2023 Reviews

In 2022, I completed at least 66 seasons of at least 63 shows. Whatever you're watching, I've probably already watched it or I'm watching it. Sadly 2022 was also the year a good portion of amazing shows ended. There were at least 16 final goodbyes from my list. I share these on Twitter hence the short format.

Let’s go!

1. #WednesdayNetflix - Sooo much better than I expected. An absolute delight! I had to try it a second time as the initial 5 mins didn't draw me the first time, but I'm glad I tried again. It was right up my street! Excellent . 9/10 #TolsWatches

2. #TellMeLies - This is not for the fainthearted. The depiction of emotionally manipulative, unstable and problematic individuals who continuously gaslight, are intense and flawless in delivery. The storyline was addictive & had me constantly on edge. 10/10 #TolsWatches

3. #PressureCooker - Amazing cooking show that took me by surprise. Didn't want to stop watching. Was fascinated by the skill, knowledge & extreme talent these guys had, like wow. Add in a salt bae sprinkle of villainy too , & you have the perfect competition. 9/10 #TolsWatches

4. #GinnyAndGeorgia - I love/hate these two. Ginny is a bit too whiny sometimes & Georgia a bit too hillbilly. Great season tho. Quite dark. Lots of TWs. Not sure realistically how much Georgia can continue to get away with before the show loses plausibility. 7/10 #TolsWatches

5. #TraitorsUS - I thought it was going to be whack compared to the UK one. Especially with the mini celebs. I started it & I didn't stop watching till I finished . Literally . This show is psychological warfare as a viewer. How much more as a contestant?! 10/10 #TolsWatches

6. #JackRyan - I was looking forward to S3 as S1&2 were …but it was a bit lacklustre. Action-packed, but overall very predictable. Still worth watching though. 6/10 #TolsWatches

7. #AliceInBorderlandS2 - started off so well…then descended. Steeply. S1 was excellent. S2 had that potential, but then got very airy-fairy at the end. Just bizarre. I was struggling. It always teetered on the brink of believability, but it overdid it in S2. 6/10 #TolsWatches

8. #TulsaKing - I saw this had a high IMDB score and curiosity eventually got the better of me. Quite entertaining, and Sylvester Stallone is wicked in this. Punctuated with good sprinkles of comedy. I feel like it took a while to warm up, hence my rating. 7/10 #TolsWatches

9. #KingsOfJoburg - I did enjoy S2. Sadly one of the S1 lead actors passed away from COVID, and I think it played a factor in the sometimes confusing plot. Some acting was. I still have a lot of questions. That damn mermaid was the best character. 6.5/10 #TolsWatches

10. #YouSeason4 Part 1 - So I really enjoyed the angle this season has come from. However I was able to immediately & accurately predict “You”, and I think the narrative got a bit pantomime-ish towards the end. I feel like greater is in store for Part 2 though. 6/10 #TolsWatches

11. #MurdaughMuders - This documentary was like a watercolour. It started in one place then gradually bled into a tapestry of quite frankly pure tragedy, wickedness and bodies piling up. Only God knows the truth here, but what’s known is wicked enough. 10/10 #TolsWatches

12. #PerfectMatch - Delivered on the chaos & hectic skid marks of love people seem to go through on these shows. As usual, one stood out as the greatest villain of them all. I enjoyed this. Thought it could be tacky bringing reality show people together but no. 8/10 #TolsWatches

13. #OuterBanks - I thought S3 was likely to be dry. However it was surprisingly very engaging and I raced through the episodes. Also it didn’t get stupidly mystical with the treasure storyline either. The development was . JJ will forever irritate me though. 8/10 #TolsWatches

14. #CarnivalRow S1 - I saw this pop up for years, saw it had great reviews but ignored it. Decided to give it a whirl when I saw S2 come out. Took maybe 2 episodes to get into, but it’s a top level fantasy. Cara Delevigne is amazing . Props to Orlando too. 8/10 #TolsWatches

