteurist triumph for David Lynch.

American Gods (S1)

American Gods opens with a series of wildly ambitious gambits — and rewards viewers’ faith with a promising first season whose visual riches are matched by its narrative impact.

Fargo (S3)

Thanks in part to a memorable dual performance from Ewan McGregor, Fargo mostly maintains the sly wit and off-kilter sensibility it displayed in its first two seasons.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (S1)

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is an upbeat addition to Amazon’s original offerings, propelled by a playful yet poignant performance by Rachel Brosnahan.

Game of Thrones (S7)

After a year-long wait, Game of Thrones roars back with powerful storytelling and a focused interest in its central characters — particularly the female ones.

The Sinner (S1)

Smartly unpredictable and led by powerful performances from a talented cast, the darkly compelling The Sinner sinks its hooks in fast and doesn’t let go.

Veep (S1)

A move from the White House hasn’t dulled Veep‘s razor-sharp satirical edge, thanks to Julia Louis-Dreyfus and her castmates’ deft comic chemistry.

Big Little Lies (S1)

Bitingly funny and highly addictive, Big Little Lies is a twisty, thrilling, enlightening ride led by a first-rate cast.

The Deuce(S1)

The Deuce again demonstrates David Simon’s masterful grasp of urban grit, while never losing detailed sight of its colorful characters.

Making History (S1)

A high concept gone silly, Making History makes the grade with contemporary humor for historical themes and a funny, cartoonish execution of a serialized plot.

Manhunt (S1)

Engrossing and affecting, Manhunt: Unabomber uses a taut, meticulously constructed narrative to uncover the facts behind the oft-exaggerated true story.

Feud (S1)

While campily and sweetly indulgent, Feud: Bette and Joan provides poignant understanding of humanity, sorrow, and pain while breezily feeding inquisitive gossip-starved minds.

Legion (S1)

Bold, intelligent, and visually arresting, Legion is a masterfully surreal and brilliantly daring departure from traditional superhero conceits.

Godless (S1)

Vistas and violence root Godless firmly in traditional Western territory, but its female-driven ensemble sets it apart in a male-dominated genre.

Crashing (S1)

The refreshingly goofy Crashing embraces a measured positivity and an overall sweetness that sets it apart from its more sardonic contemporaries.

Preacher (S2)

Preacher‘s sophomore season benefits from more focused storytelling, without sacrificing any of its gorgeous, violent, insane fun.

Downward Dog (S1)

The adorable and insightful — though sometimes grating — titular pet elevates Downward Dog from its potentially “ruff” premise into a sweet, intellectual comedy.

Girls (S6)

In its final season, Girls remains uncompromising, intelligent, character driven, compassionate, and at times consciously aggravating.

Riverdale (S1)

Riverdale offers an amusingly self-aware reimagining of its classic source material that proves eerie, odd, daring, and above all addictive.

She’s Gotta Have It (S1)

Fun, fascinating, and feminist, Spike Lee’s classic is born again for a new generation.

Dark (Netflix) — Dark (S1)

Dark‘s central mystery unfolds slowly, both tense and terrifying, culminating in a creepy, cinematic triumph of sci-fi noir.

Anne with an E (S1)

Anne with an E uses its complex central character to offer a boldly stylish, emotionally resonant spin on classic source material that satisfies in its own right.

Will & Grace (S9)

Will & Grace reunites its ever-hilarious cast for a revival season that picks up right where the show left off 11 years ago, adding a fresh relevance and a series of stories that make sharply funny use of the passage of time.

Gilmore Girls (S8)

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life provides a faithful and successful revival of the quirky, sweet, and beloved series fans fell in love with over a decade ago.

Trial & Error (S1)

Trial & Error hilariously parodies the true-crime genre with consistent laughs, irreverently funny “stupid humor,” and animated characters who populate the show’s dependably entertaining narratives.

Room 104 (S1)

Room 104 uses its anthology structure to its advantage, telling a series of short, eclectic stories that hit their marks more often than they miss.

Mr. Mercedes (S1)

Mr. Mercedes propels its tense, creepy narrative with quick-witted dialogue, strong characters, and terrifying surprises.

Star Trek: Discovery (S1)

Although it takes an episode to achieve liftoff, Star Trek: Discovery delivers a solid franchise installment for the next generation — boldly led by the charismatic Sonequa Martin-Green.

