11 Recent TV Shows That Surprised Everyone

Though they’ve never quite earned the plaudits of HBO and AMC’s heaviest hitters, Showtime have been a reliable source of edgy cable programming for more than two decades. Homeland and Dexter are perhaps their biggest successes, though the buzz surrounding the first season of Yellowjackets could certainly see it brought into the same conversation.

Interweaving two narratives, one involving a girl’s football team in the aftermath of a plane crash in 1996 and one involving the survivors in the present day that hints that the official story of the former is not all that it seems, Yellowjackets has drawn a number of comparisons to Lost, rightfully and wrongfully.

Countless shows tried to mimic the formula of ABC’s mystery drama in the initial aftermath of its success, from FlashForward to The Event, with none managing to survive beyond a single season, all seemingly hellbent on mystery for mystery’s sake. Yellowjackets has created intrigue by focusing on its characters first and foremost, whilst still drip-feeding viewers plenty to theorise about.

Those nostalgic for the 90s will be drawn by the inspired casting of actresses associated with the era, such as Juliette Lewis and Christina Ricci, and a soundtrack drawing from genres such as grunge, alternative rock and early electronic dance music, whilst those who are simply drawn to great storytelling will be hooked by the psychological drama. Here’s hoping that unlike Lost, the ending isn’t being made up on the fly.