Shows that Don't Get Enough Credit
So, I'm graduating from college in May and, thus, I have never been less enthusiastic about doing school work. (But, seriously, senior-itis is a real and serious condition that impacts thousands of graduating seniors every year). Consequently, I've been slacking off and watching some TV. As many of you know, Game of Thrones is my absolute favorite TV show. However, true to form, I also watch lots of other, more obscure shows. That being said, I wanted to share with you some of favorite little known TV shows.
Fortitude (2015) - I discovered this show on an off chance on Amazon Prime (which, spoiler, is how I discover most TV shows) and devoured the first season in approximately two days. This is a new British drama/thriller/mystery show that takes place in a small town in the arctic circle. It's difficult to describe the plot without giving too much away, but, suffice it to say that a shocking discovery and several grisly murders interrupt life in this small town with unexpected consequences. This show has a bit of sci-fi, bit of action/adventure, and a whole lot of intrigue. To my mind, the cast is excellent and believable and -- if I'm not mistaken -- the show has been picked up for a second season, so, hopefully, this will grace my Prime account for many years to come.
Banshee (2013) - Like Fortitude, I stumbled upon this show on Amazon Prime and have been in love with it ever since. It's such a weird show with a little bit of everything: romance, family drama, crime, mystery, and -- strangely enough -- Amish social norms. Set in the fictional town of Banshee, PA, the show's main character is an enigmatic ex-con who -- in an effort to reconnect with the woman he loves -- steals the identity of a small town sheriff named Lucas Hood and, in the process, discovers he has a daughter he has never met. Along the way, the plot is studded with Native American tribal politics, Ukrainian mobsters, and neo-Nazis. The cast is outstanding and delivers complex, wonderful characters who clash and interact in this strange, yet excellent show.
Vikings (2013) - To be fair, Vikings does get a fair amount of attention as a popular show, but, in my opinion, not nearly as much as it deserves. Vikings is often billed as an action/adventure historical drama, but it's so much more than that! It's an intricate, character-given drama, loosely based on historical fact and the continual narrative of changing times. The main character, the quasi-historical viking Ragnar Lothbrok, is a fascinating character who is not only a brilliant tactician and charismatic leader, but a complex person who has conflicting religious beliefs, a thirst for exploration, and interest in other cultures. Ambiguity is a theme of the show. The viewer never knows what is real or not real; what is real for the characters is real for the viewer, including religious visions, prophecy, and the occasional apparition of deities. Not to mention, the show is visually stunning. Not only is the scenery gorgeous, but the costume, hair, and makeup artists outdo themselves in every episode. I believe the fourth (and final) season of the show is airing right now, and I highly recommend that you go an watch it immediately.
The Man in the High Castle (2015) - This is another show that Amazon Prime forced me to watch (but seriously, I saw so many ads on YouTube for this show that I was literally forced to watch it). This is an Amazon original show based on the premise that the Germans and Japanese won the second world war and now rule the United States. It follows two characters, a young woman who joins the resistance movement to free the US and a young, Nazi spy who poses as a resistance operative. On premise alone, the show is absolutely fascinating. It's really unsettling to see swastikas on buildings in the US. The plot is engaging, the actors are well suited to their roles, and Amazon certainly does an amazing job with the costumes and sets. Plus, I believe this show has been renewed for a second season. So, go and get Amazon prime (which is the best thing in existence anyway) and watch this show.
Justified (2010) - This is perhaps the best crime/cop show I have ever seen. Actually, grouping it into the cop show category isn't even fair. It's so layered, so complex, and so interesting. Set in eastern Kentucky, the show follows the exploits of U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens and his hometown frenemy Boyd Crowder. When the show begins, Raylan is working in Miami; however, after a justified shooting, he is reassigned to his home town Harlan, Kentucky. Over the course of six seasons, both Raylan and Boyd confront their past, family, and legacy. Both Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins (who is also in Sons of Anarachy, who knew?), who play Raylan and Boyd respectively are amazing actors who have created believable, complex characters -- plus, their accents are on point. The show perfectly balances humor, action, and drama. It actually just ended last year, but you can watch all the seasons on Amazon Prime.
