From a young age, I've always been the kind of person to favour a TV show over a movie. I like the prospect of delving into a world for more than 2 hours and I enjoy the investment you can put in to the characters and story. My mum hasn't had the best of health when I was growing up, and as I seemingly stepped into the role of her carer at an early age, we needed ways of occupying the duvet days and what better way is there than a boxset that offers you over 23 hours of pure distraction? With that, we have watched a lot of shows together, and I mean, a lot. But we're creatures of habit and seem to have a certain few that we rewatch continuously, it's a comfort thing and I think being brought up with that mentally has had quite a large affect on my relationship with fictional worlds and characters that wound up feeling more like friends (I know, sad. But true.).
With all of that being said, choosing a list of just 10 shows that will now officially classed as my favourites was quite the challenge. There isn't an order to this - I'm way too indecisive for that - but I hope you'll find a few that you're interested in, or at least have a blogstyle reminder to marathon that show you used to love.
-
-
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
When fifteen-year-old Buffy Summers moves to a new town and starts at Sunnydale High School, she hopes to maybe make some new friends, join the cheer-leading squad, flirt with a few guys.. but instead she gets pieces of her past life following her. More precisely, her destiny to hunt and kill anything that lurks in the shadows. She's the slayer, the one and only. With the help of some Scoobies, a sexy vampire, and her own girl power, Buffy continues on with her life trying to be as normal as can be. This is the ultimate girl power show. If you've read my blog post The Buffy Tag: 2017, you'll know of my undying love for Buffy and anything Buffyverse related. This is the show that defined my early years and I'm darn proud of it. If you haven't seen at least an episode of Buffy, you're doing life wrong.
-
Angel
The spin-off from Buffy that not everyone has watched. Whyyy? So many have said that they gave up on it after a seaon or two, and it boggles my mind. Angel is most definitely the darker side of the two shows, but it's still based in the same universe and has some truly comedic episodes. With that, I will admit to loathing Season 5 and pretending that it didn't happen, but that doesn't mean you should ignore the show altogether. I grew up on Buffy and Angel as though they were two halves of the same whole, and I urge you to do the same. Season 3 and 4 are it's strongest seasons, by far, so hold out. If not for me, for the fact that you get some Winifred Burkle in your life.
-
Gilmore Girls
Do you ever want to watch a TV Show that will resemble a gentle hug? Gilmore Girls is that. Following the story of mother and daughter duo, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, this is heartfelt TV at it's best. It's a simple show with a simple premise, but it's heart is what makes it worth a watch. This is one of a few shows that have exceptional side characters, all of which you wish would have individual spin-offs. You love everyone. The cranky parents/grandparents, Richard and Emily, who are as misunderstood as they are frustrating. The cranky Luke Danes who owns the coffee shop that keeps Lorelai and Rory fuelled, and the entire town of Stars Hollow who all make you wish you lived in such a safe close-knit community. Me and my mum watch this show with smiles on our faces, and relate with the characters more than is probably healthy.
-
Supernatural
Two brothers who reunite to go on the hunt for their missing fathers, stumbling across demons, witches, wendigos, ghosts, and yellow-eyed freaks along the way. You've heard of this show. Everyone has. Me and my mum rewatch Supernatural at least once a year (yup, all 12 seasons), because it's just the kind of show you can't kill. It resembles Buffy in the way of balancing between humour and dark storylines, which I love. The characters are great, the stories are great, everything is great. Watch it. Join the hunt.
-
One Tree Hill
Half brothers Nathan and Lucas Scott lead entirely different lives, in fact, the only things they have in common is a deadbeat father and the love for basketball. Lucas has been brought up by his single mother Karen, the owner of the local coffee shop. Nathan however was brought up by their mutual father, and his pill popping mother. When the Tree Hill basketball squad forces the two boys to play together, it sends a tidal wave of change throughout their friendship dynamics. Have you ever had a show that you watch at the right time in your life? A show that undoubtedly changed you for the better? This is the show that did that for me. I love One Tree Hill and each time I watch it, I find a new character to identify with. I know that many compare it to The OC, 90210, Dawson's Creek.. but OTH has a lot of heart, which I think the others lack at times. It's beautifully written and though a bit unrealistic at times, truer than most other shows I've watched.
