Shows to binge during your quarantine
If you are experiencing a bit of withdrawal right now as the sports world remains on pause, I've compiled my list of shows to watch with a brief synopsis. These should help overcome some boredom and hopefully keep you engaged as we all wait this out....or you can drink yourself to death like Nicolas Cage did in Leaving Las Vegas...THERE IS NO IN-BETWEEN!
Completed Arcs (Drama Series)
Breaking Bad: I fight myself on which series is better between Breaking Bad and The Wire, but the difference for me is that Breaking Bad had a more satisfying ending, while The Wire had a very iffy final season with a great final episode. Anyway, the series, storylines, and are fantastic. Once you get through BB, watch El Camino (a one-off film) and then watch Better Call Saul, which is mostly a prequel, but does have some brief insight into what happens in the aftermath of the series finale for one character.
Hot take: Skyler White was a good and necessary character but some of her scenes are better served with the fast forward button. There wasn't much "forced filler" in BB, but some of her scenes with Walt just drone on too long. Actually some of the family scenes in general are just too long. This is a minor criticism, though...the series might be the best ever produced for television.
The Wire: Baltimore's finest drama offers unforgettable characters on both sides of the law with captivating story lines, phenomenal writing, and everything is placed in heart-wrenching, real world situations. I fight with myself over what series is better...BB, The Wire, or Game of Thrones...all 3 are just so close. Anyway, I could not recommend this series enough. You will love it. I really can't say enough great things about the whole experience (especially the first four seasons). Jimmy McNulty is one of the more complex characters in the history of TV, but he's just one of many "must see" characters on the show.
Hot take: Season 2 is the best season. They were all top-notch (except season 5, which is good, but not great), but season 2 is how you really learn how "the game" works and it is a perfect set-up for seasons 3 and 4.
Game of Thrones: Man...I was SOOOOOO into Game of Thrones from start to finish...but the problem was with that finish. It was rushed and forced and just attempted to cram too much into too little time. The entire ride is great, though, and you should make sure you watch it for the glory that was the initial run.
Hot take: Watchers on the Wall was my all-time favorite episode.
The Sopranos: The series that really drove the move to "Prestige Television" was a one of the all-time greats. An excellent cast of characters with a story focused on the intricate balance of mob life vs. family life captured the mind of audiences everywhere. It's a must see for anyone.
Hot take: Okay...I am in the camp that the series ending was a weak cop-out that the writers were too afraid to close, but there were just too many "throw away" episodes dumped in throughout the series. In fact, the whole "dream sequence" season was mostly a waste of time.
Narcos: This Netflix series dives into the beginnings of Pablo Escobar and his feud with the Cali Cartel. It's really well-done and keeps you wanting more throughout. It also produced some top-notch memes and gifs (including this infamous one of Escobar playing soccer in prison).
Hot take: When Boyd Holbrook left the show after season two, I think some people were worried that it wouldn't be as good, but Pedro Pascal took over the reigns as the main "good guy" and the show didn't suffer at all.
Deadwood: Okay bear with me...this is a western-based show where the characters has some extremely intricate dialogue, but it is one of the truly great shows that HBO has ever-produced. If not for its insane budget, Deadwood likely would have enjoyed a much longer run. The characters are incredible and the story lines are just simply great. There is a movie that HBO produced last year, which tied everything up in a bow, but this is another example of something that HBO should have had better foresight with. The movie was good, but a longer run for this series would have fantastic and given a proper and timely ending.
Hot take: Al Swearengen is one of the best all-time characters on television. There is no argument here. I will fight you if you disagree. Cy Tolliver is another tremendous character as well.
Mad Men: I am not as high on Mad Men as many of its devotees, but it is well-worth your time if you are running out of options. Jon Hamm is pretty damn good in it, but the entire cast is great.
Hot take: I found this series to be overrated slightly, but damn it...it made me start ordering "Old Fashioneds" during dinner.
24: This is a popcorn series. It's completely absurd at times, but is a completely wild ride powered by terrorism (domestic and abroad), conspiracies, and one absolutely terrific character: Jack Bauer.
Hot take: Yes, 24 is campy at times and has some incredibly dumb moments (mountain lion!), but it's fun. Leave your brain at the door and you'll enjoy it.
Sons of Anarchy: This is not a great show, but it is entertaining. It suffers from some of the same outlandishness that 24 does with its storylines, but hey....we're all just looking for something to pique our interest over the next few weeks, right?
Hot take: There are some really fun parts of this and there are some really interesting parts into the dramatization of how 1%-er biker gangs work...but it's another series where you want to leave your brain at the door. It's fun. It's enjoyable...but it has a lot of holes and really starts to run out of ideas toward then end of the series.
