Welcome to the 2023 SiftPop.com Sifties!
2023 was a great year for television. Amidst a landscape that can at times feel oversaturated, there were still five shows that were able to stand out among the rest.
Here’s how the voting played out:
Following the conclusion of the remarkable Season Three, the Barry fanbase was on their toes in anticipation to see how the series would conclude, especially since Season Three felt like a perfect ending at the time. So in 2023, we were treated to the conclusion of the wildly funny series. Easily the least laugh-out-loud of the series, this season leans more into the dark comedy and satire. While most fans agree the start of the season was slow, and felt like a “waste of time,” in hindsight, it was setting up for a truly excellent finale. Barry got better each season, and while the final season may not be the best of the series, it is certainly among the best shows of the year, with one of the best series finales of all time.
Mike Flanagan and Edgar Allen Poe are a match made in hell. The Fall of the House of Usher, one of Poe’s most iconic works, gets a 21st century spin, complete with homage to the writer, and commentary about the destructive nature of greed. Netflix spared no expense with a twisted story of the iconic Usher family, rulers of the Fortunato Pharmacy company, and their demise at the hands of a terrorizing force. Brother and sister, Roderick (Bruce Greenwood) and Madeline (Mary McDonnell), see the consequences of their choices, with Verna (Carla Gugino) coming to collect the bill. A terrifying retelling of the story with a modern twist, Flanagan gets some career highlight performances from the cast, and weaves some of the best Poe has to offer in creative ways. The commentary on greed and how it can lead to literal and metaphorical destruction is what makes the series sing, though. It isn’t just a jump scare fest that has nothing to say. The lengths those with wealth go to keep their power are on stark and frightening display, and serve as a cautionary tale for those who will cut corners to obtain their riches.
Season One of The Bear was already flirting with being a unicorn, but Season Two still manages to improve on almost everything. Each character has an arc and a purpose, something that plagues many shows’ sophomore seasons. Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) exhibits growth without having something drastic change him for the worse. He has a shot of happiness, but all he knows is work. Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) is finding her voice and her passion, while also supporting Carmy to the best of her abilities in a professional way. The way The Bear calls back to certain moments throughout its two seasons, and the way it utilizes its guest stars, is what makes it shine. Packing an amazing one-two punch with the episodes “Fishes” and “Forks,” each of The Bear’s episodes matters to the story and give the audience those good vibes someone gets when they have eaten something truly delicious.
The Sopranos, Breaking Bad… Succession. A show about how billionaires continue to ruin the world because they’re incompetent and can’t get approval from their dad managed to become the successor to two of the best shows since the turn of the century. You could make an argument for just about any season of Succession being the best, but Season Four probably has the most airtight case. Just as Kendall says in Season Three about his birthday party, Season Four is, “All bangers all the time.” One episode after the other, you’ll think that you’ve just seen one of the best in TV history. “Connor’s Wedding” and its fallout in “Honeymoon States” are the most raw that the show gets, “Tailgate Party” and “America Decides” show the ultimate depravity beneath the humanity of the Roys, and “Church and State” and “With Open Eyes” bring it all home to show just how screwed the American system is. Season Four isn’t as fun to watch as perhaps Season Two is, but it has the most to say, and definitely brings the show back to its thematic heart — it’s sobering and will leave you with a pit in your stomach.
Ever since The Last of Us dropped on PlayStation 3 in 2013, an adaptation felt inevitable. That inevitability finally became a reality 10 years later. Despite being one of the most hyped projects in recent memory, it somehow manages to live up to the anticipation. The show follows disillusioned pandemic survivor, Joel (Pedro Pascal), who begrudgingly bonds with a teenager, Ellie (Bella Ramsey), who could provide the key to civilization’s salvation. With the creator of Chernobyl,(Craig Mazin), teaming up with the original game’s creative director, (Neil Druckmann), a power duo was formed that not only does the original story justice, but knows just when and how to tweak things to fit a brand new medium. The series elevated Pedro Pascal to a whole new level of stardom, and proved Ramsey’s scene stealing in Game of Thrones was no accident — not to mention providing “Long, Long Time,” one of the most powerful episodes of television, thanks to a Nick Offerman acting masterclass. In an era where fandom is too often toxic, a universal hit with both fans and critics alike is almost something to marvel at. And in an era where water cooler moments are becoming fewer and farther between, this early 2023 hit was appointment viewing on HBO, and remains one of the year’s best.
Make sure to check out the previous 2023 Sifties winners, and don’t forget to check back tomorrow for the winner of Best Voice Performance in a Movie!
You can also listen to the SiftPop writers’ top five movies of the year on the SiftPop Writers’ Room Podcast!