Things You Should Be Watching on Netflix

I’ve had a bit of a love hate relationship with Netflix over the years and because of this, when I get low on funds my account is the first to go. However with it currently being in the middle of winter and I’m spending each evening on my own, I’ve been watching it a lot more than usual, and not only that, I’ve watched some really great things lately that I feel the need to share with you all. It’s not just current things, just in case you’re all up to date, but things i’ve watched over the last 6 months and if you follow me on Twitter you’ve probably seen me rant about most of them already. Rant in a good way of course because these are all shows i’ve thoroughly enjoyed;

A Series of Unfortunate Events
This is one of those things that people have either loved or hated. I read the books and enjoyed them, and I actually enjoyed the Jim Carrey movie although it was rather slap stick instead of the dark humour the books embodied. I’d say the Netflix series in right in the middle. I personally loved everything about it, it gave my sister and I something to talk about for two days straight as we watched it at the same time. The cast was BRILLIANT, especially the children and of course Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf. I felt like you got a lot more from the series than you did from the book and I’m so happy that it has been renewed to continue the unfortunate saga of the Baudelaire children.

I can’t think of anything that it’s like but if you enjoyed the books (or the movie), or you’re a Neil Patrick Harris fan definitely give it a go. It’s probably an acquired taste though!

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
I’m one of these people if you say I’m going to like something, I usually put off watching it, and this was the case with Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Having binge watched the whole 2 seasons over 3 nights I have no idea why I put off watching it. It was 100% my sort of show. I should know by now that anything that Tina Fey is involved in is going to be my sense of humour. Although it was based around a woman who’d been locked in a bunker for 15 years with 3 other woman, and that subject matter alone should not be funny, it was. And the Reverend played by John Hamm was actually one of my favourite characters he was really clever but Hamm completed “hammed” it up (sorry couldn’t resist). I also love Fey’s drunken psychiatrist and of course Kimmy Schmidt. Actually I liked pretty all the characters, and the storylines but especially when Kimmy ended up in some messed up fantasy dream world that strongly resembled my own.

If you like female led comedy shows or anything by Tina Fey such as 30 Rock, New Girl, 2 Broke Girls, Pushing Daisies, Ugly Betty etc, you’ll love Kimmy Schmidt.

(It’s also been 2 weeks since I finished it and I STILL have the theme song stuck in my head!)

Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23
I have actually been waiting on this to come onto Netflix for forever and I just happened to be browsing my suggestions from Netflix and there is was. The whole cast was hilarious as was the different stories (even though at times it lacked consistency) it was made up with Krysten Ritter & James Van Der Beek’s performances. James basically plays a parody version of himself having never really got over his fame from Dawson’s Creek and it’s so funny. There is also a cameo by Mark-Paul Gosselaar which really brought back 90s memories. It’s very light comedy that I feel will appeal to most people. Easy to get through and as there are sadly only two seasons it makes a good binge watch for couple of nights.

Again it’ll definitely appeal to anyone who’s watched How I Met Your Mother, New Girl and especially 2 Broke Girls.

BoJack Horseman
Sticking with comedy but something a little different. Last year my now ex boyfriend got me into BoJack Horseman which is an animated black comedy drama series. Of course you’re instantly thinking of Family Guy, American Dad, Bobs Burgers but it’s actually a lot smarter and a lot darker than any of those. BoJack Horseman is an anthropomorphic horse that was once a TV star in the 90s. He’s now washed up but still struggling to survive in the messed up world of Hollywood. There are some really heartbreaking and touching moments despite it’s bottom line being that of comedy. It took me a few episodes and a few watches to really get into it but every time I’ve watched it since (I watched season 1 & 2 three times and season 3 twice) I seem to notice something else I haven’t taken in on a previous watch. Will Arnett voices BoJack and I swear every time I hear Lego Batman now it’s just BoJack especially as of a similar vain when it comes to the comic value.

There really isn’t anything to compare it to as it completely stands alone, however if you do enjoy adult animation with dark humour, this is for you.

Stranger Things
Stranger Things was truly the hit of 2016 and I watched it at the height of it’s hype last summer. I watched the whole thing in one night and despite being pretty terrified 99% of the time, I really enjoyed the story line, the characters and the fact it was set in the 80s. It was like watching a scarier version of The Goonies. The music was great as well. If you are one of the few who has set to watch it I really recommend you giving it a try, regardless how how you feel about horrors, mysteries or anything associated with the 80s. The cast were outstanding and everything does manage to wrap up but leaves it open for a second season that’s going to air on Halloween this year. Anyone fancy coming to watch with me?