15. #CarnivalRow S2 - Watched this straight after S1. When shows start off so strong, it can be hard to maintain. But what a tremendous season. So many plot turns I’d never expect. Also the costume design & SFX are amazing. Love this kind of dystopian fantasy. 9/10 #TolsWatches

16. #BMF S2 - Sick season. So many things come to a head; where Terry’s loyalties lie, Meech’s ability to manage his ego & impulsivity on the business side of things, the Flennory family dynamics & someone’s unexpected return. Perfectly played out in all areas. 9/10 #TolsWatches

17. #YouSeason4 Part 2 - The British people really got on my LAST nerve. All of them and their poncy contrived accents. Finally, how dare they end this whole journey like that???! And that’s all I have to say on it! 6/10 #TolsWatches

18. #Swarm - This was insane, horrifying & funny all at once. Some of you lot are like Dre. Not concerning the artist parodied in this show, but that other one who has exposed herself to be a bird. Anyway, before I meet a Dre in my life (Olorun maje!), imma go. 8/10 #TolsWatches

19. #SexLife S2 - This show is silly. I watched S1 last year in boredom & next thing you know, I now watched S2 . What can I even say? That’s why I’m tweeting about it at this hour . It had some redeemable qualities but deffo also some “Yesu!” scenes lool. 6/10 #TolsWatches

20. #ShadowAndBone2 - A slower start than S1, but once it started popping it popped off heavy. The weird ménage a trois of the Darkling, Alina & Mal was well scripted with some good surprises. But The Crows subplot stood out for me. That was lit. 8/10 #TolsWatches

21. #TheNightAgent - I feel like I’ve moaned about this enough so I’m gonna keep it short & sweet; a mediocre offering for its genre considering Homeland, 24, Shooter & even Designated Survivor existed. 5/10 #TolsWatches

22. #BEEF - What an absolute masterpiece. One of the best shows I’ve watched over the past few years. Original. Perfect levels of dark humour, relatable rage lol, emotional meltdowns, calamity & insania. Perfect from start to finish. Give them ALL the awards. 10/10 #TolsWatches

23. #ObsesionNetflix - This delivered on everything I expected it to be having watched the trailer. Tensions throughout were well acted, the audacities fantaradical, and the fallout an unholy mess. Some interesting twists, and appropriately capped at 4 episodes. 7/10 #TolsWatches

24. #TheMandalorian S3 - People dragged this season for the episodes I liked the most; the ones not focused on Din Djarin . Loved the subplot bringing Bo-Katan more to the forefront. Also does a role exist that Giancarlo Esposito doesn’t slay? . 7/10 #TolsWatches

25. #IndianMatchmaking S3 - Sima Aunty back with her “your height/looks preferences don’t matter” self . She’s actually an op . Initial attraction matters! Loved the new London bits, but wanted more juice. Previous seasons have had more drama & skullduggery. 7/10 #TolsWatches

26. #HowToGetRich - A fantastic series. A must watch. Seeing the different financial approaches, what conflicts these were presenting, the misuse of credit cards, the debts, & how Ramit gently guided them through all this. Some were more serious than others . 10/10 #TolsWatches

27. #TheBestManTheFinalChapters - Finally just finished this. Wow. I should’ve watched this sooner. An excellent and well-rounded conclusion. Started off humorous, but evolved into real-life conflicts, the nuances of which were acted with range and excellence. 9/10 #TolsWatches

28. #QueenCharlotte - I did not expect this to be good, let alone as exceptional as it was. I wasn’t even going to watch it at all, but I saw people really loving it here. And what a powerful, moving & emotional series. Whew! Range. Depth. Exquisite acting. 9/10 #TolsWatches

29. #YoungFamousAfrican S2 - What’s the definition of “young” here? Lol. Car crash season. Big agbayas behaving like pikin, deliberately misinforming & trading in deceit, bullying youngers & looking fabulous while doing so. No decent plot just “beautiful gowns”. 6/10 #TolsWatches

