TV We’re Thankful for This Season: The Good Doctor, The Good Place, Wynonna Earp, and More

It’s Thanksgiving, and that means taking some time to consider the things we’re thankful for. If you’re as obsessed with television as we are, you’ll probably agree that there’s a lot to be thankful for when it comes to TV this year.

From the shows that provide a much-needed escape or spark important conversations to the characters that inspire us or make us laugh, here are 28 things the Tell-Tale TV team is thankful for when it comes to great television.

1. The Handmaid’s Tale

I’m thankful for The Handmaid’s Tale somehow living up to the book. It was hard to watch but totally worth it. It made me think, sob, and feel (a little) hopeful. I’m also so curious to see what is going to happen in Season 2.

– Amanda Coyne

2. The final season of Scandal

Scandal has been an absolute rollercoaster of a show, and I’ve loved all its twisty turns. But mostly I’m thankful that this last year is giving me what I always wanted, Mellie and Olivia ruling the world side by side.

-Samantha Coley

3. John and Aeryn (Farscape)

I’ve been deep in nostalgia mode, and I recently started watching Farscape again. Watching it for the second time, some ten years later, I’ve really come to appreciate John and Aeryn’s relationship.

There is definitely a level of respect between the characters that I admire. Also, when Aeryn has lines like “Now don’t feel bad it’s not you it’s me. I don’t like you” and still be respected, it feels very appropriate.

– Lauren Busser

4. Brooklyn Nine-Nine

I am thankful for Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s representation of characters from marginalized groups. As a Latinx person myself, I am heartened by the fact that both of the Latinx leads are given hearty, individualized characterization that does not rest upon stereotyping. Watching Jake propose to Amy made me feel like I too am worthy of lead ship attention.

– Janelle McCammack

5. Teen Wolf

Teen Wolf ended for good back in September. Still, I’m so grateful for the incredible happiness this show has given me and continues to give me. I’m grateful for the incredible cast, writers, and crew, and the friends I’ve made along the way for making this show so fun to watch.

– Christina Cerutti

6. Doctor Who

I’ve always loved Doctor Who, but these days, it feels more relevant than it has in a long time. (Watch that Twelve speech about kindness and doing good in the face of impossible odds in the Season 10 finale, and tell me that’s not exactly what the world needs right now.)

But also, the show finally, finally cast a woman as the Doctor this year, and I was so happy about it I burst into tears and I can’t wait to see what she’ll do.

– Lacy Baugher

7. The Carmichael Show

I am thankful for The Carmichael Show, a brilliant comedy we lost this year that was often overlooked and ignored. Jerrod Carmichael, and the rest of the team, made episodes that took important, nuanced and hilarious looks at issues people were talking about.

Never afraid to discuss complex issues, the sitcom truly did not like no other sitcom. Plus, the cast included Loretta Devine, “Get Out” standout Lil Rel Howery and THE Tiffany Haddish!

– Alamin Yohannes

8. Pamela Adlon (Better Things)

I would like to give thanks for Pamela Adlon. At this moment in time, I’m somewhat hesitant to say I’m thankful for Better Things due to Louis CK’s involvement and the controversy that surrounds him. But there’s no doubt that Adlon’s work on the show has been phenomenal.

As a writer, actress, and director of every episode in Season 2, she thoughtfully and beautifully continued to explore the complexity of a mother’s relationship with her daughters. I hope we get a third season of Better Things, but even if we don’t, whatever Adlon does next will be brilliant.

-Ali Hanford

9. The Good Place

I’m thankful for The Good Place, and specifically Ted Danson’s return to television in The Good Place. The show is like nothing else on TV and never fails to make me laugh.

I’m still not over that Season 1 finale twist and all of the opportunity it’s given for Danson’s character Michael in the second season. The first three installments of Season 2 are arguably the best string of episodes in sitcom history. Bring on Season 3!

– Caralynn Lippo

10. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

I’m thankful for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and the way the show is willing to go where it needs to in order to talk about mental illness. Even more broadly, I’m thankful for the way it focuses on female friendships and issues that women deal with on a regular basis — all while giving us a reason to laugh and a song to sing along to.

-Ashley Bissette Sumerel

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