It's winter, temperatures are dropping fast and, needless to
say, most of us aren't really feeling the urge to venture outdoors. I'm not the
most active person at the best of times and am very much a home-body all year
round. But around this time of year in particular, I basically turn into a
potato, perpetually wrapped up in 3 blankets at once, eating my weight in chocolate while Netflix constantly plays
in the background. That message that asks 'are you still watching' comes up
more times in a day than I care to admit (and I really don't appreciate the
judgemental tone, Netflix). So here's a few things I've been watching recently
and, if you're also so inclined to snuggle up and watch TV until Spring like a
bear in hibernation, I'd recommend giving a watch.
Black Mirror
The whole internet went crazy after this series came out, so
you've probably at least heard of it already. But if you haven't here's the
most basic explanation that I can give: Black Mirror is a series of standalone
stories based around the theme of technology and its effect on our society and
our way of living. Mostly (though not always) the idea is essentially 'this is
technology we currently have, what would happen if it progressed even
further?'. It's all very creepy and dystopian and there tends to be a lot of
moral dilemmas that generate a lot of discussion after watching. Seriously, one
episode in particular had my boyfriend and I talking for over an hour about it.
The series are very short- the first 2 series have 3 episodes each and the 3rd
series has 6- but it's low quantity, high quality. There's not a single bad
episode in the bunch. Highly worth a watch. Just prepare for the urge to get
rid of every piece of technology you own.
Poldark
This is one I'd heard quite a lot about but only recently got
around to watching. I'm not sure why it took me so long when it has Aidan
Turner in it- I would honestly watch that man do his weekly shop and still be
completely enthralled. It's set in the 1800s and focuses on a man called Ross
Poldark who returned from the war to his home in Cornwall to find his father dead
and his sweetheart engaged to his cousin. Bad times. He then rescues a young
girl and hires her as his kitchen maid while also trying to gain control of the
local tin mines. It's all much more captivating than it sounds, I promise.
The Crown
Again, this is another one that everyone on the internet
seems to have been watching but for very good reason. It's a historical drama
that focuses on Queen Elizabeth II and the first few years of her reign. I've
never been massively interested in the royal family but I actually found this
quite gripping. There's lots of great acting all around- Claire Foy is
particular is amazing as the Queen. Although the casting of Winston Churchill
did take some getting used to- I don't think I've ever seen an actor look or
sound less like Winston Churchill than John Lithgow. There were times where I
was like 'Bro, are you even trying to hide the American accent?'. It did have
the occasional moment where the pacing was a bit slow but it didn't bother me
too much- the gorgeous costumes more than made up for it. Seriously, if you
like 1950s fashion you'll probably be like me and spend much of the episode
gaping over the Queen's formal gowns- and there's quite a few of them.
Crazy Ex Girlfriend
I heard people talking about this a while back but didn't
think it was for me- I think the feminist in me was put off by the title. But I
watched one episode on a whim and instantly became hooked. I think I thought it
was some terrible, slightly sexist, sitcom based on the title but it's actually
a satirical musical comedy. It's about a woman named Rebecca who is a
high-achieving New York lawyer who finds herself having a slight existential
crisis of sorts. Then she runs into her summer-camp boyfriend and decides to up
and follow him to California. It makes the character sound like a nut-job and,
frankly, she is. She's incredibly self-centred, impulsive and basically lives
in her own little world but you find yourself rooting for her anyway. The
hilarious songs definitely help.
Gilmore Girls and Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
If you've never seen Gilmore Girls- how's life under than
rock of yours? If you have Netflix access under there, I highly suggest you get
caught up because you're missing out. It's essentially about a mother and her
teenage daughter in a small town called Stars Hollow. It's very fast-talking
and witty and it's the kind of show where you get very heavily invested in the
characters. Every time I watch it, I'm always left wishing I lived in Stars
Hollow.
If you've already seen Gilmore Girls- good news! Netflix has
brought it back with a new mini-series set 10 years after the original series
ended. If you're planning on having a binge-watching session, this is
definitely one to go for. I finished it in one afternoon and now I have a lot
of feelings. I won't go into it too much because spoilers but, as with the
original series, you'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll probably get very frustrated at Rory. Nothing new, but it's lovely
to see all the characters we know and love again (although for some it may have
been all too brief. *cough*Sookie*cough*).
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