Let’s Chat: Binge-Worthy Shows on Netflix and Amazon
From oldies to new releases, let’s chat binge-worthy shows on Netflix and Amazon, and share your favorites!
Some time ago when I was putting Lily to bed she asked me to lay down beside her, and said, “Mommy, let’s chaaaaat.”
The way she said it made Gracie and I laugh, so now once a week or so at night I lay down in one of the girls’ beds, and we “chaaaaat” about school, what we’re looking forward to, our favorite desserts. . . ya know. Girl stuff.
The other day I was bemoaning the fact that I couldn’t find a good show to watch, and I immediately thought I should ask all of you!
So chat number one – a truly important topic in life – binge-worthy shows on Netflix and Amazon.
I never watch tv (we don’t have cable anyway) unless it’s the NFL on Sundays, but during the work week I will often have a tv show or movie playing on the IPAD while I work at my desk.
This way when I zone out I am less likely to end up scrolling Amazon for cute clothes or something.
Might not work for all bloggers, but it has helped me keep my butt in the chair when I would prefer to be digging in my garden.
Sooo. . . I go through a lot of shows, but let’s break them down into two categories – period and modern.
You will see a fairly similar trend in the kind of entertainment I like!
Binge-Worthy Shows on Netflix and Amazon
Period Shows
Did anyone else have an obsession with the Titanic movie when it came out? I did, but I can honestly say I prefer this mini-series a hundred times over to the movie.
It focuses on the incredible story of building the Titanic, and according to what I read on Wikipedia (it must be true) the show was fairly historically accurate.
I was surprised by my own emotions toward the end of the show as we discovered which characters behind the building of the Titanic did or did not end up on that fateful voyage.
4 roguishly handsome men swinging swords and riding beautiful horses while saving 17th century Paris?
Yes. Please.
The dialogue between the 4 main characters often made me smile, and there are several good love stories intertwined with likable characters throughout.
One of my favorite mini-series of all time.
Also grounded in historical accuracy it follows the story of how the European soccer league, as we know it today, started which was really interesting. It has an underdog versus the alpha status quo kind of storyline, and the very likable main character looks like Captain America so it’s a win-win all around.
Jane Austen’s prose and a period drama – need I say more?
It’s no secret I am a huge Jane Austen fan, but this show really hit the mark when they cast the main actress and actor.
Their on-screen dynamic was perfect for the characters and thanks to the outcry in Britain and the excellent reception in the U.S. – BBC agreed to release a second season (all the praise hands here)!!
Have you noticed a trend here?
I am really British at heart. The fact is I lived in Britain until I was 5 years old, and when we moved back to the states my parents brought the culture with us in a variety of ways including all things BBC (the British Broadcasting Channel).
I grew up watching the old James Herriot series for many years, so when this one came out I was thrilled. It is a family-friendly show about a Yorkshire vet with beautiful animals and characters that are based on the real-life story of James Herriot.
This is a twist on the traditional story that I loved.
The show is grounded on the fact that this uncoordinated, rather awkward young man, Merlin, has the magical powers of a wizard but no one knows – including the future king he is destined to protect – Arthur.
The banter and brotherhood that develops between these two is the heart of the show, and the last episode might rank in the top 10 for making me cry the hardest (I won’t tell you if they were happy or sad tears . . . ).
Step aside Sherlock – Miss Eliza Scarlett is in town.
This is a really fun show about a female detective trying to make her way in the world after her father dies.
The duke, or Chief Inspector Wellington, was tasked by her father (who raised him like a son) to watch after Eliza.
Needless to say, it is Eliza getting herself into trouble frequently as she solves a mystery each episode and the brother/sister relationship between the two that starts to morph into other feelings that neither of them quite knows what to do with.
Season 2 coming soon, so I understand!
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are gold in this rendition of Sherlock (which is my favorite version to date).
The mysteries are intricate, and the theatrical performance of Martin Freeman especially tugs at your heartstrings.
I would not let young kids watch this as I myself hid behind a pillow once or twice during each episode, haha.
I let theatrical trailers dissuade me from watching this show for at least a year.
But I kept hearing so many good things about the show for those who love the fantasy genre, so I finally decided to give it a go.
This was one of the very first shows in which I actually made it through every season to the end wihtout taking a break (which is saying something since there are 7 seasons)!
It revolves around the concept of fairy tale characters living between two worlds – ours and that of their fantastical homeland which they were banished from.
There are many creative story arcs in each episode as they incorporate yet another well-known fairy tale character, but it’s the long game character development and storylines that they weave through season 1 to season 7 that really surprised me.
By the last episode, one character’s development in particular had me all emotional.
There is one main reason you should watch this show, and it is not Aidan Turner despite his fabulous portrayal of Poldark.
It is also not the relatable storyline they create between the many likable characters or the unique reality that the main character is not the typical “hero” but is in fact a very flawed man constantly trying to learn from his mistakes.
The best part about this show is the music. The musical score for this production is phenomenal. Check out the main theme below.
I believe this is one of Hallmark’s longest-running original tv series and is still going.
It is a family-friendly show about a teacher in Hope Valley, a coal mining town in western Canada.
I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say this show through in a massive curveball that took my breath away and was reportedly so dynamic because the emotions portrayed by the actors and actresses themselves were authentic with little acting required.
