Quarantine self-care: comfort series to get invested in (again)

By Sydney Homerstad

Looking for something to take your mind off of things, keep it busy, and escape the boredom of having to stay at home all the time? Here is a list of my top five recommendations for TV shows, movie series, and cartoons that bring me comfort and provide something to look forward to at the end of the day.

TV Shows

Community- [Hulu, Netflix & Amazon]

Suspended lawyer, Jeff Winger, is forced to enroll in a community college with an eccentric staff and student body. He becomes friends with his study group: a millionaire, a single mother, a former drug addict, a film student, and a former quarterback played by Donald Glover (AKA Childish Gambino.) Every episode contains a new trope, comedy, and a warm feeling of close friendship.

If you liked The Office but watched it too much or couldn’t handle the second-hand embarrassment from Michael, I personally find this to be very similar and perhaps even better.

How I Met Your Mother- [Hulu]

A lighthearted yet emotional show packed with comedy and real life lessons following a young architect named Ted in his pursuit of a committed relationship, and his friends: a news reporter from Canada, a kindergarten teacher, an effeminate lawyer, and a love-able playboy who trembles at the idea of marriage.

I am currently in the midst of re-watching this, and it has brought me so much happiness and something to look forward to at the end of the day. The writing is phenomenal. I highly recommend it.

Scrubs- [Hulu]

Set in the fictitious Sacred Heart Hospital, J. D., a young doctor, struggles to move his medical career forward as he deals with the hospital’s eccentric staff, unpredictable patients, and absurd situations. With the help of his best friend and his new romance, he just might make it.

With a goofy main character and plenty of slapstick comedy, this one is sure to bring you ample smiles.

Titans- [DC Universe, HBO Max & Amazon]

When Rachel with her growing demonic powers seeks the help of Detective Dick Grayson, (Batman’s former sidekick), a team of superheroes begins to form to protect her from evil and later defeat feared assassin Deathstroke. However, the title of the Titans comes with a dark past, one that the original members don’t want being brought up. Take a break from the real world with an alien, an empath, a shapeshifter, a half-amazon, a clone, the past and current Robin, and many more.

If you watched the cartoon Teen Titans growing up like I did, or you’re just a DC/superhero fan in general, you might enjoy this. I found it to be true to some iterations of the comics and of good quality. Then, if this hits the spot on your TV cravings, you should also check out the spin-off of this, Doom Patrol, which follows Gar Logan’s team prior to joining the Titans.

Merlin- [Hulu & Netflix]

In a land of myth, and a time of magic… the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name… Merlin.

I remember being eight and looking forward to this show every week when it would air on the Syfy channel, then crying my eyes out when it ended because I didn’t know what I was going to watch instead. It gives you a sense of magic and adventure, close bonds, and so many emotions.

Movie Series

Lord of the Rings- [Amazon]

The future of civilization rests in the fate of the One Ring, which has been lost for centuries. Powerful forces are unrelenting in their search for it. But fate has placed it in the hands of a young Hobbit named Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), who inherits the Ring and steps into legend. A daunting task lies ahead for Frodo when he becomes the Ringbearer — to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom where it was forged.

If your parents were like mine, they both owned the entire trilogy in a fancy DVD box set like the one pictured to the left. It brings so much adventure, nostalgia, and a unique quality that I haven’t found captured in anything else other than maybe the movie Willow. Seeing as how it was based off of a novel series in which the author came up with an entirely new language, the world building is wonderfully in-depth. Then after watching this, you can put on the prequel: The Hobbit. (To this day, the book is my absolute favorite.)

Star Wars- [Disney+]

There is a light and a dark side to everything in the universe, and the characters throughout the three main trilogies and many other side movies and series learn this as they fight oppressive governments ruled by the dark side of the force.

Since 1977, Star Wars has been a sort of craze among nerds, and since then, a strikingly large population of America has seen at least one of the movies. Every single one had me glued to the action-packed screen. If you ever get the chance to see Star Wars in 3D, the spaceships flying straight at you make the experience that much more surreal. Here is a recommended watch order for the movies and shows!

Hunger Games- [Hulu & Amazon]

A dystopian world where two children a year from each of the twelve districts are sent to the Games to endure brutal fights to the death until only one is left alive. When main character Katnis’ sister is chosen, she volunteers herself instead and ends up as the face of a revolution.

