There are a few shows that were so addicting and intriguing to watch the first time around that I wish I could watch them again without knowing anything. There’s something exciting about going in blind, not knowing what to expect from a new show. All the emotions you feel are fresh and authentic and cannot be replicated during future watches when you already know how it ends. The following shows I have chosen to highlight have moved me in one way or another. This list is based on how memorable the shows were to me, the reactions they evoked, and the impact they left.
Without further ado, here is my list:
Reign
Reign really did a number on me. I don’t usually cry when I watch shows and movies, but Reign had me bawling in my dark bedroom at three in the morning. Reign is a historical fantasy, loosely based on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her romance with Prince Francis of France. The pilot introduces a prophecy that claims that Mary’s union with Francis will be the cause of his death. This prophecy is a major plot point that looms over Mary and Francis’ relationship throughout the series. The drama, the costumes, the scenery–everything about this show was engaging.
You
This show is pure insanity. I do not exaggerate when I say that every moment had me on the edge of my seat. You follows Joe Goldberg, a bookstore manager who obsesses over a girl named Beck. After the pair meet in Joe’s store one day, he stops at nothing to make Beck fall in love with him. I’ve never seen a show with such a charming, yet psychopathic predator and such an oblivious victim. You is unique, as the viewer follows along with Joe, hearing his innermost thoughts and seeing how he justifies his criminal actions.
Wandavision
Wandavision is such a bizarre show that I didn’t exactly know what was going on until the third episode. Wandavision, one of Marvel’s most impressive new shows, is made in the style of classic sitcoms through the ages, with Wanda Maximoff and Vision living together as husband and wife. This show is rather difficult to explain without giving spoilers, but definitely worth the confusion it arouses. Viewers know that something isn’t right and try to figure out what’s really going on in Wanda and Vision’s suburban life. Wandavision is witty and clever, with mysterious and dark overtones.
Stranger Things
I am not someone who enjoys horror. At all. I’m easily spooked and get squeamish around blood and other grotesque sights. But Stranger Things was so phenomenal that I endured all of that for the sake of the show’s plot. When a boy disappears in a small town, his friends, mother, and the police chief try to make sense of unusual circumstances to uncover what happened to him. Stranger Things is a spectacular blend of supernatural elements, lovable characters, and ‘80s atmospheric nostalgia.