#and just catch my little funny animals and soldier bois in peace

[saikkunen]

For the past... week? I've been kinda wanting to replay MGS*V. But I hate that goddamn game so fucking much it's insane. It wilted my crops and killed my cattle almost ten years ago and I haven't forgotten it's sins since. But the sad thing is that it probably has my favourite gameplay out of the entire series. Loved the sneaking, loved the combat, loved the companions, loved the micromanaging of your staff. But the story and the way characters are written/treated is so dogshit imho I'm not sure I'm strong enough to actually go through with it. But the thought of it has been rotting my brain for a while and idk what to do about it.

[sopxhiea]

Ornery

Alfie Solomons X Best Friend!Reader

| Prompt 

“This is fun.” “Seriously, we’re trying to hide a body.” 

a/n: yes it’s best friends to lovers plot and yes, there’s more to come. 

It’s cold.

The sky isn’t dark like it usually is when you’re out, the birds are chirpy and there’s only a couple people around, all of them you know. You let the wind kiss your face, it gently plays with the hem of your airy dress while you stand on top of the hill. It feels peaceful.

The smell of soil fills your nose and you inhale it furthermore while walking close to the men. You eye Ollie’s jacket, it looks warm but not warm enough for you. He keeps digging into the face of the earth while you watch, your part is yet to come. 

You watch his calloused fingers dig into the soil, his rings glisten under the cheerful May weather. You sit down on the soil, it’s out to some damage to your dress but you don’t care, it’s a good day.

He looks at you with a smile you know so well.

You mirror his expression under the sun, the only noise that can be heard is the shovels hitting the soil and the piece of earth being extracted. This was supposed to be done a couple of days back but you didn’t have time, there were people to chase down and deals to sign and Alfie had managed to track you down at last.

You watch his body move, he’s done this way too many times.

You walk towards his figure, he’s much taller than you. You recall the times he wasn’t all so tall, he had sprouted after puberty and the war had done him some good too, even though he’d returned with one too many scars inside his soul.

He is where you seek comfort.

He’s been a friend for many years, the same time around you’d moved from the suburbs. He was only a small kid back then, barely twelve as you’d follow him around. The first three years were not good years for your friendship as he’d dismiss your being and would ignore you as much he could. 

But then you’d found the way to his heart.

You’d spent many nights sleeping at his house, sometimes he’d be wiping your tears away and helping you talk things out and other times, it was more about his funny antics you’d listen to until the sun appeared in the horizon again. 

You’d spent a summer away when you were fifteen, that had been the summer you both grew up. He’d blossomed into a beautiful boy, young and charming and you’d become a proper lady in the span of a couple months. Touches were awkward then, you would catch him staring and feel tingly when his hand would touch the small of your back until things went back to normal.

Then the war came. 

He was wounded soldier, one with many medals but he’d grown tired. You had been the one to console him for two years while he tried to get back on his feet, and he did. He’d grieved over his lost mother and the things he’d seen, he was a changed man but underneath the tough look he now had, he was your Alfie.

“You need help?” you speak, his eyes meet your small form sitting on top of the soil. There was rain around and he knew you didn’t care.

But you look beautiful.

The summer you spent apart had been a good one for him, making him a strong man much to your surprise. You’d returned as a beautiful lady, not the crying little girl he knew anymore. You had grown into a rose, a precious jewel he promised to take care of the minute he saw you.

He chuckles at your words, looking at you in dismay. “Yer dress, pet..” he speaks, you ignore the words.

“So, no?” you ask again, waiting for an adequate answer to your question.

He shakes hit head again while the men move the body inside the hole they dug. You watch, heart a little uneasy even though it isn’t the first time this was happening. You’d watched it many times over the years.

Alfie watches you twitch, shift from where you are sitting as you watch the grey back being thrown into the pit. He knows you’re not afraid of it, it’s just the memories biting back from the times you’d buried all your family members after the war. He knows you dislike all this. He does, too.