-
Alias
Agent Sydney Bristow discovers that her father Jack Bristow is also an SD-6 agent and that SD-6 is not part of the CIA; instead, it is part of the Alliance of Twelve, an organisation that is an enemy to the United States. Sydney decides to offer her services to the real CIA as a double agent. Okay, sounds lame, but hear me out, I adore J.J. Abrams shows. His ability to write shows that both equally dramatic as they are scifi'y (totally a word). Lost, Alcatraz, Fringe.. All great. Alias, however, is my favourite. Strong female characters rock, and Miss Bristow is no exception. The relationship dynamic between her and her father is written eloquently, and may be my favourite father/daughter duo in television. The show takes turns that you will not see coming, and the characters all grow on you beyond measure
-
Charmed
The Halliwell sisters, Prue, Piper and Phoebe, have never gotten along as well as they ought to. But when the youngest, Phoebe, moves back home and discovers a magical book of Wicca locked away in their attack, they are forced to all come together to understand their newly gifted powers. If you're a female and want to feel empowered, watch Buffy and then immediately watch Charmed. This show carries a lot of memories for me, and I'm so glad I was brought up watching these female characters. It undoubtedly defined my attitude towards feminism and as a little girl, I never once wondered why girls can't kick ass like guys. I was a child of the Paige years (don't shoot me!), but the entire show is worth a watch.
-
Firefly
Another Whedon show, I know. I have a problem. But come on, it's Firefly! Everyone has to of seen this cowboy/space/fantasy/humour-filled one season of perfection. That was a lot of words, but darn true. I was late to get on the bandwagon for this, partly due to knowing that there was only one season (and one movie) making me a tad bit reluctant to get swept into the world. But by golly, you have to. No matter what anyone says, this is Joss Whedon at his best. This is perfectly cast, the overall and individual story arcs are gripping, the humour never gets old, and the world is as scary as it is wonderful. There's a reason why people are still in fan clubs and still tweet daily about this show, we can all only hope for some sort of reunion.
-
Glee
The show that took over the world for at least 12 months. You know, the one about the nerdy kids in a Glee club. Now, I know that this is somewhat of a marmite show. People either stood by it throughout it's six season run or gave up after season two and declared it an overrated show. Glee defined most of my teenage years, so I wouldn't of given up on it, even if it turned into some dinosaur vs. robot post-apocalyptic comedy. That is hugely due to my never ending girl crush on Lea Michele. Now, I didn't really enjoy season 4. Especially as my favourite character Rachel Berry (Shock, right?) took some major character writing hits and it was quite obvious that Ryan Murphy only wrote certain story lines in because he didn't know where else to go. But I don't think it's fair to judge a show on a few rocky seasons. Seasons 1-3 and the final season were great. I really enjoyed them. In fact, I recently rewatched the entire show with my mum, and I actually found myself enjoying some of the episodes and storylines that I had previously not - solely because of expectations. I think that those of us who used to have a place for Glee in our hearts should all go back for a rewatch as you may come out the other side with a different view. No expectations, and the ability to accept that this show is a comedy at heart and not everything is going to make sense or be realistic. Love it or not, Glee gave me confidence in my teenage years to go after what I wanted. And Rachel Berry gave me a kickass fashion sense. And bangs, twice.
-
Will & Grace
Will & Grace are best friends. Will is a gay lawyer and Grace is a straight interior designer. They both live in New York. Grace is engaged, but when that relationship falls apart, she moves in with Will. This is only supposed to be until Grace finds a place of her own, but she and Will end up with each other as permanent roommates. Jack, Will's flamboyant gay friend and Karen, Grace's secretary/assistant who is filthy rich, makes their lives all the more entertaining. This is the only sitcom on my list, but when you have Will & Grace, do you really need another? This show never gets old, ever. There are episodes that me and my mum know word-for-word but we still laugh alongside the audience when Grace almost gets burgled, Karen goes thrifting, Jack puts on his 10,000th show, or Will goes to a football game. Comedy at it's finest.
-
So there you have it.. My Top 10 Favourite TV Shows. All ones I urge you to either marathon for the first time, or have a rewatch of. Especially if it's been a long while since you first saw any of them. Some shows get better with age as more often than not, you find new ways of identifying with the characters.
What are your favourite shows? Do we have any in common? Are we now declared best friends? Let me know!
Post a Comment