30. #SellingSunset6 - Christine is gone & thank God. Awards go to Chrishell for coming back as a Spartan, a catastrophic vacation scene, Chelsea projecting, an old but new figure giving us Walmart Christine vibes, and of course…stunning houses . 8/10 #TolsWatches

31. #PowerBook2 S3 - Remember when everyone thought this spin off would be whack? This season? ELITE. The elevation of the operation, the skullduggery, the snakery, the deadings, the deadings, the DEAD-INGS. Kai! . In their bag. The writers were in their BAG. 10/10 #TolsWatches

32. #SuccesionHBO S4 - The final chapter of a TV sensation, the collision crash point of a plot with characters who were chaotic, self-centred, desperate, morally deviant, preening, psychologically damaged, and fantastically corrupt. It was a beautiful fiasco. 10/10 #TolsWatches

33. #TheUltimatumQueerLove - I wasn’t altogether sold on tuning into this, but curiosity got the better of me. My goodness gracious, the drama was delicious. The interactions, intriguing. Villainy & audacity were afoot in good measure, and…it got serious . 9/10 #TolsWatches

34. #NeverHaveIEverS4 - I have loved this show since the start. Devi is someone you’ll want to strangle a lot . Such a hilarious, witty, fairly-lighthearted & dope show of its genre. I have cried tears of laughter. This round up was perfect. Emosh . 8/10 #TolsWatches

35. #BlackMirror S6 - Even though I enjoyed every episode, especially the 3rd (shoutout to Aaron Paul), I don’t think this was as good as some previous seasons, yet…still quite good. Eery, freaky, squeamish, bizarre, warped - check check check. A solid 8/10. #TolsWatches

36. #TheDiplomat - This had high reviews but I found it hard to get into, to the point I stopped & started it many times. It picked up pace towards the end, but I still can’t work out how I feel about it. Would I watch S2? I don’t know. Giving it an conflicted 6/10. #TolsWatches

37. #TheWitcher - Season 3 Volume 1. Had to watch a recap because who on earth remembers anything after so long? Great return. The villains are giving, I feel the appropriate build up to the magical Apocalypse, and Geralt & Yen still have it. Roll on Volume 2, 9/10. #TolsWatches

38. #ChampionBBC - Listen we have talent in the YewKay, mmkay?! I loved the explosive simultaneously loyal & disfunctional family dynamics of the Champions. Bosco’s character impacted me the most in terms of shifts between my hatred & empathy. Everybody is mad. 8/10 #TolsWatches

39. #SurvivalOfTheThickest - Although not the best of its genre, quite entertaining nonetheless. Took me aaages to clock Tasha Smith was actually Tasha Smith (she looks different to me ). Loved the dynamic of the 3 friends & them not being obvious stereotypes. 7/10 #TolsWatches

40. #SecretInvasion - All hail the Queen Olivia Coleman, the heavyweight champion actress of this series. Loved this latest Marvel instalment. The villain was villaining, and the heroes were heroing. It wasn’t predictable & the plot had some surprising twists. 8.5/10 #TolsWatches

41. #JackRyan S4 - Last season was okayyy compared to the others. This season reclaimed back some of the prior drop in quality, but took a bit too long to warm up for me. However once it did…*gunfingers*. A fitting end to what was a quite decent show over all. 7/10 #TolsWatches

42. #TheWitcher S3 Volume 2 - An excellent round up. Everything was popping off everywhere, it was catastrophic, bloody, the villains were in their element, and the twists were big. However, this being the last we see of Henry Cavill is a shambles. Period . 9/10 #TolsWatches

43. #CruelSummer S2 - Nowhere near as good as the first season. It got much better towards the end, but the build up was laboured. I didn’t feel anything by the end of it. Only “Oh okay. So that’s what was up with that”. The actors did the best they could. 6/10 #TolsWatches

