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2022 Staff Picks: Television

By Skokie Staff Advisory Services

Our expert staff members look back at the year and share some favorite titles.

Rutherford Falls: Season One
2022
This comedy TV series follows residents of the fictional town Rutherford Falls, including two longtime friends, Reagan Wells, a member of the Minishonka Nation, and Nathan Rutherford, a local historian and descendant of the founder of the town. It’s original, funny, and thoughtful, featuring and written by a majority of Indigenous writers and actors, while educating viewers on Indigenous issues. And keep your eye out for actor Michael Greyeyes, who hardly does comedy and is very good at it! Suggested by Sharon and Rummanah.

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Abbott Elementary: The Complete First Season
2022
I can't rave enough about this gem of a show! From the completely loveable cast to the thoughtfully crafted storylines to the quotable quips, Quinta Brunson has created a workplace comedy that is my new comfort show. Suggested by Leslie.

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House of the Dragon Season 1 (DVD)
2022
I loved House of Dragon because it has the same elements that made the Game of Thrones series (at least before season 7) so great: political intrigue, great writing, and... dragons! In this series, we are given a new group of houses that hold power and shown the depths that they will go to keep it. Suggested by Paul.

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The U.S. and the Holocaust
2022
Burns pulls no punches here, either in what he shows on screen or in making connections to the present day explicit. I remained unwillingly riveted for all 6-1/2 hours. I hope that in the years to come, it finds the largest possible audience. Suggested by Andrew.

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Yellowjackets: Season One
2022
I was enthralled by this twisty, genre bending, female-centered tv series. The acting and the ensemble are fantastic. Suggested by Rummanah.

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Annika: Season One
2022
Veteran actor Nicola Walker (Unforgotten) truly shines in this clever mystery series. She plays Detective Inspector Annika Strandhed, recently transferred to head a new Glasgow Marine Homicide Unit. We really like how her character regularly breaks the fourth wall to talk directly to the audience about the literary allusions that cleverly tie into the current investigation, as well as her personal life. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.

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Dark Winds: Season 1
2022
Zahn McClarnon’s stellar performance as tribal police officer Joe Leaphorn might be reason enough to put this new adaptation of the Tony Hillerman mysteries on your to watch list, but stay around for the twisty plots and cultural representation. I can’t wait to see what happens in season two. Suggested by Sharon.

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Ghosts: Season 1
2022
I had a blast watching this British paranormal comedy. While the show features ghosts, it is far from scary. I found the British humor thoroughly enjoyable. The characters definitely grew on me and I thought it was well acted and directed. Suggested by Rummanah.

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Miss Scarlet & the Duke: Season Two
2022
The creator of this PBS mystery series says that she drew inspiration from Jane Austen, the board game Clue, and Arthur Conan Doyle’s A Study in Scarlet. Eliza Scarlet is a private detective who solves crimes along with, and often better than, Scotland Yard’s Inspector William “The Duke” Wellington in Victorian London. This show ticks so many boxes for us: fantastic characters, historical mysteries, great acting, and a really smart screenplay. Suggested by Rummanah and Sharon.

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Succession: The Complete Third Season
2022
The comically awful Roy clan returns for another season of biting remarks, backstabbing, and general bad behavior. Everything here is top-notch, from the décor to the dialogue to the acting. Great fun for viewers with a low opinion of humanity, especially those with money. Suggested by Steven.

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