He sits next to you on the ground, watching the men bury the boy properly by covering it with soil. He sees the apologetic smile on your face when you turn to him, he smiles back while his hand moves a strand of your hair from your face.

“This is fun.” you speak, watching the men move as your words erupt a chuckle from him and the shake of his head. 

“..Love,..” he smiles and you enjoy the occasion. “Seriously, we’re tryin’ to hide a body.”

You nod, a chuckle comes from your lips and he enjoys the melody of your voice. 

“You told me to come..” you spoke, a frown appearing on your lips much to his dismay.

He doesn’t like to see you frowning. He’s memorised the lines of your lips, he knows every emotion you can convey with them. He’s often wondered how they would feel against his lips, it had started in his younger years as a man and carried out into his life now. He shakes his head, he’s not supposed to have those thoughts.

Oh, but he does.

He’s imagined what you would look like after a good fuck, your legs sprawled over the bed while your chest would rise up and down with each breath you took. He knows of your flushed cheeks and smeared lipstick from when you make out with someone, he’d seen the image once with one of your past lovers.

He wishes he was one of them.

It was a thin line. He loved you, in all the meanings the word possessed. He didn’t want to lose the friendship you had given him, it had been one of the best things that had happened to him but he couldn’t stop himself from wanting a little more.

There had been times you’d come close. It was a wedding once, him in a tuxedo while you danced the night away and you had almost kissed him. It had been a dinner party once, one you went to with a couple friends and him, you’d scolded him at the back exit of the place and he was too close to pushing you against the wall and kissing you senseless.

“’hat’s because, right, I don’t get to see ye’ anymore.” he speaks, a little hurt as you look at him, dumbfounded.

“You saw me last week when we walked Cyril together.” you speak, not getting where he was coming from.

“Don’t mean like ‘hat, yeah, jus’ mean you’re no’ around as much.” he speaks, making you turn to the men as they finish the job.

Alfie dismisses them with the shake of their head and they move to the carriage, a little far away from where you’re sitting. You don’t say anything while sitting in the green space. It’s almost a forest, just missing a couple trees. You sigh and look at him after the birds stop with their singing. He is impossible.

“So the solution is to bring me to an illegal burying?” you ask, a giggle escapes your lips at the last word and he chuckles at your adorable state.

“hat’s my bad, yeah.”

“You think?”

You stand up, stopping with your teasing while Alfie follows you. You move towards the carriage while he guides you a little better with his hand on the small of your back. You don’t look up at him but walk instead, it’s natural.

On the ride back, you ask about cyril and his business. It’s second nature, the connection between the two of you. He watches you blink, sunlight kissing your cheeks through the open window as you take in the smell of the suburbs.

There are things he wants to say. 

He wants to hold you close, not give you the hug you usually give him but be next to you in the morning, hold you like you mean the world to him because you do. He wants to kiss your cheeks, he knows you’ll giggle when he does because you always get ticklish from his kisses. He wants to make sure you’re okay, he knows how sorrowful you feel sometimes and all he wishes to do is to take care of you, be yours.

But he doesn’t say anything, he watches you instead.

He doesn’t know if you want the same things. He sees the glisten in your eyes when you look at him, it’s the very same one he has when the thought of you summons him. You offer him a smile, your lips move as you speak but the words don’t reach his ears, he’s too focused on you.

You chuckle, shaking your head and your hand on his knee pulls him back. He makes a curious noise and you repeat yourself.

“I asked if you wanna come to my place?” you ask, a glint of hope in your eyes and it hurts him, he doesn’t know why you’re hopeful.

He knows he doesn’t deserve you, he’s seen and done entirely too much for him to get such a blessing. He looks out the window for a while, you wait for his answer. You know he likes to take his time with his words.

“For tea?” he asks, he can’t remember why you wanted him to come over.

You nod and shrug, nonchalant about the whole thing while he makes a mental note of telling Ollie to cover the paperwork he was planning on doing.

