Busy studying? If you need a break from hitting the books, try watching a TV episode or two for a quick way to reenergize. I am a frequent Netflix watcher and came up with a top five list of favorite television series to binge watch on the service:
- "The Office"
If you don't know about "The Office," you have been missing out since 2005. This show is about the everyday lives of employees at Dunder Mifflin Paper Company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It is filmed by a single-camera setup to simulate the show being a documentary. The show's main cast included Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer.
The employees in "The Office" have different personalities and interests (like any other office in the U.S.) and play pranks, argue, and laugh with and at each other. I have two favorite characters in the show: Jim, played by John Krasinski, and Dwight, played by Rainn Wilson. Their hate-love dynamic (mostly hate) in the show is hilarious to me and by far my favorite aspect of the show.
- "Friends"
This show is my favorite feel-good TV series on Netflix. What makes it so good and appealing to 20-somethings is that it is about "people working out how they are going to live their lives—what kind of relationship they are going to have, what kind of job, and the difficulties' of settling down" (from MailOnline). It depicts real-life heartbreak and difficulties, but also love, happiness and true friendship. "Friends" won a Golden Globe award and 68 other awards and 201 nominations since the show premiered in 1994.
- "Stranger Things"
This show was surprisingly addicting to watch. It is a science fiction-horror television series that takes place in a small town in Hawkins, Indiana. The show begins as an investigation into the disappearance of a young boy and the supernatural events occurring in the town. I am not typically interested in science-fiction horror films or shows, but "Stranger Things" sparked my interest for sure.
- "Grey's Anatomy"
I know what you're thinking, really? Yes, really. This show has been a favorite of mine for years (literally years because it has been on TV since 2005). If you do not already know, "Grey's Anatomy" is a medical romantic drama that follows the lives of medical-surgical interns, residents and attending physicians. The characters must juggle their rigorous work schedules, relationships and personal life. If you have any type of interest in the medical field, this show is for you. This show has made me cry, laugh and feel every emotion in between.
- "A Series of Unfortunate Events"
This show is based on Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" series of 13 children's novels. The television series is a dark-comedy drama that depicts the lives of three orphan siblings whose parents died in a fire. The siblings are placed in the care of their relative Count Olaf, who is determined to claim the children's family fortune.
The children encounter many unfortunate people and experiences throughout the series but manage to keep a somewhat optimistic look on their lives despite their negative situations. I really enjoyed this series because as a child, I loved the books! The producers did a good job putting these books onto the big screen in the television series.
There are so many more television series I have binge-watched on Netflix including: "Gossip Girl," "Riverdale," "New Girl," "Last Chance U," "Bones," "Friends From College," "Scandal" and "Parenthood."
Wow, that list is longer than I thought! That is the joy of Netflix binge-watching—you just get lost and keep clicking Next Episode. Give some of these television series a try!