44. #TooHotToHandle S5 - Never watched this before but was persuaded. Bruhhhh. I had the time of my life watching this. IT WAS GIVING. They’re all MAD. I said no more of these dating shows but damn, I’m basically embedded in the multiverse now . The end!! 9/10 #TolsWatches

45. #SweetMagnolias S3 - This was painful. Corny overdose. I was cringing more than smiling, which threw me because this show is usually a sweet delightful escape . Some of the acting was abysmal (KYLE). The few interesting storylines were flimsy in execution. 5/10 #TolsWatches

46. #TheSecretsOfHillsong - Forgot to add this to this thread. Yeah this doc blew my mind in unexpected ways. By the end I didn’t even care what Carl Lentz did. Way bigger issues were at stake. His demise was an inevitability of the rotten system he inhabited. 9/10 #TolsWatches

47. #WitnessNumber3 - This started well, really well…then descended into an unrealistic, random and disappointingly predictable mess by the end. Like the writers were told to “Wrap this up, money has run out” lol. By the end I was confused and bored. 6/10 #TolsWatches

48. #Painkiller - I was aware of the opioid epidemic but not it’s roots. This was an eye-opening & excellent dramatisation of an extremely tragic issue. An example of how a few people’s moral bankruptcy can destroy innumerably more lives. Just unlimited trauma. 10/10 #TolsWatches

49. #Hijack - H’oh my days this was electrifying from start to finish. Idris was in his element & the villains were too. I finished it quickly. The concept isn’t new, but the execution was perfect. I’d never fly again personally LOL . Excellent limited series. 9/10 #TolsWatches

50. #Invasion S1 - How fitting that this is show #50. Omg I was in my sci-fi bag. Whattt. The build up had me feverish. I said I’d watch 1 ep & see because the ratings weren’t selling me. THANK GOD I TRUSTED MY INSTINCTS. Didn’t know S2 was starting. Hallelu! 10/10 #TolsWatches

51. #TheUltimatumS2 - This season was like chicken with no seasoning. The bare minimum. Mostly bland. Too many people came on the experience to not fully invest in the experience and it was bizarre & annoying to watch. What exactly were you there for??? LISA *ahem*. 5/10

52. #MadeInChelsea Corsica - This took so long to come out. Now I see why. Some proper grimey activity going on. Miles being his usual f-boy self did not even compare to the absolute shxtshow Yas and Sam got up to. Wth do women see in Sam Prince?! I’ll never get it. 7/10

53. #DreamingWhilstBlack - Although hilarious in general…one scene rubbed me up the wrong way. I wonder what thought process goes into mocking tongues for entertainment when you’re aware of how sacred it is to a religious group . It was too far for me, ergo my rating. 6/10

54. #TopBoy S3 - A fitting end. A realistic reflection of the futility of a lifestyle with more lows than highs. The chaos, the takeovers, the stress, the fear, the demise of key figures, the unremarkable deaths…a suitably depressing finish. 7/10 #TolsWatches

55. #Silo - Randomly decided to watch this because it kept popping up on AppleTV+. Zero regrets. A top tier sci-fi dystopian drama. Original, dark, believable, storyline had great pacing, & damn is Common good in this. He is also too peng . This was perfect. 10/10 #TolsWatches

56. #Foundation S2 - Sci-fi bag again. First season was great, this season was fantastic. Empire gets rattled in 360 degrees, it’s actually all mad. That’s not a spoiler because Seldon predicted it, but also the sub-plots were giving. Nothing you expect occurs! 9/10 #TolsWatches

57. #SellingTheOC S2 - Bring shame back. Slyly. The way these women compete to cavort w/ a nearly divorced man screams thirsty. It’s weird. Brandi had a point, but also she needed to mind her business more. This bunch LOVE drama/crying more than selling houses. 6/10 #TolsWatches

58. #TheBear S1 - Finally started this on Thursday because I saw you all raving about it. And yeah…I get it. The chaos of the first 5 mins hooked me, and the fact it never stopped, kept me. It’s like watching a car crash on repeat in 360°. Absolute carnage. 10/10 #TolsWatches

