Summer 2018 is right around the corner and Netflix is gearing up to dominate the season by releasing a slew of original content. This month subscribers can look forward to the chilling second season of the mystery teen drama, 13 Reason Why and the highly anticipated fifth season of Arrested Development. Not to mention, the enormous selection of movies and original content already available on the popular streaming service, which is what we'll be diving into today.
There’s more than enough content to keep your marathon Mondays and lazy summer Sundays occupied-- although we do recommend stepping outside and enjoying the sunshine too (maybe while playing these songs). As many network series come to a season close, this is the ideal time to revisit a classic TV show, giving you the opportunity to pick up on themes and scenes that you may have missed the first time. You can also relive the crucial moments and heightened drama that kept you addicted to the series in the first place. So before you jump into a brand new series, see if there's something you want to revisit or binge for the first time (!) on the following list.
Shameless
Frank does it all for the greater good, you see? 🤑🤑🤑 #Shameless #Showtime pic.twitter.com/Ehk7EbaYeH
Consider spending some time getting to know the most endearing dysfunctional American family since the Connors from the original, Roseanne.
Shameless is a one-hour dramatic comedy that follows the lives of the infamous Gallagher clan; six siblings who navigate the trials and tribulations of working-class poverty in Chicago’s south side slums, in spite of their neglectful and alcoholic father, Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy). Supporting characters: Kevin (Steve Howey) and Veronica (Shanola Hampton) serve as interracial relationship goals. Their relationship continuously challenges notions of traditional monogamy and the union of marriage. I mean, have you ever heard of a functioning “throuple” from the projects? Just wait until you get into season 7.
If you enjoy shows with flawed characters that eventually manage to do the right thing, Shameless is the highly addictive drama for you. Shameless is still on the air, and heads into its ninth season on Showtime this fall.
Nurse Jackie
#TBT to seven seasons of All Saints thrills & bitter little pills. Thank you for being a #Nurseaholic! #NurseJackie pic.twitter.com/ksxPx0pTiq
Another great series that stars an incredibly flawed female protagonist is Nurse Jackie. The series revolves around an emergency room nurse named Jackie Peyton, played by Edie Falco, who you might also know as Carmela Soprano.
The series takes place in a New York hospital. Nurse Jackie always goes above and beyond to provide the best care for her patients amidst a crumbling American healthcare system. There’s only one catch; she’s addicted to prescription drugs. Jackie relies on Vicodin and Adderall to get through her shifts and deal with the stressors of circumventing the bureaucratic red tape. This series is a good choice if you’re looking to dive into a show that explores the human condition from a darker perspective than something like Grey’s Anatomy. This series also tackles addiction in the most honest and unapologetic way on television since Leo McGarry’s struggles with alcoholism in The West Wing.
Arrested Development
What would a list like this be without encouraging you to revisit the ever popular sitcom, Arrested Development? After Michael Bluth’s (played by Jason Bateman) father is imprisoned; he is thrust into the position of family care taker. Only his pretentious and dysfunctional family members make it difficult for him to keep them together amidst the controversy surrounding his father’s wrongdoings and of course, hilarity ensues. If you are a fan of the “off-the-cuff” humor in shows like Family Guy and 30 Rock then Arrested Development is the funny you’ve been waiting to binge.
Dexter
Sometimes you just need some Deb Morgan in your life. #Dexter10 pic.twitter.com/OVxIPL4dI4
Before we were introduced to Westworld’s violent delights and violent ends on HBO, there was a popular Showtime series named Dexter that delivered weekly violent pleasure. Dexter centers on Dexter Morgan (played by Michael C. Hall), a blood spatter analyst for the Miami police department who also leads a double life as a vigilante serial killer. Only Dexter is not your ordinary serial killer; he lives by a code.
This dark comedy draws you in by the very first episode and keeps you entertained and addicted until the bloody end of the series. Each season focuses on a particular antagonist, who’s played by a special guest star to challenge Dexter’s moral code. Most Dexter fans can agree that John Lithgow’s portrayal of the Trinity Killer in Season 4 is some of the best acting in television history.
If you’re looking for a dark crime drama with a light touch as it explores themes such as: grief, morality, trauma and justice— this series is for you. Until then, “tick, tick, tick. That’s the sound of your life running out.”
A quote that will only make sense once you’ve made it past the gut-wrenching fourth season.
Breaking Bad
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of @breakingbad_amc, we spoke to Bryan Cranston and creator/E.P. Vince Gilligan about the life & death of Walter White. #BrBa10 pic.twitter.com/PiBW8hwapF
There is no better series to watch again (or binge for the first time if you live under a rock) than Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad. It’s only been five years since this AMC series aired, making everyone on the planet want to quit their boring day jobs and dive right into the meth game. The character-driven crime drama follows the journey of a mild-mannered high school chemistry teacher who starts producing and selling meth as a way to support his family after he is diagnosed with cancer. He recruits a former student with street connections partner up with him and he quickly becomes Walt’s loyal sidekick on one hell of an adventure.
Breaking Bad is filled with a multitude of plot twists and red herrings that’ll keep you at the edge of your seat. From a writing standpoint it’s a brilliant show that only gets better with time. Not to mention, the stellar performances given by Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul as they immersed themselves into the characters of Walter White and Jessie Pinkman for five consecutive seasons. After jumping into this series you will never look at an RV the same again.
