SHOWS TO BINGE WATCH THIS SUMMER (PART II)

By

Ammar Anwar

1^st Year MBBS

It is Summer, Ramazan and a lot of time to enjoy movies and TV shows. If you’re not a theeta, that is. Unlike many of my classmates, I’ve been watching quite a lot of movies, my target ones having a 7+ rating on IMDb. But since I ran out of the quality movies to watch, I decided to return to the beautiful realm of watching TV shows on a binge. Star World offers many quality shows from both the past and the present and offers quite a diverse collection from many American TV Channels like ABC, CW, NBC, etc. but it does not quite have the charm of streaming or downloading the shows. So far, I have seen a lot of quality shows online and I thought I should let you guys know which ones to watch first while delving into a world of amazing television. Let’s continue the list!

           1.  The Flash

This sight of this poster alone makes we want to see this show.

Starring: Grant Gustin, Danielle Panabaker, Candice Patton, Tom Cavanagh, Jesse L. Martin, Rick Cosnett, Carlos Valdes among others.

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

I am a die-hard comic-book fan. I love superheroes and I love superhero movies and TV shows. And it is shows like The Flash that make me love the Superhero genre even more. This show is fast-paced, clever, intelligent and true to the comic-book origins. Grant Gustin starring as the titular superhero gains the ability of travelling faster than the speed of sound as a result of a particle-accelerator explosion in Central City. Grant Gustin is perfect as The Flash and handles the quirky personality of Barry Allen, The Flash’s alter ego, quite well. The fact that The Flash’s origin is weaved into one of The Arrow’s episodes is a cherry on top of an already great show. The other cast members shine as well, particularly Tom Cavanagh as Harrison Wells, the owner of the particle accelerator whose explosion gave birth to The Flash.

Seen The Arrow and The Flash in one episode? Now I can die in peace.

The DC Universe is what made me a comic book fan in the first place , with the Justice League animated show that used to air on Cartoon Network around 2003. But with Marvel having firmly established its Cinematic Universe with solid solo-character franchises like Iron Man, Thor and Captain America, and immensely successful follow ups like the Avengers (2012) and Age of Ultron (2015), I was afraid the DC Universe will never stand a chance against the more “mature” Marvel Cinematic Universe. But it is shows like The Flash and Arrow that restore my faith in DC. I don’t know how well the Batman vs Superman thing is going to work, but DC is always going to have fantastic shows on Television to make up for its loss in the Cinematic Universe.

And one more thing, there are fantastic Arrow crossovers with The Flash. Three cheers for DC Television!

Bottomline: This is an intelligent, clever and funny show that knows where it’s headed. Check it out even if you’re not interested in comic book heroes. This show will get you hooked. I’d give it a 9 out of 10.

Where to catch it: It airs on CW Television, but it isn’t available on cable networks in Pakistan. Watch it on Putlocker or download it.

       2. Arrow

This photo may or may not contain a spoiler.

Starring: Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, Emily Bett Rickards, Willa Holland, David Ramsey among others.

IMDb Rating: 8.2/10

I started watching this show with no previous knowledge of who Arrow was, mainly because he was a very unknown character in the comic books. This show is a particularly good one to binge watch, mainly because watching on a binge takes away the pain of cliffhangers that this show throws at you. The story has some pretty good twists and turns and as compared to the Flash, Arrow is more connected to the Batman side of the DC universe because of the appearance of Ra’s Al Ghul in it and the show’s origins taking place somewhere in the same universe.

The kickass Arrow in action. 

This show appeals to both the superhero lovers and haters because the Arrow is just a common man (a billionaire at that) with a bow and arrows. He does not possess any superpowers and that, to see his weaknesses and strengths as a MAN-hero and not as a superpowered hero is what makes this one special. Stephen Amell excels as the gritty main character, the Arrow, who is a billionaire named Oliver Queen during day and a kickass superhero in the night. Emily Bett Rickards as Felicity and David Ramsey as Diggle excel as the Arrow’s support system and team mates. In the 2nd Season, an accident gives birth to The Flash (Spoiler Alert?) and how they tie that in with the ongoing story of Arrow is well done.

P.S. Those Arrow and Flash crossover episodes are really, really good. REALLY.

Bottomline: Once you start watching this, you won’t be able to quit. It is seriously THAT good. I’d give it a 9 out of 10.

Where to catch it: Like the Flash, Arrow airs on CW and is currently in its 3^rd Season. As CW isn’t available on cable networks in Pakistan, you might have to watch it on Putlocker or download it.

3.  Mad Men

This is one GOOD photo.
That is the show's creator at the far right, by the way.

Starring: Jon Hamm, Elizabeth Moss, January Jones, John Slattery and Christina Hendricks among others.

IMDb Rating: 8.7/10

I started watching this show on Star World and I was immediately hooked. Mad Men was captivating and beautifully written and its episodes were continuously improving. I remember thinking to myself during the second episode that this is going to be a slow ride, but during its 7 years, Mad Men evolved from ‘just another show’ to the finest Television I had ever seen. Each character is layered and the deepest of layers are explored in the best possible way. The show revolves around the titular character of Don Draper, played with excellence by Jon Hamm (who should have been awarded an Emmy at least once).

Another good Mad Men photo. Wow, Mad Men's really killing it with photos. 

Don works at an Ad Agency, Sterling & Cooper, where the drama takes place. The show explores the life of Don as a cheating husband, an alcoholic and a bad father. The women in Don’s life are many, and due to these women, he loses a well built family. Elizabeth Moss plays Peggy Olson, his secretary who later becomes a very important person at the Ad Agency, and Christina Hendricks delivers a good performance as Joan.

It’s a period drama and I think it won’t fit to the taste of many, since it is set in the 1960s. But rest assured, watch this on a binge, and you definitely won’t regret it. Plus it features a great performance by the childstar Kiernan Shipka as Sally Draper, Don Draper's daughter.

Bottomline: Watch it for the great performances and a great story. And each season has its own (great) poster with a very deep connection with that season's theme. By the way, Mad Men came to an end this year, its total run spanning 7 Seasons. I give it a 9 out of 10.

Where to catch it: Since it has completed its on-air run, it is currently not airing on any channel. Catch it on Putlocker or download it. Whatever suits you.

Catch more TV Shows in Shows to Binge Watch This Summer Part III.