59. #FireflyLane S1 - Finished this a few months ago but forgot to add. Another TL rec & my expectations were exceeded. An compelling depiction of deep & complicated friendship. Tully is someone you’ll either love or hate. Kate you want to tell her “Stand up!” 8/10 #TolsWatches

60. #BlackKnight - One of those “Let me see how it goes” ones. Worth it! It was dystopia, sprinkled with a moody Batman hero type, a mass genocidal prick of course, and a naive but likeable young upstart who you really want to pass his tests & defeat his foes. 8/10 #TolsWatches

61. #TheBear S2 - EP6 reminded of Succession S4 EP3; incredible. I watched both twice. In general this season, the plot build up, the crescendos in personal journeys, epiphanies & crises, the ending, my goodness the ending. Wth is coming next?! Carmy?! 11/10 YES. #TolsWatches

62. #MurdaughMuders S2 - “So there’s more?!”, was my initial response. This covers Alex’s trial & the circumstances of Paul & Maggie’s death. It’s all appalling tbh. The evil in this family runs deep. He definitely did it and I reckon Buster knows he did too. 8/10 #TolsWatches

63. #CastlevaniaNocturne - I loved the original series of this and this didn’t disappoint either. It’s such a bizarre series to me but also so compelling lol. The vampires are villainous but also cheeky with banter. The original was better, but this is good too. 8/10 #TolsWatches

64. #TheWheelOfTime S2. I love this show. This season picked up all the loose ends of S1 & ran to victory. The Ishmael, Lanfear & Falme sections were litty. SFX were top tier. Egwene stepped up, Nynaeve got so annoying(!), and deception was afoot as always. Fab. 9/10 #TolsWatches

65. #BeckhamNetflix - Nostalgia central. I was an avid Man U supporter at that time. It exposed the crazy but normalised toxic pap culture, but also our boy was shegged so many times . Certain revelations were mad. To still do what he did, he really is a LEG. 10/10 #TolsWatches

66. #TheContinental - This was litty. The plot stood the test and in no way disgraced the legend of John Wick. The action, the format, the dialogue . He’s a complicated man , but Mel Gibson was outstanding. Best I’ve seen him. The final episode was crazy. 9/10 #TolsWatches

67. #Invasion - S2. Built upon the greatness of S1. It did prattle on a bit, but the exploration of the supernatural side of things, built up well to the epic season finale. Luke, Caspar, & Mitsuki really held this season down with their conversing plots. 8/10 #TolsWatches

68. #WagathaChristie - The first episode dragged, but after that, I was enthralled. Coleen is a gangsta and I love every bit of the execution of her cunning plan. What a sleuth! It’s always the quiet ones. I can only dream to root out my enemies so greatly. 8/10 #TolsWatches

69. #GenV - If you’ve watched #TheBoys you kind of knew the vibe this might be, and I was very surprised with how good this was as a spin off. Compelling in its own right & not dependent on the legend of its parent. Excellent, but gruesome. Not for faint hearts. 9/10 #TolsWatches

70. #TheFallOfTheHouseOfUsher - A bizarre, but compelling show. The heirs were suitably depraved, vain, hedonistic, spoilt & corrupt, and the story of their father & aunt was ordinary, but delivered uniquely. I’d call this a sophisticated horror. Very good. 8/10 #TolsWatches

71. #UploadTV S3 - They call it a comedy but this show definitely has its dark tinges. It gives dystopia at points & this season tapped a little more into the underlying evil of key figures, offset with the amusing dynamic between Nora, Nathan & Ingrid & the AI. 8/10 #TolsWatches

72. #PowerForce S2 - The way no one is safe. I never thought this spin off would be this good. Tommy stays outmanoeuvring his enemies. The dynamic between him & Diamond is better than him & Ghost tbh, but Jennard needs to go. Absolute liability & useless hater. 9/10 #TolsWatches