13 Reasons Why (S1)

13 Reasons Why complements its bestselling source material with a gripping look at adolescent grief whose narrative maturity belies its YA milieu.

Genius (S1)

Writing from biopic vet Walter Isaacson and the acting of co-leads Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Flynn in the role of Albert Einstein at different periods in life elevate this National Geographic scripted offering from the standard genre fare.

The Mayor (S1)

The Mayor gets off to a promising start in its first season, elevated by a charmingly hopeful tone and political humor that reaches amiably across the aisle.

Comrade Detective (S1)

Comrade Detective is a wacky ’80s-set Romanian cop series that parodies Communist propaganda, but includes a serious political edge.

Marvel’s Runaways (S1)

Earnest, fun, and more balanced than its source material, Runaways finds strong footing in an over-saturated genre.

Shots Fired (S1)

Shots Fired tackles tough topics commendably — and remains consistently compelling despite an occasionally meandering plot.

Blood Drive (S1)

Blood Drive indulges its grindhouse elements with gleeful abandon – and balances its gory violence with smart, self-aware humor.

Claws (S1)

Well-acted, visually impressive, and energetically paced, Claws leaves a mark with a strong first season that hints at even greater potential.

Curb Your Enthusiasm (S9)

Curb Your Enthusiasm returns after a long layoff with a batch of episodes that continue to mine fresh – if not particularly groundbreaking – misanthropic laughs.

The Young Pope (S1)

The Young Pope‘s original premise and stylish blend of over-the-top melodrama with profane comedy helps overcome an occasionally muddled plot.

Future Man Josh Hutcherson (Hulu) — Future Man (S1)

Future Man‘s nostalgia-driven premise is elevated by the cast’s compelling chemistry and a sense of humor just dumb enough to lighten the sci-fi load.

Guerrilla (S1)

Guerrilla‘s strong cast and confident direction are enough to overcome uneven storytelling and conceptual flaws.

Atypical (S1)

Great performances and a likable, realistic family dealing with autism lift Atypical above its alarming tonal shifts and predictability.

HAPPY! -- "Pilot" Episode 101 -- Pictured: (l-r) Chris Meloni as Nick Sax, Patton Oswald as Happy! -- (Photo by: Syfy) — Happy! (S1)

Happy! certainly isn’t for everyone, but its appealingly oddball concept and strong performances from Chris Meloni and Patton Oswalt make for a gritty, dark comedy with definite — albeit unusual — appeal.

Homeland (S6)

Homeland delivers introspective comfort food with a satisfyingly strong leading female character and storylines that continue to surprise.

Taboo (S1)

After a sluggish start, Taboo takes hold as a mysterious, dark, and often brutal period drama with plenty of promise as a series, most notably evident in Tom Hardy’s exceptionally watchable performance.

Young Sheldon (S1)

Young Sheldon‘s appealing cast and relatable themes bring a fresh — and overall enjoyable — perspective to its central character’s familiar story.

Marvel’s The Defenders (S1)

Marvel’s The Defenders further develops well-known characters in an action-packed arc whose payoff packs more than enough of a punch to offset its flaws.

Orange Is the New Black (S5)

Orange Is the New Black‘s fifth season offers up more of the sharp writing and dizzying tonal juggling acts that fans expect, albeit somewhat less successfully.

Great News (S1)

Great News overcomes its familiar trappings with gently subversive humor and a smart cast of talented, likable actors.

Victoria (PBS) — Victoria (S1)

Strong performances by Jenna Coleman and Rufus Sewell hint at Downton-esque potential for Victoria, but the narrative falls just shy of that soapy mark.

The Missing (Starz) — The Missing (S2)

The Missing‘s astute narrative and intense perplexity allow for more thrills and exciting guesswork in season 2.

I Love Dick (Amazon) — I Love Dick (S1)

Adult in the best way, I Love Dick expands the scope of its source material while offering smart, provocative, and funny observations on sexuality and gender roles.

The Bold Type (Freeform) — The Bold Type (S1)

Smart, hip, and exuberantly performed, The Bold Type sharply blends its soapy plotting with workplace drama that feels very of-the-moment.

The Tick (Amazon) — The Tick (S1)

Likeable characters add realism and heart to the tongue-in-cheek humor and high-octane action that fuels The Tick.

