Arts and Culture

Throw away your television!

The best shows getting released on Netflix this year

That special time of the year is upon us once again, where essays need to be written, labs need to be completed, and studying must commence if we hope to pass our midterms. While we can pretend to be ‘good’ students and delude ourselves into thinking we will truly be productive this semester, the reality is that all of us will inevitably succumb to the sweet, sweet embrace of procrastination. It goes without saying that the glory that is Netflix is usually the prime avenue of procrastination to pursue, for it holds the promise of limitless hours of pure, uninterrupted entertainment. The only issue is that sometimes, many of us find ourselves in a perplexing position, for we are either too overwhelmed with all the choices, or have more or less completed the entire Netflix library. To help with this highly disconcerting issue, I present you with the following selection of Netflix’s finest (and newest) offerings for 2016. Happy procrastination!

Flaked

Fans of Arrested Development (and similar shows) will especially enjoy this, as its creator Mitch Hurwitz and main man Will Arnett will be joining forces to deliver what is sure to be a hilarious new series. Flaked focuses on the life of a Californian self-help guru (Arnett) who falls for his BFF’s love interest, and documents his struggles in attempting to keep all the lies he tells in order. This is set to release on March 11, so mark your calendars!
unspecified-2House of Cards

If the wonderful world of corrupt politicians tickles your fancy, then consider giving House of Cardsa chance. Set in present-day Washington, it documents the quest of Frank Underwood, a Democrat from South Carolina’s fifth congressional district, in clawing his way up the political ladder. Filled with nothing but dramatic anecdotes of manipulation and power, this little piece of Netflix gold is sure to capture your attention for at least a good few hours. The best part is that there are already three seasons out, and if you start now, you’ll be fully ready to binge on the fourth when it is released on March 4.

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Gilmore Girls

If you have not watched Gilmore Girls, then stop reading this and go watch it. NOW! In case ou’re not aware, Gilmore Girls is a show that focuses on the most heart-warming and hilarious mother-daughter relationship, and how it fares throughout life’s trials and tribulations. Filled with quick-witted humor that is often speckled with dripping sarcasm, this show is guaranteed to offer you endless hours of entertainment. Fair warning though, once you begin the series, it will hook you and your life will revolve around it until you finish. Although this show ended in 2007, the corporate gods at Netflix have decided to
pick it up again and release four new, hour-long episodes that will follow up on the character’s lives. The release date is yet to be confirmed, but in the meanwhile, you can relive the experience by re-watching (or first watching – the horror!) the entire show from beginning to end.

unspecified-1Narcos

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, we have the American crime thriller that is Narcos. Set and filmed in Colombia, this show tells the true story of Pablo Escobar, a notorious drug lord turned billionaire through his control of the production and distribution of cocaine. It also focuses on Escobar’s
interactions with fellow drug leaders, DEA agents, and other enemies who attempt to thwart him and his efforts. The first nail-biting season is ready to watch on Netflix, and a second season is set to be released later in the year. The only downside to Narcos is that you won’t feel like you’re fully succumbing to procrastination, because as thrilling as the show is, it is equally educational (ish).

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Daredevil

Every good Netflix recommendation list needs a staple superhero show. Daredevil is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, and tells the tale of Matt Murdock, who is an impressive lawyer by day and heroic crime-fighter by night. What sets him apart?– he’s blind. The series has received extensive critical acclaim, in particular due to the absolutely amazing combat and fight scenes. The second season is set to premiere on March 18.