Talk about DYNAMIC.
When I first saw this show I thought these two main actors have to either be really good friends or actually dating in real life because no one can fake that level of connection.
They were dating in real life.
I have no idea if they are still together or not, but this show was a beautifully acted look into the life of Queen Victoria and some of the storylines are apparently grounded in real historical accuracy.
The 4th season was put on hold, but I believe it is scheduled to happen.
Binge-Worthy Shows on Netflix and Amazon
Modern Shows
I am only halfway through this show, but I genuinely find the process of forensic anthropology as intriguing as the banter between the two lead characters (who apparently are best friends in real life as well).
The female and male lead have such great chemistry they pulled off 12 seasons of this show!
This show has inspired a genuine curiosity about what the work of a real forensic anthropologist actually looks like. Certainly, it is more exciting in the show, but it sure has this nurse practitioner intrigued.
Do not let the title of this show fool you. It has nothing to do with the traditional “Beauty and the Beast” story.
It is about a female cop, and a man who was transformed into a super-soldier gone wrong due to a failed government experiment,
Lots of intrigue and mystery and no character is safe or certain in this show. Again, the dynamic between the lead couple is fabulous.
A super spy show that does not take itself seriously.
I laughed out loud in this show more than once. Great mini-mysteries in each episode with an overarching mystery that is solved by the end of each season.
Despite the hilarity, the characters tug on your heartstrings and keep you watching until the end.
And for added suspense – I did not expect the show’s ending.
An oldie but a goodie – is there a more classic binge-worthy show than the “Gilmore Girls”?
In typical Ahna fashion, I only watched this for the first time about a year ago and instantly fell in love with the witty reporte between Lorelai and her daughter Rory.
The writers must have had a blast with this script as the actress who plays Lorelai nails these lines with such ease that it is not hard to believe the actress has a real-life affinity for sarcasm and dry humor.
The very first superhero franchise that is surprisingly as relevant today as it was 20 years ago.
A classic – “Smallville” is unique in that it focuses on the early years of young Clark Kent and follows the storyline of how he becomes Super Man.
The crowning glory of this show for me was the characterization of Lois Lane and the unique way in which they developed this legendary relationship.
It is one of the few 10 season shows that I would be willing to watch over again.
Speaking of watching over again I think I have already rewatched “White Collar” two or three times.
The 4 characters shown above are the heart of the show, and the working relationship that is built between FBI Special Agent Peter Burke and the infamously charming white-collar criminal, Neil Caffrey, is the highlight of the show.
Let’s throw in a reality tv show here to spice it up.
I have found that people either love “Duck Dynasty” or find it ridiculous.
I especially enjoyed it after reading an interview with one of the producers who said that after the first season they realized that the best part of the show was the way the family authentically interacted with crazy Uncle Si, and from then on out he was in pretty much every episode because the dynamic that you saw was real.
And personally, I think we could all use some Uncle Si in our lives.
I don’t really need to say much about this show.
Chip and Joanna Gaines transform real-life houses into real-life dream homes, and this couple is just AMAZING.
I am wondering if we could see an episode where Chip Gaines and Si Roberston collaborate on a fixer-upper?
My joy would be complete.
This show is a fun spin on a telenovela.
I binge-watched it for the first couple of seasons, and then in full disclosure I didn’t finish it.
Maybe I will one day, but this is a favorite for many, and I enjoyed what I did see of it.
Beautiful horses, heart warming family-friendly storylines, and has recently been renewed for a 15th SEASON!
This was another show I binge-watched for several seasons and then got sidetracked, but I thoroughly enjoyed the storylines and really, who doesn’t love a show that has beautiful horses in every episode?
I did finish this show. Ha. I really enjoyed “Hart of Dixie” with its stereotypical love triangles and all.
The script is amusing and witty enough to keep you watching despite the predictable rom-com storyline.
If you like Marvel’s Avengers, then you will like “Agents of Shield.”
The show is happening congruently with the storylines and timelines of the Avengers and follows the adventures of Phil Coulsen (who is NOT dead – spoiler alert), and his team.
This show has an impressive 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and continues to prove that everything the Avenger’s franchise touches turns to gold.
I am anxiously awaiting the release of the next episode in season 3 and am curious to see how the storyline progresses.
“Manifest” is a more relatable, less confusing version of “Lost” with lots of mystery.
I am laughing to myself as I wrap up this list with a teenage melodrama (this is a safe space here), and although “The Vampire Diaries” is saturated with predictable love triangles and teenage angst I laughed out loud in this show more than any other show I have ever watched which is ironic in and of itself because I am pretty sure this show was not intended for comic relief.
But the fact remains, whoever was in charge of writing vampire brother Damon’s lines and I need to be friends. The actor pulled off this character’s dry cynicism with such authenticity that is hard to believe in real life the cynical one is actually his co-star, Paul Wesley, who plays his younger brother Stefan.
The true love story in this show is that between the two brothers and the relationship between them on set is so believable that it was not surprising to learn these two actually became like brothers in real life.
Ok, I spilled on my favorite shows, and now I need more recommendations! Tell me in the comments what are your favorite binge-worthy shows?
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Ohhhh thank you for all of these recommendations!!! I am always wondering what to watch next, especially once Winter arrives and now I have a list:)
Yay!! Yes we all need good show ideas!