What to Watch on Netflix - Part One - TV

Hello, hello, hello - how are you? Brilliant. Rash calmed down yet? Brilliant.

As you know, Netflix is pretty great - but a lot of people think the content is quite limited. Well think again, dumbass! (sorry, I didn't mean that) There's loads of stuff. Here is part one for all stuff TV related, part two for film coming soon....

(I've split my recommendations up into 3 categories: serious stuff, lighter hearted affairs mixing comedy and drama in equal measure, and full on comedy)

Serious, must watch every single episode in one sitting, TV productions.

Must Watch - House of Cards

Breaking Bad did a lot more than bring quality entertainment into a lot of peoples lives. It heralded a new beginning among the popular masses - it finally confirmed that you didn't have to go to the cinema, buy/hire a blue ray/DVD or illegally download to get cinema quality productions. Included within the vague term 'productions' I mean cinema quality stories, cinema quality acting, cinema quality anything  - in fact using the term cinema quality is now probably a disservice to the top tier of TV productions. TV offers a lot more freedom creatively to the greatest story tellers of all time. Got a great story to tell? Fuck cinema, I don't have to condense everything into two hours - I can let this story grow organically and take my time. Want to push the boundaries of what's 'acceptable' content wise? Fuck cinema, I don't have to worry about killing off the main character, can get away with a lot more violence, and basically not have to answer to any nervy production heads. Breaking Bad confirmed this, and House of Cards carries the torch. This is what you need to replace Walter White. This is the next hit.

House of Cards is a re-imagining of a British production of the same name made over 20 years ago. While it was rightly revered, it never quite hit the big time - the modern update seems on course to achieve just that. It follows Chief Whip Francis Underwood (played devilishly by Kevin Spacey - more on him in a bit) who is overlooked for a promotion by the new President of the United States. Frank is a bit miffed about this and shares his plot with the audience - to overthrow the President for his treachery and get the big job for himself.

Now I can already hear a few groans at that brief overview - Political Thriller doesn't exactly get the juices flowing, but just stay with me here. Yes it can be a bit complicated at times given the nature of the USA's political sphere, but that is merely the back drop for Frank to work his magic. This is a slick and sexy production and one of the men at the helm is David Fincher - the director of Se7en, The Social Network and Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - so he knows a thing or two about putting together something slicker than the slickiest of oil slicks created by Captain Slicky. The dialogue is snappy, the story plot twists & turns so much you feel like you are hanging on to the sofa for dear life, and the end of each episode will have you begging for more.

And the coup de grace to any more doubts you may have? Kevin mo-fo-ing Spacey. This is a man who can act - we know this. He is a man who has given more dynamite performances than I'd care to imagine. He stole the show in Se7en from under Brad and Martin's noses even though he was on screen for about 20 minutes. He won the Oscar for American Beauty... The guy is an eye magnet. His performance in House of Cards is no exception - he is simply electrifying. You get just as much joy from his calculated interaction with his unknowing victims as you do his monologues to the audience - Frank constantly tells us of his plans, winks at the camera when something goes his way, or rolls his eyes to break the fourth dimension so we know the true monster he is - and he revels in it. This is a very accomplished show.

So - intelligent and ruthless anti-hero who strives for ultimate power? Amazingly well put together plot that carries you along at break neck speed? Cliff hangers that will leave you begging for more? Sounds very familiar....

Anti heroes are so in right now.

Breaking Bad

There's nothing else to say about this really is there? There's three reasons why I've included it - a) To draw parallels with House of Cards
b) Just so I can talk about it again and think how much joy it has given me
c) Just on the off chance you haven't seen it, to make sure you start watching it now... Right now.

One of the best TV shows of all time?

You're God damn right. 

Other considerations..........

24

I feel something unfair has happened to 24 over the last few years. I think some people look back on it like Von Dutch hats - yeah they were good at the time, but we've moved on since then.

I was one of those people (24, not the hats - if I wear a cap it looks like I'm undergoing chemotherapy). I had disregarded it's ridiculous plots, cliffhangers....ridiculous everything - in favour of grittier, more realistic productions - namely The Wire. The Wire is my fave show of all time (sorry Walter), but a funny thing happened the other day - I was quite ill for a week (not funny to me, but probably to you) and I stumbled upon 24 on Netflix. I never finished Season 8, had nothing else to watch, so thought I might as well get it over with (I had after all watched the 7 previous seasons - like necking a pretty ugly bird all night and taking her back to yours - I'd come this far, may as well go the whole hog). Wow wee (?) - I'd forgotten how good it was. I demolished all 24 episodes in about 3 days and was left hungry for more - this show is like crack for the eyes - you can never watch just one episode (well I certainly can't anyway).

If you're unfamiliar, the show follows Jack Bauer who works for the Counter Terrorist Unit. Each season is split into 24 episodes showcasing an hour in a particularly distressful day for Mr Bauer battling terrorists from all over the globe eager to take the mighty U S of A down. The show is amazingly entertaining and I dare you not to get hooked. If you haven't watched it then leave your reservations at home and jump on in - just don't blame me if you find yourself skipping work/sleep/meals/going outside.  

