8 Provocative TV Shows

BY: Zak Wojnar

Now that 2017 is coming to an end, let’s reflect on some of the shows that made us laugh, cry, think, and perk up our eyebrows in sensuous arousal. These are The 8 Most Provocative TV Shows of 2017.

The Handmaid’s Tale

Although the network has had smatterings of original programming here and there, Hulu didn’t really break out as a true force to be reckoned with until April, when they launched The Handmaid’s Tale. The show became an instant hit and shocked audiences with its uncompromising vision of a theocratic totalitarian future based on a twisted representation of puritanical Christian values, with all the sexism and oppression that would entail. The series swept the Emmy Awards, taking home eight trophies, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama (Elizabeth Moss) and the coveted prize for Outstanding Drama Series. A second season is slated for April 2018.

The Deuce

Today, Times Square is little more than a series of billboards, bright lights, and empty commercialism. Back in the 1970s, it was a bit different. New York was a seedy bed of scum and debauchery; it was downright terrifying, but there was an adventure to be had every night, to say the least; a single day in midtown Manhattan could be either a gloriously hedonistic romp or the worst day of your life…probably both.

HBO’s The Deuce (from The Wire creator David Simon) brings the long-lost old New York back to life with startling accuracy. James Franco stars as twins-turned-pornography entrepreneurs, and Maggie Gyllenhaal shines as a prostitute-turned-porn star. However, it’s Dominique Fishback who steals the whole show as Darlene, the emotional heart and soul of the series. We can’t wait to see what happens when The Deuce returns for season 2.

Ozark

Jason Bateman might be best known for his roles in comedies like Arrested Development and Horrible Bosses, but the multi-talented thespian also shines in dramatic roles, such as his latest project, Ozark, on Netflix (several episodes of which he also directed!)

Bateman stars as Marty Byrde, a financial advisor who is forced to drag his family into hiding when a money laundering scheme goes awry, and he suddenly finds himself owing a massive amount of money to a Mexican drug cartel. Some early skeptics compared the series to Breaking Bad, but upon actually watching the series, reviewers immediately noticed that Ozark is a totally different beast, confidently crafted, and with wholly different character dynamics from the folks on Breaking Bad. The show will have more opportunities to divorce itself from BB comparisons when it returns for a second season, presumably in 2018.

Twin Peaks

Showtime scored a major coup when it was announced that David Lynch was returning to the world of Twin Peaks for a brand new set of episodes set in that surreal world of mystery, suspense, and “damn good coffee.” Few thought the series would ever actually be made, but Showtime gave Lynch the creative freedom he desired (he co-wrote every episode with series co-creator Mark Frost), and Twin Peaks: The Return launched on May 21, just under twenty-five years after the release of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, the feature film prequel to the series.

If there’s one word we can use to describe Twin Peaks, in all its forms, but especially this latest season, it’s “provocative.” David Lynch is a master provocateur, pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling with his signature disregard for convention and audience expectations, and he shines, perhaps brighter than ever, with The Return, which reunites as much of the original Twin Peaks cast as possible (Kyle Maclachlan) while never stooping to pat itself on the back for pulling off such an impressive feat.

Dear White People

Based on the 2014 film of the same name, Dear White People follows the lives of a handful of black students at a fancy, predominantly white, Ivy League school. Sam (Logan Browning, taking over for Tessa Thompson) runs a college radio program called Dear White People, which documents the less than amiable race relations in the school.

The show is a riotous comedy which shines a strong light on racial tensions among the millennial generation while also exploring youth culture and societal stigmas. It’s very much one of those “voice of our generation” shows, in the vein of Freaks & Geeks and My So-Called Life. It’s hilarious, but also socially relevant.

Mindhunter

David Fincher loves to dig deep into the twisted minds of depraved murderers. With films like Zodiac, Seven, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, it’s clear that he has an affinity for the macabre.

Fincher’s latest project, Mindhunter on Netflix, is based on the true story of John E. Douglas, one of the most famous FBI agents ever to wear the badge. Jonathan Groff plays Holden Ford, a fictionalized version of Douglas, while Holt McCallany portrays Agent Bill Tench, who is based on fellow real-life FBI legend Robert Ressler. The show has a stunning perspective, of following these men as they descend into darkness, essentially inventing a whole new form of science, criminal profiling. At the same time, they have to juggle their professional and personal lives, while also struggling to retain their sanity in the face of the horrible people they’re forced to study for their work. It’s a gripping series, and has already been renewed for a second season.

Alias Grace

Another series based on real life, Alias Grace follows the amazing case of Grace Marks, who was imprisoned for her role in the murders of Thomas Kinnear and Nancy Montgomery. While some can see a crime and a trial as simple, cut-and-dry, black-and-white, the truth is seldom that simple.

Based on the book by Margaret Atwood, Alias Grace introduces a fictional character, doctor Simon Jordan (played here by Edward Holcroft), who offers perspective on the life and crimes of Grace (Sarah Gadon). The miniseries was produced for Canadian television, but Netflix picked it up for American distribution, and it’s not to be missed!

Black Mirror

What better way to close out 2017 than with Black Mirror? Charlie Booker‘s Emmy Award-winning dark anthology series from Netflix is always the most talked-about show whenever a new batch of episodes come out, and this fourth season should prove no different!

In the vein of perennial classic The Twilight Zone, every episode of Black Mirror tells a horror-tinged self-contained story, often about man’s reliance on technology and the twisted side of human nature. This new season includes an episode directed by Jodie Foster about micro-chipping your children—not a good idea!—and familiar guest stars such as Jesse Plemons (Fargo), Rosemarie DeWitt (La La Land), and Jimmi Simpson (Westworld).

Black Mirror Season 4 premieres on Netflix December 29.