I just want to start off by saying that I have nothing against The Office. In fact, I was a fan of the show back in the day when NBC was airing new episodes. Yes, it is hilarious. Jim and Pam, Dwight Schrute, Michael Scott, CREED, etc. It’s a great show, I am not going to argue with that fact. I do take issue; however, with the fact that once people watch The Office, they never watch anything else ever again. I have friends and family who have seen the show in its entirety upwards of eight times. I am glad that those fans of The Office are so loyal to the show; that’s great. I just want to present you with some other options to consider next time you are looking for something to binge.
Also, I am going to warn you now that I am a huge nerd, so if you aren’t into nerdy shows, my top picks may not be for you. I also cannot watch most comedy shows as I find them horribly annoying and repetitive, so I apologize but you won’t find anything resembling Friends, Parks and Rec, or How I Met Your Mother. I prefer those shows that take me out of this world and on adventures that satisfy my need to escape my endless piles of homework and commitments. I also enjoy those shows that wreck you emotionally, so if you’re looking for just laughs, you will get them, but you will also get ALL THE FEELS.
1. Firefly (2002-2003)
Firefly is a tragedy really. Created by Nerd God, Joss Whedon, the show was canceled in its first season by Fox. The show in its entirety is only fourteen episodes long, followed by a feature film, Serenity. Whenever I tell someone to watch this show, I describe it as “western space pirates,” and as ridiculous as that sounds, it really works for some reason. The show follows Captain Malcolm Reynolds and the adventures of his crew around a terraformed galaxy 500 years in the future. I honestly don’t know how to explain how much this show means to me. The characters are amazing and the fact that in a mere fourteen episodes, they still grow and develop as much as they do is truly astonishing. I watch this show at least once a year, and it will never get old. I always say how tragic it is that it only lasted one season, but part of what makes it so special is that it only lasted a short time. Moral of the story, watch this show if you are into laughing, crying, action, and great characters.
Where you can watch: Netflix
2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1996-2003)
Speaking of Joss Whedon, another one of his gems, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is also an incredible show. In its seven seasons, Buffy and her friends survive not only vampires and demons, but high school, some college, and even the real world. A perfect blend of action, comedy, raw emotions, and intriguing characters, this show has so much to offer despite its silly name and premise. Created by Joss Whedon as a counter to all of the monster movies where the blonde girl is kidnapped or eaten every time, Buffy is one fierce badass who manages to slay monsters, go to school, and maintain relationships. Even though the special effects are a little dated, the show is still exciting and the characters make up for it tenfold. Also, who doesn’t love 90’s/early 2000’s fashion and lingo? Much like Whedon’s Firefly, watch this show if you are into laughing, crying, action, and great characters.
Where you can watch: Netflix
3. Veronica Mars (2004-2007)
Buffy isn’t the only badass blonde heroine out there. While there are no vampires or monsters in Veronica Mars, Veronica faces monsters in their human form as she faces dealing with the mystery left behind by the murder of her best friend. Veronica Mars, much like Buffy, shows the struggles of high school, college, and the real world. Veronica solves crimes in the fictional town of Neptune and assists her private investigator father. Like Firefly, Veronica Mars was cancelled too soon; however, got to live out three seasons as opposed to only one. Also like Firefly, Veronica Mars had a feature film also called Veronica Mars. This show is extremely witty, and the love story between Veronica and Logan Echolls is *epic,* so if you’re into a good cry, this is the show for you.
Where you can watch: Amazon Prime
4. Sherlock (2010-)
Speaking of detectives, perhaps one of the most famous detectives ever, Sherlock Holmes, is back in action in this modern-day interpretation of the famous stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. I am sure most of you have heard the hype over this show, but it is definitely warranted as Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman breathe a new life into the characters. This show is a mini-series with three episodes per season which are an hour and a half each, so it’s more like watching movies. Sherlock also only has a season every few years, so being a fan of this show can be quite frustrating but always worth the wait. Right now, it is up in the air about whether or not there will be a fifth season. Nonetheless, it is full of twists and turns and never fails to be captivating.
Where you can watch: Netflix; New episodes: PBS
5. Merlin (2008-2012)
Ah, Merlin. This show is so adorable and loveable. I don’t really have much to say about it other than that. The show follows a young Merlin and his adventures with King Arthur, Guinevere, Morgana, and all the rest. Adventure and comedy come together in this quaint retelling of the age-old stories. You will fall in love with the characters (I’m sensing a theme in all of these shows), and the relationship between Merlin and Arthur will give you so many feels across its five seasons.
