Many people love summer for the beautiful weather, sunny days, laying outside getting a tan, going to the pool, and doing so many other "fun" outdoor summer activities.
I, however, prefer the cold and harsh chill of indoor air conditioning and the loving embrace of the great indoors during these harshly hot and unforgiving summer months. Sitting outside is great for about 0.2 seconds in July until you realize that during the day there is sweat in places you didn't even know could sweat.
And at night you step outside for one minute and go back in with about 30 mosquito bites. So, instead of pretending to actually enjoy "soaking up the sun" in the summer, step back into the house, bask in the air conditioning, and do the one thing everybody loves: binge-watch television. Because that my friends is the true meaning of summer vacation. Here are five binge-worthy television shows to watch this summer, if you haven't started already.
1. "The Sopranos"
86 episodes. 6 seasons. It seems like a lot, but once you start watching you won't be able to stop. On the surface level, this television show may seem like just another gangster crime series about the mafia, but it is so much more.
The show centers around Italian mobster Tony Soprano, expertly played by the legendary James Gandolfini, whose family issues, work issues, and personal issues take him to see therapist Dr. Jennifer Melfi, played by Lorraine Braco (a.k.a. Karren from "Goodfellas").
This combination of gangster crime, family issues, the anti-hero, drama, dark humor, and psychology is what sets "The Sopranos" apart from not only gangster crime television shows, but all drama television series. David Chase, the show's creator, left his mark on both television and media as we know it with this incredible and awe-inspiring series.
Did you love Walter White as an anti-hero? Don Draper? Well, they are molded in the shadow of Tony Soprano. If you are looking for a light and fun watch, this show may not be the right one for you. But, if you are looking for a television series to make you think, to become emotionally attached to, and to love, then this is certainly the summer binge for you.
2. "Arrested Development"
If you haven't watched this series already you are truly missing out on some of the greatest, deepest belly laughs of your TV-watching life. The characters in this series are not simply goofy, they are (at times) out of this world ridiculous.
Yet, that just adds to the charm and hilariousness of this series. Centered around the Bluth family and the demise of their company as George Bluth Sr. is arrested, this show offers an in-depth look at a truly chaotic and toxic family.
However, the light tone and double-innuendo writing makes for comedy gold and will leave you laughing out loud at Gob's "illusions" and Tobias' "promising" acting career. If you haven't already watched this series and are looking for a funny, lightweight show then immediately start to binge "Arrested Development" (rough it through the first couple episodes of the Netflix produced season 4).
3. "Mad Men"
1960's. Advertising. New York. Chain smoking, day drinking. Sexism...but also women gaining power.
What more could you want?
This AMC American drama series will transport you to a very specific time and place in American history, the rise of advertising in the early 1960's New York. Now that is most definitely very niche. In theory, it seems that the series would present a very introspective look on the world, and at times it does, but for the most part, this series will surprise you with the boundaries it pushes.
At times it seems that it is all about the power of white men, but what the writers of this series so expertly do is use that artificial layer of that classic "American Dream" of man going to work his big job while the women stay at home, to reveal deeper truths about both the society of that time and subtly the society of our time.
The series will leave you wondering, is it really just a Don Draper story? Or is it a Peggy story? Maybe Joan? The answer lies in the viewer, making this series amazingly summer binge-worthy.
4. "Sneaky Pete"
After "Breaking Bad" ended, we dreamt of Walt's reincarnation as a crooked cop slash underground poker king only to awake to this reality in Sneaky Pete on Amazon. A constant thrill ride following Pete (Giovanni Ribisi) as he navigates a return from prison to a family plagued with bad luck in the bail bond business in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
A series of events leads Pete to solve a crime, save his brother, get revenge on the Cranston king-pin, and still get away with the money. Season 2 takes you on a new adventure with crazy characters and an ingenious plan to steal Teddy Roosevelt's buffalo. If that didn't peak your interest then I don't know what can.
Sneaky or not, this creative and original series will creep up on you until you have no choice but to sit inside and binge it til the end.
5. "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
This show's title gives it all away, it really is marvelous.
Focused around Mrs. Maisel, a 1950's housewife turned stand-up comedian. Written by Amy Sherman-Paladino (creator and writer of "Gilmore Girls") this series embodies exactly what Sherman-Paladino is known for, face-paced, witty, humorous, and gut-wrenching.
The characters talk as fast as a high-speed roller coaster and seem larger than life, but at the end of the day their relatability and loving nature draws you in like no other. Part comedy, part drama this so-far one season dramedy will draw you in like no other. With only eight episodes, you'll finish the last more than ready for season 2 to come out. Making this series an amazing, dare I say marvelous, summer TV binge.
I'll finish this list urging everyone to stay indoors, forget about the sun and the annoying sand of the beach, enjoy the air conditioning and binge watch television!
