What I've Been Watching

Heyo!

I've been away for the last six days, and that's because I was at Reading Festival once again and having the time of my life. I wanted to do a 'do's and don'ts' post about festivals but I literally had no time, so I'm going to be doing some festival-related posts in the next couple of weeks, so keep in the loop for that! Since I got back from Reading I've found a new appreciation for flushing toilets, toilet roll holders and actual soap (hand sanitiser was a life saver, but nothing compares to lathering soap in your hands, NOTHING!) I've almost recovered with a good night's sleep, wholesome food and the ability to clean myself after five days of using baby wipes, and I'm ready to blog once more!

As I've already discussed before, I was really suffering last month due to my EDS and I found myself unable to do a lot of things I would usually do. I resorted to watching even more TV than usual and lying in bed waiting for the pain to stop so I could go to the toilet or get some food. I had watched a lot of TV already over the summer, mainly documentaries in prep for university (they were very dark, as the main module for me besides dissertation in Literature is 'Literature and Evil', I won't be talking about them due to their very graphic content!) and also just finally tackling the long list of TV shows I've been recommended for the last couple of years. My good pal Trey, who I often talk of fondly because of his amazing artwork and just how brilliant he is and how much he has enriched my life, has shown me TV I didn't know I needed before, but now cannot live without. Trey-endorsed TV includes: Stranger Things, How To Get Away With Murder, Revenge, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia and many more, all of which are 100% worth the watch so watch these along with the other I'm going to mention in this post!

Anyway, I've been able to watch lots of shows various people and Buzzfeed articles (I know it's not news, everyone does, but the quizzes keep me entertained at 3am) have recommended to me based on what I like and my sense of humour/interests, so I thought I would share them with you all, go and check them out if they tickle your fancy!

BoJack Horseman

Image credit: https://www.vox.com/2016/7/23/12259216/bojack-horseman-season-3-netflix-review-interview

I discovered this purely because Netflix have recently changed their rating system from the stars to a thumbs up or down and have introduced a new feature showing how compatible other shows are to you based on what you've previously watched. I trusted the Netflix system, and the fact that Aaron Paul, Kristen Schaal and Alison Brie are voice actors for the show. (AP is from Breaking Bad, KS is from Flight of the Conchords, Bob's Burgers and many other shows I love, AB is best known from Community and GLOW) The star-studded line up, plus the initial premise of the show which I had looked up briefly seemed like something laid-back and yet engaging enough to catch my attention, so I gave it a chance. Two days later I'd watched two and a half season of the show, and finished it soon after. The animated sitcom aimed at adults follows 90s TV star BoJack Horseman, star of The BoJack Horseman Show, as he now lives in Hollywood (or Hollywoo as it is later known, watch to find out!) and lives his post-fame days trying to find a purpose in life whilst squatter/friend/ego-booster Todd (Aaron Paul) crashes on his sofa. I'm not sure how to refer to him, as we never definitively how or why Todd resides there for as long as he does. BoJack (Will Arnett) is the self-loathing egotistical alcoholic horse and central character who encounters various people from his past and current lifestyle on this journey. The series tackles depression, addiction, fame, loss, vice, sexuality, existentialism and various other topics in a tasteful and respectful way whilst not letting them define or take over the show. It has received mixed reviews, but I really think the satirical and dark nature of the show provides many opportunities for comic relief alongside big issues to create something binge-worthy and not too heavy without being just another sitcom. Well worth the watch, and season four airs on Netflix on September 8, 2017, so you'd best get watching if you're going to be up to date for the latest season!

Game Of Thrones

Image credit: http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Season_6

This probably comes as no surprise to anyone, but I've been really enjoying Game of Thrones over the summer. I hadn't actually seen season six, so I watched that with Jordan as he hadn't either (he binged it all before the new season, and we saw season six together, he's a good bean!) so we set about watching it all in time for season seven to premiere. I promise now, not a single spoiler will come from me because I'm not that person. I have read all the books, so in theory I know what should happen, but there have been a few things that haven't been touched upon yet, and there have been things completely disregarded (not mad though, because the books are huge and fitting everything into the series would be so expensive and time-consuming it would take years for it all to be covered!) I knew what the big things were in season seven, and was so happy with the ways they were executed. Although the storytelling aspect has been a bit underwhelming, the actual show has been very impressive. One thing that has annoyed me is people saying it's got the biggest and best battles ever to hit the screen, to this I say, go and watch The Lord of the Rings trilogy and get back to me, okay? The show has been breathtakingly beautiful and painstakingly annoying with how they end each episode, and I am already very upset that I will have to wait way over a year for the next season, but I recommend people start watching it now to avoid potential spoilers (Buzzfeed, we're looking at you here...) and also so your brain can process every detail, as things from season one have been brought back into focus, and everything is falling into place beautifully right now. This show is not for everyone, but if you like fantasy, battles, old-timey shows and incredible details, then this show might just be the one for you.

