# 4 day weekend home alone. Need a new tv show to get into **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 22, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552 "2010-11-22T17:50:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Musky\_Moon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90db22/32.png) [@Musky\_Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musky_Moon)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/1 "2010-11-22T17:50:29Z")
My wife will be out of town, so it’s just me and the dogs. I figure, this is the perfect oppurtunity to get hooked on a new show. I’m looking for something I can watch free On-Demand or online. Ild like a show I can watch from the begining. I just finished all three seasons of Veronica Mars. Before that I watched Life. I watch Castle, Human Target, Walking Dead regularly and I’ve seen every BSG episode. My tastes vary, but I don’t enjoy 30 min sit-coms. So, any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![filling\_pages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9bd4f/32.png) [@filling\_pages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filling_pages)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/2 "2010-11-22T19:05:57Z")
Deadwood, if you can find it online, is the single best thing I have ever seen on television. And I, too, have seen every BSG episode and am really enjoying Walking Dead, so our tastes may overlap. Also, have you tried Heroes? The low points were very low, but the rest was mighty enjoyable. Also, I just thought of this, Kristen Bell from Veronica Mars has small roles in both. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/3 "2010-11-22T19:10:35Z")
_The Wire_ edges out _Deadwood_, IMO. Neither is available free online, though. Neither is _Breaking Bad_, as far as I know. So, unless you can find those, I guess I got nothin’. ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/4 "2010-11-22T19:12:50Z")
Eastbound & Down is quite good from what I hear, and there’s always Dexter. ---
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/5 "2010-11-22T19:26:47Z")
How about Torchwood? If you can’t get all of Torchwood, try getting the miniseries “Torchwood: Children of Earth”. J. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/6 "2010-11-22T19:30:44Z")
> [@jharvey963](#): > > How about Torchwood? > > If you can’t get all of Torchwood, try getting the miniseries “Torchwood: Children of Earth”. > > J. If you haven’t done Dr. Who since the reboot, that’s what I’d do. Actually, I was in this very position last summer, and that’s what I did. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/7 "2010-11-22T19:36:22Z")
Pushing Daisies was a fun show and both seasons are on netflix instant watch. ---
**Author:** ![Musky\_Moon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90db22/32.png) [@Musky\_Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musky_Moon)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/8 "2010-11-22T19:38:34Z")
Torchwood has been one I’ve been interested in. I’ll look into it. Deadwood is a likely contender, by virtue of Ian McShane alone. Now to see if either of these are free online anywhere ---
**Author:** ![Musky\_Moon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90db22/32.png) [@Musky\_Moon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musky_Moon)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/9 "2010-11-22T19:40:40Z")
I’ve seen Pushing Daisies and loved every minute of it. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/10 "2010-11-22T21:56:45Z")
Make an exception to your no sitcom rule and give Raising Hope a try. If you liked Life, Roman Nevikov is in it. Also, try The Defenders and Terriers. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/11 "2010-11-22T22:08:39Z")
If you ever watched _MacGyver_, you might enjoy a more cynical version called _Burn Notice_. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/12 "2010-11-23T03:46:35Z")
terriers is a new show and won’t fill up a 4 day weekend, and eastbound/down is… overrated in my opinion. The Wire is both critically acclaimed and has strong viewership. i like House. my friend swears by Numbers. If you go by sheer numbers… what about Lost? ---
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/13 "2010-11-23T18:56:19Z")
You might see if you can find “Eli Stone” I think that show only had 2 seasons, but a very well written series. If you haven’t watched them already, the original Stargate: SG-1 went on for 10 seasons, with 3 extra DVD movies as well. You didn’t mention Firefly, so that’s a must if you haven’t seen it. It’s always fun to go back and watch The Twilight Zone series. Some great episodes there. Good Luck! ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/14 "2010-11-23T18:59:22Z")
I like _Leverage_. It’s just good, silly fun and I like watching the target’s eyeball’s break out in a sweat when they realize the magnitude of their shafting. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/15 "2010-11-23T20:29:09Z")
_The Shield_ for dark/gritty corrupt police drama. It’s my impression that the general consensus around here is that _The Wire_ is better; I just think _The Wire_ rewards the faithful and careful viewer better. But there’s nothing lacking in the intricacy of the plot lines of _The Shield_. _Sons of Anarchy_ and _Breaking Bad_ also come highly recommended. And I agree with **Atrael** above: if you haven’t seen _Firefly_, definitely check that out, as well as its companion movie, _Serenity_. But I think that 10 seasons of _Stargate_ might be a bit of a slog for just a 4-day weekend; nothing wrong with the series, IMO (some earlier seasons are a bit uneven), just a bit much to delve into lightly. ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/16 "2010-11-24T18:51:03Z")
> [@Musky\_Moon](#): > > I’ve seen Pushing Daisies and loved every minute of it. Definitely! And if you like that, also watch Wonderfalls and Dead Like Me. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Jon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bb73d2/32.png) [@Evil\_Jon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Jon)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/17 "2010-11-24T21:36:09Z")
I love _Veronica Mars_ so maybe I can help. _Firefly_ is available on Netflix instant. It’s 1 season long, easily done in a weekend. So is _Buffy the Vampire slayer_. It’s 7 seasons long but required viewership on the Dope. _Angel_ is available too, but I don’t really like it. The 1st 2 seasons of _Dexter_ are on Netflix. Unique show, very fun and dark. _The Wire, Deadwood, The Shield & Rome_ are all excellent. Not on Netflix however. I also liked _Sparticus: Blood & Sand_. The fired few episodes are lolbad but it gets a lot better as the season progresses. ---
**Author:** ![FalconFinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@FalconFinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FalconFinder)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/18 "2010-11-24T21:39:46Z")
Others have already covered shows I like (Burn Notice, Leverage) but Chuck is also good. ---
**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/19 "2010-11-24T21:51:38Z")
You have to watch Lexx. Start with the 4 movies that are sometimes referred to as Season 1. They are each 2 hours. After that there are 3 regular seasons - really, 2 and a half since the second one is only 13 episodes. The movies give you a good idea of what the rest of the series is like. The first was in 1997 so it might look a little dated and it was never a big budget production anyway, but the story is unique and engaging. There is a fair amount of comedy mixed in and you rarely get the feeling that the show takes itself too seriously. Series 1 (the 4 movies) plus the 3 regular seasons are available on netflix instant. Series 3 is streaming only, but the others have dvd’s. You might also like Farscape. Also very unusual for sci-fi but not anywhere near as bizarre as Lexx - and it really is bizarre. Farscape seems to be DVD only on Netflix. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552/20 "2010-11-24T22:00:14Z")
Agree with Leverage and Burn Notice, and definitely Firefly. If you haven’t seen Firefly, ignore the other suggestions until you have. I’ve also been enjoying the first two seasons of Lie to Me. Oh, and despite your aversion to sitcoms, I recommend Arrested Development, and possibly Wonderfalls. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-day-weekend-home-alone-need-a-new-tv-show-to-get-into/561552.md?page=2)