I don’t know what you do during your weekend snowed in or just lax of work, but if you need an excuse for time away from strenuous studying, your boyfriend, or important life-decision making, do yourself a favor and put these six TV series on the top of your To-Watch list. If you’re in for a thrill, suspense, or a good mental wallop, take my word for these six shows as binge-worthy. I found each of these series absolutely intriguing and thought-provoking. Kick back, throw in a batch of popcorn, pour a glass of Pinot Noir, and repeat the reassuring phrases with me: “You’re ok to take a break from the daily groove;" "rewind and relax tonight, function tomorrow.”
1. "Bates Motel" (2013-2017).
This is a disturbing unraveling of the psyche of Norman Bates, and a modern prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” horror film of 1960. It’s chilling to the marrow, and makes you rethink your own dependency on “Mother.”
2. "Black Mirror" (2011-ongoing).
Seemingly disconnected and sporadic, this show cuts a few corners to get your own mind rolling in thought. This series is an anthology of mayhem and tangled ideas that will leave you lost in thought.
3. "Hannibal" (2013-2015).
If you can stomach gore, you'll love a psychological thriller like this one. The characters from this show are inspired by the novel by Thomas Harris from 1999, and NBC Network pitches this modern rendition of the story in a short and deliberately vague tagline:
"Explores the early relationship between the renowned psychiatrist and his patient, a young FBI criminal profiler, who is haunted by his ability to empathize with serial killers."
—NBC
4. "Stranger Things" (2016-ongoing).
Jump on the bandwagon if you haven’t already. This upcoming series may be your next obsession. A contributing reviewer on IMDb summarizes the show:
"In a small town where everyone knows everyone, a peculiar incident starts a chain of events that leads to the disappearance of a child - which begins to tear at the fabric of an otherwise peaceful community. Dark government agencies and seemingly malevolent supernatural forces converge on the town while a few locals begin to understand that there's more going on than meets the eye."
—Charles J.
5. "The Killing" (2011-2014).
It’s macabre and heart-wrenching and strangely fascinating. An IMDb reviewer summarizes the storyline:
“This dark crime drama follows two detectives, as they are put on the cases of the disappearance of a teenage girl, the murders of runaway children, and the massacre of a wealthy family. As the stories progress, the lives of those affected by the events intertwine.”
—michaelz626
6. "True Detective" (2014-ongoing).
I can only vouch for the first season; as of to date, this is my top favorite suspenseful crime series. Synopsis from IMDb supplies a short description of the plot:
“The first season focuses on two detectives, Martin Hart (Woody Harrelson) and Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) as they end up crossing paths while hunting a serial killer in Louisiana for 17 years. The series will feature multiple timelines to trace the hunt of the two detectives, jumping in time from the first case opening in 1995 to 2012, when the case is reopened.”
—IMDb
I only suggested binge-watching these shows because that’s exactly what happened to me upon the pilot episode of each. These six shows are my personal favorites for their ability to engage and captivate my attention, provoke deeper connections within my own life, and challenge my perception to details.
I hope you will join me to embrace the masterminds who came up with the stories and come to appreciate the complexity of plot and character development. Don’t feel guilty for a little show time loving either; sometimes we just need a break from being constantly encumbered by our own hullabaloo, helping us see our lives and those around us with bigger and brighter eyes and hearts.
