It’s that time of year again! Michael Zavala has released his 2022 MUST WATCH list. Did your favorites make it? Find out below.

Animaniacs – Hulu

The Warner siblings live in the Warner Bros. Water Tower on the Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank, California. However, characters from the series had episodes in various places and periods of time. The Animaniacs characters interacted with famous people and creators of the past and present, as well as mythological characters and characters from contemporary pop culture and television.

Barry – HBO Max

Barry follows Barry Berkman, a discharged Marine from Cleveland, who works as a hitman. Lonely and dissatisfied with life, he travels to Los Angeles to kill a target and finds a new sense of purpose when he joins a class full of aspiring actors. Despite his efforts to leave behind his criminal history and become an actor himself, he struggles to escape his dark past.

Bel-Air – Peacock

The series follows Will Smith’s complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air.

Curb Your Enthusiasm – HBO Max

The series stars Larry David as a fictionalized version of himself. Like the real-life David, the character is well known as the co-creator and main co-writer of the highly successful sitcom Seinfeld. Although Larry maintains an office, he is rarely shown working. The show’s plots often center around everyday interactions between Larry and his friends, acquaintances, and occasionally strangers. Conflicts in the show are frequently sparked by Larry’s social unorthodoxy, particularly his often tactless manner of speaking and his stubbornness.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – Paramount+

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds follows Captain Christopher Pike (played by Anson Mount) and the crew of the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) in the 23rd century as they explore new worlds throughout the galaxy in the decade before Star Trek: The Original Series. It has a contemporary take on that series’ episodic storytelling and 1960s designs, and features the following narration from Mount during each episode’s opening credits (similar to the opening narrations in The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation).

Stranger Things – Netflix

Stranger Things is set in the fictional rural town of Hawkins, Indiana, during the 1980s. The nearby Hawkins National Laboratory ostensibly performs scientific research for the United States Department of Energy, but secretly does experiments into the paranormal and supernatural, including those that involve human test subjects. Inadvertently, they have created a portal to an alternate dimension, “the Upside Down”. The influence of the Upside Down starts to affect the unknowing residents of Hawkins in calamitous ways.

The Boys – Amazon Prime

The Boys is set in a universe where superpowered individuals are recognized as heroes by the general public and work for a powerful corporation known as Vought International, which markets and monetizes them. Outside of their heroic personas, most are arrogant, selfish, and corrupt. The series primarily focuses on two groups: the Seven, Vought’s premier superhero team, and the Boys, vigilantes looking to bring down Vought and its fake superheroes.

The Orville: New Horizons – Hulu

The Orville is set on the titular spacecraft: USS Orville (ECV-197), a mid-level exploratory vessel in the Planetary Union, a 25th-century interstellar alliance of Earth and many other planets. The show consists of adventures encountered by the ship’s crew, usually involving planet exploration and visits to various parts of the galaxy.

What We Do in the Shadows – Hulu/FX

Set primarily in Staten Island, New York City, New York, What We Do in the Shadows follows the lives of three traditional vampires, Nandor, Laszlo, and Nadja; Colin Robinson, an energy vampire; and Guillermo, Nandor’s familiar. The series revolves around the vampires interacting with the modern world and other supernatural beings.

Judge Steve Harvey: Season 1, Episode 8 – Hulu

Judge Steve Harvey is an American arbitration-based reality court comedy show hosted by Steve Harvey.

In Star Trek: Picard, the relationship between Captain Liam Shaw and Seven of Nine is a compelling narrative that delves into leadership, personal growth, and the challenge of confronting deep-seated prejudices. While Shaw’s rigid and often abrasive demeanor made him appear an unlikely ally to Seven, their evolving dynamic revealed why she was the perfect choice as his first officer aboard the USS Titan.

“No matter how you slice it, no matter what time continuum, it’ll always come up Seven of Nine.”

Confronting Personal Demons

Captain Shaw’s decision to appoint Seven of Nine as his first officer was a significant step in his journey toward confronting his own biases and fears. As someone with a traumatic history involving the Borg, Shaw’s choice to work with Seven—a former Borg—was laden with personal challenges. Reflecting on this decision, Shaw’s actor, Todd Stashwick, stated, “I think Shaw had a lot of growth that he needed to do. And so by hiring a person who was a former Borg, [it] allowed him to confront fears and prejudices in himself.” (MZNOW)

This decision was not just about filling a role on his ship but about pushing himself to overcome past traumas. Working alongside Seven forced Shaw to face his prejudices head-on, a process that was both difficult and transformative for him​.

A Necessary Voice of Dissent

Another critical aspect of Shaw’s decision to choose Seven as his first officer was her ability to challenge him. Shaw understood the importance of having a first officer who would not just follow orders but would question and push back when necessary. As Stashwick noted, “She was the best choice. She challenged him on things that needed challenging, and he knew that she would do that. So, a good captain chooses a first officer that isn’t a yes man, that challenges his order”​ (MZNOW).

This respect for Seven’s perspective and strength highlights Shaw’s growth as a leader. Despite his initial resistance, Shaw valued the dissenting voice that Seven brought to the bridge, recognizing that it was essential for effective leadership​.

A Story of Redemption and Growth

Throughout Picard‘s third season, the evolving relationship between Shaw and Seven is marked by significant character development. Shaw’s initial reluctance to fully accept Seven’s identity as a former Borg gradually gave way to respect and acknowledgment. Reflecting on the importance of their dynamic, Stashwick remarked, “No matter how you slice it, no matter what time continuum, it’ll always come up Seven of Nine.” (MZNOW)

This statement underscores the inevitability and rightness of Shaw’s choice.

In selecting Seven as his first officer, Shaw not only chose the best person for the job but also took a crucial step in his own journey of redemption and self-improvement.

Their relationship serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership is about embracing challenges, both external and internal, and growing from them​.

References:

• RedShirtsAlwaysDie. (2023). Why Captain Shaw has Seven of Nine as his first officer on Titan. Source​ (Redshirts Always Die).
• SlashFilm. (2023). Why Captain Shaw Won’t Call Hansen Seven Of Nine In Star Trek: Picard. Source​ (SlashFilm).
• The Digital Fix. (2023). Who is Captain Shaw in Star Trek Picard season 3? Source​ (The Digital Fix).
• MZNOW (2024) Michael Zavala‘s Interview with Todd Stashwick Source (Youtube)

Watch the full interview with Todd Stashwick on MZNOW with Michael Zavala.