Netflix Original
1. The OA - 1 season
Telling the tale of Prairie, a young woman who returns to her hometown after being kidnapped, is only the beginning for this slow-paced and original series. Prairie’s story, as well as those of the people she meets, is terrifying yet beautiful, and the closing sequence is so well put-together. Highly recommended!
In Two Words: Refreshingly Unique.
2. 13 Reasons Why - 1 season
(TW for this show: very graphic depictions of rape and suicide. Watch at your discretion, or skip these scenes.) Although originally a very successful novel (and my favourite piece of fiction of all time), 13 Reasons Why was recently turned into a series. Hannah Baker killed herself, and no one knows why. Until now. Clay Jensen, who has loved Hannah for an embarrassingly long time, receives a package on his doorstep. Inside? 13 tapes detailing 13 reasons why Hannah was driven to suicide.
In Two Words: Horribly Heartbreaking.
3. Stranger Things - 1 season
This splendid cast of young actors do justice an incredible story that plays with genre, relationships, and monsters. Seriously, the cast is absolutely exceptional. Will disappears. Eleven appears. Chaos ensues. PLUS, meet… the Demagorgon. What more could you want?
In Two Words: Surprisingly Hilarious.
1. The OA - 1 season
Telling the tale of Prairie, a young woman who returns to her hometown after being kidnapped, is only the beginning for this slow-paced and original series. Prairie’s story, as well as those of the people she meets, is terrifying yet beautiful, and the closing sequence is so well put-together. Highly recommended!
In Two Words: Refreshingly Unique.
2. 13 Reasons Why - 1 season
(TW for this show: very graphic depictions of rape and suicide. Watch at your discretion, or skip these scenes.) Although originally a very successful novel (and my favourite piece of fiction of all time), 13 Reasons Why was recently turned into a series. Hannah Baker killed herself, and no one knows why. Until now. Clay Jensen, who has loved Hannah for an embarrassingly long time, receives a package on his doorstep. Inside? 13 tapes detailing 13 reasons why Hannah was driven to suicide.
In Two Words: Horribly Heartbreaking.
3. Stranger Things - 1 season
This splendid cast of young actors do justice an incredible story that plays with genre, relationships, and monsters. Seriously, the cast is absolutely exceptional. Will disappears. Eleven appears. Chaos ensues. PLUS, meet… the Demagorgon. What more could you want?
In Two Words: Surprisingly Hilarious.
4. Black Mirror - 3 seasons
Although Netflix only picked up this show after 2 seasons (so technically only the third season is a Netflix Original), they mirrored (punny) the tone of the series perfectly. Essentially, each episode is stand-alone and tackles the scenario of a different issue in a post-modern world. Technology is far more advanced than it is now (microchips in heads etc) and this seems to evoke more problems than useful solutions.
In Two Words: Thought Provoking.
Other
5. The Returned - 1 season
Originally a French TV show, the American remake apparently is very similar, just without the need for English subtitles. The premise is that numerous people who have died are suddenly appearing again. Each episode follows one of these returned people. It explores the relationships between the returned and normal people, as well as within the returneds. I’m only halfway through the series at present, so I can’t review the whole thing, but I like what I see so far!
In Two Words: Interesting + Original
6. Pretty Little Liars - 7 seasons
This show has been going on for years now, and the first episode of the second part of the final season (read that a couple of times and it’ll make sense) has just been released. Although (admittedly) there are too many twists and turns to the story, I and so many other people are completely hooked, and it’s even fun to just read through the fan theories. Basically, Alison DiLaurentis is missing, and her friends are getting texts from ‘A’, telling secrets that only Ali knew. Could she be alive? Is she even ‘A’?
In Two Words: Embarrassingly Addictive
7. American Horror Story - 6 seasons
Not for the faint-hearted, this show is so so so unique, in both it’s narrative(s) and format. Each season has some of the same cast, but they play different characters in a different setting. I’ve just finished the first season (Murder House) and am very much looking forward to watching the rest! Full of (as the name suggests) horror, this series will play with your emotions and logic simultaneously, doing suspenseful reveals very suspenseful-ly.
In Two Words: Disturbing yet Intriguing.
8. Skins - 7 seasons (3 volumes + 3 2-part specials)
SKINS. MY BABY SKINS. An English series, ‘telling it like it is’ about college life (college as in ages 16-18, not uni college). Drugs, sex, alcohol, and teen angst. I must admit, Skins gave me a false reality of what college was going to turn out like, as I haven't done nearly as many drugs as any one Skins character did. (Disclaimer: I haven’t done any drugs; that was a joke. Just to clarify.) The way Skins works season-wise is that every two seasons (which is one volume), the central cast changes. Then after three volumes (the third is very forgettable, I recommend only watching the first two) there are three two-part specials, in which we catch up with one character per episode from the previous volumes. I can’t stress enough how amazing this show is. It’ll make you laugh, cry, and hate society all in one ep. Special stuff.
In Two Words: Emotional Realism.
9. Outnumbered - 5 seasons
Outnumbered is another English series, following a family of a mum, dad, and three kids. When I was younger, my family used to joke that we were that family because our personalities matched up perfectly with those of the characters. It’s hilarious and so true to British life.
In Two Words: Relatably Nostalgic.
10. Hell’s Kitchen - 16 seasons
Gordon Ramsay makes fun of impeccable cooking done by intolerable aspiring chefs, who are competing to win a head chef position at one of Ramsay’s restaurants. Season 12 is my favourite, because I actually liked the winner, but every single episode is so so funny.
In Two Words: Guilty Pleasure.
Special Mention
11. This Is Us - 1 season
Although I haven’t seen this myself, my friend Jemima loves it, as she explains in this post. The stories seem intriguing and relevant, which is why This Is Us is at the top of my to-watch list!
In Two Words: New Adventure!
No comments:
Post a Comment