5 Binge-worthy TV Shows for Your Spare Time

Image Credit: Pixabay

The semester has crossed its midpoint and midterm exams are either wrapping up or getting started. Either way, once they’re done, you’re probably going to want to relax and catch up on a show or two when you have time. But what should you watch?

There’s a vast selection of series and genres to choose from, thanks to the internet and streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. If you’ve seen a fair share of content already and are looking for something new, figuring out what to watch can seem intimidating. To get you started, though, here are five shows to consider binging in your free time this semester.

Seinfeld

Emmy-award winning “Seinfeld” is a nine-season series in which absurdities and intrigue are found in common, everyday situations. Created by stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld, the show follows four friends– joking Jerry, bungling George Costanza, workaholic Elaine Benes and the bizarre Cosmo Kramer–as they deal with the chaos of daily life in New York City. The series, which has a total of 180 episodes, originally ran from 1989 to 1998, and is still being praised for its clever writing and ability to draw out some of the best humor from life’s trivial scenarios.

Cowboy Bebop

A classic from the ‘90s era of Japanese animation, “Cowboy Bebop” is a beautifully crafted anime series about a laidback group of bounty hunters and their adventures. Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, this series is a thought-provoking blend of action and stillness. Despite having originally aired in 1998, with two seasons and a movie to its name, this series is acclaimed for being euphonious, aesthetically appealing and overall of quality standard when it comes to visual storytelling.

Bojack Horseman

“Bojack Horseman” is an animated Netflix original series that offers a fresh and innovative look at mental illness, depression, suppression and some of life’s major questions. The story follows Bojack Horseman, the former star of a popular ‘90s television show, and his struggles to find meaning in life and overcome aggressive traits and toxic behaviors that have been consuming him since the show’s cancellation. While there is a lot of humor and intriguing world dynamics to balance things out, the series never loses sight of its main recurring theme, which is that mental illness is not black and white; in fact, it’s often somewhere in the middle, and it’s important to be aware of that.

Black Mirror Six-time Emmy-award winning “Black Mirror” is a British sci-fi anthology series that blends dystopian ideas with real-world possibilities. The series offers a dark and satirical commentary of how our modern society could look in the near future if technological advancements collide with immoral human instincts. Almost every episode stands alone, each one tackling a different idea of how things could be when our interactions with things like social media, the government, traditions and entertainment are taken to another level. The series was inspired by shows such as “The Twilight Zone,” an older anthology series of the same nature that also pushed the boundaries of how society might behave under extreme, near-horrific conditions.

Atypical

With only two seasons and 18 episodes, “Atypical” is a fairly new Netflix original series. It follows the life of Sam Gardener, a high schooler on the autism spectrum, and his family as his decision to pursue dating and more independence has them all going on their own personal journeys to figure out who they are. The show is considered controversial, as some find its depiction of autistic individuals stereotypical. Nevertheless, the show has been drawn a considerable amount of viewership since its release in 2017, and whether its praised or poked at, its worth the conversation of social stigma being brought up.

These are only a few shows selected from the many worthy series to choose from. The next time you’re able to take a moment away from your homework, watch any of these shows and consider it your dive back into the deep end until your next assignment.