Mike deals with Werner – Better Call Saul
Oh Better Call Saul, this entire list could be comprised of moments from this one show but let us suffice with just two. The first moment we shall speak of is perhaps it’s most moving and certainly, it’s most visually pleasing. After Werner escapes from Gus’ warehouse, Mike is tasked with tracking him down. The chase ends with Mike having to end Werner’s life and it happens in the most tragic and beautiful way possible. With their silhouettes set against a clear night’s sky, Werner submits to his fate and does his pal a favour by turning his back, walking into the desert so Mike doesn’t have to look him in the eye. Silence and then the gunshot. It’s stunning and a huge moment for Mike’s criminal descent that will ultimately see him meet a similar (but less amicable) fate.
The Bent-Neck Lady revealed – The Haunting of Hill House
The Haunting of Hill House can boast its own share of spectacular moments and when thinking back on 2018’s highlights, the revelation of the Bent-Neck Lady cannot be forgotten (if only it could). Nell’s story was always going to be a tragic one but the moment we learned that the ghost that had been haunting her since childhood was actually herself, was devastating nonetheless. Her despair (and ours) when learning that upon being tricked into suicide by the ghouls of Hill House, that she inadvertently became her own nightmare, forced to haunt herself and her family forever, crying out in perpetual pain, her soul forever shackled to that house, is not a notion easily forgotten. There is little question that this most morose of reveals is up there with the very best TV in 2018 has to offer.
“It’s all good, man” – Better Call Saul
The moment we had all been waiting for, and the best of 2018, arrived when Jimmy finally became Saul. Jimmy’s transformation was a slow one and happened in increments but at the end of Better Call Saul’s season four finale, the final nail went into the coffin. Jimmy, lying to the panel about his fondness for Chuck in order to get his license to practice law returned to him, tricking Kim in the process, shouldn’t have been a shock but thanks to Jimmy finally mastering faked authenticity, he manages to convince even the audience of his humanity. Poor Kim is stunned to learn that it was all a lie. We and Miss Wexler are in a state of whiplash as Jimmy exuberantly reveals the truth behind his ruse. The moment is perfected, however, when Jimmy announces his decision to practice under the name Saul Goodman, oblivious to Kim’s distress. “It’s all good, man,” Jimmy drawls. Season 5 can’t come soon enough.
What are your favourite TV moments of 2018? Let us know in the comments below…
Samuel Brace
luke_a says
Hey. Good list. But here are a few more that I think should be considered.
Jeff Scwartz losing it to the Goldberg family in “Dinner With The Goldbergs” from The Goldbergs.
Teddy Perkins showing the museum piece dedicated to his abusive father to Darius in “Teddy Perkins” from Atlanta.
Mulder and Scully’s “final case” with Reggie in “The Lost Art of Forehead Sweat” from The X-Files (I was dying of laughter at that whole scene).
Sally nailing MacBeth in the penultimate episode of season 1 of Barry.
David and The Shadow King hovering into battle while singing “Behind Blue Eyes” in the season 2 finale of Legion.
And now the big one. Pretty much all of the series finale for The Americans. *spoilers* From Phillip and Elizabeth realizing that in order to protect Henry, they have to abandon him. To the ten minute parking garage scene with Phillip, Elizabeth, Paige and Stand holding them at gunpoint. To the train scene where Paige abandons Phillip and Elizabeth to the final scene where Phillip and Elizabeth are finally home, but it’s a home they no longer recognize, will go through a massive upheaval in 3 years and without their children. IMHO, the final scene, the final episode and the final season of The Americans should top every Best TV of 2018 list.