“Sure..”  the words spill out of your mouth, he watches your lips move.

You watch him nod, you remember the nights he came to your apartment, sometimes it was to put his pieces back together and other times, it would be for a chat or just for company.

You knew of the same loneliness he did, you both grew up with each other and no one else and life had done a good deal of keeping you apart for some time. You wanted to redeem the years you’d spent away studying and being a different version of yourself. They were good years but it all made you realise that life isn’t as enjoyable when he’s not around.

You open the door to your apartment, he knows the place like the back of his hand. The small animal you were currently looking after moves in its place, Alfie doesn’t like hedgehogs but he tolerates the thing for you. You take your coat off, dropping the keys on the small table next to the door and he does the same, his motions following your own ones.

You watch him as he enters the kitchen, he’s getting musclier every time you see him and you can’t help but recall the times he was such a small boy. He is a grown man now. He watches you watch him for a while, it’s quiet as the water boils. It’s comfortable, safe almost.

“I hear business is good..” you speak, trying to make conversation, not because the silence is awkward but because you genuinely want to hear him speak.

“Yea’..” he nods, walking towards you and taking the pot from your hands, pouring the water on your glass gently as you watch him. “...seein’ as we jus’ buried an enemy, I’d say ‘t’s pretty fuckin’ good.” he chuckles while speaking, you smile at his chuckle, the melody is a mere blessing to you.

“Sounds lovely..” you speak, sarcasm filling your words while you take the tray from his hands and carry it to the living room.

He touches your arm once you’re seated, your fingers brushing not too long after as you hand him the tea. His skin is tough, ages by the years of hard work and struggle, it contrasts your much softer ones and he smiles at the touch.

You take a small sip from your cup, holding the piece of ceramic by the handle as he watches you. When your eyes meet his, you realise he’s been staring for a minute and some more, you can’t help the light shade of blush spreading to your cheeks before you leave the cup on the table.

"How’s life treatin’ ya?” he asks, hand resting on the side of the big sofa he’s seated on as he watches you lean back on the couch, your head now resting on the pillows.

“Like I ran over its dog..” you speak, he knows your joking but he can’t overlook the distant gaze you’re holding while you stare at the wall.

He knows there’s a more pale side to you, the side that he would hold in his arm as you’d cry into his chest. It’s the side that’s been wounded since the war much like he was, it’s the side that couldn’t endure one loss after the other.

You turn to him, eyes glistening with love this time as you look at the only person who stuck by your side through every stage you went through. He’s precious, you think.

“Need any help, luv?” he speaks, asking the very same question you asked him back at the burying.

You shake your head, putting one of your leg on top of his seated ones. His fingers find your ankle, massaging you slowly as he watches you close your eyes. He can see the tiredness in your eyes, you put it back for him. He appreciates that.

“I will be okay.” you speak, your voice is soft and he knows you’re saying the words out loud just to convince yourself, the words aren’t meant for him but he nods regardless.

“So ye jus’ needed me over for sum’ fucking foot massage, aye?” he asks, you chuckle at his words and nod, eyes lifting up to his.

“Any complaints?” you say, daring almost as you go along with his playful banter, this is the time you look forward to in a day when you get to spend time with him.

“Not if I get to see ya, luv.” he continues with the massage but you quickly stop him by removing your foot from his lap. He’s being too nice but he lets you go.

You scoot closer to his body on the couch and he welcomes it, his arm is thrown over the back part as you snuggle closer to him. There’s warmth in his embrace, a sense of comfort you only feel when he’s around. You welcome his smell, it’s been the same one since he came back from the war but it lacks the innocence he once possessed.

“I hate that you’re busy.” you speak, words muffled while you hide yourself in his chest. He lets you curl on his lap like a small kid, it’s second nature.

“Yer not so accessible either, right.” he says into your hair, you want to pull him closer but it’s impossible, he lets you move as you try to interlock his ribcage with yours, trying to get in even closer to him.

