The media tends to blame millennials for everything.
First, the decrease in beer sales because we would rather drink wine; then the foreclosure of Toys R Us because we refuse to have kids; now the diamond industry is blaming us for their decrease in sales because we choose not to buy expensive rocks that carry very little meaning.
But the one thing we never get credit for is all the damn good television shows.
In the last decade, our taste and demand for more premium and quality television have risen. We’ve entered the convergence era, where streaming shows have become more desirable than basic cable. We have smartphones, tablets, and laptops all at the tip of our fingers.
We can watch any show, anywhere and at any time, it's truly amazing right? We’ve also developed the concept of " fanbase." Reddit and many other online forums have emerged ever since the debut of 'Twin Peaks (1990),' offering not only appreciation but also constructive criticism.
Our critical engagement for television has developed astonishingly. The media industry is striving more than ever, cranking out more quality content, rather than those one-dimensional sitcoms or reality TV shows made purely for profit (not that I have anything against them).
Below are some quality shows millennials are currently keeping tabs on.
1. Black Mirror (2011)
Ah, the time has finally come when our creations that were once consider a force for good has turned into our own destruction. 'Black Mirror' perfectly highlights our anxieties of modern society, hitting way too close to home in almost every episode. Technology has become integrated into our everyday life and in the fatalistic future of Black Mirror, there’s no escaping from it.
Every episode is a unique stand-alone drama, with a different plot and set of characters in each episode. So, if you didn’t enjoy the first one (like me), you can always skip it and might end up loving the next one.
2. The Handmaid's Tale (2017)
If I could define one show as sexy, 'The Handmaid's Tale' would most likely be last on my list - actually it wouldn’t even make the list.
These ladies are totally stripped down, from the clothes on their backs to the rights to their own uterus. Raped, not once, but several times by their “commander” and forced to birth the rapist’s child. There is a significantly chilling connection between the handmaids as a representation of enslaved African women and the commanders as plantation owners.
A simple, yet elegant, allegory of what could have happened if the U.S. had never resisted slavery and had, instead, stuck with those “traditional values.”
3. Silicon Valley (2014)
Brainy geeks and tech nerds all come together to form a startup company: Pied Piper, a compression application. Seems pretty typical right? Wrong.
These five young shady, apathetic, and intelligent dudes just happen to hold a unique compression algorithm that becomes the subject of an extreme bidding war. Take a peek into the world of tech companies, and experience the absurd and ridiculous side of Silicon Valley.
4. Master of None (2015)
Growing up in America with Asian parents can be difficult.
The constant struggle of living with both traditional Eastern values and a modern Western influence is a balance that's hard to meet. Aziz Ansari shines a light on this subject in a comedic and heart-warming manner.
The way that first-generation Americans can identify with the stories in this show can be quite liberating.
5. The End of the F*** ing World (2017)
British television goes hard.
A deranged and edgy Bonnie and Clyde, somehow you get caught up and too attached to these seemingly unlikeable characters. The voiceover puts a very nihilistic tone over the show, which can also be seen in both characters’ facial expressions.
A psychopath boy meets a rebellious badass girl, what could go wrong?
6. Atlanta (2016)
First and foremost, what can’t Donald Glover do?
NYU graduate who landed a writing gig on NBC’s 30 Rock. Casted in Dan Harmon’s comedy series, ‘Community (2009),’ which sprouted a stand-up career for him. Also launched a successful rap career as well as create, write, direct and starred in his own show?
The approach Glover takes in ‘Atlanta’ is very postmodernist, quite humorous yet in a meditative sense. Tackling a handful of contemporary societal issues regarding Black culture, rap culture and America.
7. Rick and Morty (2013)
8. Shameless U.S. (2011)
Absolutely unapologetic, the Gallaghers are the definition of “not giving a fuck.”
America’s most beloved anti-heroes, this shit show is packed with explicit language and visuals, dark humor and basically anything else that can go wrong. From an intelligent car thief to a deadbeat alcoholic smart-ass father and a crazy sex-addict, but don’t forget the 16-and-pregnant little sister and their "throuple" neighbors. ‘Shameless’ is a must-watch for a temporary escape from your dull and tedious life.
