5 Underrated TV Shows That Are Worth Binge-Watching
And should be talked about more.
After over 4 months in quarantine, finding a worthwhile TV show that you haven’t already watched has become an actual struggle. There’s only so many times you can rewatch your favourite TV shows until they eventually turn into mere background noise as you stare at your phone.
If you do choose to broaden your horizons and move on to another TV show, you’ll be faced with the dilemma of choosing from the seemingly endless options available, after which you risk spending time on one that turns out to be substandard.
Thus, you end up watching nothing at all. Been there, done that.
In my recent attempts to quench my thirst for entertainment, I came across multiple underrated TV shows. They aren’t nearly talked about enough, despite being a gem of a watch.
So when you do give in to the temptation of binge-watching your day away, consider these 5 underappreciated TV shows. Ones you will not regret spending your me-time on.
Note: All of these TV Shows are available to watch on Netflix, if not other platforms.
Outlander
Based on the novel series by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander is a TV show mixing historical drama, romance, and science fiction. The show follows the adventures of an English nurse living in 1945, Claire Randall, who accidentally time travels to Scotland in 1743. Among the people she encounters, is a Highlander by the name of Jamie Fraser. She soon begins to question her plan of action, and what she truly desires.
Developed by Ronald D. Moore, an admirable effort has been put in to make sure all of the episodes accurately represent the times they were set in. The show is put together with forethought, in fairness to its high budget.
As I watched the show, I was taken aback numerous times, left open-mouthed, simply because of how unusual it was; in a good way.
I couldn’t precisely pinpoint the nature of the show, as it often shifts between scenes of spontaneous passion, heartwarming affection to something entirely different, dark and graphic — making each episode all the more compelling and unpredictable.
Outlander is on its fifth season, with the next one already written but yet to be filmed.
The 100
The 100, a post-apocalyptic science fiction series, is set 97 years after a deadly nuclear war, which had rendered Earth uninhabitable. With resources running critically low, residents of a space-station send 100 juvenile convicts back to Earth in a desperate attempt to save the human race. The show follows what they discover, and the chaos that ensues.
The show, developed by Jason Rothenberg, consists of amazing, aesthetically pleasing cinematography. Unlike many shows, the 100 also has diversity, with female-driven roles that genuinely play a huge part in the story.
In a genre so over-saturated, The 100 stands out; it excels where similar shows fail to impress.
The longer I watched, the more I was emotionally invested in every character, with their fate always up in the air. The selection of music only adds to the thrill, complementing every scene to the fullest. As a result, I was left wanting more whenever the credits rolled, captivated by sheer curiosity.
The 100 is on its seventh and final season.
Atypical
Atypical is a dramedy all about Sam Gardner, an 18-year-old on the autism spectrum. Being in his final year of high school, he decides to face his new struggles head-on. This includes finding a new girlfriend. His family, who have problems of their own, are left to deal with the consequences.
The show received mixed feedback upon its release, being branded as insensitive and stereotypical by some. However, it has only improved following its first season, having increased the number of actors and writers with autism. It’s created by Robia Rashid, who was also an executive producer on How I Met Your Mother.
Though the representation isn’t completely accurate, the show has still managed to educate an audience on autism in a light-hearted manner. With the addictive episodes only lasting 30 minutes each, the show is an entertaining binge that won’t require commitment.
Atypical is on its third season, with the fourth and final season to air in 2021.
Lost in Space
Lost in Space is another Sci-Fi series that’s set in the future, 30 years to be exact. On their way to a better life in a space colony, the Robinson family end up crashing on an alien planet. Lost and confused, they’re forced to deal with the dangers of their new environment as they try to find a way back to familiar faces.
This show is a remake of a series from the 1960s. Backed by a huge budget, Netflix made sure this was better than the original. The production is on point, allowing everything to look realistic. It’s no wonder the show has won multiple visual effects awards.
Lost in Space is family-friendly. However, this doesn’t mean it’s boring. The entire series is an emotional roller coaster and is filled with thrilling action. Like other Netflix series, it is also filled with cliffhangers which entice its viewers to the next episode.
Lost in Space is on its second season, with the third and final season to release in 2021.
On My Block
On My Block is a comedy-drama series about four street-smart friends. As they’re forced to meet challenges through high school, their perceptions of each other begin to change. Living in a harsh, predominantly Hispanic and black neighbourhood of South Central Los Angeles doesn’t do them any favours either.
Co-created by Lauren Iungerich, the show follows an intriguing plot and focuses on a community riddled with gang culture. It also features a diverse cast; the star actors are all people of colour. On My Block is different to shows that are usually seen on television.
It raises awareness on the crime and violence underrepresented people have to deal with on the daily. On top of that, the show is genuinely entertaining. It has a compelling storyline and the characters are relatable as they have realistic lifestyles.
On My Block is on its third season.
That’s all! If you have a personal favourite that isn’t included and deserves more recognition, let me know in the comments!
