The Three Best Things to Ever Be on Television Have Aired in the Last 4 Years
We’re living in a golden age of television—again. Every time we think we’ve seen peak TV, a few brilliant shows come along and completely redefine what the medium can do. In the last few years, three series have stood out not just as entertainment, but as cultural and artistic achievements: Andor (2022), The Last of Us (2023), and Station Eleven (2021).
These aren’t just great shows. They’re the shows. The kind that remind you why you fell in love with TV in the first place. Here’s why they deserve a place in the pantheon of all-time greats—and where you can stream them right now.
1. Andor (2022) – Streaming on Disney+
When Andor was announced, it seemed like a footnote in the ever-expanding Star Wars universe. What we got instead was one of the most mature, politically charged dramas to ever come out of the franchise. Showrunner Tony Gilroy reimagined what Star Wars could be—grounded, gritty, and emotionally complex.
Set in the early days of the Rebellion, Andor gives us a world full of moral ambiguity and characters who aren’t clean-cut heroes, but desperate people doing what they must under an oppressive regime. Diego Luna leads a stellar cast in a slow-burn thriller that feels more like The Wire in space than anything else. It's smart, it's sharp, and it's arguably the most ambitious Star Wars project since the original trilogy.
2. The Last of Us (2023) – Streaming on Max (formerly HBO Max)
It’s not hyperbole to say that The Last of Us is the best video game adaptation of all time. But it’s also much more than that. Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) and Neil Druckmann (the original game’s co-creator) delivered a hauntingly beautiful story of love, loss, and survival in a ruined world.
Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey give emotionally devastating performances as Joel and Ellie, navigating the collapse of society and the fragile threads of connection that remain. Whether you’ve played the game or not, this show hits hard. Its third episode, focusing on the unexpected love story of Bill and Frank, was an instant classic—and proof that prestige TV can still surprise us.
3. Station Eleven (2021) – Streaming on Max
Station Eleven might be the quietest of the three, but don’t let that fool you—this show is a masterpiece. Based on Emily St. John Mandel’s novel, it tells the story of a devastating flu pandemic (eerily prescient) and the world that emerges in its wake. But it’s not about destruction. It’s about memory, art, healing, and what remains when everything else is gone.
It unfolds across multiple timelines, connecting lives through Shakespeare, a mysterious graphic novel, and the enduring power of performance. It’s the kind of show that sneaks up on you—intimate, lyrical, and full of heart. Not just a survival story, but a celebration of humanity’s resilience.
The Verdict
What makes these three shows stand above the rest? They respect the audience’s intelligence. They lean into nuance, character depth, and thematic weight. They’re patient, poetic, and often profound.
Andor redefines the sci-fi epic as a gritty resistance tale.
The Last of Us turns a post-apocalyptic horror story into a raw, emotional journey.
Station Eleven shows us that even after the end of the world, beauty survives.
Together, they represent the best of modern television—bold, brave, and unafraid to ask big questions. If you haven’t watched them yet, now’s the time. These aren’t just shows; they’re experiences.
