Important note: this is a non-spoiler article. Major plot points will not be revealed or even hinted in any of my words below.
Laughing and learning are the two things that I enjoy most in this world. It is only natural that nearly every item on the list below is simultaneously humorous and thought-provoking. The only two that do not fit this description are the first and the ninth on the list because on occasion I do find myself totally enthralled in a good mystery of either the sci-fi or crime/drama category. If it were up to me the following would all be mandatory for everyone in the U.S. to watch; however, it is not up to me and that is probably for the best. If you should so choose to watch any of the shows on this list, then you will not regret it. For a few, watching these series might even leave you to find that your perspective on life is changed for the better. Either way, lets all just Netflix and chill with these 10 titles.
1. Stranger Things
If The Goonies were a science fiction series, then I imagine it might look almost exactly like Stranger Things. It is a work of true genius that keeps its audiences captivated and wanting more. If there is a soul out there who has yet to experience this work of art, then you no longer have an excuse to deprive yourself of this. I am telling you now - Go watch it!
2. Freaks and Geeks
When I saw that there was only one season of this ever made, I was hesitant to watch it. Too many horrible tv shows make it past their first season, so I imagined that Freaks and Geeks must have been pretty horrible to end after one, right? Wrong. There may only be one season, but you will also find yourself loving every minute of that one season. Maybe it is because I was both a freak and a geek in high school, but I recognized a bit of myself in every one of the characters. So rare is it that we have the chance to truly feel understood, and I really hope that maybe other people can experience this - as I did - while watching the series.
3. Master of None
I thought I loved Aziz Ansari on Parks and Recreation, but I was wrong. I realized that I really liked him on Parks and Recreation; now I am officially in love with Aziz Ansari. Master of None launched its first season on Netflix in 2015 with a second season due in April of 2017. This hilarious series actually touches on a surprisingly wide range of topics in a way that made me feel like I truly understood what the characters were facing. The wait has been a long one, but I am extremely excited to see what the second season has to offer.
4. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Ever wonder what would happen if someone had put you in a box in 8th-grade and then released you back into the world at age 29? Wonder no longer. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt follows the misadventures of a woman who was rescued from a doomsday cult in Indiana and then released into New York City. Although you would expect her innocence to work against her, this show portrays her in a way that will almost make you wish you were Kimmy Schmidt. Not to mention, Ellie Kemper is absolutely perfect for the role of Kimmy; she will have you falling in love more and more with each episode.
5. Bo Burnham - Make Happy
Talk about deep. This is actually a comedy special, but I added it to my list of must watch shows on Netflix because it is a brilliant blend of side-splitting comedy and a harsh dose of woke-ness that we need.
6. The Office
Although the last episode of this season aired in May of 2013, there are still some people out there who have yet to watch "The Office". If you are one of the souls out there who still has not seen this series, stop reading and start watching it now. Not tomorrow, right now, because you are definitely quoting it on a regular basis without even realizing you are doing so.
7. BoJack Horseman
I will be honest; it took me 3 tries to even make it through the first season of this series. At times it can get dark and depressing and even a little frustrating to watch BoJack isolate himself and make mistakes without appearing to learn anything. However, once I finally made it through the series, I sat there and realized its brilliance. With some not-so-subtle existentialist themes tied into its plot, the series provokes humorous insights into the human condition. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the next season.
8. Futurama
From the same mind that brought us "The Simpsons" (arguably the most iconic American tv show of the 90's), "Futurama" provides a brand of humor that is totally out of this world. With its own made-up language and everything, the series is full of hidden treasures and is something you can watch over-and-over without getting bored.
9. How to Get Away With Murder
Viola Davis gives a breathtaking performance as Annalise Keating in this highly-addictive crime series. Who knows how to get away with murder better than a criminal defense attorney/ law school professor? I am roughly 90 percent positive that you would have to be an actual psychopath to be better than Annalise Keating and her crew. I watched the entire second season in one day, I'm not proud of it, but it happened.
10. Jane The Virgin
I made it all the way to the fall of 2016 without ever giving a second thought to this show that I saw a commercial for maybe once or twice back in middle school. However, once I was finally forced to watch it by a friend, I really did regret that I did not start on this series sooner. "Jane the Virgin" takes light-hearted comedy and blends it with all the drama of a Telenovela and will have you feeling all the feels from start to finish.
