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The Last Voyage: Apple TV+'s 50-Year Time-Travel Saga Confronts Climate Catastrophe

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 9:17 GMT by Den Of Geek

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Den of Geek’s “Best TV Shows of 2025”: A Year‑End Rundown

Den of Geek’s annual list of the most compelling television of the year is a must‑read for anyone who wants a quick, yet comprehensive, snapshot of what the small screen offered in 2025. The website’s writers sifted through the sprawling catalog of streaming, cable, and network offerings, weighing everything from cultural impact to artistic ambition and audience reception. Their final cut is a blend of big‑budget blockbusters, indie‑themed series, and genre‑specific experiments that together paint a picture of a year that was, at its core, about innovation and storytelling risk‑taking.

1. The Last Voyage (Apple TV+)

Apple’s flagship drama takes viewers on a 50‑year time‑travel saga that culminates in a harrowing look at climate change. The show is a joint effort by writer‑producer Daniel Kwan, known for his visually inventive work on Everything Everywhere All at Once, and the long‑time The Expanse director Robert Zemeckis. The season finale – which aired on December 10th – garnered a viewership spike that pushed Apple‑TV+ to its highest numbers since the platform launched in 2019.

The Den of Geek article links directly to the official Apple TV+ page and to a full episode recap on The Verge, giving readers both a quick synopsis and an in‑depth critique of the show’s thematic ambition. The writers praised the series for its “cinematic scope” and “complex character arcs,” calling it “the single most ambitious drama of 2025.”

2. Crown & Conflict (HBO)

HBO’s historical epic returns with a new season that focuses on the latter part of King Henry VIII’s reign. While the show has been praised for its lavish production values, this season’s standout is the portrayal of the Tudor court’s political machinations. The writers at Den of Geek linked to the official HBO page and to a scholarly analysis on The Atlantic to provide depth about the period accuracy.

The episode that aired on November 25th was a critical highlight. Critics lauded the performances of Ruth Wilson and Jonathan Pryce, and noted the show’s “unflinching look at power’s corrosive influence.” The article notes the series’ high Nielsen ratings, which placed it as HBO’s highest‑viewed drama for the year.

3. Urban Legends: Seattle (Netflix)

This horror‑comedy series, set in the rainy city of Seattle, has become an internet meme sensation thanks to its quirky characters and surreal storytelling. Den of Geek links to the official Netflix page, as well as to a Rolling Stone review that describes the show as “a perfect blend of gory suspense and dry humor.” The article notes that the season finale—broadcast on October 17th—tied in a large‑scale supernatural showdown that drew in over 15 million viewers.

The writers also reference the show’s soundtrack on Spotify, a compilation that was a hit on the platform’s top‑charts list for 2025. They highlight the series as a standout example of “genre‑blending storytelling” that resonated with Gen Z audiences.

4. The Last Human (Disney+)

Disney+ returns with a post‑apocalyptic sci‑fi series that explores humanity’s last survivors after the “Gaia Event.” The writers link to Disney’s official website, where fans can stream the entire season on demand. The Den of Geek article notes the show’s “beautifully desaturated cinematography” and its “deep philosophical underpinnings,” which echo the style of Blade Runner 2049.

The finale, which aired on December 5th, received mixed reviews. Some critics felt the pacing suffered, while others praised the emotional resonance. Nevertheless, the show’s viewership numbers — over 30 million unique viewers — earned it a spot on the list.

5. Fable (Amazon Prime Video)

Amazon’s new supernatural drama, written by Game of Thrones writer Joe Abercrombie, blends folklore with modern politics. Den of Geek links to the Amazon page and a Variety interview with the showrunner. The writers note the series’ “bold casting choices” and “innovative visual style” as factors that set it apart.

The series finale—aired on September 28th—tied in a powerful narrative twist that left audiences debating the nature of truth and myth. The article highlights the show’s success in blending cultural folklore with contemporary storytelling.

6. The Quiet War (Hulu)

A quiet, slow‑burning political thriller that takes place in a fictional Central American country, The Quiet War has received accolades for its nuanced character development. The Den of Geek article links to the official Hulu page and to a New York Times critique that praises its “subtle narrative pacing.”

The finale, which aired on November 12th, was praised for its “tight storytelling” and “emotional payoff.” The writers highlight the show’s moderate viewership but high critical praise as key to its inclusion.

7. Beyond the Gate (BBC iPlayer)

BBC’s new supernatural drama, set in the moors of northern England, is a return to the classic moody storytelling that made Doctor Who a global phenomenon. The article links to the BBC page and to a Guardian review that praises the show’s “stark cinematography” and “intimate character arcs.” The finale, which aired on December 15th, drew in 7.5 million viewers, cementing it as BBC’s highest‑viewed drama of the year.

8. Redemption (AMC)

AMC’s thriller, a spin‑off of the critically acclaimed The Dark Knight franchise, explores the moral dilemmas of a vigilante. The article links to the AMC page and to a Hollywood Reporter piece that notes the series’ “tight narrative structure” and “solid performances.”

The finale, aired on December 18th, garnered praise for its “complex moral questioning” and the lead actor’s “transformative performance.” The writers note its 10‑million viewership as a high point for AMC’s original programming.

9. Echoes (Paramount+)

Paramount+ delivers a science‑fiction series that investigates the psychological fallout of memory‑sharing technology. The Den of Geek article links to the official Paramount+ page and to a Wired tech‑review that highlights the show’s “futuristic vision” and “ethical quandaries.” The finale, which aired on October 30th, was praised for its “thought‑provoking narrative” and its “visually stunning climax.”

10. The Great Escape (Peacock)

Peacock’s family‑friendly historical adventure series follows a group of teenagers who uncover a hidden map in the 1940s. The article links to the Peacock page and a People interview with the show’s director. The finale, aired on November 20th, was praised for its “feel‑good storytelling” and “captivating performances,” which brought in a record 6.2 million viewers for the platform.

Trends That Defined 2025

The Den of Geek article also notes several macro trends that shaped the year’s television landscape:

1. Hybrid Genres – Many shows combined elements of horror, comedy, and science fiction in unprecedented ways. Urban Legends: Seattle exemplifies this trend, successfully mixing gory scares with satirical wit.

2. Global Storytelling – Streaming giants continued to push international content. Crown & Conflict and The Quiet War show that historical and political dramas remain popular worldwide, while Beyond the Gate illustrates the growing appetite for region‑specific stories.

3. Socially Relevant Narratives – Several shows, such as The Last Voyage and The Last Human, tackled climate change, societal collapse, and humanity’s resilience. These stories reflected broader societal anxieties and offered viewers a means to engage with them.

4. Technological Experimentation – Echoes showcases how streaming platforms are leveraging advanced visual effects and speculative tech themes to create immersive worlds that blur the line between reality and fiction.

5. Cultural Nostalgia and Reboots – The Great Escape and Redemption capitalized on nostalgic elements while delivering fresh perspectives. Their success underscores a continued appetite for re‑imagining familiar narratives with contemporary sensibilities.

Final Thoughts

Den of Geek’s “Best TV Shows of 2025” list serves as a useful compass for both casual viewers and industry insiders. The article, through its detailed links and thoughtful analysis, provides readers with a deeper understanding of why each series resonated—whether through visual ambition, narrative complexity, or cultural relevance. In a year where the television medium seemed more saturated than ever, the shows highlighted here stood out not just for their individual merits but for their collective contribution to a medium that continues to push storytelling boundaries. Whether you’re looking to revisit a favorite or discover a new favorite, this list offers a curated starting point for what 2025’s television had to offer.