I have to admit–and this will come as a shock to anyone who joins us frequently at the Free For All (sarcasm)–but I am not much of a TV person, if left to my own devices. I certainly enjoy a good series as much as the next person, but, in part due to commitment issues, and in part due to the fact that the shows I love are nearly always cancelled, I generally stick to the tried and true stuff that will never let you down.
Thankfully, I am surrounded by friends and co-workers who are not only extraordinarily good at providing book recommendations, but are also far more daring than I when it comes to television, and are always ready to offer advice on what shows I should have started watching a year or so ago.
In addition to all the super-terrific books waiting for you, it turns out that the Library is an ideal place to catch up on your favorite, and soon-to-be-favorite TV shows…or to discover new-to-you shows. We are constantly updating our DVD collections to bring you the latest seasons of popular and foreign tv shows, and, thanks to our Hoopla subscription, you can also stream tv shows right on your computer or handheld-device, for free! As all the major networks are gearing up to launch new seasons and new series in the next few weeks, this is a perfect time to catch up on past seasons of shows that will be launching soon. On top of that, the Internet and cable channels like HBO have helped television shows evolve far, far beyond what many imagined the small screen was capable. The result is that your upcoming binge-watching session will come with all the depth of plot, special effects, and production qualities of many movies, but with plenty of episodes to keep your heart pounding and your mind whirling.
Here are just a few recommendations from me, with un-ending thanks to my fellow Library Staff who were kind enough to introduce me to many of these stellar series:
Endeavour: Lady Pole had recommended this series to me a while back, but it wasn’t until this summer that I was able to see just what she was raving about, and enjoy it for myself. While this series can easily be enjoyed by all viewers, fans of Colin Dexter’s world-famous Inspector Morse mysteries (a series of books that is very close to my heart) will find an added level of enjoyment here, as the hero of this series is none other than Endeavour Morse himself. This series, however, takes place in the 1960’s, when Morse (who we met at the end of his career) is a young rookie Constable, solving murders and righting wrongs in his native Oxford. The set, costumes and mysteries in this show are all delightful, immersive, and very well-plotted, however, for me, the real treat here is getting to know another side of Morse, and seeing how he evolved into the man Colin Dexter described, thanks to a marvelous performance by Northern Irish actor Shaun Evans.
American Horror Story: This is one show I never, ever would have considered, were it not for the suggestions of others–even though I love horror novels and scary stories, I am not at all good at watching them unfold on the screen. But while this series indubitably fulfills every horror fans’ hunger for jump-scares, blood, and gore, and revels in the grotesqueries of its characters, it is also a surprisingly well-plotted, comprehensive, and remarkably well-made show that features some of the most impressive costuming and prosthetics that I’ve ever seen. I began this show with Season Three: Freak Show, which features Elsa Mars, the proprietor of a troupe of human “curiosities”, who, while traveling through rural Florida in 1952, discover an evil that threatens local inhabitants and ‘freaks’ alike. However, it’s important to note that, which each series of this show is an independent one that can be enjoyed by anyone, each series hangs together to form a huge, metaplot that viewers can only hope, soon, to understand, so I would recommend acquainting yourself with other series, as well, in order to fully enjoy the ups and downs of this truly unique show.
London Spy: This mini-series was one of the few that I discovered on my own, and while the plot might be a wee bit uneven, I was basically incapable of functioning until I understood how this incredibly twisty, complex plot unfolded. Danny (played by the utterly remarkable Ben Whishaw) is a hedonistic, romantic young man who seems content to simply float through life, until a chance encounter with a stranger one lonely morning makes him think of a future. Alex is nothing like Danny–he is an introverted genius, seemingly more interested in computers than in other people. But together, Danny and Alex forge a beautiful, honest, and life-changing relationship that ends abruptly when Danny finds Alex murdered in his flat. In the aftermath of the discovery, Danny finds out that Alex was actually employed by the British Secret Intelligence Service–and that everything he thought was true about their relationship might be a horrible lie. As I said, the plotting of this show is a little uneven at times, and the final revelations are downright silly at times, but what makes this show so utterly, completely gripping is the power of the relationships portrayed, and the depth of the main characters. Danny’s quest for the truth is downright terrifying, heart-wrenching, and totally immersive, making me more than willing to forgive the rather convoluted way in which this show drew to a close.
We hope these recommendations give you some hours of great viewing!