Let’s face it. No one actually does homework until they’ve finished watching the desired episodes of their favorite T.V. show. And what’s worse, having to start homework or finally finishing the show you invested so much time into? It’s truly a tragic moment when you’ve finished binge watching a show that you loved so much, but, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. The good thing about new ends is that they start new beginnings. The best way to move on from PTBWD (post traumatic binge watching disorder; my own creation) is to start a new show. Netflix is the land of T.V. shows that are just waiting to be watched, so here’s a list of the top ten shows you should start watching!

10.Gossip Girl

This CW Original follows “Manhattan’s elite” as the recognizable voice of Kristen Bell illustrates the mystery behind who Gossip Girl is. Gossip Girl is a popular website used by rich students in Manhattan who follow all the gossip posted on the website. With each post on the website, more drama occurs, interlacing the lives of Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, Dan Humphrey, Chuck Bass, Nate Archibald, and many more. Not only are these teens the heart of social gossip, but their parents also have a great deal of drama to add to the mix. These characters never seem to learn that their secrets can never be kept, and everybody knows all of their business. Somehow, these celebrity-like teens live up to their “paparazzi” following their every move that they often use it to spread others’ secrets. The lies just seem to be piling up.

Why watch it?

This is a great show if you live for drama. There is no essential plot to this show except for the constant cycle of gossip, drama, and fights. This is a great show to binge watch over summer vacation or any other break. Among other things, this show embodies the truth behind what it’s like to fight with friends and what happens if you keep secrets.

9.The Walking Dead

Following the main character deputy Rick Grimes, The Walking Dead illustrates the scene of a zombie apocalypse. After Rick Grimes wakes up from a coma, he finds the whole world turned upside down as he searches for more survivors. Upon finding more survivors and his family, Grimes becomes the leader of an anti-zombie group, as they fight for the world they once knew.

Why watch it?

The Walking Dead is a perfect show for those who love horror and suspense. Who isn’t afraid of zombies? The show truly represents what loyalty and togetherness stands for. As the zombies, or “walkers,” threaten the group’s existence, it brings them together to show that in desperate times, you have to act smartly.

8.The Office

There is no better show to watch for a laugh than The Office. This show is pure comedy, and that’s why it’s so popular. It takes place in an office setting with all the characters who have coworker relations. Their boss, portrayed by Steve Carell, brings out the comedic side of common thoughts of his coworkers. Forcing them all to engage in stupid, yet humorous activities, The Office wins the hearts of so many Netflix watchers.

Why watch it?

In need of a laugh? This show should do the trick!

7.Friends

This iconic T.V. show from the 90’s follows the lives of friends Monica, Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe in the heart of New York City. As a bunch of 20 somethings, they juggle the responsibilities of adulthood with the responsibilities they owe to each other as friends. They battle their impending maturity by reliving immature moments through tough situations, which often leads to unexpected outcomes.

Why watch it?

Friends is one of the best shows to watch while growing up. Each episode displays a perfect “growing up” situation which offers opportunities for the characters to either take the adult route or the childish route. Their involvement with each other often leads to humorous ends.

6.House of Cards

Can’t get enough of politics this season? Watch House of Cards! The show embodies the truths behind the infamous White House as it follows Frank Underwood as he was overlooked to take on the job of Secretary of State. Underwood’s plans to become powerful blind his judgement as he learns he has to make many executive decisions about life and work. He and his wife begin illusive plans plotted with manipulation and ruthlessness.

Why watch it?

The power hungry couple displays what politicians really do behind their pretty faces. It shows the great depths they pass through to steal power from others. Pretty relevant to this year, right?

5.Parks and Recreation

Parks and Rec is a political sitcom following the hilarious Amy Poehler portraying the role of Leslie Knope. The sitcom takes place in a fictional town in Indiana where all of the events that occur in the episodes are renditions of real life events that have happened. Adding their comedic flair over their writing, writers were able to make an amusing and relatable T.V. show that would be a fan favorite for many years to come.

