It appears to be all the rage now, binge-watching favorite TV series. Especially with the advent of Netflix originals, where a whole season of episodes is dumped at once for our viewing pleasure. But even before that, many of us were renting complete seasons on DVD to watch in the comfort of our homes. It’s the antithesis of traditional network viewing with episodes spoon-fed to viewers once a week for short periods of time while shoveling in five-minute commercial breaks every six minutes. It’s enough to make you want to unplug network TV. And many have.
Some critics are calling this the new golden age of TV, where thoughtful, complex characters, riveting plots, solid story arcs that span the series as well as each episode, and quality production values matter. The Sopranos is frequently cited as the beginning of this golden age, and still often tops critic’s list for best all-time TV series. Breaking Bad is a new contender for the top spot, and several others are shaping up to be worthy competitors.
I’ve jumped on the binge-watching wagon, although I usually limit myself to 3 episodes per week. I like to give the shows time to percolate between viewing, and since I watch TV only on the week-ends, it gives me something to look forward to, when hubby and I can kick back and enjoy the sugar rush.
Here’s our top 25 binge-worthy TV series so far, in no particular order expect for the categories listed below. Some are highly acclaimed, some are just fun, all are addictive.
Complete Series Available
The Sopranos
Breaking Bad
Six Feet Under
Big Love
Justified
The Shield
24
Battlestar Gallactica
Dexter
The Killing
Rome
Deadwood
Torchwood
Luther
The Borgias
Boardwalk Empire
Series in Progress
Homeland
Downton Abbey
Orange Is the New Black
House of Cards
Game of Thrones
The Americans
New and Promising
Outlander
Black Sails
True Detective
I have to add a couple of other note-worthies that I didn’t include above: The PBS Horatio Hornblower series, which came out in 1981 and is only available on DVD, and The White Queen, based on the historical book series by Phillipa Gregory, which unfortunately was cancelled after one season.
What have you been watching that you can recommend? Anything included here? Anything new? I’d love to hear what you think.
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Nice list! It’s almost similar to mine. I’m also into Sherlock, al versions. Annika Bengzton and the European version of The Killing and Wallander.
I’m a overweight, working on it but I found a LOT of solace in watching Drop Dead Diva – the main character is overweight but she wears it well and without shame – eventhough it starts with that – and I noticed my anxiety over being overweight drop. It helps me to actually really look at my issues instead of being anxious all the time. Which, by the way, makes people put on weight because stress hormones block the re-take up of fat in the bloodstream so we tend to be hungry instead of using our own stocked fats. 😦
Yes! Wallander, I almost forgot about that, although I think I was viewing the US version. I hadn’t heard of the Drop Dead Diva–I’ll have to check it out. Shame, stress–not good. Anything that alleviates that much welcomed.
Wired
So many people rave about The Wire, and we did try it, but it didn’t take. Not sure why. We were hooked on The Shield and Breaking Bad–similar shows about law enforcement and drugs. Might need to give it another try one of these days.
Ugh, I will never catch up. so far I only watch Game of Thrones and Outlander and not usually binging. I also like The Fosters and although it’s a horrible show I am wanting Under the Dome to come back because it’s so weird.
I haven’t heard of The Fosters. I’ll have to check that out. I never tried Dome. Like you said, it sounds too weird, but one of the main actors in The Shield stars in it, so thought it might be better than it sounds.
The “main bad guy” is good. The Fosters is for people like me who like stories about adoption, fostering children, kids who need homes. And the ones who play the teens are so cute and adorable. I also like the first sitcom I’ve watched in about 20 years–Fresh Off the Boat. Because my kids are Asian, it is so refreshing to see an Asian TV show after 20 years of no Asian TV shows at all.
Dome started out good, but it got pretty awful very fast. However, it is still interesting because it’s so different.
Deborah, I am so behind! I don’t even have NetFlix or know how to DVR.
Ai yi yi, I need to catch up on that and THEN I will let you know what I binge watch 🙂
LB, you might be better off not getting hooked on these. With all your photography and bike riding, not to mention your running for office (!), I can see why you opt out. As a writer though, I like to see how others put together stories visually and keep a viewer hooked week after week. Not an easy thing to do, but it does suck up a lot of time I could probably put to better use, if I didn’t enjoy it so much.
So as a writer: have you ever watched Sons of Anarchy? I used to watch it until the violence got to me (but oh those motorcycles). Anyway, my friend thinks the writing is brilliant. If you ever watch it, let me know what you think.
I did watch a little bit of the first season of Sons of Anarchy, but like you I found it too violent. Which is strange because I watch and enjoy a lot a “violent” shows, Game of Thrones, among them. I heard Sons gets better each season. I might give it a try again later on. But I do believe that writers of novels can learn a lot about how to keep readers reading from watching films.
Gary and I loved ‘Firefly’, described as a ‘Space Western’. Great roles for women, and funny. Also liked the original Australian version of ‘Rake’.
Looked for a dvd of ‘Outlander’, but it doesn’t appear to be available here yet.
Jessie, we loved Firefly too, and it was on my original list of 25. Not sure how it got knocked off. I think that show was the beginning of what’s become a “Steampunk” genre now, mixing elements of the past with science fiction. As for Outlander, being an Irish lassie yourself, I think you will like our wee Jaime up in HIghlands–he’s verra delicious.
OMG huge YES to Deadwood. I would also add Firefly to that. 🙂
Definitely a Game of Thrones watcher 🙂 I would also add the Blacklist to that as I found watching on TV I wasn’t as able to keep up with the nuances of the storyline as when I bingewatched it without adverts interrupting 🙂
Oh, oh and I can’t believe I forgot, but I am a HUGE Criminal Minds fan as well!
Yes, we’ve been watching Blacklist as well. Waiting for next season to come out on DVD or to stream–can’t wade through all the commercial breaks on Network.
Case Histories, Grantchester, Father Brown are all good! And if you missed it back in the 80s, The Jewel in the Crown is a great mini-series that can be viewed on Netflix.
Thanks, Kent–those are all new to me. I’ll put them on my list to try.
I’ve heard great things about True Detective. Love House of Cards, and Six Feet Under probably has one of the best endings of all time (even if it got really weird there, towards the end.) I have to be careful! I don’t watch TV for weeks at a time, but if I find a show I like, I’ll spend two days barreling through it!
Yes, the ending of Six Feet Under couldn’t have been any better, or more appropriate, consider the subject matter. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next True Detective series will be like.
Great list. Some are too violent for me, but I know they’re well done. Let me add “Treme”–one of the best series ever, for writing, acting and music. It’s the story of New Orleans after Katrina. I loved these characters so much I cried when the series was over. Terrible title, though.