Three Must-See Shows Few Seem to Know About

It’s no secret that many of us have indulged in much more screen time than usual during this global pandemic. Whether it be scrolling through social media, playing video games, or binge-watching new or favorite shows and movies. For me, I’ve done a lot of all three, but discovering new TV shows is always exciting. I’ve come across several shows on Netflix and Hulu that many of my friends and family don’t seem to know anything about, so I’m here to share a few with the world. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

The first is “In the Dark,” available on The CW app or Netflix. This show follows Mason Murphy, a blind, and often intoxicated, woman in her twenties that recently learns about one of her only friends being murdered. As a lonely and hard-headed individual, she sets out to find the person responsible, repeatedly finding herself in the path of destruction that follows, always being where the trouble is. She secures help from a few new acquaintances and soon begins uncovering secrets and lies from those she thought she could trust.

The main character is played by Perry Mattfeld. She does an outstanding job portraying a blind woman and deserves an award. “In the Dark” is hilarious, suspenseful, and mind boggling. There are twists and turns in every episode, ultimately leading to the biggest plot twist. And that’s only season one, which is available with every episode on Netflix. The second season is in progress and new episodes are available on The CW app each week. You don’t want to miss this show.

For those that may take a bit longer to get through a whole season of a show, there’s plenty of mini series available. Take “Safe” for example -- a Netflix mini series original with only eight episodes and no talk of a second season. Yet. It’s set in a small, private neighborhood in England where everyone knows everyone and gossip spreads quickly. The main character is a widowed pediatric surgeon with two teenage daughters who recently lost his wife to cancer. When his sixteen year old daughter goes missing after a party, this father goes to extreme lengths to find her and bring her home. In doing so, he’s confronted with unending lies and deceit from all those he thought he knew and realizes he can’t trust anyone.

“Safe” is filled with plot twists, shocking discoveries and what-the-f*ck moments, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats through every single episode. And let’s be real, the European accents are always nice to listen to. If you’re looking for a fast-paced show that’s filled with suspense, this is for you. With the main character being Michael C. Hall from “Dexter,” this show is sure to make your heart pound and your blood boil.

Lastly, another mini series. “Looking for Alaska” is based on the novel by John Green with the same name and all eight episodes are available on Hulu. For those that have read the book, you have a pretty good idea what this show is about, but watching it will hit every emotion known to man. The story follows teenager Miles “Pudge” Halter who enrolls in a boarding school to gain more life experiences and perspectives. Shortly after his arrival, he falls into a group of friends, including Alaska Young, that are part of a gnarly prank battle with the rich kids. Throughout their mischievous antics and adventures, Miles quickly learns about Alaska’s dark past and what has damaged her emotionally, making him fall in love with her and all of her flaws. When a massive tragedy takes place, the group of friends work together to understand WHY and help each other heal from the undeniable pain.

“Looking for Alaska” follows the book well and really builds backgrounds for many of the main characters. This show will provide laughs, tears, anger, and hope. Unfortunately, there will not be a second season, so viewers will be left with questions, wanting more insight about what happened to the characters after the final moments of the last episode. But honestly, this is one of my favorite shows. It embodies so many important messages that aren’t being talked about enough in today’s society. Please watch this show, you won’t regret it.

Obviously there are millions of TV shows available to stream from almost anywhere in the world, but so many of them are lost in the masses. It’s so easy to binge-watch the shows that everyone is talking about, like “Game of Thrones” or “Tiger King,” but you could be missing out on a new favorite. Just because a show isn’t well known among your friends and family doesn’t mean it’s not binge-worthy. I understand that not everyone has the same taste, and these suggestions may not be for you. I’m asking you to give each one a shot, because who knows, one just might hit the top of your list.