2021 was a strange year in TV. The production of so many shows was sidetracked by the pandemic, but we still somehow made it to the finale. So with the end of the year coming up in a couple of weeks, it seems only fitting to give a proper send-off to 9 TV shows that we’re sad to leave behind in 2021. Some ended too early, while others ended at the perfect time, but all will be greatly missed.

1. Younger (Paramount+)

This past summer we said a tearful goodbye to the cast of Younger. Originally, its producer, Darren Star had unofficially ideated Season 7 as its final season, and then it came true. Thankfully, it’s available to stream, so you can repeatedly enjoy this show in its full glory. Younger is about Liza Miller, a 40-year-old woman who resorts to lying about her age in order to return to the workforce after raising her daughter. It’s an entertaining rom-com that highlights ageism and sexism in the workplace, while also beautifully capturing the importance of friendship.

2. Insecure (HBO Max)

Insecure is a dramedy that focuses on the Black narrative, particularly Black women and the unrealistic expectation of confidence. Issa Dee’s just trying to survive and thrive in her personal and professional life. However, in order to get there, she must learn to overcome her insecurities and flaws. With the help of her best friend Molly, the two take on life in Los Angeles together all while overcoming a period of liminality.

3. Dickinson (Apple TV+)

A fantastic comedy that puts a modern twist on the mid-1800s, Dickinson, is not what you’d expect. Hailee Steinfeld leads the series as the outspoken feminist Emily Dickinson, as she strives to become the infamous poet we know and praise today. You don’t have to be an English major to enjoy this one. As long as you love a good romance, fight against the patriarchy, and maybe a little Wiz Kalifa, you’re sure to find this 3 season show, delightful.

4. Feel Good (Netflix)

Mae Martin’s original comedy, Feel Good on Netflix is a much-needed LGBTQ+ representative show. The show is a short two seasons but they sure pack quite the punch. It centers on Mae, a standup comedian who swaps her drug addiction for love. During her time in England, Mae meets and falls in love with George, a baby queer. The show dissects the qualms of their relationship, all of course, with a healthy dose of humor.

5. Shrill (Hulu)

A young journalist struggles to jumpstart her career until she begins to write about her greatest insecurity–weight. Shrill shares the life of Annie Eaton as she learns to find confidence in being unapologetically herself. Navigating the world of romance and privilege, she runs into problems and makes countless mistakes. Its three-season run feels short, but once you make it to the end, you’ll feel appreciative of the journey.

6. Kim’s Convenience (Netflix)

Kim’s Convenience is a Canadian show about a Korean-Canadian family and their acclimation to both the Canadian culture and the evolving generation. An endearing comedy about the pressures and tension between the children of immigrants and their parents. Its five-season run was the perfect length, but we will surely miss this cast.

7. The Bold Type (Freeform)

The Bold Type is a show about three fearless friends who bond over their careers at Scarlet Magazine. It has hints of Sex and the City, but with a more diverse and feminist perspective. It’s a bit more drama than comedy and includes the typical search for love, self-identity, and everything in between. The show’s fluidity was affected by the pandemic but still managed to end on a sweet note in its fifth season.

8. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC)

This NBC show was cut way too short, but thankfully Roku picked it up for a movie to tie up some loose ends. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist centers on a unique premise. Following a CT scan, Zoey starts hearing people’s inner song-alogues. The power initially seems useless and annoying, but she later learns to use it for the better.

9. Atypical (Netflix)

Atypical is a sweet family comedy about Sam, a teenager who falls on the autism spectrum. The show follows his quest to find independence, love, and the meaning of life. And while his family plays a large role in his life, his newfound autonomy especially puts his mother on a new life journey–one without the constant supervision of her son. It’s a family affair, and you’ll be sure to invest in every character and the family dynamic by the end.

7 Shows to Inspire You In the New Year

The penultimate episode of The Bold Type Season 5 Episode 5 left big wins for all, some personal and some professional. Yet successful all the same.

Jane’s left to run Scarlett by herself as Jacqueline enjoys the vacation time she most certainly deserves. She’s put her entire life into building up an incredibly successful company and now she gets to watch her star employee take control.

Although a difficult decision, Jacqueline’s ready to begin writing the next chapter in her life: retirement. No matter how unrealistic Jane’s promotion to editor-in-chief after only four years at the company is, it’s also empowering.

The show’s focus on female leadership is a breath of fresh air and important in mainstream media to portray women at the top. Especially in media, where it’s totally overrun by men, young women need to see themselves represented on screen.

Jacqueline and Jane on The Bold Type Season 5 Episode 5. (Freeform/Jonathan Wenk)

Of course, with its flaws. Jane’s rudely awoken to the reality of the number of meetings the editor-in-chief is required to sit through. But, she’s aspired to uphold Jacqueline’s legacy for so long, so she welcomes the challenge with open arms.

Meanwhile, Sutton started therapy and admits that the reason she drinks is to numb the pain.

Just as she’s making a breakthrough, the one and only Richard calls asking to meet to sign the divorce papers.

First of all, a fancy meal to sign divorce papers? Ouch.

Initially, seeing Richard made me angry for Sutton. All the pain he’s put her through, and then he has the audacity to casually sit across her smiling like nothing’s hurting him.