The reason this is so popular is because there isn’t anything like it that appeals to so many different tastes but if you are a fan of Wayward Pines and Twin Peaks you may notice some similarities.

Jessica Jones
Although Stranger Things appeared to be everyone’s favourite thing to binge in 2016, mine was actually Jessica Jones. Created by Marvel for Netflix, Jessica Jones starts Krysten Ritter (can you tell I love her) as Jessica opposite David Tennant as the completely disturbing Kilgrave. I think the reason why Jessica Jones really touched base with me was the fact Jones suffered from Post Traumatic Stress which was caused by the abusive relationship she was in with Kilgrave. It was incredibly triggering at times but it did portray how it feels perfectly even down to the flashbacks of what it’s like to be in a relationship like that. Of course with it being Marvel there were elements I couldn’t identify with as Jessica Jones is ultimately a super hero (in the dark real world sense of the word) and Kilgrave a mind controlling super villain. It was such an easy show to get caught up in. It had a strong storyline in, well developed characters with great depth and back story. I can’t wait for season 2 next year, but in the mean time I have Luke Cage to watch.

Watch if you’re a Marvel fan (or a general super hero fan) like all everything Marvel it’s part of a large web that joins to many other characters, shows and movies. Jessica Jones will eventually be part of The Defenders due to hit Netflix this year.

Ru Paul’s Drag Race
I watched season 6 Of Ru Paul’s Drag Race while in Florida last year. I was staying with my friend Emily and it was her go to when she had nothing else to watch. We sat around in the evening for pretty much a week with Margaritas and watched it. I surprised myself by how much I enjoyed it by when I came back I couldn’t bare to watch any more as it reminded me too much of our month in Florida. However, feeling rather low last week I stuck season 2 on and watched it, then 3 and I just finished 4. I love Ru Paul, he’s a legend in and out of drag. Sometimes I catch myself wondering why I’m watching it as the bitchy queens remind me a lot of what it was like for me at school, but I’m just addicted and it’s such easy watching. It reminds me so much of when I used to watch America’s Next Top Model religious but much funnier as their challenges are definitely for the comic factor! In season 2 I loved Raven and Jujubee, in season 3 I loved Raja, Manila and Alexis Mateo which all placed as top three and then in season 4 I liked Phi Phi and Latrice, although I do think season 4 was my least favourite season so far. Thankfully I know season 6 is great so I’m looking forward to the rewatch.

Also on Netflix there is Hurricane Bianca starring season 6 winner, Bianca de Rio. That was hilarious and if you’re a fan of Ru Paul’s Drag Race definitely give it a watch!

The Shannara Chronicles
Something else by ex suggested I watch and I ended up getting into, The Shannara Chronicles is a dystopian fantasy series based on the books by Terry Brooks. In the beginning it felt very much like every other fantasy that I’ve enjoyed, good characters, good plot and plenty of action, I almost forgot this was set in a Dystopian world until it neared the end of the series! I don’t want to go into it too much or give anything a way but it’s worth a watch although it is something you need to pay attention to so you don’t get lost in the many races, worlds and plot lines however I will say this, it does all come together at the end and the opening is ready for season 2 that’s currently being filmed.

If you like things like The Hunger Games, The Lord of the Rings, you’ll like The Shannara Chronicles because it kinda lies in the middle of the two.

Riverdale
Saved the best until last, Riverdale. Based on the popular Archie comics, which I loved when I was younger and desperately wanted to be Betty, Riverdale is the newest American teen drama/mystery on the block. Usually I avoid them since I was bitterly disappointed in the direction Gossip Girl went but as this was based on Archie I couldn’t resist. It’s annoyingly one of these that only shows an episode a week which I find so frustrated these days as I’m used to binge watching but it’s so so good. The pacing is fantastic, the music, the casting, the plot line. Just everything. Every week I feel bitterly disappointed when the episode is over because I just want more. I can’t remember the last time I watched a show that made me feel like that! Definitely the best thing that’s on Netflix at the moment so give it a watch.

Of course I recommend it to those who liked things like Dawson’s Creek, The OC, One Tree Hill all the way to Pretty Little Liars and The Vampire Diaries.. but even if you didn’t like those, just give it a try anyway.