The Man in the High Castle: Again, I am not sure this is a great show, but does feature an interesting story with some excellent characters. You have to be able to buy into science fiction for this to work for you, though.
Hot take: The show ends after three seasons and truthfully it had written itself into a wall, so the ending was appropriate.
Mini-Series (Drama)
Band of Brothers: This is the finest work that HBO has ever done. Commit to watching it and soak it all in. It is the most comprehensive and complete dramatization of World War II that has ever been produced. Nothing else even comes close.
Hot take: There is none. This is the best use of quarantine time you can use.
The Outsider: HBO's recent hit is a Stephen King adaptation that Jason Bateman brought into existence on the small screen and the supernatural thriller was pretty damn good from start to finish.
Hot take: I went into this not knowing anything and when the initial shift moved from true crime to supernatural, I was shocked, but it was handled in such a way that the transition was smooth.
Current Shows (Drama)
Peaky Blinders: This might be my favorite show that is currently being made. The characters and time period are insanely compelling and the storylines keep you actively wanting more. It also makes me want to drink and chain smoke cigarettes (despite the fact that I have never been a smoker).
Hot take: There are points in this show where you start feeling like it's getting absurd, but the writing ALWAYS reigns the show back in. Because of that, the expectations just keep growing and growing. The writers have not pushed themselves into a hole that they could not recover from and the character deaths are always meaningful and not egregious.
Better Call Saul: The (mostly) prequel to Breaking Bad follows the path of another one of the great characters in TV history: Jimmy McGill aka Saul Goodman. It captures the look and feel of Breaking Bad, while being interesting enough to carry a new show sans some of the best characters from BB.
Hot take: I am finding the lead into Breaking Bad just as fascinating as I found BB itself.
Narcos Mexico: This one is interesting. It was produced after "Narcos", but runs simultaneously from a timeline standpoint. While the original focused on Colombia, this series obviously focuses on the 1980s Mexican drug game. Pay attention as some pretty famous people (El Chapo!) are integral to the overall storyline without being the stars of the series.
Hot take: I held off on Narcos: Mexico because I was such a fan of the original series that I assumed this one could not live up to that standard. I was wrong. The writing is excellent and always kept the story evolving.
Mindhunter: There is no word on whether or not Netflix will get around to filming season 3, but this show is tremendous and worth your investment even if they never can work out the details for season three. A series about the early days of the FBI's unit investigating serial killers does not disappoint.
Hot take: Some of the interplay between the lead characters is draining (they are almost ALWAYS at odds), but the storylines are tremendous and the subject matter will suck you in and make you want more and more. The over-arching BTK theme is hopefully leading the show's ultimate destination.
Fargo (TV): Every season of this FX show has a different theme and while there is some character crossover, each season largely has its own feel and plot line. It's really outstanding and there are no wasted episodes, which is key for binge watching. The Coen Bros. movie that inspired the TV series is pretty great (but extremely dark and uncomfortable) as well.
Hot take: No continuity is needed for this show to be great. Granted, there is a common theme or connected story, but each season is great on its own.
Ozark: Another Jason Bateman entry here. Quality white collar crime turns "gritty and dirty" quickly series.
Hot take: Season 3 was just released and I plan on hitting it this week. That's not really a take, but I thought you should know.
Stranger Things: This is kinda obvious. I grew up in the 80s, so everything in this show hits home and features the exact kind of adventures I always imagined I would end up having.
Hot take: There are no bad episodes of this show.
The Walking Dead: The first couple of seasons were captivating, but I now "Hate Watch" this show and am sticking around because I've committed to seeing it through. I want you to suffer like I have. I really want to enjoy the show, but there have been a lot of missteps along the way on this comic book adaptation. I think there have been some absolutely spot-on casting choices and the characters actually carry the show more than the story these days (which says a lot about the quality job done by the performers). I don't know how the show can right itself, but in an odd way I'm still invested.
Hot take: I should have quit this a LONG time ago, but I am glutton for punishment and am sort of watching to see how badly they eventually botch the ending. Seriously, though, this show has been terrific at times and a let down at others, but you almost always come away feeling strongly one way or the other...which I guess says a lot and proves that the show is doing its job of drawing a response.
Homeland (Seasons 1 and 2): I thought Homeland seasons 1 and 2 were two of the best seasons of television I have seen, but man --- for me --- season 3 was so mishandled I jumped ship and never finished up. I am weird like that. I am getting dangerously close to bailing on The Walking Dead for the same reasons, but thinking back to seasons 1 and 2 of Homeland...I was completely captured by each episode. They were just tremendous. I guess you need to watch season 3 to finalize that storyline, but I can't speak for anything after that. If you want to carry on with them after that...it's your call.
