netflix tv shows you should be watching

PSA - In this day and age, I just assume that everyone has Netflix (or has someone they're close enough to that they can borrow their password and fill their suggestions up with things they don't care about). If you don't..sorry. (Who am I kidding, you can watch literally everything online nowadays.)

Sense8

I cannot recommend this show enough! To attempt to put it simply, it's about eight people from different places around the world who become psychically connected, and begin to experience each others' lives. Sounds really complicated, right? Well, it is, but once you get past the impossibility of the situation, what's really special about this show is the characters; their individual struggles; their emotions; their lives. The range is incredibly diverse, from an Indian woman studying medicine who is unsure about her upcoming marriage, a famous Mexican actor trying to hide his sexuality, to a Korean businesswoman who ends up falsely imprisoned. They've also got a trans actor playing a trans character! Seriously, if you're tired with the lack of LGBT/multi-racial representation on TV, sense8 will restore your faith in humanity. And without giving too much away, there's not many shows that could make me sympathise (and fall a little bit in love) with a character who's intent on destroying his own family. Here's my favourite scene from the show to give you a taster of what's so great about it.

Orange is the New Black

If you've not watched this show, where have you been??? I feel like there's practically no point in mentioning it. You've seen it already. This is like, Netflix's not-so-secret favourite child. The first season mainly focuses on spoilt and conventional Piper Chapman having to deal with the many trials and tribulations of prison life. But over the course of all the episodes, you gradually get to know everyone else inside Litchfield. Discovering all the characters' backstories and childhoods is so interesting. OITNB does an incredible job of humanising female prison inmates and encouraging you to empathise with those you would likely condemn or turn your nose up at if you read about them in the newspaper. And again, an amazing and diverse representation of women - you go Netflix. When so many popular films don't even pass the Bechdel test, Orange is the New Black is a breath of fresh air. 

Daredevil

incentive enough for ya?

If you have seen the 2003 movie with Ben Affleck, please don't judge this show by it. If you've not seen the movie...just don't. This TV show does the character justice far better - and yes maybe that was a play on words. The protagonist Matt Murdock is blind but has trained his other four senses to go into overdrive so he can practise law during the day and fight crime at night. It sounds cheesy, but this show is dark and gritty yet simultaneously smart and witty (I made that rhyme completely by accident I swear.) And Charlie Cox proves himself to be an actor of great range and promise - you may know him from Stardust or The Theory of Everything, but he's practically unrecognisable in the title role. This show has so much potential and I can't wait for the next season!

I thought I would stick to ongoing shows, but if you're sure you can go through the emotional turmoil of getting obsessed with a show you already know has been cancelled or completed, here's some more of my favourites on Netflix:

• Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• Firefly
• Gossip Girl
• Skins
• The Mighty Boosh
• Community (continued on Yahoo screen but with only half the original cast)

One final word of advice - even if you originally intend it to be ironic, on no accounts should you start watching 90210. You will laugh at how bad it is, keep watching to see how ridiculous the storylines and plot twists get, then you will get sucked in and never escape. You have been warned.

life update

This has been one of the busiest and most emotional months of my life to date, and before it ends next week I'm away to London! It's going to be so busy due to Wimbledon but I can't wait to experience the atmosphere - I'll make a post on it once I'm back. Anyway, back to the present.

Prom

I suppose this would be considered my official highschool send-off; although it plays a staple in so many American teen movies it has become almost a rite of passage here in the UK too. It was a very surreal experience for me, as I had my hair done and a long dress on, two things that very rarely happen for me, and a combination of the two only occurring once in a blue moon. If I ever get married I've decided I don't want a dress with a train - way too much effort. One part I did love was the excuse to wear as much makeup as I wanted! I did it all myself (well, with the help of a Youtube tutorial. The wonders of the internet.) The prom was held at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow where we had a 20's Great Gatsby-esque theme. Everything looked so classy and beautiful, even if the drinks were absolutely extortionate! Although I suppose that means I've been able to remember the night a lot better (even if was just to cringe over how bad our DJ was.)

School Show - Back to the 80s

As it was my final year of school, I finally plucked up the courage to audition for a main part in our production of Back to the 80s, and I'm so glad I did!!! I have always enjoyed being a part of the chorus but being a main cast member this year has been so rewarding; not only has it improved my confidence so much, it's also helped me make loads of new friends who I would probably never have spoken to otherwise. I will be sorry to part with my alter ego Sheena Brannigan and all the other people who made up William Ocean High School. On the last night I had the privilege of saying the vote of thanks with a friend, which was a true honour to finally be able to recognise the efforts and enthusiasm of all the wonderful people involved. I think it speaks volumes that on my official last day of school I was completely unphased, but once the curtains drew on our closing night, the floodgates opened and I was crying uncontrollably. No matter if you perceive yourself to be talented or not, I encourage everyone to get involved in a musical production at some point in your life - I promise you won't regret it. 

Total Eclipse of the Heart <3

Other stuff...

Although my reading pace may have been a bit slower than usual due to endless show rehersals I've still been keeping up with my Goodreads challenge. A Room With A View is what I'm currently making my way through, but I've read a lot of great books lately, including Fingersmith by Sarah Waters and Longbourn by Jo Baker. I also finished Persuasion, meaning I've read all of Jane Austen's completed novels (I am officially a fledgling Janeite.) I've got lots of other books that I plan to read this year too - maybe a future blog post? 

Thanks to the godsend that is Netflix I've also caught up with all of Orange is the New Black series 3. Seriously, if you've somehow missed the massive buzz surrounding this show, please go watch it. It will warm your heart and break it in half and make you laugh and probably change your attitudes towards a lot of things. 

As I've said I am going on holiday next week so expect more posts soon! What have you all got planned for summer?