Sometimes series like these are great for coping with current events because it gives you something worse to compare the world to as well as a safe outlet to experience revolution and change. I remember seeing this in theaters with friends and being sent on an emotional roller coaster.

Twilight- [Amazon]

When Bella moves to the cold state of Washington to live with her father, she gets thrown into a world of vampires and werewolves, falling in love with a life of danger and thrills. In between fighting to protect her life and everything she cares about, she falls in love with an angsty 108 year old teenager.

I find this series to be like McDonald’s for your brain. It gives you absolutely no nutritional value, and it’s not the best quality, but darn if you aren’t going to binge it. For me, it hits all the right cliches and levels of cheesy drama.

Harry Potter- [Amazon]

A boy who learns on his eleventh birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. He is summoned from his life as an unwanted child to become a student at Hogwarts, an English boarding school for wizards. There, he meets several friends who become his closest allies and help him discover the truth about his parents’ mysterious deaths.

I have never watched or read this series, but I know many who are absolute fans and have been asked plenty of times what my Hogwarts house is. So if you are looking for magic, this is the place to go.

Animated Shows

Parasyte- [Hulu, Netflix & Amazon]

When alien parasites begin taking over people’s brains and disguising themselves as humans, teenager Sinichi Izumi accidentally traps one in his arm where it matures and is unable to take his brain, thus becoming his right hand. Together they begin defending themselves and the people Sinichi loves by taking on parasites while trying not to get caught by the government. Things get brutal.

Even though I probably shouldn’t have because of the intense gore, I actually read the manga version of this in elementary school and became deeply invested in the emotional story and the deep questions about humanity. Usually I am not one to enjoy gore or even anime, but the writing is so capturing that I find it to be one of my absolute favorite shows of all time. I have cried many times because of this series. You can watch it in English or in Japanese with subtitles, and there is even a live action version as well if you end up enjoying this.

Avatar The Last Airbender- [Netflix & Amazon]

When water tribe siblings Katara and Sokka free the avatar from a glacier, the time to fight back against the fire nation’s oppression begins. Aang must train to master the four elements before taking on the fire lord while also running from his son, Prince Zuko, who wants to capture the avatar to restore his honor.

I binged this just a few months ago, and it was the perfect amount of childish with political undertones that teach valuable lessons, not to mention the fascinating-beyond-belief world building. I have found that it is enjoyable for all ages after getting both my five year old nephew and my middle-aged aunt into it.

Steven Universe- [Hulu & Cartoon Network]

Half-alien Steven begins to develop powers from his gem heritage while being raised by his human dad and three gem beings like him. He abruptly gets thrown into the aftermath of a thousand-year long war and the reparations that must be made, as well as the fight against the ongoing threat of foreign invasion. Explore themes of grief, trauma, toxic relationships, empathy, and more.

The show starts off insanely goofy before delving into a riveting plot with three dimensional characters, beautiful animation, the occasional song worthy of being added to your playlist, and interesting dynamics. I think the main reason I loved this show so much was because of the fusions (when two gems combine into one to create a new look and personality) and the beautiful colors and designs. Most of the time it stays lighthearted, but it is also not afraid to explore the aforementioned themes.

Over the Garden Wall- [Hulu & Cartoon Network]

Brothers Greg and Wirt find themselves in a forest trying to get home, constantly being warned of “The Beast.” How did they get there again? Who are they? What year is it? Why does that kid have a teapot on his head?

This one is only ten short episodes long, but you find yourself drawn in by the mystery and sinister vibe that lies just beneath the surface of a goofy facade. I love the animation, the layers to the show, and the depth of it, but the rest you’ll have to discover for yourself.

Teen Titans- [DC Universe & HBO Max]

A team of five teenage superheroes save the world from many villains around their city while experiencing things normal teens face today.

This is the show I remember with the most nostalgia. If you have siblings or children, you have probably been subjected to the modern, ridiculous version of this. I assure you, the original is much more serious, a tad angsty, has characters you can get attached to, and is definitely something to make you smile. You should probably binge this before heading over to the live action I mentioned.

Now take your pick, turn on the TV, and let’s get through this.

Together.