Hot take: I can't say enough about seasons 1 and 2. Great characters combined with a scintillating story made for must see TV. Season 3 really soured me, though. I actually cancelled my Showtime subscription because of it.
Completed Arcs (Comedy)
Eastbound and Down: The laughs per minute stat of this Danny McBride comedy is off the charts. It's got some dark moments, but the interplay between Kenny Powers and Stevie Janowski is truly the highlight of the show. I really love how outlandish the show is and just how over-the-top it is from start to finish. It's just phenomenal.
Hot take: There is virtually nothing appropriate about this show and I'll probably go to hell for loving it.
Arrested Development: The first three seasons are a f*cking blast. The subtlety of some of the humor is interspersed with the over-the-top hilarity of some other outrageous-ness and the combination is incredible. The cast is top-notch and it will give you some reasons to smile.
Hot take: GOB and George Michael are the two best characters on the show.
The Office: This show packs in the the laughs with a phenomenal ensemble cast and also hits home with so many great storylines and interactions between the characters. If you somehow never committed to watching this, DO IT.
Hot take: The best song used in the show was "Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth" by Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah.
Current Shows (Comedy)
Curb Your Enthusiasm: It's awkward and really uncomfortable at times, but I find myself laughing out loud several times per episode.
Hot take: I am pretty sure that most of the cast can't keep a straight face while filming. It's always like watching David Spade work with Chris Farley in a scene on Classic SNL.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: There is nothing serious about this show. It's zany (to use a great 80's word) and completely insane. The characters are hilarious, but also sort of despicable at the same time. You won't be disappointed by any of it.
Hot take: You will hate yourself for loving this show. It's terrific, but you need a shower after watching The Gang and their hijinx week-to-week.
Shows that got cut short
Carnivale: So, this will be controversial. Carnivale is a supernatural thriller that simply cost HBO too much to produce and lost a lot of fans who just could not stick with the intricacy of the plot. The story never finished, but is a wild ride that focuses on the ongoing battle between good and evil --- a fight that has raged on since the dawn of time. There is SO much mythology baked into this show that you actually need to read about it as you are watching it to fully understand the motivations and rationale of each character and the history of why things are happening. You really need to commit to understanding it and that is too much for some folks. I get it...but I really, really enjoyed it. Clancy Brown is awesome as Reverand Justin, who is a far cry from his better known character: Mr. Krabs.
I really wish HBO would have been able to finish this show. If you commit to it and do the homework (I get it..most people want to check their brain at the door to binge watch), you will be yearning for some finality that you won't ever get. Still, the three seasons are extremely well done and leave you wanting more.
Hot take: This is the classic good vs. evil battle with a lot of religious mythology built in.
Daredevil: If you enjoy the Marvel-verse, this is one of the top two TV adaptations (see below for the other). This was really, really well done and never crossed the line into being dumb, which many comic book adaptations can do. I highly recommend it even though Netflix pulled the plug on it after its third season. All three are quality...you won't be disappointed.
Hot take: Netflix misfired on a couple of other of its Marvel shows (Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist), but Daredevil and The Punisher set the standard for greatness and should have been kept alive
The Punisher: Jon Bernthal is amazing as The Punisher and this series could have easily kept going as a standalone if Netflix really wanted it to. It's shame it ended after season two because it was an enthralling thrill-ride from start to finish.
Hot take: The Punisher TV show finally hit the perfect balance of violence, reality, and comedy that each Punisher move came close to -- but ultimately never -- achieved.
Pop Culture Hits
Tiger King: This is pop culture's latest "Bat Sh*t Crazy, I Can't Believe These People Actually Exist" phenomenon. Throughout all of the shady characters in this story, the most striking thing that comes across is that the Exotic Cat people should probably all be banned from life completely.
Hot take: There are no good people on this show.
Making of a Murderer (Season 1): If you somehow missed this cultural phenomenon from a few years back, give it a look, but don't waste your time on Season 2. Watching Season 1 is enough to entertain you, while Season 2 is just a glorified publicity stunt for some people to glomb on to a story that captivated the nation.
Hot take: This doc set the standard for amping up and should probably be titled "Creating a Conspiracy."
Waco: I was sort of young when the David Koresh incident happened, but I thought Waco really captured the craziness in a way that entertaining and also delved into why the whole disaster went down. The Paramount Network adaptation is not well-known, but is worth a small investment of your time.
Hot take: Taylor Kitsch was an unbelievably fantastic Koresh.
