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What would you do if you had infinite control? This is the fundamental question asked by the best sci-fi and fantasy tales. Imagine if you were granted extraordinary powers? Perhaps stumbled upon a revolutionary drug? Or if each and every other person was wholly committed to your happiness? Would you wield such influence for the greater good, or succumb to your own darker impulses?

These shows ranked herein all confront this dilemma in distinct ways (aside from one key exception). Detailed here is a ranking of the 10 most outstanding installments of science fiction & fantasy TV from the past year.

10. Spider-Man: Your Friendly Neighborhood

Despite over 60 years of history, the web-slinger remains reinvented by new talent. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man offers a novel look at the hero's formative years, skillfully combining essential source material elements with ideas from other adaptations to craft something that feels both new and profoundly engaging.

Rather than being solo or having Iron Man as a mentor, this iteration of the hero develops a evolving partnership with Norman Osborn, who here is merely the head of Oscorp. Through their interactions, Peter becomes his own man, learning the signature lesson of great power and responsibility.

9. Hazbin Hotel Season 2

Creator Vivienne Medrano's boldly transgressive adult musical show, which sprang from a fan-funded pilot, fully hit its stride in its sophomore installment. Following the game-changing revelations of season 1, the narrative broadens significantly, following the ambitious TV demon Vox who takes control of the narrative, sparking a series of ever-more dramatic conflicts that naturally culminate in show-stopping musical numbers.

While it might not have a single viral song quite like the first season's "iconic tune," that's because each element in this season being more complex. The fight sequences, character development, and above all the score and songs are all more sophisticated. The story moves the overarching storyline dramatically while delivering no shortage of bizarre, unhinged, and simply fun dark fantasy.

8. Daredevil: Born Again

As a successor to the acclaimed Netflix series, this series had enormous expectations. Despite well-documented development issues, the final show proves it was worth the wait. The story centers on Matt Murdock once his secret identity as Daredevil is publicly revealed, making him a target to foes both history and new threats in a refreshed version of his well-known world.

The premiere is a thrilling return to form, capturing the intense feeling audiences cherished from the prior incarnation. While the subsequent episodes explore certain different narrative ground, the season finishes powerfully, setting viewers eagerly awaiting a second season.

7. Common Side Effects

An unexpected this year's highlight, this series is essentially a crime saga filtered through a sensibility of King of the Hill. Helmed by Joe Bennett alongside writer Steve Hely, it tells the story of a mild-mannered mycologist who finds a miraculous fungus and soon finds himself pursued by forces including ruthless pharmaceutical CEOs to federal agents.

Despite being a parody, the narrative unfolds with the serious intensity of a classic paranoia thriller. Enhanced by hallucinogenic visuals and an eerie score, the plot explores deeper mysteries about the mushroom's full effects. It's a smart, beautifully animated, and completely gripping first season.

6. Fallout Season 2

This acclaimed adaptation of the popular video game franchise came back with a new season of episodes that deepened its epic lore and broadened its post-apocalyptic setting. Although it travels in the direction of the legendary location of New Vegas, the story is far from a straight adaptation of that game; rather, it further examine ideas of authority and autonomy.

The show skillfully juggles multiple narrative threads and perspectives, from the protagonist's quest for answers to Maximus's reckoning with the dogma of the Brotherhood of Steel. The outcome is a deeply layered and utterly absorbing chapter to the expanding Fallout mythology.

5. Invincible Season 3

The visceral and heartfelt adult animation series keeps its winning momentum in its third outing. Mark Grayson faces immense pressure on all side: training for a looming Viltrumite invasion, mentoring his powered sibling, and battling with his secretive GDA. The story once again features some of the most intense fight scenes the show has ever delivered.

The protagonist's bodily and psychological endurance are repeatedly tested. He must grapple with foes more powerful than he is, the consequences of his battles, and the ethical weight of his choices. Excellent arcs for supporting cast members like Cecil Stedman and Rex Splode round out a fantastic installment.

4. Peacemaker Season 2

James Gunn's irreverent anti-hero show returned with elevated importance within the new DC universe, and season 2 executes on both fronts. Although it successfully lays groundwork for future cinematic universe projects, it primarily presents a powerful and self-contained {