We binge-watch entire seasons of shows in our house at a pretty steady clip. In the past, we’ve watched the hits—Game of Thrones, Lost, Walking Dead, Sons of Anarchy, and most recently, The Boys—all great shows in their own right. There are also a handful of popular and unknown shows that we thoroughly enjoyed. Here’s a Top 5 of our most recent binges.
5. The Deuce
Set against the backdrop of New York City's Times Square, a place infamous for its crime, sex work, and adult entertainment during the 1970s and 1980s. The series takes its name from the nickname for 42nd Street ("The Deuce"), which was the epicenter of this seedy world. Starring James Franco as twins, his character Vincent Martino is a bartender and businessman trying to navigate the complexities of the crime-ridden environment, while his other character and twin, Frankie Martino, is more reckless and often finds himself in trouble with local mobsters. Meanwhile, the lovely Maggie Gyllenhaal stars as a prostitute with aspirations for something greater and begins to explore opportunities in the porn industry. The first season sets up the key players and the environment, highlighting the struggle for power and survival. The second season jumps forward a few years to showcase the porn industry's rapid growth and mainstream acceptance. Vincent and Frankie have expanded their business ventures, and Candy has become a successful porn director, navigating the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field. In its final season, "The Deuce" explores the decline of Times Square's gritty underbelly as efforts to clean up the area take hold. The AIDS epidemic looms large, profoundly impacting the lives of those involved in the sex and porn industries. Vincent struggles with his conscience and business dealings, while Candy seeks to leave a lasting legacy in her work.
I am always amazed at Franco’s acting chops, even if it sometimes feels like he plays the same character in every movie. He might not have a lot of range, but I was thoroughly impressed by his work here. This is one of the few shows I’ve watched that has a satisfying ending.
4. Baby Reindeer
This is an autobiographical account of Richard Gadd's real-life experiences with a stalker. The story begins with Gadd serving in a bar when he offers a cup of tea to a woman named Martha. This seemingly innocuous act leads to a six-year ordeal as Martha becomes increasingly obsessed with him. Martha's obsession starts with persistent emails, letters, and phone calls, gradually escalating to physical stalking. She follows him to his home, sends him explicit and disturbing messages, and threatens his safety.
This show is everything the critics said about it and more. We were so hooked that we watched it in one evening. The episodes are short, but there’s so much packed into each one that you’re practically out of breath because you just can’t believe it could get any worse for the main character.
3. The Gentlemen
This 2023 action-comedy series created by Guy Ritchie serves as a continuation of the world introduced in Ritchie's 2019 film of the same name. The series expands on the intricate web of crime, corruption, and colorful characters that made the original movie a hit, with Ritchie's signature blend of sharp dialogue and stylish action sequences. Theo James, who’s easy on the eyes, is a former Oxford graduate and failing aristocrat who unexpectedly inherits his estranged father’s troubled estate. Upon discovering that his inheritance is tied to a sophisticated marijuana empire, he is thrust into a dangerous and thrilling world he knows little about. His journey is central to the series as he navigates his new reality, grappling with criminal undertakings and unexpected alliances.
It’s a fun show, and you can’t go wrong with a supporting player like Giancarlo Esposito. He seems to pop up in every show we watch these days. As a charming rival drug lord, his character seeks to take advantage of the main character’s situation. The series also features a range of colorful characters, including eccentric gangsters, crooked law enforcement officials, and cunning businesspeople, each contributing to the complex tapestry of the London underworld.
2. Silo
Silo is a science-fiction series based on the "Wool" book series by Hugh Howey. It explores a dystopian future where a community lives in a massive underground silo. The residents believe that the outside world is lethal, and they must follow the rules to maintain the safety and stability of their community. The series begins with a tragedy that rocks the community—a woman begins to suspect that the outside world may not be as dangerous as the Silo's leaders claim. Her sudden disappearance and subsequent events spark curiosity and rebellion. The concept of what lies outside the Silo becomes a central theme, with characters grappling with the possibility that their reality is manipulated.
To be honest, my hubby was determined to get me to watch this, as he had already seen the first season and was convinced I’d love it. He so knows me! It was very edge-of-your-seat. The entire show, I had several theories about what was actually outside the silo, but I kept changing my mind as the story progressed. It’s fantastic, and season two can’t come soon enough.
1. The Bear
In case you’ve been living under a rock, this series is set in Chicago and revolves around an Italian beef sandwich shop called The Original Beef of Chicagoland. The show captures the vibrant and chaotic atmosphere of the city’s culinary scene while delving into the complexities of running a small business. "Carmy" Berzatto (played by Jeremy Allen White) is a young, talented chef who has worked in prestigious fine-dining restaurants. After the tragic suicide of his brother Michael, Carmy returns home to take over his family’s struggling sandwich shop. Carmy is determined to turn the place around and honor his brother's legacy while grappling with his own personal demons.
This show is a love letter to the city of Chicago and the restaurant business. It’s filled with interesting characters, each with their own struggles and backstories. When season three came out, we rewatched the first two seasons, and I’ll admit every episode filled me with emotion. Especially the opening of season one, episode seven—it starts with a black screen and the voice of WXRT’s Lin Brehmer (who passed in 2023 and I interned with a million years ago). Then, the images of the city, peppered with images of the cast, historical events, and the city’s greatest restaurants, all to the backdrop of “Chicago” by Sufjan Stevens. Moving, to say the least. Perfection in its truest form.
