I’ve kind of given up on resolutions for the New Year. I don’t even do words anymore. I just try to do the things I want to do by staying motivated and inspired. And that includes watching more television.
Actually, I should say that I want to watch more quality television. I don’t watch a lot of TV now but I used to. And I used to go to the movies religiously. Watching something up on the big screen made me dream bigger that I did in my every day life. At some point in my life, I had dreams of becoming an archaeologist or astronaut or spy. I believed in the fairy tale and I wanted to settle for nothing less.
While I still love to go to the movies, films come and go so quickly that it’s often easier to scout through the hundreds (thousands?) of options we have in our own homes on our own (relatively speaking) big screens. I recently make a concerted effort to really explore some of the new shows that are out there in the form of Netflix Originals so that for once, I might be the person saying, Oh, you HAVE to watch this instead of the one trailing behind saying, what show are you talking about?
So I’ve done you a solid and watched at least some of these four buzzworthy Netflix Original series that I think are definitely worth binging on sooner rather than later.
The OA
Let’s start with my favorite.
The premise: Prairie Johnson, a missing blind girl, returns to the community she grew up in with her sight restored. Some hail her a miracle, others a dangerous mystery, but Prairie won’t talk about her seven missing years with anyone except four teenage boys whom she tells her story to in order to recruit them for a mission.
What I watched: THE WHOLE THING (8 episodes). Once I started, I was sucked in and couldn’t stop. I just couldn’t.
My thoughts: There is something different about this show. Maybe it’s the subject matter (life, the universe, and everything we don’t know and understand), or the amazing ensemble cast, or the incredible original and passionate writing courtesy of Brit Marling who is not only the star of the show but the co-creator, co-writer, and co-producer as well. This is the kind of show that messes with your head… in a good way. And the kind of show full of hidden mysteries if you can handle enough of the emotional intensity to go back and watch it again.
You’ll like this if you liked: Flatliners, Interstellar
Glitch
The premise: A police officer and a doctor face an emotionally charged mystery when six local residents inexplicably return from the dead in peak physical form.
What I watched: Episode 1 only (there are 6 episodes total). This Australian show came highly recommended by my sister’s husband’s sister. With me still?
My thoughts: I’m not usually a zombie-loving fan, although I’m not sure if returning from the dead actually makes you a zombie. There are several shocker moments in the first episode and an ending that made me say uh-oh. So it’s enough to suck me in for the rest of the series. Plus at only 6 episodes? I can knock that out in a school day.
You’ll like this if you liked: The Walking Dead, The Twilight Zone
3%
The premise: A post-apocalyptic thriller set in near-future Brazil, where a select few are allowed to join a privileged society after undergoing an intense and competitive process.
What I watched: Episode 1 only (there are 8 episodes total). This is a Brazilian show that will require English subtitles or English dubbing (both can be turning on under Audio & Subtitles).
My thoughts: Something felt very weird when I started watching this and it took me a few minutes to realize it was dubbed in English, which apparently really bothers me. I feel like you lose something when you’re not hearing the original sound or actors. That said, I’m totally intrigued by this show which already had some bizarre twists in the first episode. I’m planning to watch the rest in the native Brazilian Portuguese with English subtitles.
You’ll like this if you liked: Divergent, Hunger Games, or any other dystopian flick
UPDATE: I finished the entire series dubbed in English. Lots of questions and not enough answers but I couldn’t get enough of this show. I predict a season 2. So many things yet to explore…
Travelers
The premise: They’re from the future but they’re living in our time. These seemingly ordinary people are secretly working to save us all from a tragic fate.
What I watched: Episode 1 only (there are 12 episodes total). You’ll be happy to know I stayed up late last night watching this just so I could include it in my list.
My thoughts: It was 11pm last night and I wanted to get a jump on this show. So I put on my headphones, laid in bed, and thought I’d watch a few minutes of the first episode. And an hour later I realized I was really late for bed. That first episode flew by because I was so engrossed. By the way, it’s not the best right-before-bed viewing but it’s an intriguing sci-fi series with a diverse and engaging ensemble cast.
You’ll like this if you liked: The Terminator, Continuum
