# Help me pick my next Binge Watch **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 19, 2014, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058 "2014-03-19T03:40:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Aghris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecccb3/32.png) [@Aghris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aghris)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2014, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/61 "2014-03-20T09:12:25Z")
I recently started on the show Masters of Sex and I’m a few episodes in. It’s good, albeit a little slow. It has a very strong Mad Men feel to it, but maybe that’s because of the era it plays in (late 50s). It has been renewed for a second season which will start in July. ---
**Author:** ![Raging\_Bull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@Raging\_Bull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raging_Bull)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2014, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/62 "2014-03-20T11:18:41Z")
House of Cards. Great watch, completely absorbing I sort of admire Frank Underwood, does that make me a bad person? ---
**Author:** ![Tully\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2014, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/63 "2014-03-20T12:13:55Z")
> [@tesseract](#): > > Unless the show is just not your thing, I think the problem you are having and are going to have is high expectations. No show could possibly live up to how people talk about Breaking Bad. I also loved it. But then again, I started watching it without any expectations. Try to adjust and watch it with that in mind. If that is possible. Expectations is key. Yes, it’s a great show. But because it’s so loved and so hyped, it may be hard for it to live up to that. I watched the third episode of Breaking Bad last night and I like it better. It has one thing in common with _Sons of Anarchy_ in that I find myself thinking “Nobody is that stupid.” Then I realize that, yes, at that level of criminal behavior, people are quite often that stupid. I can see the gears turning (sometimes a little too obviously) in Walter’s head that suggest he’s beginning to learn from his mistakes. _Sons of Anarchy_ is good choice for a binge watching marathon, if you can get past the whole ‘trip to Ireland’ sidetrack. I just finished binge watching _Game of Thrones_. I think that it is a rare case where the television show does a better job of telling a story than the book does. The show is more focused and flows better. ---
**Author:** ![Sterling\_Archer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Sterling\_Archer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sterling_Archer)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2014, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/64 "2014-03-20T12:54:08Z")
Heartily second **Terriers** Yes, it ends prematurely after one season, but only one thread is left hanging, and it’s more of a character issue than a plot issue. All the main storylines from the season have been resolved. If you enjoyed Breaking Bad, I think you’ll enjoy Terriers. It also has flawed protagonists, but they are on the other side of the law (usually) this time. ---
**Author:** ![Aghris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecccb3/32.png) [@Aghris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aghris)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2014, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/65 "2014-03-20T12:56:44Z")
Another one I liked a lot but was cancelled prematurely was Good Christian Bitches. A Desperate Housewives clone, but very enjoyable. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2014, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/66 "2014-03-20T13:34:55Z")
> [@Garula](#): > > \ > > \*\*Sherlock \*\*is a no brainer. It’s not perfect, I think there are frustratingly many plot holes, but the two leads are great and it has a flashy and imaginative style. The middle episodes of the first two seasons are weak, but the show is just consistently entertaining even when making mistakes.\ The two main characters have such awesome chemistry that I think that alone elevates the show far beyond its subject material. > [@Raging\_Bull](#): > > House of Cards. > > Great watch, completely absorbing > > I sort of admire Frank Underwood, does that make me a bad person? Frank is perfect - he is the perfect example of the ultimate pragmatist who does whatever it takes to get exactly what he wants. Or a sociopath. Tomayto, potahto. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2014, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/67 "2014-03-20T13:43:24Z")
> [@Raging\_Bull](#): > > House of Cards. > > Great watch, completely absorbing > > I sort of admire Frank Underwood, does that make me a bad person? I assume you’re referring to the David Fincher/Kevin Spacey adaption, but the original UK series was really good, although you need to understand a bit about the UK parliamentary system. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2014, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/68 "2014-03-20T14:49:07Z")
I strongly recommend [Top of the Lake](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2103085/) It’s a Jane Campion effort; and is typically dark and stunningly beautiful. And with realistic characters. It may be a bit “slow” compared to many of the suggestions above (it sure aint “Game of Thrones”) but I strongly recommend it. Also, the Danish version of “The Killing” - [“Forbrydelsen”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Killing_(Danish_TV_series)) - a dark, scary and lovely series with believable characters. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2014, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/69 "2014-03-20T16:54:41Z")
> [@Garula](#): > > **Buffy the Vampire Slayer** is a classic, but if it’s not your cup of tea no worries. If you’re willing to consider it, I would suggesting finding and watching the fourth season episode “Hush”. If you don’t enjoy that episode the series isn’t for you. I’ve got to disagree with “Hush” as a test episode. Yes, it’s a very good episode, but not the most representative of the series. “The Zeppo” (season 3 episode 13) is, IMO, much more representative of the show’s style (it has a few minor spoilers, but nothing important). “School Hard” (season 2 episode 3) is also good, and is a good place to start watching, as that’s around when the show hit its stride. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2014, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/70 "2014-03-20T19:58:42Z")
