So here in Australia, it appears as though the end of #iso
is on the horizon, but it's not here yet! In fact, there is still plenty of
time to squeeze in all of the random activities that we've seen posted on
Instagram before we get back to the hustle and bustle of our former lives. And
because we've all already exhausted the baking and cooking and exercising, I
think a good old fashioned binge of some excellent TV shows is just the thing
to send off our final days or weeks in quarantine.
Below are my top 12 (was supposed to be 10 but I couldn't
narrow it down) picks of multi-seasoned TV shows that I just know you'll love.
And the best part? They're all accessible via our beloved online streaming
services. Lovely.
1. Game of Thrones: 8 seasons (Binge)
This fantasy-drama tells the story of the noble houses within the realm of Westeros, and how they violently fight and scheme for the Iron Throne and the control of the seven kingdoms. Violence, sex, hour-long episodes, and Jon Snow. I truthfully couldn't ask for much more in a tv series, and it appears as though millions of others feel the same way. Though, don't ask me about the final season. I really don't wanna talk about it.
2. How I met your mother: 9 seasons (Stan)
The better version of Friends. There, I said it.
3. Peaky Blinders: 5 seasons (Netflix and Foxtel Now)
Based on the historic street gang of the same name, Peaky Blinders follows the story of the fictional crime family operating in Birmingham shortly after World War 1. Starring Cillian Murphy as the super cool Tommy-fucking-Shelby, my boyfriend and I were obsessed with this show. Similar to Game of Thrones, this series is super violent and cut-throat and the episodes are an hour long. Bonus.
4. The office US: 9 seasons (Stan and Amazon Prime)
The Office is an American mockumentary series based on the foolishness and hilarious misadventures of a motley group of 9-5 workers in the Scranton branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. I won't lie, the first few episodes are dry and awkward, almost unbearably so. But the quick-lived first season is only 6 episodes long, and by season two, they find their groove and manage to pull off one of the most hilarious and heartwarming tv shows of the 21st century.
And...I don't care for all you Brit's to tell me that the UK version was better. It just isn't.
5. Breaking Bad: 5 seasons (Stan)
Based on the chaotic life of Walter White, a former high school chemistry teacher who turns to meth-making with a former student to help pay off his medical bills after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Similar to The Office, the first few episodes of season one were a slog, but it helped set up the remainder of the series. And the payoff is huge.
The characters are complex. So complex to the point where you can't tell whether you love or mercilessly hate them, which is just a credit to the extraordinary actors. In no time at all, you'll become engrossed in the plots, obsessed with the schemes, and addicted to the show.
6. Grey's Anatomy: 16 seasons (Stan)
The ultimate medical drama tv program. Following the life of Meredith Grey and her fellow surgical interns as they work at Seattle Grace Hospital to obtain their surgical residency, this show began in 2005 and is still fucking going 16 seasons on. I'll be honest, it is probably one of the most emotionally exhausting shows I have ever watched, and every season finale felt like a battle between the lump in my throat and my dignity. Additionally, I don't recommend getting attached to any characters if you don't feel like being disappointed somewhere along the track.
7. The Inbetweeners: 2 seasons (Netflix)
It's stupid. It's chaotic. It's the epitome of inappropriate British humour, and it's absolutely brilliant.
8. Avatar: The Last Airbender: 3 seasons (Netflix and Stan)
This was one of the unappreciated cartoons that I would turn on after school and not really pay much attention to, but upon watching from start to finish, I can admit that it is probably the greatest Nickelodeon cartoon of all time (sorry, Spongebob). The characters are complex and each exhibits their own personal development and growth over the span of the show, and the storyline and overall concepts are just magical.
9. The O.C: 4 seasons (Stan)
I can't help myself with this one. Think of typical early 2000's American teen dramas mixed with angsty teenagers who have way too many problems than the average person, and you have The O.C; a show that follows the life of a troubled teenager from a broken home who gets adopted by the incredibly wealthy Kirsten and Sandy Cohen (AKA the best dad on American TV). The storylines within the first couple of seasons were juicy, the soundtrack is brilliant, and I'm pretty sure that Seth Cohen is what made sarcastic nerdy guys my type.
10. Shameless US: 9 seasons (Netflix)
If you ever feel like your life is a mess, just watch a few episodes of Shameless. Introducing the Gallaghers, a dysfunctional family of 6 living on the poverty line fathered by none other than Frank Gallagher. A hopeless drug addict and an incredibly crafty opportunist, Frank is probably the loosest canon I have ever had the pleasure of watching on screen, and his constant antics involving swindling others for drugs, money, and alcohol, as well as watching the largely talented and endearing supportive cast, make this show a must-watch.
11. Sex and the City: 6 seasons (Binge)
Sex and the City is the classic chick flick go-to. Following the lives of four intelligent and independent women living in New York City, the show gives us an insight into the dynamics of NYC and into the sexual and philosophical side of these four best friends as they try to individually tackle their various issues in dating and general life. The show starts off super strong but it begins to drop off around season 5. But if you can get your hands on it, it's too good to pass up.
12. Arcane: 1 season (Netflix)
Okay, this show seriously blew my mind. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hesitant to watch this at first (in my defense, my boyfriend describing it as "a show based on the characters from League of Legends" didn't really sell it to me), but I found myself obsessed straight off the bat. There is so much going for this show: compelling characters, a dark narrative, and an incredibly unique style of animation that I'm not sure I've seen in a TV series before. The only drawback is that the season is only 9 episodes (I know I said I’d only include multi-seasoned TV shows). But if you're interested in starting something new but don't know if you can commit to something super long, this may be a perfect choice. Jump onto it now before everyone else is inevitably talking about it when they release season 2.
And if all else fails, just watch Tiger King like the rest of us.
- Loz
