Has your quarantine become a bore-antine? No worries! Here are some must-watch shows from a couple of popular streaming services. Netflix I Am Not Okay With This Set parallel to the events of another edgy Netflix drama, The End of the F***ing World, I Am Not Okay With This follows the life of ordinary high-schooler Syd, who accidentally finds out that she is telekinetic. Along with keeping her powers a secret, she has to contend with best-friend drama, a sexuality crisis and a messy home life. If you like era-ambiguous, sci-fi coming-of-age stories, you will definitely be okay with this.
Victorious If you want a little 2010s nostalgia while being cooped up inside, the Nickelodeon show Victorious is now available on Netflix. Laugh, dance and sing along with Tori Vega and her eccentric pals through three seasons of music and madness. It is sure to please your inner middle-school self.
Criminal Minds Do you like more serious shows? If so, Criminal Minds might be right up your alley. Unlike other crime dramas, Criminal Minds explores the psychology behind the actions of murderers and uses it against them. If you like a show that makes you think, this is the show for you.
Inuyasha
Inuyasha, a show based on the manga of the same name, is a “chosen one” story that spans countless centuries. When a young woman falls through a well and ends up in the past, she learns that she is a reincarnated priestess and is enlisted to collect the shards of an ancient crystal, the Shikon Jewel. Her begrudging helper is the title character, a bitter dog demon who had been subdued by the former priestess years before, until he was accidentally released by the girl. For anime lovers, this show will certainly be a treat.
Castlevania Do your show preferences span many genres? Netflix’s original animated series, Castlevania, has a little bit of everything: action, humor, adventure, horror and drama, as well as stunning visuals. The story follows Trevor Belmont, the last remaining member of the Belmont family, who is forced to carry on his family’s legacy as a monster hunter. When Dracula casts a curse that shakes the land, it is up to Belmont and his two friends – Sypha the sorceress and Alucard, the son of Dracula – to put an end to the madness. You won’t regret a second of watching this show.
Altered Carbon
If you enjoy futuristic, sci-fi or cyberpunk stories, then Altered Carbon might just be what you’re looking for. Set many hundreds of years in the future, where the soul and mind have been separated from the flesh, allowing some people to live forever, a cranky, rather rude, ex-terrorist named Takeshi Kovacs is re-awakened and put to work solving a murder mystery. This show is fast-paced and funny – but also rather violent and graphic, so not for the faint of heart.
The Great British Baking Show The Great British Baking Show is a relaxing yet riveting classic that follows a new set of bakers each season. Judge Paul Hollywood is the constant figure in the show, utterly stoic in the British tradition yet also approachable and hilarious. The contestants never fail to be sweet and funny, either. The only problem: all the bread and sweets will make you very hungry.
Hulu Brooklyn Nine-Nine Who said cop shows couldn’t be comedic? Fresh, fun and funny, Brooklyn Nine-Nine follows the humorous antics of the ninety-ninth precinct. It’s not all fun and games; the team faces challenges that test their resilience and loyalty, but in the end they overcome anything that gets in their way. There is a palpable sense of camaraderie between the cast members, which makes it all the more enjoyable to watch.
Letterkenny Looking for a show that’s a bit more down-to-earth? Letterkenny is a slice-of-life series that focuses on the goings-on of a small Canadian town. Relationships are made and broken, families quarrel and everyone has their own problems to deal with. If you’ve ever wanted a hilariously dry peek into small-town life, look no further than Letterkenny.
This is Us This is Us follows the story of a family spanning between two generations. Throughout the show, each episode flashes back and forth between the 80s, when the parents are planning and raising a family, and present day, when the kids are all grown up and living their own lives. With its moments of joy and sadness, this is the perfect show for you if you just want a good cry.
By Erin Wendorf, Staff Writer