My TV Highlights of 2019

Even though Fleabag originally began back in 2016, this was the year that I (and from what I’ve read, countless others) discovered it properly. While admittedly, it was a little difficult to get into during the first episode, it’s worth persevering, as it just continues to get better, especially as it goes into the second series.

Again, this originally started in 2018, but we discovered it this year and it was definitely one of our top TV highlights. To be honest, our love of Fleabag got us into Killing Eve, after we found out it’s also written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. That and the fact we were big fans of Sandra Oh in Grey’s Anatomy. I genuinely knew this would be a show for me after the first scene of the first series – with the child in the ice cream parlour – Villanelle is mood.

We were a month or two behind on the final season of Orange is the New Black, but it was well worth the wait. There were so many memorable bits from this season, and the final episode was just perfection. I won’t spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen it, but let’s just say I felt it was a great ending and they did it justice.

You can watch all 7 seasons of Orange is the New Black on Netflix. Image courtesy of IMDB.

The Big Bang Theory has been a part of our life since we were at university, and the news that season 12 would be the final one genuinely upset me. The last couple of seasons were a bit disappointing, but they really brought it back with season 12. Overall the final episode was brilliantly done, and there were plenty of laughs. 

You can watch all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory on Netflix, or catch reruns daily on E4. Image courtesy of IMDB.

Regular readers will know we’re big fans of Grey’s Anatomy in our house, but a special recognition has to go to this episode. You may have heard about this episode, with one scene in particular being praised massively. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but essentially, the episode revolves around a woman who has been admitted after a sexual assault, and as she’s wheeled off to surgery, all of the women in the hospital line up in the corridor in support of her.

As a fan of Aisling Bea’s stand-up, we were quite keen to start watching her new sitcom. It follows Aine, who attempts to return to normal after leaving rehab as a result of a nervous breakdown. Even though there’s quite a strong mental health theme and a few heart-wrenching scenes, there’s plenty of funny moments and in places it’s awfully relatable. 

We originally got into the first season last year, and we were thrilled when we found out it was coming back for a second this year. It definitely lived up to the first season, and the introduction of new character Bonnie added a little something extra. 

I only really got into Black Mirror last year, so I was raring to go when season 5 landed on Netflix this year. While there were only 3 episodes, they still did a pretty good job with some rather memorable ones.

I’ve been a fan of Ricky Gervais’ stand-up for a while, but not so much his TV shows. I was never really a big fan of The Office or Extras for example. However, I heard so many good things about After Life, that we decided to give it a go. It follows Tony, whom after the death of his wife decides to punish the world for it by doing and saying whatever he wants.

This was quite a difficult one to get into but I’m glad we stuck with it because it’s bloody funny. Overall the set-up was a bit difficult to get used to – from the outside it appears to be your average American high-school sitcom, but it’s only when you watch it you realise the whole thing is set in a British high school.