Dexter

Great concept this - a serial killer works for the Miami police department while he dishes out his own vigilante justice and feeds his blood lust by killing criminals. If that sounds overly dark then don't worry - while it does have some very dark moments, the show keeps things bearable by a very sunny back drop, a cast of characters that keeps things light and breezy, and some very funny black humor. Oh yeah, and the Serial Killer, Dexter, just happens to be an immensely lovable character. First Season is great and from that point on, it roller-coasters a bit, some good seasons, some not so good - but it's still brilliant TV and a worthy edition to your schedule.

Sons of Anarchy

Hands up who wants to see a TV show about a biking gang that involves drug dealing, lots of violence and Ron Perlman?

I thought so...

He's Ron Perlman.

I like this show, not love, but like - however I know a lot of people who LOVE this. Some of the episodes are formulaic, but once it gets into its stride it becomes like an acceptable soap opera for men to watch - lots of scandal, lots of betrayal, lots of twists - all wrapped up in an aggressive, scuffed, blood stained leather jacket.

Guaranteed you'll consider joining a motorcycle gang after this.

Battlestar Gallactica

Definitely not for everyone this. If you like your sci-fi dark, complicated and unforgiving then this is for you. Humans are on the verge of extinction and are on the run from their would be executioners - the human created Cyclons. Upon the spaceship Battlestar Gallactica, the humans are led by Admiral William Adama who is trying to return to the mythical 'Earth' for safe haven. If you like your philosophical conundrums interspersed with fights in space - then this is for you. I've watched one season and while at some points it does drag, when it is on form it is some of the most compelling TV I have watched. 



And one that I haven't watched but fully intend to - Justified

For those interested - this is the next show I am going to watch. www.DenofGeek.com do a very good write up of it to show why I'll be watching this next -

"...Justified is about a federal lawman (Timothy Olyphant) whose uncompromising sense of justice is increasingly out of step with the complicated world he lives in. 

It’s a character-driven drama filled with violence, pathos, sex, anger, humour, and a kind of run-down, dusty, dirty beauty, and it will wrap its grubby little hands right around your heart if you give it half a chance.

Even if you’ve never seen a second of Deadwood (Olyphant's previous big TV hit), though, you’ll be won over by Justified. I can’t heap enough superlatives on it. Watch the first episode, if you don’t believe me. You’ll be sold by the end of the first scene, and by the end of the first season, you’ll be trying to figure out if you can get away with wearing a cowboy hat to work."

(for the whole recommendation go to http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/justified/23468/why-you-should-be-watching-justified)


Lighter watching...

These shows aren't going to grab you by the knackers (or whatever the female equivalent is... ovaries perhaps? Female readers feel free to let me know) and refuse to let go, but instead offer a show which is nice to sit down to at the end of the day. Want something that mixes great story with some humor? Then here you go...

Must Watch - Castle

Right, the set up of this - a successful crime novelist is enlisted by the police after a serial killer starts copying the murders in his book. Sounds a bit labored, right? And you'd be right! But momentarily suspending your disbelief opens you up to a great TV show. Nathan Fillion as novelist Richard Castle is brilliant (when is he not?) being both incredibly charming and incredibly funny. He is the foil to super serious, super sexy detective Kate Becket, and yes, you can see where this going - she is initially skeptical of his ways, there's a lot of sexual tension and we enter into a will they/won't they scenario as they solve their particular mystery of the week. It's been done before, but it's a great show - interesting, funny, and did I mention Nathan Fillion? You can't help but love him....

Californication

Nathan Fillion is the king of cool & casual - the lovable rogue. You'd bring him home to your mother and she'd be enamored with his charm and the sparkle in his eye. Yes she might be a bit confused as to why I'm bringing home a 40 year old man for her to meet, but a few of his one liners and he'd be in. David Duchovny's Hank would be a different story though. Yes he is cool, but he drinks a lot. And likes having a lot of random sexual encounters. Mum would welcome him in , she'd be a bit more wary... and would probably end up shagging him. Gutted.

Hank is a writer and a good one at that. However, he is a bit down on his luck at the moment - he is struggling with writing, the aforementioned hedonistic lifestyle, and has a daughter to raise as well. But with that many issues you know it's gonna make good TV! More adult than the previous entry, this show follows Hank and all his shagging shenanigans - and we love him for it. Very funny, very adult and very sharp - this will be a great addition to your TV line up. 

Orange is the New Black

After the last two alpha males, lets balance things out a bit - time to inject some oestrogen in to the equation! Yes this is probably aimed towards the humans who do not benefit from a y-chromosome - but it doesn't mean you can't enjoy it if you find life's problems a bit more simplistic. Like House of Cards, this is a Netflix production, and if their two early productions are anything to go by we're in for a lot of high quality entertainment from the online production house... 

Piper Chapman's life has taken a slight turn for the worse. She's a 30 something, attractive, white middle class girl who's just about to start her own business - then she gets sent to jail for some drug trafficking she did 10 years previously. Bugger. While being a fish out of water does take some getting used to - learning about the prison's in-house rules, who to talk to, who not to talk to, old lesbian lovers - Piper gets to grips with being in the slammer and is able to make her own mark through her intelligence and ingenuity. It has its very funny moments and it's very dramatic moments - so offers a great mix to people wanting a bit of both, and hey, who doesn't? Great plot keeps you wanting more from the show and it duly delivers - despite my initial male skepticism I devoured the whole series in about a week. Must watch.

