Now that this season of “Euphoria“ is over, you might be asking yourself: what am I going to do with this HBO Max subscription? Well, thankfully, I’ve compiled a list of TV show recommendations that will ensure you have no regrets about spending those $15 a month.
the wire
My favorite show of all time, “The Wire”, revolutionized television to favor raw portrayals of urban crime over the typical cop dramas. Airing in the early 2000s, each of the show’s five seasons follow a different group of people in Baltimore, including drug dealers, police officers, dockworkers and city officials. Arguably the most revolutionary aspect of the show is the spectacular storytelling and character development that have you rooting for both the drug dealers and the police officers. Before “Euphoria” had viewers empathetic for a drug-addicted teenager, “The Wire” had viewers crying over Michael B. Jordan’s portrayal of a 15-year-old caught up in dealing drugs to provide for his parentless family. No show has instilled more raw emotions in me than “The Wire.”
the sex lives of college girls
This comedy series will lift you up from the lows of “Euphoria”. Co-created by Mindy Kaling, “The Sex Lives of College Girls” details the friendships, relationships and lives of four first-year women at an elite university in Vermont. “Sex Lives” accurately portrays the highs and lows of your first-year at college, from first sexual experiences to roommate troubles to academic adjustments. The show’s events might ring almost too true for Northwestern students, but Kaling’s spin is never dull.
White lotus
Featuring Sydney Sweeney and Lukas Gage of “Euphoria”, “White Lotus” is a brilliant social commentary on tourism and wealth. In one week at a Hawaiian resort, tourists and employees slowly descend to fighting among themselves and each other, culminating in the death of one. It’s bizarre, disturbing and frustrating, but you can’t look away.
station eleven
Based on the 2014 novel by Emily St. John Mandel, “Station Eleven” is a dystopian miniseries set in the Midwest after a Covid-like pandemic sweeps the world. The show mainly follows a band of traveling artists who seek to keep the arts alive in the survival-focused apocalypse. The show’s Chicago setting, depicted with cinematography that rivals that of “Euphoria”, is a treat for Northwestern students, who see a character rep their school in one scene.
succession
If one show rivaled the Twitter popularity of “Euphoria” in 2021, it might be Succession. The show depicts a media conglomerate and the family that runs it — picture the Murdoch family. Wealth is naturally entertaining, but the dark comedy series elevates it, masterfully straddling the line between twisted storylines and relatable characters. And if “Euphoria“’s musical talents like Zendaya and Dominic Fike hooked you, “Succession” has a protagonist with rapper alter-ego L to the O.G.
insecure
Issa Rae’s “Insecure” also received plenty of Twitter buzz for its fifth and final season. The comedy series depicts the messiness of one’s late 20s, following Issa: a Black female Stanford graduate played by Rae. “Insecure” is an authentic portrayal of the themes of self-confidence, friendship and love — a refreshing watch after sensationalist “Euphoria”.
the sopranos
The Sopranos: You have probably had at least one person tell you to watch this show – and for good reason. It consistently tops lists of the greatest shows of all time. “The Sopranos” tracks New York/New Jersey mafia boss, Tony Soprano, his family and colleagues as they navigate their way of life and its implications. The six season-show ended in 2007 but remains timeless for its storytelling surrounding the ruinous pathway of achieving the “American dream.” If you thought character development in “Euphoria“ was praiseworthy, “The Sopranos” was changing the game for character arcs in television well beforehand.
big little lies
Adapted from a 2014 Liane Moriarty novel, “Big Little Lies” follows five mothers in a wealthy California town and the dark ends they take to protect themselves, their family and each other. The star-studded cast includes Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern and Zoe Kravitz and features Meryl Streep in season two. You’ll watch Big Little Lies for performances from arguably the best actresses in the business but stay for the chaotic plot lines that rival those of “Euphoria”.
i may destroy you
Michaela Coel’s limited series “I May Destroy You” is a dark comedy about a female writer, played by Coel, reeling from the aftermath of being sexually assaulted. While “Euphoria” rarely strays away from shock value depictions of disturbing storylines, “I May Destroy You” reckons with the idea of trauma and notions about the life one can lead post-trauma. While “Euphoria” sometimes glamorizes concerning situations, “I May Destroy You” presents a semi-autobiographical take on Coel’s own experience with sexual assault; she depicts an uncomfortable situation with necessary care.
pretty little liars
“Pretty Little Liars” is definitely not winning any Emmys but it sure is entertaining. The teen drama series spans seven seasons and includes so many head scratching, yet captivating, storylines. In the show, four teenage girls reckon with the aftermath of their best friend’s disappearance and threats from an anonymous blackmailer. If “Euphoria” seemed like an unrealistic portrayal of the high school experience, Pretty Little Liars is even more unrealistic, which makes it all the more fun to binge-watch. After you finish the show, watch the six hour-long “appropriately unhinged recap” on YouTube.