TV Marathon Guide: Volume II
Remember like, two weeks ago when I promised to write about TV shows, then I started and didn't follow up? Well, blame it on AMERICA, because the last couple of weeks were effed up for me on a personal and national level. Now more than ever it's important that we have TV shows to obsess over to keep our minds off the shitshow that is the outside world. And sometimes even our personal lives, like mine last week, when I contracted the plague and could barely walk. Whatever your ailment, television is the best medicine. So here's volume two of my favorite marathon-able TV shows. For volume one, go here.
Basics: What if aliens really did land in Roswell, NM in the 40s? And what if they incubated for awhile, integrated into society, and eventually became highschoolers in the late 90s/early 00s? Obviously this is an allegory for how kids feel like "aliens" during their awkward high school years, but Roswell is also a great sci-fi, soapy, teen mystery. And it has Colin Hanks!
Amazing Dialogue Snippet: "Well, a lot of secret meetings, a lot of lying to authorities. Sometimes narrowly escaping gunfire… Although generally that was pretty rare." - Colin Hanks (AKA Alex) summarizing Roswell better than I ever could.
Why You Should Watch: I love teen TV shows, this is no secret, but I think Roswell is kind of universally appealing. It has elements of sci-fi, an epic love story (No, I'm not referring to Liz and Max. It's all about MICHAEL AND MARIA.), mystery, adventure, suspense, and all the while the show has a sense of humor about itself. Look, for me, the best argument to watch a show is this: It was created by Jason Katims. Done. The End.
Roswell is available in its entirety on DVD, Netflix, and Hulu Plus
Basics: Okay, I've only seen the first season of Hex, because I live in America and God is punishing me for something I'll probably never admit to. But I can say that the first season of Hex is must see tv. It's is the story of Cassie, who's a student at a boarding school in the middle of Nowhere, England. And she's a witch. And her roommate is a lesbian ghost. And she's being courted by an incredibly sexy fallen angel named Azazeal, who happens to be played by MICHAEL FASSBENDER. Yes. You read that right. (Oh, and Cassie's high school crush is played by Joseph Morgan, who you may know as Klaus from The Vampire Diaries and The Originals.)
Amazing Dialogue Snippet: "Do you have any idea how frustrating it is being a lesbian ghost?" - Thelma, played with utter brilliance by the fab Jemima Rooper.
Why You Should Watch: Oh who cares about anything but this.
Season 1 of Hex is available in the US on DVD.
Basics:Best Friends Forever is a tragically under-appreciated show that ran for only six episodes. It's based on creators Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair's actual friendship, and the two have the obvious, jealously-inducing chemistry that can only come from years of BFF status. The basic plot is that Jessica has been dumped by her husband, and moved in with her best friend Lennon, who welcomes her with open arms. But Lennon is living with her boyfriend Joe, who isn't too keen on being the third wheel.
Amazing Dialogue Snippet: Everything ever said by anyone, but particularly Queenetta.
Why You Should Watch: This show is hilarious, Parham and St. Clair are gifted writers and performers, and it is a DAMN SHAME that NBC was too stupid to give this show more of a chance. I also blame everyone who didn't watch Best Friends Forever and help keep it on the air. YES, YOU. Lucky for all you horrible people, it's on Hulu.
It's too late to save BFFs, but it's not too late to appreciate it.
Best Friends Forever is available in it's devastatingly short entirety on Hulu.
That's it for now, because I'm tired, and because I realized I have enough to say about Pretty Little Liars that it's getting its own post. BUT! There are some honorable mentions I'd like to, well, mention. Like Battlestar Gallactica (the best political drama of the 21st century!), Scandal, Dollhouse, Better Off Ted, Inbetweeners, and Skins. And let's not forget about kdramas and other TV shows I've already discussed, which you can read about under the Television and Kdrama tags.