And two I haven't watched but fully intend to...Dollhouse & Firefly 
Who here knows who Joss Whedon is? Anyone? Yes you, the spotty teenager at the back? Yes that is correct - here is...

"Hi, I'm Joss - and believe it or not I am better than you"

Joss is responsible for this...

That's what got him to the mainstream, but he was already a big name to some. As the spotty teenager I keep hostage in my house attested to earlier, Joss is very well known in the geek community for this...

I love you

And this...

I love you more

and also this....

The eagle eyed among you will recognize that at the front of the Firefly's image is none of other than my Mum's best mate, Nathan Fillion. Unsurprisingly he is doing his lovable rogue thang here again, except this time he is the captain of a spaceship set 500 years in the future. Now a reason why Joss has taken so long to get into the mainstream is because people look down on stuff that is geeky. I am a geek. I am looked down upon. Yes there are many reasons why I'm looked down upon, but being a geek is one (of many) reason(s). On many occasions I have recommended people to watch Buffy only to be met by laughter and derision - and this upsets me. Not the laughing and derision, I can handle that, but the fact that they are missing out on some great TV. Firefly is meant to follow the example of Buffy and Angel and be great TV. And then some. In fact I am a little embarrassed I haven't watched it such is my fondness for Joss' work - but I am in no doubt to the quality that awaits me. As is the standard for Joss I will be met with extra sharp wit, a great cast of characters, and an engaging story. What else could you wish for? Some people will be familiar with this after watching the film that capped off the series, Serenity - well here is your chance to become familiar with the whole canon.

And there is yet more Whedon goodness on Netflix in the form of Dollhouse -

If Joss is sure of one thing, it's how to write a strong female character - 

The show follows an organization that employs mind-wiped humans known as Dolls who are implanted with false memories and skills for various missions and tasks. When they are not 'at work' they are living in a real life Dollhouse which gives the show the name. One of those mind-wiped humans, a young woman named Echo, is slowly starting to become aware of herself and what's going on - all the while somebody on the outside is trying to bring the Dollhouse down while getting closer to Echo - possibly not aware that she is one of the Dolls he is after. (Written by blank_dolls@livejournal.com on http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135300/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)

Well I think it sounds interesting anyway. Or you could just watch Buffy. Which you really should. Just be aware that the first season hasn't aged well - get past that though and you'll be laughing. And crying. Oh God I miss Buffy.....

And Angel.

Mmmm

Anyway....

Comedies!

Why the exclamation point? I really don't know - but when you really want a laugh then look no further then these excellent choices -

Must Watch - Arrested Development

The funniest show of all time? Maybe... just maybe. Certainly one thing is for sure, I have never seen a comedy that is crafted in the same way as this. If The Wire or Breaking Bad had a comedy equivalent in terms of writing then this is it. The jokes are set up and crafted without you knowing about it, it's really different level to 99.99999% of the comedy that is out there. 

Michael Bluth is about to inherit the family business, his father is stepping to one side, and Michael has some big ideas in how to take the business forward. Michael is revelling at the prospect of his imminent take over, as the rest of the family is about as dysfunctional as they come - each member (to differing degrees) is selfish, stupid, ignorant and lots of other bad qualities that are really bad. Suffice to say the take over doesn't go quite as well he'd hoped and he is stuck dealing with his beloved family. Each member of the cast is memorable (although Gob and Tobias come pretty close to pipping the popularity stakes).

Really, just watch it, you have no excuse.

The Office - yes both of them

Now is not the time to debate which is better (the UK version), but both are brilliant. For every person I speak to who prefers the English one, I speak to another who prefers the US version. Given them both a shot (I recommend watching the UK version first), and be a bit patient with the US version till it finds its feet and starts doing its own thing.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

I've only just started watching this, but it's already gearing up for classic status, I can feel it. The show follows a bunch of losers in their late 20's desperately clinging on to their youthful ways and ignoring the temptations of adulthood. Unlike the characters the writing is sharp and surprisingly dark as well. Deffo take in a few episodes and see what you think.

Archer

Another one I've only just started watching, but again I am expecting big things. Archer is a secret agent who likes the finer things in life. And by 'finer' I mean having sex with women. He's obnoxious, arrogant, and ignorant - oh and the agency he works for is run by his mother. The show is stupid in a very clever way and definitely not a cartoon for kids. Enjoy.

One I need to watch... Modern Family

It annoys my friend Daniel Stevens to the high heavens I haven't watched this. Like really annoys him. It's admission in this little guide caused my other friend Matthew John to point out it's absence. It generally gets very high praise from everywhere. So I should probably watch it. Probably.Why haven't I watched it? I don't really know - I have so much to watch, I guess... I know I have no excuse. Guess I should stop typing now and just watch it. But my cat has just got on the desk - she looks upset. I'll play with the cat for a bit and then watch it. Probably.