73. #TheMorningShow S3 - All accolades belong to Cory, Stella & Paul. This trifecta had this season on fire. The things the former two did, had me between screaming in rage, and rooting for their payback. The writers for this are on premium crack. It’s ICONIC. 10/10 #TolsWatches

74. #Loki S2 - The BEST marvel spin-off: argue with the mouse underneath the loose floorboard in your kitchen. S1 blew my mind, and this did, a little too much . But rah…it got emotional still. Imagine that lickle rass Loki being a responsible god & ish? Mad. 8/10 #TolsWatches

75. #SellingSunset S7 - Realistically, Christine wasn’t the only problem in that office. Chelsea is DYING for mischief, Amanza is a poor self-appointed diplomat, Nicole is delulu, Mary-Lou is a bird, & Chrishell is in her IDGAF era. The reunion was the best yet. 9/10 #TolsWatches

76. #Kindred - Started this yday & finished today. Lawd I kneweth not what I was getting myself into. I was captivated & traumatised at such a high velocity, I’m having to touch wood right now to remind myself of the reality I’m in. But they’ve cancelled it . 9/10 #TolsWatches

77. #LessonsInChemistry was wonderful. I took a chance on it and it paid off. Brie Larson was sensational, as was the development of various issues the plot addressed: sexism, identity, the perfect brand of eccentric love, motherhood, etc. A heartwarming blend. 9/10 #TolsWatches

78. #BlueEyeSamurai - An incredible animation. The best I’ve watched since Arcane. Compelling plot, high quality animation, the right mix of characters, and on 100 from start to finish. The evil characters were pure trash, but Mizu is the baddest! 9/10 #TolsWatches

79. #BodiesNetflix - Took a few attempts to get into, but it was worth it. You have to really pay attention to appreciate the brilliant detail with which the sophisticated plot is woven. Original take on the sci-fi genre. DS Whiteman. My G. Stood on business! 7.5/10 #TolsWatches

80. #EscapingTwinFlames - Watching this I deeped how pernicious the allure of cult propaganda is. It preys on deep human desires & relies on the desperation of ppl caught in its web, to ignore red flags & believe that ends (falsely promised) justify the means. 9/10 #TolsWatches

81. #SquidGameTheChallenge - ELITE TV. Only #TheTraitors compares. Contained far less skullduggery & deceit, but the challenges were more personal, and the greed of the contestants was so palpable. Savage, but also, high entertainment. Especially the twists. 10/10 #TolsWatches

82. #AllTheLightWeCannotSee - Why could nobody fake a French accent? Sounding like the Windsors in coastal France was weird. However, a unique and endearing twist on WWII themed content. A reminder that our humanity is permanent, but its sides, we create. 7/10 #TolsWatches

83. #FireflyLane S2 - This built on S1 as one of the best ever portrayals of friendship I’ve ever seen. It was exhilarating, it was rocky & everything in-between. I’m a big man uno, but I cried tears like a newborn. It wreck mi!! Kate & Tully is the new bar . 9/10 #TolsWatches

84. #RapShit S2 - I still want to punch Shawna a lot, she’s too easily swayed. Mia was in her “imma do what I want” bag, but my reigning champion who needs some mf RESPECT, is my girl Chastity. Too many violations she hath SUFFERED when other people deserve it. 9/10 #TolsWatches

85. #TheWomanInTheHouseAcrossTheStreetFromTheGirlInTheWindow - That damn title! . Yo, a rollercoaster. I get the buzz when it first dropped. This was equal parts insane, unbelievable & cringey, but so damn entertaining. The ending spiralled out of control LOL. 7/10 #TolsWatches

And that’s it for 2023 . A whopping 85 seasons across almost the equivalent amount of shows. A massive leap from 2022’s 66 seasons. Alas it was also the end of a few excellent shows. A very high quality year in general. Hopefully the trend continues. Here’s to 2024…