Post-Credits Scene: Earn’s Mystery Bag | Atlanta | FX

Here’s the thing: whether you loved or hated Atlanta’s somewhat controversial Season 3, it was wildly creative and we have to acknowledge that. Not many shows have the courage to veer so far away from what won it awards and made it a cultural phenomenon. The episodes may not have been what fans wanted, but as viewers we have to let shows be different. If Atlanta feeds us the same thing every week, we might as well watch something formulaic like Young Sheldon.

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5 / 12

Bel-Air

Bel-Air

BEL-AIR — “Can’t Knock The Hustle” Pictured: (l-r) Jabari Banks as Will Smith, Adrian Holmes as Phillip Banks — (Photo by: Tyler Golden/Peacock)
BEL-AIR — “Can’t Knock The Hustle” Pictured: (l-r) Jabari Banks as Will Smith, Adrian Holmes as Phillip Banks — (Photo by: Tyler Golden/Peacock)
Photo: Tyler Golden/Peacock

Look, when we heard “dramatic reimagining of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” we’ll admit we were skeptical. However, Bel-Air surpassed any and all preconceived notions we had about what to expect. The first season took the colorful ‘90s sitcom and turned it on its head. Carlton was dealing with mental health and addiction issues, Will had PTSD from a violent arrest, Hillary struggled to find her voice as a Black content creator and Ashley explored her sexual identity. In the midst of all these serious stories, we also got a fun, unapologetic celebration of Black excellence. Despite sharing a premise and characters, the two series couldn’t be more different, which is great, because we get two classic interpretations of the Banks family.

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6 / 12

Euphoria

Euphoria

Image for article titled See The Best Black TV of 2022...So Far
Photo: Eddy Chen/HBO

Look, Euphoria is not for everyone. Every single episode is tough to get through. However, if you can hold your emotions together long enough, you are rewarded with a breathtakingly great performance from Zendaya. In Season 2, the Emmy-winner took Rue’s addiction issues to a violent, self-hating level that felt too personal and was intensely uncomfortable to watch. As much as the audience wanted to look away, Zendaya commanded their attention, making her, and Rue, impossible to ignore.

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7 / 12

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Reva (Moses Ingram) in Lucasfilm’s OBI-WAN KENOBI, exclusively on Disney+. © 2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
Reva (Moses Ingram) in Lucasfilm’s OBI-WAN KENOBI, exclusively on Disney+. © 2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
Photo: Disney+

There was a lot to love for Star Wars fans in Obi-Wan Kenobi, but the real highlight of the drama was the introduction of Moses Ingram’s Reva/Third Sister. Every moment we spent with her, we wanted to know more. We won’t spoil her origin, but it’s heartbreaking. Ingram delivered the reveal with a crushing despair we felt through the screen. The actress’ vulnerability was always lurking just beneath the surface, allowing viewers to see her as more than just an angry servant of the Empire. The series ends just as Reva’s path to redemption is beginning, so we desperately need to keep following her. Disney is incredibly secretive, so we don’t know if we’ll see her again, but Reva and Ingram are way too good for a one off.

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8 / 12

Snowfall

Snowfall

Image for article titled See The Best Black TV of 2022...So Far
Photo: Robin L. Marshall (Getty Images)

TV is full of drug kingpin shows. Sometimes they ride motorcycles, sometimes they make jokes and sometimes they’re in outer space. The difference between Snowfall and those series is Damson Idris. As Franklin, he delivers such a fascinating portrayal of a man simultaneously sure of himself and insecure about the world around him. With members of his family striking out on their own, Idris kept Franklin balanced on an emotional tightrope of family loyalty and uncontrolled rage. In the end, the rage took over, setting up a bloody yet captivating season finale.

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9 / 12

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Celia Rose Gooding as Cadet Nyota Uhura in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Celia Rose Gooding as Cadet Nyota Uhura in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Photo: Paramount+

At this point in the Star Trek universe, fans are wondering if there are new stories left to tell about the Enterprise. Turns out there are. Strange New Worlds follows the famous starship in the years before Kirk became captain, when Pike is still in command. While Celia Rose Gooding’s portrayal of a young Cadet Uhura is a true highlight of the show, the entire cast makes this a supremely fun watch. Like all the other series in the franchise, Strange New Worlds delivers gut wrenching emotion, chilling battles, social commentary and comedy. Frankly, it’s the best of the new Paramount+ Star Trek series.

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10 / 12

Women of the Movement

Women of the Movement

WOMEN OF THE MOVEMENT – “The Last Word” – (ABC/James Van Evers)ADRIENNE WARREN
WOMEN OF THE MOVEMENT – “The Last Word” – (ABC/James Van Evers)ADRIENNE WARREN
Photo: ABC/James Van Evers

Historical dramas are a delicate balance. Writers and directors have to weigh the obvious need to be factually correct against the demand for a compelling story. In the case of Women of the Movement, there’s an added element of highlighting how unjust history was to Mamie Till-Mobley and her son Emmett. Adrienne Warren’s unflinching, powerful performance as Mamie is a spectacular tribute to a woman who shouldered more than any parent should ever have to. The entire cast, even those playing Emmett’s murderers, took great care to make sure the Till family’s tragedy was treated with the utmost respect and dignity. As difficult as the miniseries is to watch, it’s beautifully well made, and should be required viewing for those who want to erase Black history.

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11 / 12

The Wonder Years

The Wonder Years

THE WONDER YEARS – “Love, Dean” – (ABC/Matt Miller)ELISHA WILLIAMS
THE WONDER YEARS – “Love, Dean” – (ABC/Matt Miller)ELISHA WILLIAMS
Photo: ABC/Matt Miller

Remaking one of the most beloved shows in the history of television was a risky move for ABC. Putting a Black family at the center of the story caused the expected racist uproar. Turns out, no one had anything to worry about, as The Wonder Years is a beautifully crafted family–oriented series and a perfect companion to the 1988 original. It’s still a coming-of-age story set in the ‘60s, though now with a Black family as the focus, it feels a little more authentic and less like a classic rock nostalgia tour. Yes, it’s set during an impossibly difficult time, but The Williams family fills the screen with so much joy, you can’t help wanting to spend time with them.

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