We’ve covered the best and the worst of last year, but before we lay 2025 to rest, I wanted to take some time and give out a few special mentions. These superlatives took some time and thought, mainly because there were a lot of options. In the end, I settled on what stuck with me the most. Feel free to share your own superlatives in the comments along with any suggestions for categories that you want to see next year.
Best Performance: Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus
There were tons of options here, from Noah Wyle to Ethan Hawke to the entire cast of Adolescence. Ultimately, Seehorn became the obvious pick. Pluribus hinges on her performance as Carol Sturka. Large portions of the first season are basically a one-woman show, and Seehorn never lets the material falter. Carol’s misanthropic streak often makes her unlikable, but it never stops her from being watchable. She’s experiencing a potentially humanity-ending event while also going through the trauma of losing a loved one. A little lashing out from time-to-time makes sense. In short, she’s human in a way we rarely see on television. By season’s end, Seehorn convinces you that Carol might just be humanity’s best chance at survival.
Best Episode: “Who Are You?”, Andor
Andor’s second season provided a wealth of options, but I ultimately chose this installment for how carefully it ratchets up the tension. The season spent considerable time laying the groundwork for the Empire’s plan to strip-mine Gorman of its resources and doom the population. Despite all that, it’s still so shocking when the riot breaks out and the killings start. Putting viewers on the ground of the Gorman Massacre is one of many deft moves, showcasing the horror and violence of the Empire in a way Star Wars fans have never seen before. Add in a thrilling confrontation between Andor and Syril Karn that the show had been building to from the beginning, and you have the year’s single best episode.
Best Opening Sequence: Common Side Effects
Adult Swim’s animated conspiracy thriller/comedy was a welcome surprise and this opening title sequence clues you in on why it works so well. Quality opening titles are hard to come by these days, but the animators behind Common Side Effects never miss an opportunity to show off. The brief sequence perfectly captures the show’s tone. There’s a sense of paranoia mixed with transcendence as the world of Big Pharma shifts to images of nature, ending on the blue mushroom that fuels the story. It’s telling that outside of silhouettes you don’t see a single character. You’ll get to know them in a minute, for now, bask in the vibes and prepare yourself for a wild ride.
Best Ensemble: The Pitt
Some shows thrive on their ability to juggle multiple character arcs at one time. The Pitt does this while also dealing with multiple ongoing patient cases and keeping its focus on the action in the emergency room. This method leads to occasionally clunky bits of exposition, but works so well because it allows our characters to show their personality through their ability to save lives. Noah Wyle aside, the cast of The Pitt is full of unknowns who help add to your immersion. That the assembled cast all get the chance to shine is part of what made this show the surprise crossover hit of the year.
Best Visual Style: Pluribus
I originally titled this “Best Directing,” but there’s more to the visuals that end up on our screen than just the director. There were a lot of shows that wowed me with their presentation. Unfortunately for all of them, Vince Gilligan dropped a new series this year. Gilligan and his team, including many Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul alums, continue to up their game with Pluribus. Each episode features a bevy of gorgeous scenes and unique shots. Scenes that sparkle with logistical precision, like a horde of workers quickly and efficiently restocking a Sprouts supermarket. The way a shot seems designed to catch your attention, from a drone stuck on a lamppost to something as simple as the distance between two characters as they speak. There’s nothing like it on television.
Wrestling Match of the Year: “Hangman” Adam Page vs Will Ospreay, AEW Double or Nothing
I don’t find a lot of time to discuss my love of pro wrestling on the blog, but I figured there was no better way to close out this article than sharing my favorite match from 2025. The most common storytelling element in wrestling is that a feud involves someone good (the face) and someone bad (the heel). Every now and again, the fates align to pit two faces against one another. This was the case in the finals of the Owen Hart Cup tournament, as two of AEW’s best faced off for the chance to battle the AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, a villain constantly brutalizing those who got in his way.
For the cowboy known as Hangman, this is a chance at redemption after a heel turn that saw him retire one of his mentors and burn down a man’s house (a story for another time). For Ospreay, one of the most thrilling wrestlers on the planet, it is a chance to crown himself the champion of the world and prove his doubters wrong. What follows is a match full of perseverance and determination as both men unload all they have to prove themselves. In short, it’s pro wrestling at its absolute best. A story perfectly told in the ring with a clear outcome that leaves you wanting more.