Although Netflix’s offerings may disappoint at times, you can’t deny the quality and volume of TV shows available. Now is the best time to catch up on the gems you might have missed because you were too busy paying attention to schoolwork during the year. Luckily, I watched enough Netflix for all of us.
1. **Twin Peaks** — This suspenseful drama series from David Lynch follows FBI agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) as he struggles to answer a question that has an entire town reeling: Who killed Laura Palmer? The city of Twin Peaks itself is bathed in mystery, and often strange occurrences have supernatural explanations. The cult followers of this incredibly binge-worthy show are drawn to its offbeat ambiance and oddball characters. Each episode is an hour long, and with only two seasons, you may find yourself on Amazon trying to get your hands on the movie prequel, “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.” Definitely check out this piece of cinematic glory before the 2016 reboot on Showtime, since Lynch, after initially signing on then backing out of the project, will be returning as director.
2. **Gilmore Girls** — If you haven’t already spent several days locked in your room watching Lorelai and Rory Gilmore’s endless banter, let this be your invitation. This quirky, easy watch about a mother and daughter in a New England town that is the definition of quaint will always make you feel at home. What makes this sitcom so memorable is the quick-witted writing and the spotless performances. Every townie in Stars Hollow has a recurring and vital role in the success of this truly funny and impossibly smart show. With seven seasons, you’ve got a whole summer’s worth of watching.
3. **The West Wing** — Think “House of Cards” if all of the main characters had any likable traits. So nothing like “House of Cards,” really. “The West Wing” profiles a president (Martin Sheen) and his closest White House staff members. The series is pretty old, but your parents loved it for a very good reason. Its political atmosphere makes it fast-paced and interesting, but what really carries it home are the dry, workaholic supporting actors that convince viewers to trust Washington. If capitalism has you going mad, try watching this fictitious presidency for seven seasons, which is basically as long as you could draw it out with a two-term limit.
4. **Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt** — Ellie Kemper was made to play Kimmy Schmidt. This lighthearted comedy about a woman who escapes a doomsday bunker and enters 21st century New York is exactly what you would expect from the show’s co-creator Tina Fey. There isn’t a dull, jokeless moment. From the YouTube-dubbed news-style intro song, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” will have you captivated. The 22-minute episodes are bite-sized and basically created for binge-watching. Since there’s only one season, you can get through the entire thing in a day.
5. **Psych** — Before USA Network exploded with _formulaic_ crime series, there was “Psych,” a show about an insanely sharp detective who fakes psychic powers to get a job. Psychic Shawn (James Roday) and hilarious left-hand man Gus (Dulé Hill) solve mysteries for the Santa Barbara Police Department. “Psych” is everything you like about crime shows without all the high-profile drama. And, there’s a pineapple cameo in every episode which makes watching four episodes in one night feel like a bit of an accomplishment, when you find them all.
