It’s no secret that people all over the globe have logged some serious couch time during this pandemic. The world is a scary place right now. Movies and TV shows offer a much-needed escape from reality.
Although I have stayed away from some of the sensationally popular shows like Tiger King, I have kept myself plenty busy. I thought it would be fun to make a list of the best things I have watched during shelter-in-place. (While trying my very best to avoid spoilers.) This virus has stuck around a lot longer than any of us anticipated. So, if you’re looking for things to add to your queue, consider giving some of these favorites a try.
Hawaii Five-0 (2010-2020)
My attraction to this show is not just travel therapy. Nor is it in any way related to the fact that my family had to cancel a trip to Hawaii this year. (Okay, maybe it is, a little.) But Hawaii Five-0 is so much more than its setting.
I am a tremendous sucker for a good bromance, and the on-screen relationship between former Navy SEAL Steve McGarrett and Detective Danny Williams could be the dictionary definition of the word. The series grabbed my attention at the first “book him, Danno,” and never let go. Steve and Danny work alongside their badass counterparts Chin Ho Kelly and Kono Kalakaua as they engage in international intrigue, facilitate drug busts, negotiate with terrorists, and solve murders. There’s never a dull moment for the Aloha State’s elite crime-fighting task force. The team quickly becomes ohana, and their adventures make me want to relocate to Honolulu and never leave.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
This is the one Netflix bandwagon I have ridden through the last few months. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, it seemed like all my friends watched Avatar: The Last Airbender. Mention Aang, or firebending, in the company of my high school classmates and to this day you’re apt to find yourself in an intense debate over which form of bending is the most powerful, or discussing Zuko’s character arc, or even lamenting the many failings of Nickelodeon’s much-maligned 2010 live-action adaptation.
Even as a relative outsider to the show, I was somewhat familiar with sky-bison and the Avatar. When a friend convinced me to re-watch the series with him this summer, I assumed much of the show’s appeal laid in childhood nostalgia. I was wrong.
Avatar: The Last Airbender is a cartoon made for young audiences, yes. But it’s so much more than that. The show’s three seasons feature complex character development and address themes ranging from the meaning of honor to the ethics of imperialist expansion. I’m just about to watch the four-part series finale, and I will be very sad to see this show end.
Suits (2011-2019)
The title of this list should really be “Old TV Shows I Should Have Watched LONG Ago.” My college roommate recommended Suits to me a few semesters ago, and I should have taken her advice sooner. I never would have dreamed that a legal drama could A. be quite so entertaining, and B. feature such compelling plotlines and characters. Louis Litt is infuriatingly endearing, Harvey Specter and Donna Paulsen quickly joined the ranks of my all-time favorite characters, (as well as favorite on-screen couples), and Mike’s eidetic memory brings a compelling twist to the firm’s day-to-day affairs. If you’re a fan of the British royal family, it’s also worth noting that central character Rachel Zane is played by Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex.
Beyond that, the show’s dialogue is nothing short of delightful. The constant infusion of movie quotes, clever banter, and iconic Harvey lines have me cackling with geeky glee episode in and episode out. I have yet to watch all nine seasons of Suits, so the jury is still out on how the show ends. But if the addictive properties of the first four seasons are anything to go by, I’m sure I’ll find myself on the other side of the final episode far too soon.
The Mandalorian (2020-)
As I mentioned my previous post about The Rise of Skywalker, I grew up with the Star Wars franchise because my dad grew up with it. He loves it to death, and can quote the entirety of the original trilogy by heart. I’ll be honest, though: for a long time I would have positioned myself on the side of the Trekkies in the age-old Star Wars vs. Star Trek debate. (Disclaimer: I have not watched any of the Star Trek Original Series. My opinion may or may not be a result of teenage contrariness, Chris Pine’s attractiveness, and the awesomeness of the Star Trek reboot trilogy.)
If Disney’s most recent Star Wars movies forced me to reevaluate my outlook, The Mandalorian made me change my mind completely. All the baby Yoda content on the internet couldn’t have prepared me for this show. I loved it.
Why, you ask?
