It's winter and thanks to modern society, this makes it the best time to curl up in front of a TV screen (or laptop/tablet/phone), and watch several episodes of an engaging, funny, smart TV series. I'm going to list my top 5 shows that I feel you cannot just stop at one or two episodes at a time. Before you know it, you've watched an entire 5 season (or more) show, thanks to these choices...
1) Bojack Horseman (2014)
My latest obsession and probably one of the few series on this list that is still ongoing, with season 6 just recently being announced. It is easy to dismiss Bojack Horseman as just a cartoon, albeit for adults. Even the show's premise sounds a bit inane - a horse lives off the fame of his once-successful 90s sitcom. Oh, but it's so much more, especially as the series progresses, just as the storylines darken. I used to hear about this show and people commenting how dark and real it was and all I could think was: Really? How dark can a cartoon about horses interacting with humans get? Then I watched and let me tell you: It. Gets. Real. While the majority of the episodes are hilarious takes on today's society (Bojack and Todd's 'solution' to end the gun crisis in season 1's Downer Ending as just one example) and witty animal puns, there are moments which leave the viewer so blindsided, they are left with no words. Examples of these are usually the final moments of an episode and, without giving much away, include season 3's That's Too Much Man! season 4's Time's Arrow (if you manage to watch that episode without being stunned into silence at least once, then you have no feelings) and season 5's Free Churro with special mention going to season 4's Stupid Piece of Sh*t. With recent news of season 6 being announced, I'm sure there will be more of a rollercoaster ride of emotions as with the previous seasons..png){kind=logo}
2) Person of Interest (2011)
Again, another series I had heard a lot of people rave about, but was unsure to what the show actually entailed. From the start, Person of Interest is a thrill adventure with engaging characters that audiences connect to and sympathise with right until the end. Each episode is like a mini action film, with the storylines becoming more Sci-Fi focused as the series goes on. The concept of the show is as thus: computer genius Harold Finch has built a machine that predicts whether a person will be a perpetrator or victim of a crime. His partner John Reese, is an ex-CIA Assassin who helps with the action side of the business. The fast pace and tension are what keeps this show fresh throughout, alongside the wry humour of the main characters. The connection that all the characters have with each other is a highlight, as well as the heartwrenching back-stories to the main characters. I am constantly on the edge of my seat watching this show, no matter how many times I have seen the episode. It certainly can't be accused of being boring.
3) The Good Place (2016)
Of all the TV shows, The Good Place was definitely designed to be binged. With each episode being just over 20 minutes in length, it is so easy to whizz through an entire season before you know it. The original premise of the series also helps: focusing on the main character, Eleanor, who has died and has been granted access to The Good Place, the afterlife. The sharp humour and the originality of the show makes it a must-see, with the mini cliffhangers of each episode coming out of nowhere, leaving the viewer hungry for more. Now in its third season, The Good Place still feels brand new, without becoming stale.
4) Daredevil (2015)Of all the Marvel Netflix TV shows, this definitely holds up as my favourite. You know a series is good when you want to keep watching, even though you know you will be at a loss when you inevitably watch the show in one setting. This is how I feel with Daredevil. Based on the comics of the same name, this TV show is a million miles away from the disasterous film attempt of the comic in 2003. Going away from the cartoonish, unrealistic portrayal that that film depicted, the show gives as realistic a view of that world as much as possible. Charlie Cox plays the title character with such passion and believability, a contrast to Ben Affleck's depiction in the movie version. The action sequences are awe-inspiring and the long-takes are fast becoming the show's staple. The latest season contains such a breath-taking scene: a 10 minute one-take involving a fight during a prison riot. These scenes always achieve what they're designed for: to keep the viewer glued to the screen, anxious to see what happens next. Goodness knows what they have planned for next season, to top season 3. I'm eager to find out.
5) Breaking Bad (2008) / Better Call Saul (2015)
Ok, so I know this next choice is technically two
different TV shows, but since the latter is a spin-off of the former I'm using it as one selection. Now I've already talked before about how good Breaking Bad is, but it definitely comes to mind when thinking of binge-worthy TV shows. Its prequel spin-off also follows up to fill the hole that Breaking Bad left when it ended. Some may argue that Better Call Saul is a sharper, more intellectual dark comedy, focusing on the character of Saul Goodman, his roots and his journey of how he became the character we all loved in Breaking Bad. Before he was Saul Goodman, he was Jimmy McGill - a struggling ex-con trying to follow in his older brother's lawyer footsteps. The series chronicles notable characters of Breaking Bad, how they all got their start and how they ultimately end up in the world of Walter White. It could be argued that the character of Jimmy McGill is a much more sympathetic one than that of Breaking Bad's protagonist/antagonist. This may be why Better Call Saul seems to appeal to more people than that of its predecessor. It also can be argued that you don't necessarily have to have seen Breaking Bad to be able to follow and enjoy the prequel. Whatever the reason, the series (certainly in the last couple of seasons) is fast becoming an enjoyable, binge-worthy experience.
In conclusion, TV is quickly becoming a medium that can be viewed in one chunk, if so desired. With modern platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and Now TV, it's no longer necessary for people to keep waiting to see how their favourite shows play out. It is now up to the viewer if they want to wait or if they would rather devour a good TV series in one go. TV is made for the audience and it is quickly, and effectively, being molded to fit that need.
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