If you lack self-control when it comes to being able to shut your computer screen at the end of a long day because you can’t get enough of your new favourite show, I encourage you to stop reading this article right now. I realize that a University education can be very demanding of a person’s time and I would hate to see you struggle to find the time to go to class, or finish an assignment. Therefore, if you really need get on that assignment that you’ve been “going to start tomorrow” for the past two weeks, stop reading and get to work.
If, however, you are on top of your work (or simply don’t care about the warning above) you’ve come to the right place. As I sat in bed last night trying to think of a topic for this article, I couldn’t find much current news that inspired me. So, being your typical University student, I flung open my laptop and proceeded to spend the next 45 minutes diving into my latest Netflix addiction How to Get Away with Murder (on recommendation by one of my roommates). It dawned on me, as one of the main characters was having her typical high-stress meltdown, what I would do if I were so stressed with school or work that I had a meltdown; watch Netflix! Alas, I got up off the bed and came up with my all-time favourite TV shows on Netflix to share with my fellow struggling students.
- How to Get Away with Murder:
As mentioned in the introduction, my latest craze arises from my love of law. Main character Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) is a defense attorney that quickly finds herself in a sticky situation (the first episode foreshadows what is going to happen throughout the first season). The drama/thriller is perfect for a weekend night, and dives into the action 3 minutes into the Pilot episode. I’m still only on the first season, but as Season 3 is currently airing on CTV, I am desperately trying to catch up. A gruesome and bloody series, each episode has Annalise tackle a new criminal case.
Episode length: 45 minutes
- The Walking Dead:
If you haven’t heard of The Walking Dead, there’s really no point in you reading this article because you clearly don’t have an interest in television. The Walking dDead is far and away the most popular series in television right now, and for good reason. Currently on its 7th season, it’s hard to keep track of all of the characters that have come and gone throughout the years. Don’t get too attached, because they’ll probably die at some point. The show follows the trials of an ever-changing group of people trying to survive a zombie apocalypse. Based on the popular comic book series, the costumes and make up is incredible and as realistic as zombies can look. I suggest starting now so you can catch up by the start of the 8th season!
Episode Length: 50-55 minutes
- Prison Break
Another one that you should definitely know, Prison Break ended in 2009 after 4 terrific seasons. Ok, maybe 2 ½ terrific seasons with a mediocre (at best) third season, but the others are so good they make up for the disappointment. True to its title, Prison Break follows the story of death row inmate Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) and his genius brother Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) as they plot to break out of Fox River Penitentary. Add a little assistance from the prison doctor Sara Tancredi (Sarah Wayne Collins) and they might just me able to pull it off. The people they include in the plan, however, might have a different idea.
Episode length: 45 minutes
- Friday Night Lights
The first ever show I binge-watched has a soft spot in my heart. Set in Dillon, Texas, the show follows the Dillon Panthers High School Football Team and its diverse set of players. Coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) takes his team to new heights after losing star quarterback, Jason Street. The stories of small-town Texas football and the lives of its players is something that everyone can get on board with. It’s half sport, half drama. If the female audience needs any more convincing, the fact that Taylor Kitsch plays star full back should do the trick.
Episode Length: 45 minutes
- Narcos
Another one of my latest discoveries (once again thanks to said roommate) is one that I would never have thought to try on my own, but I am so glad that I was encouraged to do so. The show follos infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar (played by Wagner Moura), drug enforcement officers Javier Pena (Pedro Pascal) and Steve Murphy (Boyd Holbrook) who always seem to be one step behind the cocaine trafficker. This is one show you can watch an episode of and put down for a couple of days, as most of the episodes are separated from one another, making it a great option for casual viewing. Don’t pass this one up next time you see it!
Episode length: 45 minutes
- Stranger Things
Far and away the most popular new show, Stranger Things just has something about it that makes you want to keep watching non-stop despite increasing your blood pressure exponentially. I still don’t know if I have the entire show figured out or know absolutely nothing about it, but that’s what makes me want to come back for more. Although somewhat out there and strange, the show ties in a realistic approach. Would you judge me if I told you I watched the entire first season (8 episodes x 50 minutes each) in a 24-hour span?
Episode Length: 50 minutes
- Dexter
Dexter is probably the closest thing there is to a killer’s perspective of Criminal Minds- Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) works as a blood-spatter analyst with the Miami Metro Police Department. Unbeknownst to his colleagues, he spends his nights ridding the world of killers. Seeking only to kill people that have killed others (making him the Robin Hood of killers per se) Seems a little twisted, doesn’t it? Dexter’ psychopathic tendencies sure are fun to watch unravel throughout the 8 seasons.
Episode Length: 50-55 minutes
- Friends
Hands-down my favourite show of all time, Friends is set in late 90’s/early 2000’s New York. This is probably the most easy-to-watch show ever, due to its short episode length, witty humor, and broad appeal. Friends is the perfect show to watch one episode of before bed, and allows you to skip through to your favourite parts (although I don’t recommend it). The most common rebuttal I hear when advertising this show to others is that they’ve “seen too many episodes here and there”. The greatest thing about Friends is that you can watch it from start to end (all 10 seasons made up of 20-25 episodes each) a million times and it never gets old. On top of that, the underlying storyline that runs throughout the show is awesome to follow from the start right until the very end. I am currently on the 9th season of watching the entire series for the 5th time- it really is that good!
