Now that HBO has made the official announcement that Game of Thrones WILL NOT be returning in 2018, fanboys and fangirls everywhere are left wondering, “How do I find meaning in my empty life now?”
Well, never fear, because we’ve got a list of eight shows that you can watch, all viewed and highly recommended, to keep you going till the last season of Game of Thrones (you DID know this was going to be the last season right?) rolls around, and makes all our lives brighter and more meaningful by letting us watch shocking violence, excellent acting, and betrayal that we expect but will still be surprised by.
Black Mirror
Feeling upbeat? Looking forward to the future? Well, say no more, because that ends now. Black Mirror is the ultimate show about bleak dystopian future. The show tackles how technology is progressing at leaps and bounds, but how the same tech could very well be turned into tools to torture and harass us.
With the progress and overwhelming integration of social media and technology into our lives, the show paints a terrifying picture of the future.
The show, which premiered in 2011(that's right) has four seasons, and the latest season released on 29 December 2017.
Catch Black Mirror on Netflix.
Mr Robot
If Black Mirror were set in present day, it would be Mr Robot. Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek) is a socially anxious cyber security engineer who joins hands with a vigilante hacker group called 'FSociety' to overthrow the world's largest conglomerate, E Corp.
Malek carries the show through its twists, turns, and dizzying highs with his eyes, which feel like they're staring into your soul, and of course, his award-winning acting.
Set in the real world, it will take your lack of trust in the system and amp it by a factor of ten. Black Mirror is what COULD happen. Mr Robot is what IS happening.
Catch it on Amazon Prime.
The Crown
Say goodbye to the murder-y, slaughter-y royalty from Game of Thrones, and welcome a brilliantly written drama about the rise of Elizabeth II, from Princess Elizabeth to Queen Elizabeth II. Like Mr Robot, The Crown is driven by Claire Foy’s subtle performance as the monarch.
What the show lacks in physical conflict, it makes up for in spades with political and emotional turmoil. It’s no wonder Claire Foy and John Lithgow won Best Actress and Best Actor at the 23rd Screen Actors Guild Awards.
With thirteen nominations at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, The Crown, available on Netflix, is a must-watch.
Dark
Pegged as Stranger Things for adults, Dark is set in the atmosphere-laden German town of Winden. Arguably scarier than Stranger Things, and definitely more compelling, Dark follows Jonas, as he struggles to cope with his father’s suicide in a town that seems to have more than its share of spooky goings-on.
Throw in some time travel, angsty characters, and Dark has all the makings of a slow-burn thrill ride.
Watch Dark on Netflix.
This is Us
This Is Us follows the lives of three siblings, Kevin, Kate, and Randall. Originally supposed to be born triplets, Kevin and Kate lose their sibling who dies during childbirth. Their parents then adopt Randall, a baby who was abandoned by his father.
The show jumps across time, following the three from their childhood to their adult years. The show deals with a range of sensitive topics including the death of a baby, adoption, trying to find a sense of belonging, and the hope to find one’s own roots.
If you want to watch a unique, emotionally driven show, This Is Us is for you.
Catch it on Amazon Prime.
The Handmaid's Tale
Based on the 1985 novel of the same name, The Handmaid’s Tale paints a picture of a dystopian and shockingly bleak world. In a world where fertility rates have collapsed because of pollution and sexually transmitted disease, only a few fertile women called “handmaids” can bear children.
These women are “assigned” to the homes of the rich and powerful to face systematic rape, and bear children for them.
The surprisingly delicate-sounding title gives no hint of the true darkness behind The Handmaid’s Tale. Also made into a movie, this series, on Hulu, is a must-watch.
The Wire
Well, well, well. Sit down, get comfortable, and get ready for The Wire. Based on the violence and gang wars of Baltimore, The Wire makes almost every list of Greatest Shows Ever Made.
With its season premiere in 2002, and the show’s finale in 2008, The Wire became the benchmark for many shows, including Breaking Bad. Prepare for a slow, slow burn. The Wire requires all your focus as you follow James McNulty, William ‘Bunk’ Moreland, Stringer Bell, and the charismatic Omar Little.
Lauded for its realism, The Wire is a must-watch.
Catch it on Hotstar.
Fargo
Fargo is a beautifully directed, hyper-violent show set in small-town of Minnesota. Season 1 follows a contract killer on his decidedly grim journey, as he passes through the cold (literally and figuratively) backdrop of Minnesota.
Fargo shares its name with the Coen brothers movie of the same name, but that’s where most of the similarities end.
However, the writers and cast do create odd, over-the-top characters, who are reminiscent of characters like Anton Chigurh (from No Country For Old Men).
The violent derailment of the story, while it is dark, is decidedly enjoyable. So strap in for a dark dark ride with Fargo on Netflix.
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