It’s no secret that Netflix and Hulu are cleaning up in the entertainment industry. It seems that every time I log on to watch something, there’s five new original films and shows that pique a unique interest in viewers. Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely not complaining about the variety and never ending stories that creatives of all kinds are coming together to make for all of us. The question remains though, that with the constant stream of content, what’s worth watching? Well I got you covered from the popular shows you see memed all over the internet, to the gems you may be passing up so you can watch The Office for the fifteenth time. (We get it, it’s a great show! Just give yourself a break from Schrute Farms for a bit!)  

As a warning, none of these shows are appropriate for young audiences as they involve mature themes, languages, and heavy concepts.  

Netflix:

1. The Last Kingdom: If you’re looking for visceral action, romance, battle, war strategy, and hunky vikings (aren’t we all?), then have I got the show for you! Set in the 9th century, follow a Saxxon by birth-Dane by upbringing, warrior work his way through England’s early days of settlement to claim his land, reach Valhalla, or Heaven, and find his religion. 
2. Ozark: Oh my word! This is packed with drama and emotion, highlights the drug cartel’s reach, includes money laundering tips (You know, in case you want to learn a new “craft” during quarantine!), and the story of a family adjusting to their new life and the characters that come into it. If you need more to give it a watch, consider that my father falls asleep during any tv show or movie, but for this one he opted to stay up after midnight so he could watch “just one more episode”. Need I say more?
3. i’m sorry.: This hilarious representation of actress and comedian, Andrea Savage, portrays a writer, wife, and mother who navigates the stuck up families at her child’s elementary school, balances work and family, and brings a confidence in her immature jokes that they level up to funniest moments of her odd days.
4. Messiah: If you’ve ever been curious as to how people would react to Jesus if he were to come back in this time period, then you definitely need to give this a watch and thought. Switching between Arabic, French, Hebrew, and English, and jumping all over the world, it’s a show to really pay attention to. I think it will leave you with an awful lot of questions as well, enjoy!  
5. Tiger King: Murder, gangs, death threats, law suits, prison, exotic animal smuggling, and the wildest people you will ever virtually meet! We all know the documentary that has taken the world by storm, but did you know they released a final episode? I bet you’re running off to watch that right now, but do come back and finish this listicle! 

Hulu:

1. Big Little Lies: I’ve been told to watch this for quite sometime by my lovely sister, but I had no idea how great it really was! The star studded cast, complex themes, and cinematography of this show really bring to life the story written by Liane Moriarty. I will warn though, it heavily displays domestic abuse, assault, murder, broken families, and many other difficult subject matters. 
2. Dave: Let’s lighten things up for a moment with a glimpse into the life of rapper Lil Dicky. This show chronicles his journey to making it big in the music industry, grappling with his childhood, and fighting the label of “comedic rapper”, regardless of titling his album “Penith”; a play of his erotic name and the word “Zenith”, which is a time when something is most powerful or successful. 
3. Baskets: This wonderfully dark comedy starring Zach Galifianakis follows a man fighting for his professional career as a clown after flunking out of French clown college and moving home with his mother and twin brother in California. Watch as his life unravels, ties into one of those scarves clowns have stuffed up their sleeve, and ends up in a messy bow that probably gets untied again.
4. Veep: Julia Louis-Dreyfus emboldens the Vice President of the United States in this dramedy over the course of seven seasons. Watch as she manages relationships and the country with her power hungry self to become President of the United States; backed by her, most of the time, loyal team and nurtured by the loveable character Gary (played by Arrested Development star Buster, Tony Hale). You won’t be bored as you watch the inner workings of the political world and how they deal with the “accidents” that come about.
5. UnReal: Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes on shows in the Bachelor Nation? Well, in the fictional rendition of reality show “Everlasting” we are given insight into what the producers do to get those drama packed scenes of girls crying into their wine glasses and running off into the hills of wherever-the-heck-they-are-Cali. In addition to that though, there’s loads of drama between the camera operators, PAs, producers, and the network to keep you entertained by their fights, love lives, personal baggage, and more.

I hope your quarantine is going well and you now feel prepared to tackle this quarantine like a viking-drug lord-political team-comedian-producer-rapper-clown! Good luck, and stay home! 

Warm thoughts,

Candace