While we student folk have probably been away from our desks for some time now, the school summer holidays in the UK are only just kicking off. With that in mind, perhaps it's time to go out and enjoy some time in the glorious sunshine? Pah! Of course not! What do we look like to you - normal people? We use our summers for catching up on the latest streaming content that we've been otherwise too busy with work or exams to binge. If you're in the position that I often find myself in where I've finished one show I've loved and am looking for something new to fill the aching void, I've put together a list of five of my favourite programmes that are streaming exclusively on Netflix right now. I've tried to go for some that I haven't heard about so much on social media (so leave your Stranger Things and Umbrella Academy at the door, although both are brilliant) and put together a list of some of the more hidden gems I've been streaming in no particular order.
PS. the thing about going outdoors was a joke, vitamin D deficiency is no laughing matter kids!
Lovesick
Trying to describe this show to somebody makes it sound like the sort of thing you might catch on Channel 5 daytime TV, but hear me out. Lovesick follows Dylan, your average British millennial, as he journeys back through his love life and contacts all his previous partners after being diagnosed with chlamydia. Through these meetings, he aims to solve some of the problems of his past and shed some clarity on his present, especially his relationships with his closest friends. This is a show best experienced with a group of your own closest friends on a rainy day with a cup of hot choc on hand, ready to dive deeper and deeper into the lives of these characters, which have the strangest ways of drawing you in. With episodes averaging 25 minutes each, it's perfect binging material, even for those who don't usually like to binge such as me.
Star Trek: Discovery
I've tried to get into Star Trek on many occasions. The franchise has spanned fifty years and seen many crews take the helm of the beloved show, and while each instalment takes you on a brand new adventure, introducing you to revolutionary sci-fi concepts, I've always been held back by its reluctance to make me care for any of the characters besides the three or four that aid the captain on their latest daring mission each week. However, the latest iteration of the classic multi-media space saga really does go where the series has never gone before: it's a version of Star Trek that's really all about the lives of the crew as opposed to the missions of the ship. Of course it does have classic Trek adventures that long-term fans can get behind, but it's now headed by an ensemble cast of characters with their own arcs which branch off and intertwine with each other at different intervals across an entire season. Beyond that, the inclusion of a more diverse cast of characters means that more or less anyone can find somebody that they can identify with in the ranks of the Discovery. Those who struggle to binge longer shows may struggle, but it can perhaps be best enjoyed over a longer period of time anyway. Even for people unfamiliar with older version of the programme, this is a thrilling long-form drama.
Dear White People
I'm not going to say much about this one, as I feel as though its story is its own to tell. However, Dear White People is an extremely thought-provoking narrative that makes us consider the darker truths about our society and ourselves as people. Its unapologetic approach to its message may have cost it its critical acclaim, but it's packed with moments that make you sit up in your seat and think. There's a new series hitting Netflix in the UK very soon, so now is the perfect time to dive into this one.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
And now for something completely different.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power follows Adora, a well-regarded solider of the Evil Horde, as she discovers the truth about the world she grew up in and becomes a symbol of hope in a dark time. If you're the sort of person who's very protective of properties that are nostalgic to you, this revival of the classic 90s cartoon may not be for you. DreamWorks' new take puts a much brighter, sillier aesthetic on the surface while introducing your kids to several very important factors in the world around them today that schools just aren't equipped to teach them about. It's a kids' show that doesn't treat kids like they're stupid, and is a wild ride for adult viewers with open minds too. With new episodes being released regularly at around 20 minutes each, venturing into this world could open the door to a very fun binging session for anybody.
Unicorn Store
Unlike the others on this list, this one's a film. Like She-Ra, Unicorn Store is designed for those in touch with the big kids inside them, or those who want to get back in touch with a time in their life when things were simpler. From the mind of our very own Captain Marvel, the story follows Kit, a woman in her thirties who is not contempt with the adult world she is being forced into, stepping into a shop where all of her wildest childhood dreams could come true. It's a story of faith and determination from a rare soul who is determined not to let the world decide her destiny. This one stands out to me for striking a rare balance between seeing the best in everybody and dealing with some very adult themes about the darker side of society, capitalism and temptation. It's about a part of life that is different for every single person, so you really have to see it for yourself to decide if it's for you. Perfect for family viewing, it's a feel-good flick that will be sure to provoke some real discussion.
Honourable Mentions
The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: an on-the-nose New York-based sitcom for the big kids of the world with thoroughly entertaining characters and narrative arcs.
Jack Whitehall: Travels with my Father: a travel show built on a classic father-son dynamic that is sure to wind up the biggest travel buffs, but leave family audiences in stitches.
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency: a surreal sci-fi drama that defies all explanation.
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Those are my recommendations for some summer viewing. They may not be everybody's cup of tea, but I hope you manage to find something in them. There is an argument that streaming platforms like Netflix is slowly destroying traditional television, but it has given some producers a chance that major broadcasters and Hollywood may never have awarded them, and without it, we may never have seen some of these innovative, thought-provoking texts. Consumers now have the power to be their own commissioners and find programmes with ideology that speaks to them, as opposed to being allowed to select from a pre-picked collection of content only at certain times. Of course, this isn't just a one-sided conversation, so be sure to send me your programme recommendations too! While my recommendations are made in good faith, remember to enter them with an open mind.
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