Top Of The Lake

Image credit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01bzxrl

This is something my mum actually recommended to me, and I saw that Gwendoline Christie my absolute favourite (also a fellow Worthing-born bean) was in the upcoming second season, which is still being shown on BBC one and iPlayer now. The show starts by showing young schoolgirl Tui Mitcham (Jacqueline Joe) walking out into the lake in what looks like a potential suicide attempt. It is later revealed she is pregnant, and at this point we are introduced to the main character Robin Griffin (Elisabeth Moss) who works as a detective in Sydney who is visiting her ill mother. Robin specialises in sexual assault, and feels a connection and sense of loyalty to Tui. She takes on the case to discover who got her pregnant and how it took five months for anyone to notice. Tui disappears, and the case turns from one of sexual assault to suspected abduction, murder and one of foul play. Robin's past is brought into light, and we learn why she does what she does, and how much she hates her home town and many of the people who live the. This show is incredible, and follows many narrative of a strong female detective such as The Killing, another incredible watch so go ahead if you haven't seen it on Netflix already. (Both versions are great but I have been watching the American adaptation of the original due to the language barrier) The show tackled more issues in its second season, with a new narrative whilst keeping Robin and her life/past in the mix. I watched both seasons in just under a week, and I wish the next season was coming out sooner. It is one of the best shows I have seen in a while, despite its dark nature, as it gives a social and political commentary on the corruption of humanity, morality and authority.

Rick and Morty

Image credit: https://www.fatsoma.com/smash-n-dash

This is a show many already know, and yet so many have yet to properly see, enjoy and experience. The hit show from adult swim has become a cult sensation, even crossing over into mainstream media for the sake of memes and other wholesome internet-content. From Pickle Rick to Getting Schwifty, the show has so many niche references and jokes, and is consistently and constantly following new narratives without forgetting small details (alternate universes, early references, parallel worlds etc.) It's a complex, funny, uplifting and self-deprecating and filled with a variety of characters, all of which only add to the show's narrative every episode. Rick is my favourite character because I find Morty too whiney at times, also Rick is the type of old man we can't help but love and simultaneously question. The latest season is currently being shown, so if you start watching in now (you can stream it free on Netflix and the new episodes get uploaded a day after their initial release, you're welcome!) you can be up to date for the season finale. It's really good, the episodes are relatively short, and the team behind the show pay very close attention to details. The show is so popular they managed to bring back a popular sauce from McDonald's as it was referenced in the show, it's powerful, clever, hilarious and well worth your time!

Sailor Moon

Image credit: https://www.viz.com/sailor-moon

This was a show I used to love when I was younger, and my cousin was really into it (shoutout to Emily and the cool paintings of the cast on her walls!) and got me into the show. I hadn't finished it all and only really caught it whenever I could (usually round Emily's house) and didn't really think about it until I was really ill last month. I was looking for something that was easy to watch, and that I was familiar with incase I fell asleep or missed a bit, and this show just ticked all the boxes. I was watching a 'Teens React to 90s Anime' video on YouTube and I wrote down the ones I had seen or was interested in and worked through the list. Also on this list were the likes of Cowboy Bebop, Digimon and Dragonball Z (I want to watch this but there's so many episodes I would be here for months! I am so glad I thought of this show again, and I finished the original series very quickly, and have started watching other 'spin-off' version. (If you can call them that? They're like when they kept adding Pokémon and doing new generations, RIP Officer Jenny and Brock wherever you are.) It's a very simple show, where schoolgirl and known cry-baby Serena is discovered to be Sailor Moon, and has to protect planet earth from evil forces. With the help of Luna the cat, the mysterious and allusive Tuxedo Mask, and the other Sailor scouts, she has to ward off evil and protect humanity. It's not too complex, binge-able and a real throwback to my childhood, and it was nice to see every episode and follow the narrative throughout as opposed to when I would sporadically watch snippets!

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I have obviously watched more TV than this, but I feel if I told you everything you wouldn't believe I actually did anything but watch TV. Also, some of it is very dark and you might question what the heck I'm doing watching it all! There's loads more TV that starts up again soon that I am excited to watch such as the new season of American Horror Story, Grey's Anatomy, How To Get Away With Murder, Doctor Foster, Riverdale and The Great British Bake Off (although I saw this last night and the only thing I enjoyed were some of the showstoppers and Noel Fielding...might not watch much more if it doesn't improve!) 

So there you have it, hopefully there's something on this list that will tickle your fancy and you'll want to give a go - whether I've mentioned it fleetingly or in detail. If you think there's something I would love then feel free to leave me a few suggestions or ideas in the comments because I'm running out of TV and winter is coming! Hope you've enjoyed this post.

B x