Why watch it?

Some of the best T.V. shows to watch are the ones that no longer produce new episodes. Although Parks and Rec is no longer airing new episodes, it makes it easier to binge watch. The first season has Amy Poehler’s character acting more oblivious and unintelligent, but in the second season, her character appeals more to the audience’s view of the perky bureaucrat. This is a show that is extremely similar to The Office, so if you love that show, watch this one as well!  

4.Breaking Bad

The title says it all for this show. Breaking Bad is about a high school chemistry teacher named Walter White, who turns to a life of crime after discovering he has advanced lung cancer that is inoperable. The teacher gets together with his former student Jesse Pinkman to fix his financial issues and help out his family before his impending demise. As a chemistry teacher, his way to earn money is to formulate crystallized methamphetamine and sell it to those who are addicted to the drug. A twisted plot like this is sure to rope in anyone on the search for a show to binge watch.

Why watch it?

This show has won so many awards for the intensity and thrill intertwined with the actions every character makes in the show. The crime and bad decisions are what makes the show so interesting. This raises the question, do people actually do this, or is this another fabrication of a writer’s imagination? There’s no way for us to know, so the best thing to do is watch chemistry teacher Walter White lose his teacherly innocence and venture into the world of crime and drugs.

3.Orange is the New Black

Hmmm… another crime show. The show centers around characters in prison as they battle issues with getting out and of course, complications with their fellow prisoners and their love lives. Protagonist Piper Kerman’s story of her life in prison has made OITNB Netflix’s most watched original series. The show’s maturity level is very high as many of the scenes show nude characters and their activities, so some advice from my personal experience: don’t watch this show with your mother!

Why watch it?

Although following the story inside a women’s prison can be serious, creator Jenji Kohan added comedic relief to the script to appeal to audiences more. The show breaks down barriers of controversies over homosexuality and other aspects to make the world open to the idea of acceptance. It also illustrates what it’s like to make mistakes and participate in the world of crime.

2.Grey’s Anatomy

This 12 season long and counting show has been a favorite ever since the pilot aired in 2005. Grey’s Anatomy follows a series of doctors in training to become surgeons at Seattle Grace Hospital, and like any good ABC T.V. show it has a great deal of drama. The story follows each character’s life, in particular surgical intern Meredith Grey, as their outside lives intertwine with the lives of other doctors at the hospital. Each episode has an exciting new event with new injuries, new surgeries, new characters, and of course new complications.

Why watch it?

Grey’s Anatomy is a great show if you’re interested in the medical field. Even though the injuries are often farfetched and unlikely to happen, the cameras capture real surgeons’ hands as they actually operate. Along with the interesting medical aspect of the show, the characters’ love lives keep watchers at the edge of their seats waiting to see what happens next. Although the show can be very serious at times, characters often offer comedic relief by some humorous lines thrown in to alleviate the tension in an episode. It can’t all be drama, right?

1.Stranger Things

Everyone’s favorite Netflix Original T.V. show is Stranger Things, which takes place in the 1980s with main characters Mike Wheeler, Dustin Henderson, and Lucas Sinclair who encounter a young girl named Eleven who seems to be the reason for people disappearing in their town. The kids try their best to believe that Eleven is truly good, but conflicts along the way sway their fickle and confused minds, trying to understand the supernatural.

Why watch it?

This Netflix Original has picked up a lot of attraction over the past year. In fact, it is one of the most watched shows of 2016, and it only has two seasons out. The element of innocence represented by the children contrasts the possible underlying evil Eleven’s mysterious personality. Even though the kids eventually trust Eleven, her powers still make Dustin and Lucas suspicious while Mike assures them of her loyalty. More than anything, this show represents the value of staying together and trust, defying all outside forces. The show highlights the importance of accepting the greatness of stranger things.

Happy binge watching!

-Xoxo, Nina Raman