Lenox Hill: this nine episode docuseries follows four physicians at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and is a must-watch in my book. It depicts the intense dedication doctors have for their patients, gives you a glimpse of their personal lives, and how the two intertwine. This has been on Netflix for about a year now, but if you still haven’t watched, I highly recommend. It is of course very heavy subject matter, but it’s one of the best series I’ve seen in a long time.
Murder Among the Mormons: “Three lethal explosions rattle Salt Lake City in 1985 and expose the dark of religious document-dealing.” I watched this on the plane recently, and really liked it! To be honest, I thought it started off kind of slow (probably the first half of the first episode), but I had heard really positive reviews so I kept watching. My favorite part about this one is that I thought I knew where it was going, but there were so many twists that I would’ve never seen coming.
One Tree Hill: This show is tied for first place with one other series that is my favorite to binge. No matter how many times I’ve watched this show through, I still get something new from it every time I re-start it (which I did recently). This show is so easy to get wrapped into and binge because it’s just that good. Although the main characters are high schoolers in the first few seasons, there are so many things you can relate to, lessons to learn, and definitely makes you look back on your own high school years. Re watching this show now, I get a lot more out of their adult years than I did when I watched for the first time. It’s one of those shows that grows with you. I go back to OTH every few years and binge it all the way through. I’ll typically watch when something big happens in my life or something changes because I truly take something new from this show each time. If you've never seen OTH and feel like you missed the window to enjoy it, you haven’t. Definitely start the binge.
“It's the oldest story in the world. One day you're 17 planning for someday and then quietly, without you ever noticing, someday today. And then someday yesterday. And this is your life.”
Breaking Bad: this show has been around forever, but if you haven’t watched it yet, it’s such an easy show to binge. If you don’t know the premise, the show’s main character is Walter White, an unsuspecting high school chemistry teacher and dad. I won't give away the specifics but through a series of life events, he ends up starting a meth lab to support his family. This show has made me laugh, cry and everything in between. I’ve re-watched the series two or three times since college, and the final episode is probably the best (meaning craziest and most unexpected) I’ve ever seen. Can’t recommend this one enough. Plus, who doesn’t love Bryan Cranston?
Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer: I’m a true crime lover, so this docuseries was a no brainer for me. It highlights the work of a detective and homicide investigator who stopped at nothing to solve a series of murders and sexual assaults that occurred in Los Angles in the mid-eighties. I will say, I 100% do not recommend watching it alone, or at night. It’s obviously very dark and can be graphic, so definitely be warned. It think I finished this one in the span of a day or two, and was glued to it the entire time.
The Housewife and the Hustler: As a long time fan of the Real Housewives franchise, I had to watch this documentary the moment it came out. This documentary addresses the current accusations and law suits against Tom Girardi, husband of Erika Jayne, a fan favorite on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Tom is a famous lawyer who is currently being accused of stealing tens of millions of dollars from vulnerable clients he has defended over the years. This documentary is the first time the law suits against Tom have been addressed to the public and gives insight into exactly what he’s being accused of— which is absolutely shocking. Hearing the stories from the perspective of the victims affected is extremely eye opening.
Friday Night Lights: Tied with OTH for binge worthy shows is Friday Night Lights. When I was done watching this show for the first time, I think I cried for days after. I was pretty close to buying a plane ticket to Dillon, Texas the night I watched the last episode (even though it’s a fictional town). This show is another one that I re-visit every few years and binge. For the same reasons, each time I get something new from the life lessons the show details. You fall in and out of love with the characters and feel like you know them all by the end. Such a good show that I can’t recommend enough.
Little Fires Everywhere: Although this came out about a year and a half ago, if you haven't yet watched, it's a must binge! I have never liked a show or movie more than the book. However, I thought the show Little Fires Everywhere was way better than the book. It covers a lot of life problems and conflicts that so many of us are or have dealt with. On top of that, it has so many twists and unexpected plot twists that keep you extremely invested each episode. Reese Witherspoon is both an executive producer for the show as well as a main character and she does a phenomenal job with both! I would definitely recommend this show.