Culturess
Fansided

2020: The best TV moments that helped us get through this year

By Veronica Elizabeth Bruno

The Mandalorian chapter 14 - Disney Plus
The Mandalorian chapter 14 - Disney Plus /
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The return of Julian Fellowes to television with Belgravia

If you’re like me (or any period-drama-loving person), the next Downton Abbey movie can’t get here fast enough. So, when I heard that Downton’s creator, Julian Fellowes, was helming a series for EPIX, Belgravia, based on his own novel, I could barely contain my enthusiasm.

With poignant performances from Tamsin Greig and Harriet Walter, the two matriarchs and their families were embroiled in a controversy that involved a secret baby, a youth being cut down due to war, and the reality of class struggles during the Victorian era. It was a beautiful story that made me laugh and cry.

Although it didn’t enter the zeitgeist quite like Downton did—and it’s really a self-contained story that was resolved in a season—Belgravia was a gorgeous production that told a moving story. And I’m secretly hoping there’s a chance we could get another season out of this gem of a narrative.

Colby Minifie as Virginia, Zoe Colletti as Dakota – Fear the Walking Dead _ Season 6, Episode 4 – Photo Credit: Ryan Green/AMC
Colby Minifie as Virginia, Zoe Colletti as Dakota – Fear the Walking Dead _ Season 6, Episode 4 – Photo Credit: Ryan Green/AMC /

Fear the Walking Dead’s full Western tone

If you were to tell me that Fear the Walking Dead would produce the quality of this season after last year’s snoozefest, I would never have believed it. Sure, FTWD has given us a riveting season before—its third—but has gone off the rails a bit since then.

Once The Walking Dead spinoff incorporated its “feel good” theme this past season, it started frankly becomes boring, despite the captivating love story of June and John (highlight of S5 was their marriage), and Morgan’s (Lennie James) stellar presence. But just when it started to feel stale, the series unveiled what it desperately needed all last season: A compelling villain in Virginia (Colby Minifie).

Combined with the reinvention of Morgan as a vigilante cowboy and an even more seamlessly streamlined Western tone, FTWD season 6 debuted this year with a vision that translated into what many are calling its best run yet. Whether you believe S3 or S6 represents the pinnacle of the show, this season has placed FTWD among the most exciting dramas around.

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