When We Rise (ABC) — When We Rise (miniseries)

When We Rise works as a well-meaning outreach project with a decent cast, even if the script’s ambitious reach slightly exceeds its grasp.

Patriot (Amazon) — Patriot (S1)

Patriot is dark, quirky, and often funny — and although its risks don’t always pay off, the series is still savvy and inspired enough to watch.

The Crown (Netflix) — The Crown (S2)

The Crown continues its reign with a self-assured sophomore season that indulges in high drama and sumptuous costumes.

Alphabetically By Title

13 Reasons Why: Season 1 () 77%
A Series of Unfortunate Events: Season 1 () 94%
Alias Grace: Miniseries () 99%
American Crime: Season 3 () 100%
American Gods: Season 1 () 92%
American Vandal: Season 1 () 98%
The Americans: Season 5 () 94%
Anne With an E: Season 1 () 83%
Atypical: Season 1 () 74%
Bates Motel: Season 5 () 100%
Better Call Saul: Season 3 () 98%
Better Things: Season 2 () 96%
Big Little Lies: Season 1 () 93%
Black Mirror: Season 4 () 85%
Blood Drive: Season 1 () 76%
BoJack Horseman: Season 4 () 97%
The Bold Type: Season 1 () 93%
Broadchurch: Season 3 () 98%
Catastrophe: Season 3 () 100%
Claws: Season 1 () 82%
Comrade Detective: Season 1 () 85%
Crashing: Season 1 () 90%
The Crown: Season 2 () 89%
Curb Your Enthusiasm: Season 9 () 74%
Dark: Season 1 () 90%
Dear White People: Season 1 () 95%
The Defiant Ones: Miniseries () 100%
The Deuce: Season 1 () 93%
Downward Dog: Season 1 () 85%
Fargo: Season 3 () 93%
Feud: Bette and Joan: Bette and Joan () 95%
Five Came Back: Miniseries () 98%
Future Man: Season 1 () 82%
Game of Thrones: Season 7 () 93%
Genius: Einstein () 84%
Girls: Season 6 () 90%
GLOW: Season 1 () 94%
Godless: Miniseries () 83%
The Good Fight: Season 1 () 98%
The Good Place: Season 1 () 92%
Great News: Season 1 () 76%
Guerrilla: Miniseries () 75%
Halt and Catch Fire: Season 4 () 100%
The Handmaid's Tale: Season 1 () 94%
Happy!: Season 1 () 81%
Harlots: Season 1 () 92%
Homeland: Season 6 () 78%
I Love Dick: Season 1 () 87%
Insecure: Season 2 () 98%
The Keepers: Miniseries () 97%
The Leftovers: Season 3 () 99%
Legion: Season 1 () 90%
Love: Season 2 () 96%
Making History: Season 1 () 92%
Manhunt: Unabomber () 93%
Marvel's The Defenders: Season 1 () 78%
Marvel's Runaways: Season 1 () 86%
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Season 1 () 94%
Master of None: Season 2 () 100%
The Mayor: Season 1 () 81%
Mindhunter: Season 1 () 96%
The Missing: Season 2 () 96%
Mr. Mercedes: Season 1 () 83%
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return: Season 1 () 100%
Narcos: Season 3 () 97%
One Day at a Time: Season 1 () 97%
Orange Is the New Black: Season 5 () 71%
Patriot: Season 1 () 82%
Planet Earth II: Miniseries () 100%
Preacher: Season 2 () 91%
Riverdale: Season 1 () 88%
Room 104: Season 1 () 87%
She's Gotta Have It: Season 1 () 83%
Shots Fired: Season 1 () 84%
Silicon Valley: Season 4 () 94%
The Sinner: Season 1 () 91%
Sneaky Pete: Season 1 () 97%
Star Trek: Discovery: Season 1 () 83%
Stranger Things: Season 2 () 94%
Taboo: Season 1 () 76%
The Tick: Season 1 () 90%
Trial & Error: Season 1 () 86%
()
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Season 3 () 97%
Veep: Season 6 () 94%
Victoria on Masterpiece: Season 1 () 80%
The Vietnam War: Miniseries () 96%
When We Rise: Season 1 () 82%
()
Wormwood: Miniseries () 90%
The Young Pope: Miniseries () 80%
Young Sheldon: Season 1 () 76%

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