A while ago, I watched a video by Lex Croucher where she discussed the TV shows that make her feel better, and it really resonated with me. I completely understood her when she talked about the healing power of TV (no matter how ‘good’ it may be).
1. Downton Abbey
Watching Downton Abbey has become a kind of de-stressing tradition for me now. This started when I first watched the show during my GCSE year during exam period. At that point, I’d done all the revision that was going to be useful and when I came home after an exam I would pop on an episode or two and chill out. I don’t quite know what it is about the show that makes me calm (there are most certainly episodes that aren’t so calm. Everyone knows thatdinner scene where I think Hugh Bonneville made absolutely everyone jump out of their skin), but it does the trick just fine and oh I love it so. I actually own the first series on DVD now secondhand, so I’ll have it with me when I move out, and I’m sure it’ll come in very handy.
2. Lovesick
This show is the one on this list with which I am most recently acquainted. It’s a Netflix original and so far, there are only 2 series of out (I really hope another one is on its way). The premise in itself is enough to make you laugh: the protagonist, Dylan, gets chlamydia and each episode is the story of every girl he has slept with as he calls them up to warn them. The timeline is revealed in small pieces as we jump to different years if Dylan’s life and we see the plot unfold. My favourite part of this show, though, isn’t Dylan’s development – it’s the rest of his friends’. We see Evie, , and (all of whom live together at some point or another) grow just as much if not more than Dylan and I think it’s their dynamic as a group that really makes the show unique.
3. Death in Paradise
I can’t count the number of times I’ve rewatched the different series, only made easier by some them being made available on Netflix. I probably know the plot to each episode (or at least most of them) by now, but it’s one of those shows that I keep going back to, I hink partially due to its Scooby-Doo-like predictability. I will stand by my opinion that its most recent series has gone to shit, but the first few series I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of.
4. Brooklyn-99
This show holds a very special place in my heart. I’m going to write a separate show on its cultural significance, but you’ll have to wait another day for that. The jokes never fail to make me laugh, even when I know they are coming and could recite them off by heart, and never rely on any harmful stereotype or preconception. They are even more hilarious when taken out of context (BOOST MY BOTTOM – I’M BOOSTING!!!!!). The group dynamic and chemistry is on another level, with all the characters having well-formed and healthy relationships with each other (let’s mention the distinct lack of toxic masculinity here people) and the diversity of this cast is second to none. I cried when it was cancelled and I cried when it was taken back up. I cannot wait for season 6.
5. Game of Thrones
Oh god I love this show. Perhaps it’s not as relaxing as the others, as I’m sure you are aware of its reputation for violence, sex and plot twists. However (please hear me out here), I love the characters so much and love rewatching the episodes time and time again so that I notice new details, or watching a specific series after I’ve finished reading one of the books so that I can compare contrast and analyse. How am I going to cope when it’s over??? (trick question: I’m going to keep rewatching and crying until the end of time and my face has shriveled up from the water loss)
What are your go-to chill out shows?
If you liked this post you might like: 5 Reasons to Love the 2017 Beauty and the Beast
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