I know, I know, summer is finally here, and with its arrival comes outdoor activities such as going to the beach, barbecuing, drinking outdoors, and even hiking if you’re the physical type. The general thought is that hey, since it’s warm out and (if you’re a New Englander such as myself) have been cooped up for yet another dreary and damn fall, winter and spring, it’s time to get the hell outside.
I am totally all for this. The beach is my second favorite place to be ever (riding close behind being a movie theater,) but for those thunder storm days or the uncomfortably humid, one fan only nights, you need some quality distractions. The 2015-2016 offered up a whole lot of fantastic shows, some of which even were unfortunately glossed over during their initial runs. So it’s the perfect time to play catch up time, and with that in mind here are five shows totally worth your binge watching time for the summer.
Sense8
If I’m being honest, I am currently in a similar boat as all of you, because I too waited way too long to finally watch this show. I got about six episodes in and forgot about it for months, but with all the pictures and promotions being released from the second season, I found myself looking back at my Netflix queue and clicking play, finally getting around to a show I should have finished immediately. The story is without a doubt on the convoluted side, but the Wachowski’s have created an inventive, vibrant series whose characters are instantly watchable and have something going on for everybody to love. Global, LGBTQ friendly and a story of original science fiction, Sense8 may have its dips and sillier side plot, but its overall storyline is gripping, as is simply watching these characters realize what’s happening to them and learning to help one another along the way.
You’re the Worst
Aya Cash and Chris Geere are delivering some of the best performances on television and it still feels like no one is watching this amazing show. As Gretchen and Jimmy the two bring the term “toxic relationship” to a new level but instead of us actively wanting them to stay the hell away from one another for their own betterment, we realize that despite bringing out the worst in each other at times, they’re also as well suited as people get. After a season where Gretchen dealt with her depression and Jimmy tried to keep up, the two have gone through more ups and downs than many couples can handle and still they held on. With season three right around the corner it’s time to start watching this hilarious, heartfelt show that isn’t the afraid to show just how terrible people can be and how we can still love them all the same.
Please Like Me
This is the show that whenever anyone (in their 20’s mostly) ask me for a recommendation of what to watch, I give them this. One of my personal favorite series, Please Like Me is a show that showcases an authentic (yes, that word) look at 20 somethings dealing with dating, mental illness and self-doubt with genuine warmth and humor. Shot in a stripped down manner (but with wonderful set design) the series allows for the characters to grow as we in turn grow increasingly attached to each and every one of them as we realize to both our delight (and sometimes dismay) how much we share in personality with the likes of Josh, Claire and yes, even Tom.
Advertisement
Penny Dreadful
I’ve included this with a bit of a built in caveat because I, like you presumably, have not watched this show yet and if the reactions to it are to be believed, then we’re missing out on quite a lot. I sat through the pilot and was entertained but it also had quite a lot of imagery that either I couldn’t stomach or was just too much for me on that given day but anything with Eva Green as a lead is reason enough for me to give it another go. Fantasy, science fiction and horror all melded into one makes Showtime’s Penny Dreadful one of the more underrated series today, with beautiful production values and top notch performances.
Advertisement
Fresh Off the Boat
After a first season that went through some rocky stages on the course to establishing their voice, season two of Fresh off the Boat came back strong as it focused more on the entire family dynamics and realized how great of an asset they had in their cast-Constance Wu in particular. Whether they’re tackling dealing with lice, race or gender politics withing the family (“it’s not baby sitting when they’re your kids”), the show had a phenomenal season two once they learned how to balance storylines within the family and apart from them. With the best understanding on how to write for kids and base their humor not solely on their precociousness since Malcolm in the Middle, Fresh off the Boat knows how to play their comedy big and broad as well as internal and small making it one of the best comedies currently on air.
What will you be watching this summer?
Advertisement