Where you can watch: Netflix
6. Doctor Who (2005-)
Even though I have only the newer series, rebooted in 2005, Doctor Who is actually the longest-running Sci-Fi show of all time. Unfortunately, it is not as easy to watch the older series as it is the newer ones. With the reboot has come four Doctors that will take you out of this world on fun and meaningful adventures that pose poignant questions about friendship, humanity, taking chances, and the throes of life. Like all of the other shows on this list, this show will make you laugh and cry and you will definitely wish for the Doctor to sweep you up and take you away from your sorrows.
Where you can watch: Amazon Prime
7. Game of Thrones (2011-)
Honestly, if you don’t watch this show, where have you been for the past six years?? This is one bandwagon worth being on as it is a show of truly epic proportions. Based on the rather lengthy novels by George R. R. Martin, Game of Thrones literally spans continents. It might seem confusing with all of the characters, but once you are six seasons in and have seen each of them multiple times because it is so good, you will have them all straight. This show will have your loyalties tied up with so many different characters, this show is difficult not to fall in love with. Action, sex, drama, wit, all of your favorite characters meeting untimely ends, this show truly has it all. So find someone with an HBO Go password and catch up before the new season comes on!
Where you can watch: HBO Go/HBO Now
8. The Wire (2002-2008)
The next two shows on the list are a lot different from the shows that I have presented thus far, as they are both pretty serious dramas. The Wire takes place in Baltimore, Maryland and focuses on the drug trade and the law enforcement of the inner city. The Wire is regarded as one of the best television shows of all time, and rightfully so as the acting and writing are truly impeccible. This show brings to light so many pressing issues in such a way that is so real and gripping. Just a disclaimer, don’t let this show give you a bad perception of Baltimore because chances are, if you aren’t involved in the drug trade, it is probably pretty safe. Anyway, it really is such a great show.
Where you can watch: HBO Go/HBO Now
9. Six Feet Under (2001-2005)
Six Feet Under is probably the darkest show on this list, but it is also one of the best. If you hadn’t gleaned from the title of the show, it is all about death. Six Feet Under follows the Fisher family whose house doubles as a funeral home. Every episode features a death that sets the tone for the episode. Death is explored through a philosophical lens, but also through the trials and tribulations of the familial relationships. The questions that the show poses about family, life, and death are fascinating, and the theme of death is handled with such wit and irony that you wouldn’t dare look away. As someone who has had several experiences with losing loved ones, some of the questions posed by Six Feet Under helped me put those experiences in perspective. So if you love philosophy or are a very dark person, watch this show.
Where you can watch: HBO Go/HBO Now
10. Psych (2006-2014)
And to completely make a 180 from the last show, I conclude with Psych, which is quite simply a fun and hilarious show. Its simplicity is what is what makes it so great. Psych takes place in Santa Barbara and centers around a “psychic” who solves crimes with the SBPD. This show is hilarious, and Shawn and Gus are ridiculous but also so endearing and quite intelligent. Once you start watching this show, you will never be able to stop. It is a show near and dear to my heart as I have been watching it with my brother since middle school. Each episode is entertaining and the theme song is the most catchy, so watch Psych, you are in for such a treat.
Where you can watch: You might have to buy/borrow the DVDs because they just took it off Netflix :(
*BONUS* I would also HIGHLY reccommend many Netflix and Amazon Prime Original Series, but I am going to assume that most people have already seen a lot of them because they are so popular and you can watch an entire new season in one night if you want to. Here are the ones that I like: Orange is the New Black, Stranger Things, Man in the High Castle, The Crown, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and all of those Marvel shows (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage).
Other Honorable Mentions: The Tudors if you’re into drama and picking apart historical inaccuracies. From HBO, Silicon Valley, Girls, and Veep are delightful if you’re more into comedies. Weeds is a fun, dark comedy. The 100 is good if you’re into sadness and questionable writing/acting. I’m going to assume that everyone has already seen Breaking Bad; if you haven’t I mean what have you been doing? American Horror Story had a solid start but has recently faltered.
And if you are wondering, I am currently watching Charmed, which is great, but I find that I get bored of it sometimes for the same reasons that I gave up on Supernatural. Both shows are about the relationships between the siblings, which tends to get repetitive after a while. I do really like Charmed so far, so I will probably give it more of a chance because it has far fewer seasons than Supernatural.
I hope someone finds these suggestions useful! My taste in television is a bit unorthodox, but I have fallen in love with these shows, so take them or leave them!
Shout out to the people who recommended these shows to me.