A&E
Low-key Netflix originals worth checking out
By Matt Burner ’17
April 7, 2016
Tags a+e
At most colleges, one expects to leave winter behind upon returning from spring break. Unfortunately, Hamilton had to quickly temper those expectations this year. The cold weather of winter is here to stay for the time being, and with that comes the increased desire to not leave one’s room. One of the only benefits of the long, cold winters at Hamilton is the chance to watch or catch up on a multitude of shows on Netflix. In addition a collection of shows from different networks, Netflix also possesses a variety of original programming. While many are aware of the more acclaimed shows, such as House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, one can also find lesser-known shows that are equally high in quality. Here are three of my recommendations:
Master of None
Created by Aziz Ansari of Parks and Recreation fame, Master of None currently has one season available for viewing on Netflix. The show is a witty, engaging look at Ansari’s character, Dev, and his efforts to establish a life for himself in New York City. When viewing Master of None, one should not expect Ansari’s character to be an extension of his slightly ridiculous character Tom in Parks and Recreation. Rather, Dev is a more serious and thoughtful character that still cracks the occasional joke. While the show can be characterized as a comedy, it also tackles more serious subject matter such as racism in the entertainment industry and the elevated responsibilities and stress new parents face. The show also runs in half an hour episodes, which is an added benefit for the time-crunched college student.
Bloodline
Bloodline provides a much more serious option than Master of None. A drama taking place in the Florida Keys, Bloodline offers the tropical locale in which Hamilton students can only wish they went to school. Bloodline stars Kyle Chandler, best known for his role as Coach Taylor in the series Friday Night Lights, and highly talented Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn. The show chronicles the Rayburn family, who operate a hotel on the beach. They possess a peaceful and relatively satisfying life, until the older brother, Mendelsohn’s character Danny, arrives. Already possessing a dark past, he quickly threatens to blow up the family from within. While Bloodline possesses thrilling sequences at times, it is a much more slow-burning series than other dramas on TV and must be viewed with a degree of patience. Rest assured, though, that this patience will be rewarded.
Bojack Horseman
One of the current trends in network television is adult animated comedy. Shows such as Archer on FX have created their own niche within the TV market. Following in Archer’s footsteps, Bojack Horseman is a very dark and funny look at a washed-up former sitcom celebrity. What is unique and certainly weird about the show is the fact that the show is not just composed of human characters but also anthropomorphic animals. As the name suggests, the main character is a talking horse, voiced by Will Arnett. The show is the good kind of weird, and offers biting satire regarding many facets of the entertainment industry.