“So it’s my fault, now?” you ask, lifting your head up to meet his eyes. Your fingers caress the sides of his hair, he leans into the touch with a smile on his lips.

“Didn’t say ‘hat.” he speaks, but your eyes are too focused on his lips to comprehend what he’s saying. Your gaze is unmoving, you find it hard to not lean forward and meet his lips at once but you know that’s an action with many possible consequences. You also happen to know that some of those consequences are the worse way to go.

You know that there’s a chance of things getting worse if you take the next step, it’s gambling at this point but you’re too tried. This game of push and pull has been a constant theme in your relationship with the familiar man. 

It had been there when he turned into a beautiful boy: it had been small touches and the scared gaze he would hide from you. It had been there after the war: it was his kisses on top of your head to thank you for being there and the pastries he would send over with Ollie. 

It was here now, it was his piercing gaze and the caress of his finger on your thigh. You didn’t shy away from his orbs, you had stared at them for your whole life after all. 

You speak before registering your words, it’s a bad habit you picked up from being around him too much. You don’t think twice before speaking.

“It’s not like this with other people..” you speak, your breath hits his face, his trimmed beard is long enough to cover the light blush colour that takes up his features.

You’re right. It’s not.

It’s easy with you. He moves easily, he doesn’t shy away from doing certain things. He knows his bluntness is welcomed by him. Your touch feels natural, it’s been there since he was a small boy. He remembers the night he kissed you before he left for war.

He knows you think about it, too. He can see the glint of curiosity swimming in your orbs whenever you can’t take your eyes off his lips. But you don’t speak of it, you reckon he’s already forgotten how your plump lips felt like against his after what he’d been through in the war.

“I like ya’ a lot more than other people..” he speaks, the words hit you like a thunder. It’s expected but surreal regardless.

You chuckle, his breath fanning your face as you stare at him. You’re still seated on his lap, the position is second nature but you become aware of the absurd situation not too long after. It’s awkward for the first time.

But it’s the same kind of awkwardness a first kiss has, it has the same innocence of two lovers seeing each other naked for the first time. The blushing, the reality of it and the gentle touches are all welcomed as you lean forward, it’s go big or go home at this point.

He welcomes your lips against his, they taste just as sweet as they did under that moonlight many years ago. Your hands travel to his neck and hair, caressing the all too familiar areas while his hands travel up your dress, gently touching the soft skin of your thighs while you mewl into his mouth.

He listens to your moans as you release the sounds into his mouth, you straddle him tighter by the passing second as the velvet kiss seems to be only piece of puzzle left in his life. He kisses you like he needs a fresh breath of air. 

You break the kiss first, feeling heat take over your body as he rests his forehead against yours. His hands are unmoving while they caress your body, it feels good. You take deep breaths and he watches your chest rise and fall with the heat of the moment, he’s never seen you more beautiful.

“‘hat’s more like it.”

You chuckle as he speaks, hiding your face on the crook of his neck not too long after as his body engulfs yours.

-

Tagging: @clairecrive​ @sourirez @parkbearum @yuzuhirado

Let me know if you want to be tagged!!

[angstalottle]

The Next Generation

Part 2:

To say everyone was shocked would be the understatement of the century. They stared at Lance who was curling up in a defensive position under their gaze, he was clearly uncomfortable and judging from how thin he was in no position to fight back if anyone were to try anything. Hunk seemed to snap out of it first as he slowly kneeled down in front of Lance, raising his hands to show he meant no harm. “Ok, ok, it's a little hard for us to believe that your Thor's son but we still want to help you. My names Hunk.” Shiro let out a silent sigh of relief. He honestly had no idea what to do, for all they knew this was just a traumatised teenager claiming he was related to a superhero as a way to handle the ordeal he has clearly been through… but if it was true then God knows what they supposed to do then. Most of the team had grown up around Thor. He was the giant lovable uncle that gave you piggyback rides and snuck you desert when you were grounded. The thought of him having a missing child and not stopping everything to try and find him was just out of character for him, especially when they saw how he acted towards his daughter. She was the world to him and would have stopped at nothing to keep her safe… that was true for all of the Avengers and their children. If Lance was Thor's son then there was an even greater mystery to be solved beyond his identity. “You can't be very comfortable down there.” Hunk smiled softly offering out his hand “how about we get you out of here and sort this whole mess out?” Lance looked at Hunks hands like he was searching for a trick. Then slowly, painfully slowly he took the offered hand and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. He was steady for less than a second before he began to fall again. Everyone moved to grab him But once again Keith got there first and caught him in a half dip with one hand rested on his lower back. “Thanks…” Lance mumbled not making eye contact, then again neither was Keith who had turned an interesting shade of red as he held Lance. “D-don't mention it.” “Achem” The two looked over to the source of the noise to see Pidge standing there with her hands on her hips “ I hate to break whatever the hell this is up, but we’re still in enemy territory with a civilian in need of medical attention. So how about you leave your flirting till we get back on the jet, huh Keith?” It seemed impossible a moment ago for Keith to blush any darker, but now he was a deep red opening and closing his mouth like a surprised fish. Hunk chuckled while Shiro tried to hide his own amusement behind his hand, but an amused grin was still visible none the less. “S-shut up! I'm just trying to help” Keith squeaked. “Yeah, we know buddy” Hunk replied in a teasing tone as he easily scooped lance up into his arms. Considering his earlier panic it was surprising to see how he relaxed into Hunks arms, his head rested against his shoulder letting out a long tired sigh. “Don't worry. We’ll get you home.” Hunk whispered earning him a small nod as Lance’s eyes slid shut and he fell asleep.

They all walked in silence after that. Too many thoughts and questions to even begin to discuss, after all, where could they start? It wasn't until Lance was lying in the medical cot of the jet did anyone break the silence. “We should call ahead… see if anyone can get ahold of Thor I'm sure he could… answer some of our questions.” Shiro was choosing his words carefully. The last thing they needed was for Lance to hear the wrong thing and start panicking again, just because it seemed like he trusted them didn't mean they should take that as a fact. Right now he was like an unknown animal, he could be friendly and gentle for all they knew, but the same could be said for if he would pose a threat to them. As the leader, Shiro had to keep his team safe no matter what, even if that did mean potentially putting their mission in danger. “I’ll call dad, he keeps tabs on all the Avengers when they're not on the compound.” Pidge shrugged as she set up the autopilot and began the call. “Wait, for all the Avengers? Even mom?” Keith asked raising his eyebrow. “How the hell is he managing that?” Pidge smirked up at him “We Starks have out ways.” “That we do kid” Tony replied as his holoform took up the windshield “what do I owe the honour, it's rare for you to call unless someone's on death's door and considering everyone's standing in gonna assume you just missed your dear old dad.” Pidge stuck out her tongue “you wish old man. I actually called because erm Shiro has something to tell you.” Shiro shot her a glare. Sure he may be the leader but it didn't mean he always wanted to be the one to drop the news bombs. Last time he did that he had to tell his dad that Hydra was still out there… it wasn't a pleasant experience. “Shiro?” Tony asked raising an eyebrow his demeanour suddenly serious. Everyone knew that when Shiro had something to say no matter who you are you should listen. Shiro licked his lips, his throat suddenly dry “did… did Thor ever mention to you having a son?” Confusion flickered across Tony’s face “no I don't think so. What's this about?” We found a kid, about 17 I think, in a cryo-pod.” Shiro pretended not to see the way Tony flinched “he's not a soldier but he did claim to be Thor's son.” Tony nodded slowly “right… well, I’ll contact Thor you kids just get back here as soon as possible. I don't know who you have with you but something tells me Thor isn't going to keep quiet about a missing kid.” Shiro nodded “right, see you soon.” With that, the transmission was shut off. No witty comment or sarcastic joke, not this time. This situation was just too far beyond funny for any of that. “ETA twenty minutes,” Pidge said softly as she turned her attention back to the console mindlessly fiddle and keep her hands busy. “Someone should probably check on Lance” Hunk muttered as he chewed on his lip nervously. Shiro was about to ask Hunk to do it since he had a way with people when Keith up and left. No word from him, he just got up and went into the medical area. “Wow, he has it bad” Pidge snorted. “I feel like we should warn Lance that Keith doesn't do normal human emotions” Hunk sniggered. “Nah, I wanna see how this plays out. It going to be hilarious no matter what.”

