Binge Recommendations - Day 1 - Something Dramatic

So, as of this week, there is a marked increase in the number of people who are staying in the house. Workplaces are promoting homeworking for a lot of people (I have been told to work from home from this week onwards by [COMPANY NAME REDACTED]), events are being cancelled and hoards of toilet roll are being covetously regarded with the fervour of Gollum getting a new bit of jewellery. All of which means that people are finding more time is being spent at home than was previously hoped for. You could, of course, spend your time conversing with your loved ones (yeah, right) or you could discover new things to distract you from having to converse with your loved ones (you’re here so let’s face it, we all know which way you’re leaning).

Let’s break it down into a few categories and give you some stuff to keep you going for extended periods of time. Any recommendations are, as always, entirely subjective and may veer between genuinely quality and unjustifiable cheese. Also, I’m going to take Breaking Bad as a given. Everyone’s watched that, right?

Let’s kick off with one that may well be on a few people’s “oh yeah, I keep meaning to get around to watching that” lists. If you’d been meaning to, then now is a good time.

The Sopranos
Why’s It Good? Because it takes all the stuff that traditionally draws you in to mob-based dramas and adds a level of angst alongside the travails of day-to-day family life to give it a slightly different edge to the Scorsese or Coppola-style mob dramas. It’s a great cast and a compelling set of characters, many of whom many to straddle that line between compelling and horrendous. It does have a somewhat contentious ending (I won’t say any more than that) but that does not detract from the journey. It’s one of the best dramas out there so give it a go.
How Much Of It? 86 episodes over 6 seasons

Killing Eve
Why’s It Good? It feels like a real breath of fresh air into the whole spy / secret agent genre, largely for its selection of great female characters. You’ll note I resisted using the word “strong” there as that has become something of a cliche and also indicates that only male protagonists are allowed to be fucked up. Given that this adaptation of the Villanelle book series comes from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, it’s no surprise then that both Villanelle and titular Eve are fucked up in their own unique ways. It’s funny, it’s exciting and Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh are never less than compelling. It;s still ongoing but you;ve got two series so far that you can catch up on.
How Much Of It? 16 episodes over 2 series (not gonna keep you going for long, true)

Alias
Why’s It Good? We’re into the cheesy territory here. This may not be for everyone and it's arguably close to sci-fi given how utterly preposterous it is but if you want something compelling that’ll keep you coming back for the next episode (every episode basically ends on a cliffhanger leading into the next week) then you can’t go too far wrong with this. Sure, it goes off the boil a bit towards the end but, as its height, it keeps you on your toes and wanting to find out more. It’s the first real example of JJ Abrams’ “mystery box” approach and highlights everything that is good and bad about that style of storytelling. Much like 24, it’s about the thrill rather than the logic. Switch off and enjoy.*
How Much Of It? 105 episodes over 5 seasons (quite a lot really)

That’s your more mainstream dramas to start you off. Let’s get proper geeky next time out…


* Also, if you’re Bradley Cooper fan then this is some of his earliest work. If you’re not then there are an impressive number of guest stars including Roger Moore, Faye Dunaway, David Cronenberg (yes, the director), Isabella Rossellini, Angela Bassett, Rutger Hauer, Christian Slater and Quentin Tarantino. Not a bad list (well, except maybe Tarantino from an acting point of view…)