School is back in session, and that means procrastination is, too. What better way to procrastinate for a college student than watching Netflix? In the spirit of not getting anything done, here are the best TV shows to binge-watch on Netflix at 2am on a Tuesday.
1. Grace and Frankie
This Netflix original is currently two seasons in. It follows the lives of two women whose husbands have been business partners for years and now have decided to be life partners. Grace and Frankie couldn't be more different, but now they find themselves in a situation that it seems no one else understands - so they only have each other.
2. Arrested Development
Okay, this one is what I would call "an oldie, but a goodie." This show originally premiered on Fox in the early 2000s, but was canceled after just three seasons. Luckily, Netflix picked up this gem and gave us the gift a fourth season. However, audiences are still waiting to see if a fifth season will ever be released. If you haven't seen it, it's a great watch full of irony and proof that there really could be a family worse than yours. And even if you have seen it, it's Will Arnett. (And Michael Cera. And Jason Bateman. And David Cross.) Watch it again.
3. Black Mirror
Okay, this one is a little darker. It's a British TV show that takes place in what appears to be the not-so-distant future. The thing is, this future is ruled by technology, and it's not pretty. The episodes are a little longer than you might be used to, and the seasons are shorter, but we'll chalk that up to the fact that it's British. There are about seven episodes out right now, which equates to three seasons, and some are better than others, but it's worth a try. (Full disclosure, my brother introduced me to this, and after we watched the first episode, he assured me that they're not all that disturbing - and he was right. Try to stick with it, it's worth it.)
4. The Office
This is another one that it seems like everyone has seen, but on the off chance that you haven't, what are you waiting for? The show is on Netflix in its entirety, and the only good reason I can come up with to pass on this one is that it might make you feel like a Pam who hasn't found her Jim yet - and that's enough to make anyone sad. But then Michael shows up, and the ensuing laughter will fix it.�
5. Gilmore Girls
I'm just going to go ahead and assume everyone has already seen this. And, unless you've been living under a rock, you probably know that a revival is airing exclusively on Netflix this holiday season (!!!). That's the perfect excuse to go ahead and binge watch this one again. And while it's on, you can go ahead and start working on your #TeamJess t-shirts.
6. BoJack Horseman
If you haven't seen this yet - why?! Will Arnett's second appearance on this list is actually my favorite. It's a Netflix original cartoon that makes me feel all the feelings. This is a really hard one for me to explain, but despite the fact that BoJack is a horse, I think most people will find a little bit of themselves in him. Give this one a try, even if it's not great for binge-watching. Personally, I feel burned out if I watch more than an episode or two at a time, but I always feel like I know something new about the world after I finish. Seriously, I cannot recommend or praise this one enough.
7. Jessica Jones
One more Netflix original to end this list, but it's just that good. This show takes place in the Marvel universe, and is tied to Netflix's other Marvel hit, Daredevil. Jessica Jones, the titular character, is a private eye with a dark past. This show has received wild praise for accurately portraying an abusive relationship and its aftermath, and it's done perfectly. Maybe it deserves a trigger warning, but I'm not one to hand those out. Give this a try especially if you're interested in some action.
Hopefully that's enough to hold you over until midterms. May you not feel the need to pick up a textbook until then.
