Television today has impacted us all in ways we never imagined. The fact that it is now almost controlled by us individually in many ways, and with a plethora of streaming providers, has given entertainment a new meaning. Gone are the days when we had no choice when and what to watch. Not only that, but it has also opened a casket of thoughts and imagination magnificently woven into shows, many of which have significantly impacted ourminds. I am a self-proclaimed fan of anything that makes me say this could be me, or oh my gosh this is me! Are there too many choices on tv? What with Amazon Prime, Disney Hotstar and, Netflix to name a few, the entertainment industry has left us with no room for boredom. Chilling now has a new meaning. I am picky about what I see and what I read. I have picked 3 shows on Netflix, especially for us, that is binge-worthy and worth that bag of nachos you promised you would not eat.
1. The Queens Gambit — Drama Mini-Series
Release date: October 23rd,2020
The Queens Gambit is a coming-of-age period drama series set in mid-1950 America. The show follows the life of Beth Harmon, played to perfection by Ann Taylor-Joy, a hard-driven orphaned girl, desiring to be the greatest chess player in the world. It was hard not to stay glued to this one, as the scenes wove through the life of Beth, her destiny and, her addiction to drugs and alcohol. This is one of the 3 series that hit hard on the emotional quotient. I strongly recommend the Queen’s Gambit, for 2 reasons. One, the show drew my attention to battles with addiction that some of us fight in silence. Secondly, it is a strong tale about fate versus free will. Beth could easily have gone through life driven by destiny, but she chose to turn her biggest dream into a plan. As a woman, I often feel that we are constantly in a coming-of-age state and often caught between this is destiny and this is what I want to do.
2. The Crown — Historical Drama Series
Release Date: November 4th,2016
You don’t need to be a period drama buff or a keen onlooker of British royalty to binge on the Crown. It has released 4 seasons, with the 5th one slated to air sometime in 2022. This one, as the title subtly reveals revolves around Queen Elizabeth II the current head of the British monarchy. I mean, when I hear the words royal, crown, or prince, my brain automatically signals England. I remember feeling utterly annoyed when I finished watching season 3 because I had to wait quite a long time before the next one. This series has everyday lives, disputes, struggles, pain and, of course, the not-so-ordinary lives of people in the limelight. We have all dreamed about being a princess at some point in our lives. No matter what they endure, they don’t drop that crown. Don’t miss The Crown, given the fantastic cast in all seasons. I cannot comment on the accuracy of the script or the scenes, but it certainly screams grandeur.
3. Firefly Lane — Drama/Romance Series
Release Date: February 3rd,2021
If you follow Grey’s Anatomy and you are curious about what Kathrine Heigl has been up to, don’t miss this one! Based on a book by the same name, this one spans from the 1970s to the present. Firefly Lane is about the life of 2 best friends, played by Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke, taking us right from their childhood up until their 40s. I love the way each decade has been portrayed in subtle but memorable ways through clothes, hairstyles, music and, lifestyle. Firefly Lane deals with the what-ifs, internal battles, the everyday conflicts. Could easily be one of us or all of us! There is only one season as of now, but like many other fans, I am hoping for more! This series needed to be featured in my top 3 shows on Netflix for women.
How did I filter down to these 3? In my opinion, anything you see on tv that makes you question if this is a real story is worth a mention. None of these shows gives you answers to anything and that’s the beauty of it. It makes you wonder, think, laughs, entertain, and want more. Television today has given the Idiot Box a whole new meaning. Ladies, these were my top 3 shows on Netflix for you. Go on turn on that TV and post your comments once you are done watching. I would love to hear from you!