Keith paced nervously in front of Lance’s bed for a good ten minutes. The other boy was still asleep so there really wasn't any reason to be hovering like the way he was but… well dammit, he was pretty and Keith didn't really know what to do with all the gay thoughts that filled his head. It sure didn't help that Lance was only wearing tight pants and a low cut shirt letting Keith’s eyes train down his neck almost to his stomach. Of course, he would catch himself now and again and shake his head and whispering “don't be a creep” but it seemed like his eyes didn't want to obey and just stared at the peaceful face of the beautiful boy. Not even the excessive scars could pull his attention away for too long. They really were awful and it made bile rise in Keith’s throat to think what could have caused them… or more likely who and why. Lance mumbled in his sleep and turning his face away from Keith, almost like he knew he was being watched and made an unconscious decision to put a stop to it. Keith caught sight of another scar, this one at the back of his neck that appeared to almost be a brand mark. It looked like a weird dog head holding a ring in his mouth. Compared to the other scars it looked old. Really old. Like Lance must have been a child when it was done to him old. Keith gently brushed a finger across the mark before he could stop himself. “We’re here,” Shiro said as he pulled back the curtain that separates the two of them from everyone else. Keith froze staring around to room “Not. One. Word.” He hissed as he stepped away from Lance and allowed Shiro to set up the bed to be wheeled out. “Wouldn't dream of it.” he chuckled as he took the lead towards the exit. Unsurprisingly the Avengers were waiting for them, including Thor and his daughter Allura. “Thor I'm glad you're here we need you to tell us if you know Lance.” No sooner had the words left his mouth did Allura run forwards towards the bed. She pulled Lance roughly into the air and held him by the throat. “Allura! What are you doing?!” Shiro yelled taking a step forwards only for Steve to hold up a hand to stop him. “Tell them what you told us, Thor.” “That boy is not what he seems, he is a lier and a shapeshifter just like his father.” Thor normally seems so kind-hearted but right now there was nothing but cold pain in his eyes. “F-father please” Lance gasped out clawing at Allura’s hand “Sister, I swear I'm not the monster you think I am.” Allura didn't answer him instead she looked away to avoid his tear-filled gaze. “He was left on my doorstep as a babe, I cared for him as my son unknowing the true creature I brought into my home and family. When I discovered the truth I marked him as the monster he was and locked him away.” Keith’s eyes darted to the brand on the back of Lance’s neck. Did Thor really do that? “What could he be that justifies treating a kid like this?!” Shiro yelled grabbing Steve’s arm and pushing it away. “The child before you is not human nor is he truly Asgardian. He is Fenrir the one is destined to bring about the end of all.” Thor answered coldly. “He is the son of Loki.”

[oijio]

My Favorite New Shows of 2016

2016 was packed with great, new television on several different platforms, from online, to streaming, cable and network. Netflix seemed like it was releasing new shows every week, add that to all the great content on cable and network, there was just so much television out there, from all over the world that there just isn't enough time to consume everything, and 2017 doesn't seem to be slowing it down (here’s a link to the 2015 list). Before continuing on to the New Year, let's look back on the shows which made their debuts in 2016 that I just loved watching. This isn't even a comprehensive list. When there's hours of British TV I just didn't get to watch, and Netflix now releasing supposedly great TV shows from places like Israel, Brazil, and Spain among their original content, you just don't have enough hours in the day to watch it all. Oh well, one day!