Can you tell that I like Amazon Prime?
Just sayin'
Fortitude (2015) - I discovered this show on an off chance on Amazon Prime (which, spoiler, is how I discover most TV shows) and devoured the first season in approximately two days. This is a new British drama/thriller/mystery show that takes place in a small town in the arctic circle. It's difficult to describe the plot without giving too much away, but, suffice it to say that a shocking discovery and several grisly murders interrupt life in this small town with unexpected consequences. This show has a bit of sci-fi, bit of action/adventure, and a whole lot of intrigue. To my mind, the cast is excellent and believable and -- if I'm not mistaken -- the show has been picked up for a second season, so, hopefully, this will grace my Prime account for many years to come.
Banshee (2013) - Like Fortitude, I stumbled upon this show on Amazon Prime and have been in love with it ever since. It's such a weird show with a little bit of everything: romance, family drama, crime, mystery, and -- strangely enough -- Amish social norms. Set in the fictional town of Banshee, PA, the show's main character is an enigmatic ex-con who -- in an effort to reconnect with the woman he loves -- steals the identity of a small town sheriff named Lucas Hood and, in the process, discovers he has a daughter he has never met. Along the way, the plot is studded with Native American tribal politics, Ukrainian mobsters, and neo-Nazis. The cast is outstanding and delivers complex, wonderful characters who clash and interact in this strange, yet excellent show.
Vikings (2013) - To be fair, Vikings does get a fair amount of attention as a popular show, but, in my opinion, not nearly as much as it deserves. Vikings is often billed as an action/adventure historical drama, but it's so much more than that! It's an intricate, character-given drama, loosely based on historical fact and the continual narrative of changing times. The main character, the quasi-historical viking Ragnar Lothbrok, is a fascinating character who is not only a brilliant tactician and charismatic leader, but a complex person who has conflicting religious beliefs, a thirst for exploration, and interest in other cultures. Ambiguity is a theme of the show. The viewer never knows what is real or not real; what is real for the characters is real for the viewer, including religious visions, prophecy, and the occasional apparition of deities. Not to mention, the show is visually stunning. Not only is the scenery gorgeous, but the costume, hair, and makeup artists outdo themselves in every episode. I believe the fourth (and final) season of the show is airing right now, and I highly recommend that you go an watch it immediately.
The Man in the High Castle (2015) - This is another show that Amazon Prime forced me to watch (but seriously, I saw so many ads on YouTube for this show that I was literally forced to watch it). This is an Amazon original show based on the premise that the Germans and Japanese won the second world war and now rule the United States. It follows two characters, a young woman who joins the resistance movement to free the US and a young, Nazi spy who poses as a resistance operative. On premise alone, the show is absolutely fascinating. It's really unsettling to see swastikas on buildings in the US. The plot is engaging, the actors are well suited to their roles, and Amazon certainly does an amazing job with the costumes and sets. Plus, I believe this show has been renewed for a second season. So, go and get Amazon prime (which is the best thing in existence anyway) and watch this show.
Justified (2010) - This is perhaps the best crime/cop show I have ever seen. Actually, grouping it into the cop show category isn't even fair. It's so layered, so complex, and so interesting. Set in eastern Kentucky, the show follows the exploits of U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens and his hometown frenemy Boyd Crowder. When the show begins, Raylan is working in Miami; however, after a justified shooting, he is reassigned to his home town Harlan, Kentucky. Over the course of six seasons, both Raylan and Boyd confront their past, family, and legacy. Both Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins (who is also in Sons of Anarachy, who knew?), who play Raylan and Boyd respectively are amazing actors who have created believable, complex characters -- plus, their accents are on point. The show perfectly balances humor, action, and drama. It actually just ended last year, but you can watch all the seasons on Amazon Prime.Can you tell that I like Amazon Prime?
Just sayin'
The Man in the High Castle sounds amazing. Also, yay for senioritis.
ReplyDelete