_Doctor Who_? (The new ones, starting with Eccleston). I’m surprised I didn’t see that in here at all (unless I managed to miss it). ---
**Author:** ![Athabasca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Athabasca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athabasca)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/71 "2014-03-21T02:22:39Z")
> [@BrokenBriton](#): > > Which version of House of Cards are people suggesting? > > Breaking Bad, no contest. The British version of HofC is vastly superior. To the OP, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is well worth the viewing time. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2014, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/72 "2014-03-21T06:36:41Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > I strongly recommend [Top of the Lake](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2103085/) > > It’s a Jane Campion effort; and is typically dark and stunningly beautiful. And with realistic characters. Similar, but in my opinion better, is the recent British mystery series **Broadchurch** , about a child’s death in a small town and how it affects the police and the citizens of the town. Gripping and well done. However, you really have to choice. You MUST watch both **Breaking Bad** and **Game of Thrones**. Then when you are done you can return to this thread and we can discuss other shows 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2014, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/73 "2014-03-22T02:20:17Z")
I don’t think this is a hijack: I just started _Buffy_ on Netflix. If I were to not watch the entire series, what episodes (or seasons) should I be sure to see? ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2014, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/74 "2014-03-22T03:41:19Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > I don’t think this is a hijack: > > I just started _Buffy_ on Netflix. If I were to not watch the entire series, what episodes (or seasons) should I be sure to see? That’s somewhat outside the scope of this thread… I’d say that you could skip large amounts of the fairly weak season 1… I’d just watch the 2-part premiere, then the episode entitled Angel, then the season finale. Starting in season 2 it’s a lot more consistent week to week. If you don’t enjoy watching most episodes of season 2, the show is probably not for you. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2014, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/75 "2014-03-22T14:48:34Z")
> [@Andiethewestie](#): > > My other favorite series is **Shameless** about a poor dysfunctional family in Chicago. William H Macy, Joan Cusack and Emmy Rossum are stand outs. This is my favorite show on currently and perhaps my favorite ever. In addition to the actors you named, Noel Fisher has taken the character of Mickey from almost a caricature of a Tough Guy TM to a nuanced, heartbreaking, complex man. For a while we were doing Shameless threads, but people were losing interest, it seemed. I plan to spend the long, horrible dry spell between now and S5 binging on the UK version. (And watching Nurse Jackie, but as a 30-minute show, it fails the OP’s requirements). ---
**Author:** ![Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@Kansas\_Beekeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kansas_Beekeeper)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2014, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/76 "2014-03-22T15:46:05Z")
I’m watching and highly recommend **Borgen** , a Danish political drama. It’s brilliant, and it’s only possible flaw is that it can be too emotionally exhausting to binge watch. Netflix has all three seasons on dvd. Here’s a review by Salon: > **[Stop what you're doing and go watch "Borgen"](https://www.salon.com/2013/05/24/stop_what_youre_doing_and_go_watch_borgen/)** > > The great Danish political drama is finally available legally in America. So what are you waiting for? New York Times: > **[She Seems to Have It All, a Whole Nation in Fact (Published 2012)](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/12/arts/television/borgen-a-danish-political-drama-series-on-link-tv.html?_r=0)** > > “Borgen,” a hard-to-find Danish drama, features a female prime minister who leans on her trusted male adviser to handle battles as conspiratorial and ruthless as any Borgia power struggle. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2014, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/77 "2014-03-22T15:57:27Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > For a while we were doing Shameless threads, but people were losing interest, it seemed. [Here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=713486) is the thread for the current season. It’s only one thread for the entire season, but there are several of us active there. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2014, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/78 "2014-03-22T16:19:26Z")
> [@sentrix](#): > > Breaking Bad. Very good. > [@BrokenBriton](#): > > Breaking Bad, no contest. > [@Soylent\_Juicy](#): > > _Breaking Bad_ goes without saying. > [@Andiethewestie](#): > > Breaking Bad is just classically great television… > [@Garula](#): > > Another vote for **Breaking Bad**. > [@MaxTheVool](#): > > You MUST watch both **Breaking Bad** and **Game of Thrones** [clears throat] Um, people, he’s already seen Breaking Bad. As mentioned here: > [@Omniscient](#): > > _Breaking Bad_ & _Mad Men_, watched both. For the record. …and again here: > [@Omniscient](#): > > As mentioned above, I watched and loved: _Mad Men, Breaking Bad, True Detective, The League_ mmm ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2014, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/79 "2014-03-22T16:20:58Z")
Well, he didn’t mention Breaking Bad in the OP, so that explains some of the recommendations. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058/80 "2014-03-22T19:13:05Z")
_The Office_, American. Also, naturally, the original Brit one, but they quickly become way different; the US one gently genial and still witty-to-side-splitting at times. Perfectly written and filmed. Just binged for the second time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-pick-my-next-binge-watch/684058.md?page=5)