Before we get to my top 10 favorite new shows of 2016, let's take a peek at the continuing growth of Peak TV this past year and which shows I think deserve an honorable mention:

The reboot of Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life isn't a new show per se, but still worth a look

Same goes with the retooled Black Mirror

Comedies like Better Things, American Housewife, and Fleabag

Netflix' other good new shows like Love, Trollhunters, and Easy

Cheesy summer horror-thrillers like American Gothic, Braindead (also a comedy), Dead of Summer, and Channel Zero

Riveting cable TV like Preacher, The Night Of, Outcast, and Animal Kingdom

And a range of miniseries from War & Peace to The Time Traveling Bong

Onto the Top 10 New Shows of 2016, which this year includes miniserieses because they're anthologies or may have future episodes anyway!

10. Westworld (HBO)

Classic or popular movies being rebooted into TV shows seem to be all the rage these past few years, and HBO got in on it with this updated version of the 1973 Western classic. Westworld is as exquisitely, expertly crafted as the robots within the show, with two interweaving storylines set decades apart, and so many mysteries surrounding all the characters. While sometimes it can be more mystery than story, Westworld has built a great base for something more engaging in the future.

9. Speechless (ABC)

There are way too many similar family comedies on TV nowadays that when something different comes along, like ABC's Speechless, it's sure to grab attention. This one has a not-so-well-to-do family, with a son who has cerebral palsy. The latter, while it might be the focal point in the pilot and is used for an emotional moment or two in some episodes, it is never exploitative or cheesy. For the most part, they just hired an actor who happened to have cerebral palsy to play the older teen boy role. Minnie Driver is also great.

8. Atlanta (FX)

Donald Glover has always seemed like someone that was just waiting for the right time to break through on his own. Kind of like Chris Pratt or Aziz Ansari from Parks & Rec. Enter Atlanta, a dramatic comedy about a couple of cousins working the rap scene in Atlanta. Smart, subversive, and sleek, Atlanta was the “cool” show of the year that featured a black Justin Bieber! Not someone who was like Justin Bieber, in Atlanta's world, Justin Bieber was black. It was better than it sounds, I promise.

7. Queen Sugar (OWN)

I wasn't sure about catching a soap-ish drama on Oprah's network, but Queen Sugar is a show created, produced, and directed by Ava DuVernay, the extremely talented director of films like Selma, Middle of Nowhere, and the documentary 13th. I had to see her first real foray into TV, and it did not disappoint. Queen Sugar, about three siblings who inherit their father's sugar cane fields, has soap opera elements to it (like Charley's main NBA wife storyline) but it's done in a really classy way and written intelligently. Charley's story is the best, too, thanks to Dawn-Lyen Gardner's terrific performance.

6. The Crown (Netflix)

Netflix had a really good year, with two shows on my top 10 new shows, and then the reboots of Black Mirror and Gilmore Girls among many others that premiered. Their most high-profile new show though has got to be The Crown, famously noted as the streaming site's most expensive show yet. Detailing the life of Queen Elizabeth II beginning with right before she took hold of the crown, and the show hopes to take it all the way through her over 60-year reign. Beautifully made, with great performances all around from the likes of Claire Foy, Matt Smith, and John Lithgow, The Crown is royalty TV.

5. This is Us (NBC)

Recently, Dan Fogelman has been creating silly, absurd comedies like The Neighbors and Galavant, so to see him tackle something as dramatic as This is Us, a touching family drama that will make you cry almost every episode. Starring Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore, we find four people all celebrating their 30th birthday on the same day, each with their own issues to deal with, like one finding his real father, one dealing with weight problems, and another about to welcome his first kids into the world. Simple, but effective, This is Us is the twist-filled drama that won't make your head hurt, but will make your eyes weep.