Well, first of all, Baby Yoda is adorable. I knew that going in. But the rest of the show’s cast proved equally irresistible. Like Geralt in Netflix’s recent screen adaptation of The Witcher series, our man Mando reinforced the fact that a character doesn’t have to say a lot to grab an audience’s attention. When the Mandalorian did have something to say, his characteristic reticence made it all the more impactful. (“I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold,” anyone?)
Moreover, it is a testament to Pedro Pascal’s acting prowess that he was able to portray such a multi-faceted, likeable character without the benefit of facial expressions. (For those unfamiliar with the show and Star Wars lore: the Mandalorians are an elite culture of warriors who characteristically do not remove their helmets in front of other people.) I could go on all day, but I’ll try to keep it short: the Mandalorian’s relationship with Baby Yoda is priceless, his action sequences are to die for, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for him and his adopted son in season 2.
As for the rest of the characters, Cara Dune provided the badass female presence every show needs. IG-11 proved that droids are capable of both providing comedic relief and tugging on audience heartstrings, and Kuiil had my whole household ending conversations with “I have spoken” for weeks. That’s not even mentioning the host of minor characters that truly bring The Mandalorian to life.
Go watch this show. If not for everything I’ve said already, then do it for the amazing soundtrack, or the battle scenes, or the intrigue associated with expanding the known Star Wars universe. Do it.
Jack Ryan (2018-)
Who doesn’t like a little international espionage? Amazon’s adaptation of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan follows John Krasinski’s portrayal of desk jockey-turned-field-agent Jack Ryan as he draws upon his military background and analytic prowess to mitigate global catastrophe. Currently, Amazon has released two 8-episode seasons of the series, setting the perfect stage for some high-octane binge watching.
Season one has Ryan yanked from his position as a CIA financial analyst and dropped into the high-stakes world of fieldwork after he uncovers a money trail leading to a Yemeni terrorist cell. Season two starts off with a bang by introducing a new, very slick title sequence (that just happens to be one of my favorites of all time). The plot then follows Ryan as he investigates suspicious military activity in the Venezuelan jungle. He unwittingly finds himself entangled in the incumbent regime’s plot to sabotage an upcoming Presidential election.
John Krasinski puts on a spectacular performance, particularly in season 1. His portrayal of Jack Ryan presents audiences with an easy to root for character who ends up being full of surprises. Jack Ryan‘s lionization of American imperialism and overt support for aggressively interventionist foreign policy proves its primary downside. However, the show also paints a vivid portrait of 21st century American anxieties. These anxieties range from concerns surrounding terrorist attacks and biological weapons to the fear of corruption, police brutality, and bipartisan violence. The series is as action-packed as it is full of relevant political intrigue. Once you start watching, you won’t want to stop.
Hamilton (2020)
There probably isn’t a whole lot I can add here that hasn’t already been said. Lin Manuel Miranda is a genius. This show is a masterpiece of modern theater and a rich microcosm of early American history. And, most importantly, Disney’s decision to bring Hamilton’s original cast to life on the small screen adds a whole new dimension of meaning to the musical. The use of different camera angles and close-up shots makes the audience feel like part of the production and accentuates the messages imparted by the Miranda’s choreography on the rotating stage. The chance to watch Hamilton from the comfort of my own couch was well worth one month’s Disney+ subscription.
He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)
Whether it’s over-analyzing the “signs” of romantic attraction or waiting by the phone for a call or text that’s never coming, He’s Just Not That Into You illustrates the many pitfalls in the long road to finding love. This movie sets our misconceptions straight from the beginning. Even better, its interwound storylines leave us hopeful that there truly are exceptions to every rule, and that happy endings aren’t always what you expect. I watched this twice during shelter-in-place: once with a friend and again with my whole family. As someone who doesn’t re-watch romance movies, that’s my equivalent of a ringing endorsement.
Honorable mentions:
Top Gun (1986), Late Night (2019), Pearl Harbor (2001), Somebody Feed Phil (2018-2020).
That’s it for me, (for now). We still have a long way to go before COVID-19 becomes a thing of the past, so wear a mask, stay safe, and if you feel inspired, give some of these shows and movies a shot. Who knows? Maybe I’ll end up expanding this list into part 2.