In our latest “Staff Picks,” we cover some of Netflix’s finest TV shows from docu-series to sitcoms, and even anime, to help you filter through the endless streaming options.
The Last O.G.
“The Last O.G.” chronicles the transition of a formerly incarcerated ex-drug dealer back into his hometown of Brooklyn, New York. The show relies on familiar faces like Tracy Morgan, Tiffany Haddish and Cedric the Entertainer. Though this is a playful comedy series in nature, it tackles topics of gentrification, and the re-entry of previously incarcerated folks. Tray, the protagonist played by Morgan, has great character development and highlights a nuanced approach to portraying a multifaceted character. The comedic contrast with the heavier themes creates an easy lift to watch in bed without feeling completely overwhelmed by its subject matter. P.S. Mike Tyson will be in the next season! – Oliver Rodriguez
Money Heist
I randomly stumbled across “Money Heist” about a year ago. Sometimes I feel like starting a new show is such a huge investment, getting attached to characters, filler episodes and everything else that comes with new shows. Without giving you too much information, “Money Heist” tells the story of a group of thieves robbing the Royal Mint of Spain by printing billions of euros. The heist is spearheaded by someone they call “The Professor,” who meticulously lays out every single detail of the robbery for eight thieves, all of whom have a specific set of skills. The show also includes a love interest that happens to be a de–nevermind, that’s all I’ll say. They just dropped Part 4 last weekend, so catch up! – Yared Gebru
Bleach
So if you are looking to zone out and escape reality during this quarantine, my pick is to watch “Bleach.” It’s an anime (animated series) based on a manga (comic) about some kid named Ichigo. He has orange hair, special powers, swings a huge sword, and has mystical adventures with magical friends against supernatural enemies and obstacles. It sounds simple, but it’s so epic. It’s like, Star Wars + Dragon Ball Z + Game of Thrones – nudity = Bleach. Epic.
The thing is, there are three seasons of “Bleach” on Netflix. But there are 26 seasons total. So watch it on Netflix and then mosey on to Hulu or Crunchyroll or whatever other renegade stream site you Google, to finish up.
If you have never seen “Bleach” or never watched an anime, go watch it; if you watched “Bleach” but fell off because it got boring with hella filler arcs, go watch it; and if you watched it and were into it, go re-watch it and re-get-into it. The reason being, next year, there will be a new season of the anime that tells the story of the final chapter that the manga ended on.
If you really wanna get stewie, brigi-style, here is how you do it:
1) Start watching the anime (with subtitles), (366 episodes).
2) When your eyes hurt from being entranced by the screen for 26 hours a day, take a break, drink some water or tea, then start reading the manga (698 chapters).
3) Continue watching the anime in the day and read the manga at night when you should be sleeping.
4) Have raging debates with yourself over the differences between the anime and the manga.
5) Finish the manga before you finish the anime.
6) Finish the anime and become distressed that the anime didn’t get as far as the manga.
7) Watch the trailer for the release of the final chapter of “Bleach” anime.
8) (This is a tangent but we’re really going 18 dummy on this one) Read “Burn the Witch”, then get super hyped. Watch the trailer for the “Burn the Witch” anime that’s coming out soon and get dummy hyped.
9) Hold your breath (spiritually) until the debut of the “Burn The Witch,” and the final chapter of “Bleach.” Exhale. By then, the real world will definitely be different from when you started, the “Bleach” world will really get to unfold, and now the true journey begins. – Brigido Bautista
The Five
Harlan Coben tells a classic story of a present-day mystery connected to a past unsolved mystery, zig-zagging unpredictably between today and yesterday to reveal the truth. Brilliant acting by the mostly British cast yields a realistic portrayal of the impact tragedy has on complex family dynamics and life-long friendships. The show effectively captures the subtle nuances of living it all out in a small town — one where everyone remembers what happened. The show thoughtfully explores themes of enduring friendship, unwavering loyalty, family, secrets and sanity all while searching for answers about a child who disappeared decades earlier. – Maeven McGovern
Explained
If quarantine life has you contemplating existential things like, can we live forever? Or, who was the first pirate EVER? I have the perfect show recommendation for you. It’s Netflix’s “Explained” series powered by Vox. The show covers random concepts and ideas you didn’t know you needed to know about. In the first season, Vox explains things like the racial wealth gap, monogamy or one of my personal favorites — how/when sounds go from just being sounds to being registered in our minds as music (that’s such a good one, go watch it first!) Each episode is narrated by a different celebrity’s voice, along with expert interviews and informative animations that help put all the pieces together in a fast, engaging, easy-to-follow way. There are two seasons full of random things explained, and then if you’re really into it you can check out their mini-series, “The Mind: Explained” and “Sex: Explained.” I guarantee you will end each episode feeling so smart, informed and satisfied because finally, all these random things you always contemplated are EXPLAINED. – Maya Drexler