4. The Good Place (NBC)

Sitcoms this past year have stuck to formula with a twist, because it works perfectly fine, but The Good Place is unlike any other sitcom this past year. Taking a more serialized approach, and not holding back on the absurd, The Good Place is the newest sitcom from Mike Schur, co-creator of Brooklyn Nine Nine, The Office (US), and Parks and Recreation. In it, Eleanor (a perfectly cast Kristen Bell) dies and is sent to “The Good Place”, a kind of Heaven-like place where all the good people go. Unfortunately, Eleanor is not a good person – she's a terrible one and because of a mix-up, she was sent to the Good Place instead of “the Bad Place”. She tries her best to be nice, but her being in the wrong place causes craziness in The Good Place. Enjoy this high concept sitcom that's incredibly funny, entertaining, and different.

3. The Night Manager (BBC/AMC)

Gorgeous scenery, heart-racing tension, and incredible performances all around from Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Debicki, Olivia Colman, Tom Hollander, and Hugh Laurie, this exciting, beautifully made miniseries is based off John le Carre's novel and is like James Bond for TV. Danish film director Susanne Bier, who's done things like In a Better World and After the Wedding, and screenwriter David Farr adapt le Carre's novel to the present day with tautness and thrill. Hiddleston plays Jonathan Pine, a former soldier and now hotel night manager that gets entangled in a nefarious plot involving arms dealing that takes him on a globe-trotting adventure from Egypt to Switzerland to Spain.

2. Stranger Things (Netflix)

Who knew this little show released by Netflix randomly during the middle of the year would become one of its biggest hits and one of the most talked about shows of 2016? Stranger Things, an 80s throwback fantasy series in the vein of E.T., The Goonies, and other 80s classics swept the pop culture nation by storm. Stranger Things had some exciting storytelling, a haunting atmosphere, a terrific soundtrack, and a winning cast. Featuring a band of young kids, their powerful new friend, unreliable adults, and a monster, this was the perfect throwback to the 80s while also being a great show for today.

1. The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)

Ryan Murphy loves his anthologies, and his new one, American Crime Story, hopes to focus on different “true crimes” every season. The first one just happened to be golden, focusing on the trial of OJ Simpson for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Focusing on heavy themes such as the problems of the US justice system, fame, and race, while at the same time telling in fresh, compelling detail a story that most people already know makes The People v. O.J. such important viewing. Add a brilliant cast that included the likes of Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark, Sterling K. Brown as Christopher Darden, and Courtney B. Vance as Johnnie Cochran, and The People v. O.J. was the best new thing on TV in 2016.

To recap:

10. Westworld (HBO) 9. Speechless (ABC) 8. Atlanta (FX) 7. Queen Sugar (OWN) 6. The Crown (Netflix) 5. This is Us (NBC) 4. The Good Place (NBC) 3. The Night Manager (BBC/AMC) 2. Stranger Things (Netflix) 1. The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)

These shows are solid TV, and three of them made their way into my overall Top 10 favorite shows, two of which are 3 and 4! Another, a reboot, made its way into the Top 10 as well. So great. Even if Game of Thrones returned to form this past year, The Americans just happened to raise their game even higher. Here's to the great TV this 2016!

10. Broad City (last year: 9) 9. You're the Worst (last year: 7) 8. Black Mirror (NEW) 7. Bates Motel (last year: 2) 6. The Night Manager (NEW) 5. Veep (last year: 5) 4. Stranger Things (NEW) 3. The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (NEW) 2. Game of Thrones (last year: 4) 1. The Americans (last year: 1)

2017's already off to a cracking start with Netflix shows One Day at a Time and A Series of Unfortunate Events, then you have FX's Taboo starring Tom Hardy. And that's just the first couple weeks of January! TV is only getting bigger and sometimes, better! 2017, here we go. Find the show you like or love, and watch! Let me know if there's anything you like as well!