We’re coming to the end of the year, meaning it is time to look back on the year that was. Today, I’m sharing my Top 10 TV Episodes of 2023. In addition, Eric and I shared our Top 12 movies of the year on the This Week at the Movies podcast. Be sure to catch up with the video of our show!

No. 10: “The War Has Come Home,” Episode 1.03 of 1923
About: This is the second spin-off from Taylor Sheridan’s expanded Yellowstone universe. I enjoyed the first two episodes, but it was the third episode, one of the first episodes released in 2023, that really hooked me. We get some beautiful character beats, both at home and in Africa. And then we get a tremendous fire fight to end the episode which sets the stage for all the wars to come. It’s well-crafted and haunting.

No. 9: “Glorious Purpose,” Episode 2.06 of Loki
About: It’s all led to this—not just two seasons of the show, but more than a decade of appearances by Tom Hiddleston in the title role. The finale of the second, and presumably final season, of Loki not only wraps up the Kang storyline but gives us a great ending for a character that has been a gem in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

No. 8: “All or Nothing,” Episode 1.08 of Drops of God
About: I dearly loved this Apple TV+ drama even though it didn’t seem like it was aimed at me, initially. This final episode brought a coda to the story of Camille and Issei in the best possible way. I loved the tension, the drama, and the ultimate resolution of this fascinating series.

No. 7: “Four Minutes,” Episode 5.09 or The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
About: Series finales are tricky. The final season of Mrs. Maisel wasn’t as revered by some, but I appreciated the glimpses into the future. We know Midge makes it big. We know the arc of her life and career. But how did she get there? This finale had to show us that, and it delivers big on those four minutes that changed her life.

No. 6: “Forks,” Episode 2.07 of The Bear
About: The second season of The Bear saw our characters often spread out. This episode focused on Ritchie as he goes to a fancy restaurant to hone his skills and craft. It’s an exceptional episode, one that lets Ebon Moss-Bachrach shine and really delivers the emotion in the best possible way. An Olivia Coleman cameo is just the icing on the cake.

No. 5: “The Final Intercut: So I’m Your Horse,” Episode 1.08 of Mrs. Davis
About: This series from Damon Lindelof and Tara Hernandez was a big swing for Peacock. It was weird, wild, and ultimately compelling. I was drawn into the story, and I really enjoyed this final episode, which provided a great coda to everything we’d seen.

No. 4: “Book of Calvin,” Episode 1.07 of Lessons in Chemistry
About: We saw a lot shows in 2023 and this one sort of slipped through the cracks. Based on the book from Bonnie Garmus, this series delivered a beautiful story beautifully told. This penultimate episode offers a flashback to tell us more about Calvin and his life. There’s a richness to the narrative and the spirituality here that really appealed to me.

No. 3: “Subspace Rhapsody,” Episode 2.09 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
About: A musical episode of Star Trek? How’s that gonna work? It was fair to wonder, and yet the end result is breathtaking and incredible. It was beautiful storytelling laid out in a fascinating and compelling musical form. It was a daring episode from one of the best shows on television.

No. 2: “Closure,” Episode 1.10 of Shrinking
About: There was a lot to like about Shrinking. Its first season contained a number of beautiful moments and memorable episodes. I hope it continues for some time. But this first season finale, which focused on Brian’s wedding brings all the storylines to a head. I love Jason Segel in the series, and he shines in this episode.

No. 1: “Mom City,” Episode 3.11 of Ted Lasso
About: The penultimate episode of the series, this was perhaps the most emotional of all three seasons. I’ve always watched and loved the show because I was invested in the characters. The resolution we get with Nate here is beyond beautiful. I laughed and I cried, and that’s the best kind of episode of television.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.