Binge Watching TV

Friday, January 30, 2015


Over the years I've grown to love binge watching. Whether it's an old show that’s been off the air for years or a new one that I’ve been meaning to check out, it’s so much fun. I dive into a new show, normally with the Huz, and for a month or two that's what we watch whenever we have time. 

Our latest binge is Friday Night Lights and we just finished it this week. I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved it. I've waited to watch this one for years because I thought it was going to be just about football… and I'm not the biggest sports fan. But it was about so much more than football. Landry, Tami, Matt's grandma, there are so many great characters that I’m going to miss. Sure there are cheesy plot lines and annoying people as well, but overall it was so good! It reminded me why I love being able to sink into a show and lose myself for hours in excellent story writing and character development. 

Ana wrote a great post on the show at Things Mean A Lot that was one of the reasons I finally decided to give it a shot. 

Here’s a few of the shows that I’ve binged… 
House of Cards, Doctor Who, The Bletchley Circle, Game of Thrones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Orange Is the New Black, Scandal, Orphan Black, Sons of Anarchy, True Detective, Dollhouse, Bones, Sports Night, Drunk History, Firefly, The Wire, Sopranos, Call the Midwife, and Luther.  

So, what shows and my missing? What do I still need to binge? I tried Battlestar Galactica, got three seasons in and then Netflix dropped it! I've also got The West Wing, Supernatural, Boardwalk Empire and Damages on my list, but what am I missing? 

P.S. If I haven't mentioned it before on this blog, I kind a love TV. But only a couple weeks ago we finally pulled the plug and have no cable. We’re currently using Netflix and debating whether we should get Hulu Plus or Amazon Prime too.   

P.P.S. There a few notable shows that I've never binged like, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Parks and Rec, Parenthood, Fargo, Gilmore Girls, Walking Dead, Downtown Abbey, and Scrubs, but that's only because I watch the shows  from the very beginning and I've loved them all the way through.
 
Image from here.  

14 comments:

Jillian said...

I am actually thankful I binge watched the entire Breaking Bad until season 4, right before season 5 was premiering. It was great just pressing play over and over again. I'm currently binge watching Gilmore GIrls (oh Lorelai is getting on my nerves!) and I think Parenthood is next for me.
True Detective was such a great show, wasn't it?

Sometimes I wonder what life would be without Netflix. It's the best thing ever.

annieb said...

I like Amazon Prime for other things than just binge watching, but a lot overlaps with Netflix. I gave up cable years ago and have never looked back, but it takes a little getting used to. I would suggest West Wing sooner than later, as well as Sherlock and Torchwood. I binge watched The Office, too. Doc Martin is another great British series. Totally, agree about Friday Night Nights.

Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chick said...

Recent events have caused me to binge-watch and I had no idea what I was missing out on! Here is the list of shows I loved since July:
- Lost
- Pretty Little Liars
- The Fall (Irish series with Gillian Anderson)
- The Killing
- Sherlock

I have been considering diving into something frilly like Gossip Girl, and I need to pick back up on Suits as well.

Enjoy! I will look at your list as well and I might need to write a binge-watching post as well to get more suggestions!

Jeanne said...

You're missing Supernatural, which is now in its tenth season. I was afraid it would give me nightmares, but after the first season it's not that scary. It has funny parts and just keeps getting better.
Also Ron and I like Elementary (not on Netflix, though)

o said...

I get stuck into Law and Order SVU, Keeping Up With The Kardashians (don't judge me!) and Eggheads. I can never just watch one! :)

Amy said...

Gilmore Girls, Lost, Northern Exposure, and As Time Goes by for me! I've never had anything beyond basic cable. Netflix and DVDs get me through.

Rob said...

- Spaced is my favourite sitcom that a lot of people haven't seen. It's 90s, nerdy, and hilarious.

- Sherlock deserves all the praise it gets.

- Wallander is great if you like moody detective drama with beautiful cinematography of Swedish landscapes.

- Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Joss Whedon's latest.

- Homeland is intense and I love it so far.

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

Jillian - Love Netflix! There were times when Lorelai drove me nuts too. Her character on Parenthood is actually more annoying to me for some reason.

annieb - I've watched Sherlock and Torchwood, can't believe I left them off my list! Doc Martin is going on the list!

Natalie - Adding Pretty Little Liars and The Fall to my list! Thanks!

Jeanne - Yup, Supernatural is definitely in the queue.

o - The two reality shows I can't resist are Master Chef and The Sing Off. Love them both!

Amy - Love the first three, so As Time Goes is getting added to my list!

Rob - I loved Spaced! I also can't believe I forgot to mention Sherlock, it's one of my favorites! Wallander is going on my must watch list. I loved the first 2 seasons of Homeland and then we stopped watching because we didn't have Showtime. I need to catch up.

Kailana said...

I am terrible at keeping up with TV. We start watching something and the guy ends up carrying on without me... I wish I was better at binge watching!

Anonymous said...

I seem to watch less and less TV every year, and now most of my watching seems to stem from other people's (who have binged something) recommendations.

I loved Orphan Black and have been recommending it around. I'm glad to see girls like the show too, as I Always wonder if I only like because of my being smitten with Tatiana Maslany. :-). I loved what they did with the Helena character in season 2 and can't wait for season 3!

I've been thinking about doing a Buffy binge "re-watch" (calling it that even though I probably only saw half the or the shows when broadcast). That show was such fun.

Happy viewing! :-)

Anonymous said...

I don't miss TV and I doubt I'll ever get on the binge-watching bandwagon but have fun!!

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

Kailana - Ha, I have a hard time giving up on a show once I've started it. I was closure :)

bibliophilica - I love Orphan Black! I also think Buffy is one of those shows I could definitely re-watch.

bkclubcare - It's definitely not for everyone.

thecuecard said...

Hmm. 2 entertaining shows that I dont see on your list: Homeland and The Good Wife. ... binge binge and binge. and enjoy!
http://www.thecuecard.com

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

thecuecard - Love The Good Wife! I watch that one every week. Homeland I've gotten behind on. We watched the first two seasons but don't have Showtime anymore. I need to start that one up again.