Richard on the phone on The Bold Type. (Freeform/Jonathan Wenk)

But, once he opens up about his choice to adopt as a single man, the anger went away. Just like that, Sutton’s reminded of the biggest reason they didn’t work out and it looks like she’ll be able to walk away from him knowing that she means just as much to him as he means to her.

I’m happy they finalized the divorce on paper before they enjoyed one last rendezvous together. It was good to see Richard because it would’ve been a cheap blow for them not to bring him back one last time.

While Richard and Sutton are hopefully not getting back together, Kat and Adena very much looked like they’re going to get back together!!

Yes, I squealed. But how could I not! Even Jacqueline said she was happy to see them back together. They had the proper break required for exes to forge their own path separately and to mature apart.

Kat and Adena stand together in the lobby on The Bold Type. (Freeform/Jonathan Wenk)

The way Adena looked so longingly at Kat every time they were together was true love. And I agree Kat’s a better version of herself when she’s with Adena. She just needed some time apart to realize that.

Also, a round of applause for Kat’s new venture. She’s rehired! It wouldn’t feel right for Kat to not work her way back to Scarlet. It’s true, the trio will one day run the company.  However, for now, Kat will run her very own mini-company.

With the women set up for success, this episode set the groundwork for next week’s final episode. I’m not ready. Please don’t make me! I’ll just be crying in the corner. So, why don’t you leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Stray Musings:

• Can I just say, the classic slow pull away that Kat and Adena exhibited really showed the chemistry between Nikohl and Aisha. That’s one thing I’d like to give props to this show for, its chemistry. The three leads have a beautiful friendship on-screen, it’d be hard to believe it wasn’t the same off-screen.
• Jacqueline’s hair this episode–flawless, not a single strand was out of place. Whoever does her hair and costuming, please come to my house?
• Poor Andrew, left in the dust. His jealousy of Jane is so apparent. Maybe he’ll get promoted, Jane already relies on him as much as Jacqueline does!
• Richard’s aged beautifully, there I said it. He’s a silver fox, giving me soft Grey’s Anatomy McSteamy vibes.

With the girls wound up and stressed about their current situation in life on The Bold Type Season 5 Episode 4, Kat has the perfect solution for them–microdosing. Now, they’re not necessarily advocating for psychedelics being the answer, but they’re not really saying they’re not, right?

This hour was a much-needed laugh. It was like standing up and shaking everything off.

As Jane is struggling to be the boss Addison needs, she finds herself reading way too many self-help books on how to be a good manager.

Jacqueline sees the wear on Jane and sends her home as any good boss should. Jacqueline is the boss everybody needs to take notes from, seriously!

Initially, Jane comes off as that teacher who’s trying too hard to be cool and accessible. But, while Jane learns that her solution doesn’t totally lie in loosening up, aka her shroom trip didn’t go so well, she does learn later that what she needs is to just give Addison attention.

Jane and Jacqueline on The Bold Type. (Freeform/Jonathan Wenk)

While Jane puts Jacqueline on a pedestal, as one should, the best way for Jane to be a good mentor is to get down on Addison’s level and to be vulnerable. There’s nothing she’s going to say that will be perfect and God-like. That trait’s reserved for Jacqueline.

Meanwhile, Kat the “shroompa loompa” is reveling in her success from her recent #DontTurnAway campaign. However, her boss isn’t quite as impressed. I love Kat and her tenacity to fight the good fight, but I don’t think she always goes about it the best way.

She’s always taking things into her own hands and assuming that as long as it has good results, she’s in the right. Although, she did get The Bell to change their policy on hiring the previously incarcerated, so good job, Kat.

Unfortunately, Kat’s back to the unemployed life, by choice this time. And she’s found her spark again. With her killer skills in marketing and her mission, she’s finding her way.

Kat on The Bold Type. (Freeform/Jonathan Wenk)

Adena’s absence was sorely missed, and I’m still holding onto hope that their relationship is rekindled in the last two episodes. It was good to see the girls focusing solely on themselves and their careers rather than on boys and girls.

Albeit, Sutton’s boy problems have escalated. In previous episodes, Sutton has been staying strong through the divorce with a little too much help from alcohol. And as we know, addiction runs in her family.

As she’s been trying to throw herself entirely into her work, she hasn’t faced her problems head-on. She continues to brush them off and hasn’t given them the proper focus, putting her job at risk.

Oliver gives her a real talk and tells her that he’s worried about her substance abuse. Surprisingly, Sutton takes the news well and later agrees with Kat that therapy is the right choice.

Sutton sitting in the fashion closet on The Bold Type. (Freeform/Jonathan Wenk)

Things are starting to wrap up nicely on The Bold Type. The trio is on their way to embodying this title fully, and it makes me really sad knowing that the ending is just around the corner. So, for now, let’s just enjoy the time we have!

What did you think of this latest installment? Leave your comments down below!

Stray Musings:

• The animations and graphics team must have had a blast. The fun animations with the sparkles and the colorful psychedelics really made you feel like you were tripping too.
• Andrew’s face was priceless when Kat was unloading the truth onto him. It’s okay Andrew, we’d all be suck-ups to Jacqueline too.
• Can we just take a moment and talk about Jane’s marker mishap? The scene in and of itself was hilarious, but the cuts between each take definitely showed the marker drawn on with varying intensity and that made it even funnier.