Weeds
There are so many highs of motherhood.
Celebrate #MothersDay with #Weeds: https://t.co/BadNU0mq5j pic.twitter.com/PgBwCS1xs9
Before Piper Chapman landed in Litchfield Federal Penitentiary and Claire Underwood gained her own political power; there was Nancy Botwin keeping her family afloat by selling a little bud (and "a little" is a definite understatement).
Who can resist a series created by Orange is the New Black creator, Jenji Kohan? Prior to the popular Netflix series, Jenji Kohan had another ground breaking series on Showtime titled: Weeds. Weeds stars Mary Louise Parker (who also played Josh Liman’s outspoken love interest in The West Wing) as an affluent suburban mother who begins selling marijuana in order to support her family after her husband dies of a heart attack. The gig starts out as a resourceful way to make ends meet but soon turns into a nightmare as she and her family become more entangled in illegal activity. If you’re looking for a show to tide you over until the return of Orange is the New Black or House of Cards— Weeds could be your next guilty pleasure.
Mad Men
Break out the martini glasses. It's been ten years since Don Draper and the #MadMen crew changed the game. 🍸 pic.twitter.com/OFKo0vRYF4
Mad Men should be considered a mandatory viewing activity on Netflix. This American period drama follows Don Draper (played by the incredibly handsome Jon Hamm) as he struggles to maintain his high-ranking position as the top performing ad-man at his Madison Avenue advertising firm. Basically, Draper’s an aging man in an industry that revolves around youth and the next big thing. As the country embarks on drastic social and political change; he’s forced to come to terms with the fact that he’s losing touch with the pulse of modern American culture. Further adding to his identity crisis— he must confront a dark secret about his past that plagues him throughout the series.
What’s great about Mad Men is that it is reminiscent of a much simpler time in American culture which allows the viewer to escape into the past. It also gives you some insight into the historical origins of notable ad campaigns. If you’re looking for a series that examines manhood, womanhood, upward mobility and the female sexual identity? This beautifully shot series is the right choice.
Luther
If want to take a break from American television you should check out the popular British psychological crime drama Luther, starring Idris Elba. DCI John Luther is very similar to Detective Jimmy McNulty from HBO’s American crime drama The Wire. He’s self-destructive, self-loathing and emotionally tormented by the dark side of humanity. Only the villains in Luther’s world aren’t drug dealers or stick up kids; they’re mentally disturbed career killers. This takes a tremendous toll on Luther’s personal life but his genius and instincts make him the only man that is suitable for the job.
As a British series, Luther takes a different approach to storytelling than its American counterparts, with shorter seasons that consist of four or five episodes. Each episode runs for almost two hours which makes you feel as if you are watching one long serialized movie.
Sons of Anarchy
The open road #sundayrides #soa pic.twitter.com/4rSjPLo0cy
In need of an action-packed thrill? Spend some time reliving the gritty crime drama Sons of Anarchy from the dark and twisted mind of creator, Kurt Sutter. Sutter’s brilliant FX series feels more like a cult classic than your typical cable drama. Sons of Anarchy centers around Jackson Teller (played by American heartthrob, Charlie Hunnam) and his close-knit outlaw motorcycle club as they struggle to find balance between their working class existence and their involvement in the highly lucrative yet dangerous gun running business in the fictional small town of Charming, California. Many critics have referred to it as “The Sopranos set in biker culture” while others have compared it to Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Either way those are some pretty honorable comparisons.
The Office
Why would they make a moron Regional Manager? #TheOffice pic.twitter.com/oY1Yvqcumx
Five years and several adaptations later we still can’t get enough of the American mockumentary sitcom, The Office. As one of the first sitcoms of its kind to deliver scripted comedy in a documentary style format; the series is a staple in American culture. The Office stars comedian Steve Carell as Michael Scott, the company’s erratic and over-bearing boss and documents the lives of your average office workers as they deal outlandish demands, clashes between co-workers and all around bad behavior. If you’ve worked anywhere, ever— you will be able to find something to relate to in this series.
The Twilight Zone and X-Files
The Twilight Zone | Rod Serling | 1959-1964 pic.twitter.com/S0BTWR2HZT
Now that Black Mirror has officially become the latest cultural addiction perhaps it’s time that you also check out the anthology science fiction series that started it all, The Twilight Zone. The original Twilight Zone has, quite possibly, the most memorable opening sequence on television.
Similar to Black Mirror, The Twilight Zone is also an anthology series in that each episode is self-contained and doesn’t relate to the other episodes in the season. Not only do these stories challenge you psychologically; they always conclude with a morally justified unexpected twist.
"Mulder, there's no time"
Fight the Future (1998) #XFiles #MulderAndScully #DavidDuchovny❤ 😌😍💖 pic.twitter.com/2O8TgcgP1K
If binge-watching a black and white series is just "not your thing" in 2018, then jump ahead to the naughty nineties by checking out the classic science fiction drama, X-Files. FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully (played by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson) investigate unexplained and extraterrestrial cases known as “X-files.” The truth is out there and after watching a couple episodes back-to-back your inner conspiracy theorist just might find it.