With temperatures quickly depleting, it means large quantities of time being spent in the confinement of your home; thus usually leading to more time being spent watching television. With streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO NOW, and much more, we have plenty of options to choose from current and past shows. This is a time where many of us are looking for something to watch that’ll keep us entertained from start to finish. I am a self-proclaimed movie and television connoisseur. I pay attention to details that many miss and appreciate the small things that make a series great. I thought it’d be a good idea to share with you guys a list containing five shows that have had a lasting impact on ya boy and the way I view television in general. This is the crème de la crème of Television for me, the shows that have made me say, “Got damn this is some great shit I’m watching.” Here are the shows I think everyone should give a legitimate try. And when I say legitimate, I don’t mean half assing, on your phone, pausing in between scenes type of try. I’m talking undivided attention being given to your choice of monitor since these shows have earned that right.
THE WIRE
There have been countless shows over the years focusing on law enforcement. Nearly all of them from Law & Order to Lethal Weapon have the officers at the forefront, usually as the protagonist going against the constant crimes the streets of America brings. There was never a show that focused on both law enforcement and the other side of the law. The Wire shed light on the lives of drug dealers as well as the lives of homicide detectives in the city of Baltimore, Maryland or “Bodymore, Murderland” as some reference it due to the high murder rate. What makes The Wire special is those weren’t the only type of characters they showcased; Season 2 included the blue collar workers of Baltimore, Port workers who became immersed in smuggling drugs and people alike. Season 4 focused on the school system, with the main characters being middle school students who have to deal with the constant struggles of drugs and violence that plague their City and families. Season 5 focuses on journalism, with a light being placed on the effects news has on many, especially those whom are being reported on. What I loved most about this show is the immense difference in the character personalities and the development of said characters throughout the series. There was Mcnulty, the shows main charactert; an alcoholic, hard headed asshole detective who seemed to piss off everyone he’s ever come across in some manner. There was Avon Barksdale, the Drug king pin who ran an entire apartment complex and many of the street corners in Baltimore. There was Omar Little, arguably the most popular of the series, the homosexual stick up man who only robbed other criminals. And though every season focuses on a different demographic, all of the stories come together beautifully. This is considered one of the greatest shows ever created for a reason.
FRITZ RATING: 9/10
“Wanna know what kills more police than bullets and liquor? Boredom. They just can’t handle that shit. You keep it boring, String. You keep it dead fucking boring.” —Proposition Joe
SONS OF ANARCHY
Sons of Anarchy is about a Motorcycle Club of the same name based out of the fictional town of “Charming” in San Joaquin, California. It follows the founding chapter of the club, SAMCRO (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original) with the main character being the Vice President of the chapter, Jackson Teller. Jackson or Jax for short is essentially treated like a prince, especially since his father was one of the First 9 and former president before his death in an accident. SOA has just about everything you’d want in a premier television show. I’m talking incredible storytelling and character development, insane violent scenes, top notch acting from main and supporting characters alike, a vast amount of symbolism that allows the watcher to really assess what it is they’re watching, and a plethora of sex scenes for good measure. There is always a plot twist every season that helps solidify this show’s greatness. Statistically speaking, it’s the greatest series FX has ever released, with it reaching close to 5 million viewers per week at its peak, the highest rating in network history and for good reason. A show that starts with a united MC, strictly in the gun trade to help fund themselves, quickly turns into a show of infighting, jealousy, murder, drugs and betrayal in its highest form; A big EMPHASIS on betrayal. (Oh, they betraying betraying in this show). Add the fact that the chosen son has his doubts about the club as a whole and you have yourself a combustible situation. Though seven seasons may initially sound like a lot to some, that total won’t matter when you subconsciously become a resident of Charming.
FRITZ RATING: 8.8/10
“I’m sorry that the family I was given has created such chaos in the family I’ve chosen. I hope you know I love you all very much.” – Jax Teller
ATTACK ON TITAN
This is the only animated show on the list. Now before you dismiss this because it’s an anime just hear me out. I believe this show is so captivating; it’d turn the most anti anime human being into a fan if given an actual chance. Humanity is down to its last few thousand people, with most confined within three walls, the tallest wall being 50 meters. Reason being, there are large, abnormal humanoids called Titans with no regard for human life. They live to kill humans actually, in the most brutal fashions possible, most of the time eating them. Sounds a bit grotesque because it is. The surviving humans don’t face an attack by the Titans in over 100 years but that all changes during the first episode. The main character, Eren, witnesses the tragic death of a family member that has a domino effect on how his story plays out. He promises to eliminate all titans, joining a force designed specifically for that mission five years after the Titan attack. This force is referred to as the Scouts. What makes this show so special is there are so many layers to the actual story, whereas nothing is clear and concise. What I mean by that is, if you think you know something, there will be an episode that completely twists what you thought you knew. The phrases, “what the fuck” and “get the fuck outta here” will be prominent as you watch episode to episode. There are questions that lead to answers that end up arising more questions. The amount of intrigue this story has built is mesmerizing. Every episode literally leaves you with wanting more. The art, the music, the voice acting (I prefer the subbed version, watching it in its original form), the twists and turns the story takes, everything about this show is excellent, leaving other animes and shows in general in the proverbial dust. After debuting in 2013 with 25 episodes, fans were left salivating for more for four long years. This hiatus created tremendous hype for a show that didn’t need any, coming back with a bang in 2017 with 12 episodes for season two. As of fall 2018, it is currently on another hiatus, this time a six month break in between season 3. I am a firm believer that when this series is complete, it will have solidified itself as the greatest anime of all time. It will pass well known animes such as Dragonball Z, Naruto and Hunter x Hunter in hierarchy.
FRITZ RATING: 9.3/10
“Do you always want to live hiding behind the mask you put up for the sake of others? You’re you, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” – Ymir
BREAKING BAD
I think it’s fair to say just about every American over the age of 14 has heard of Breaking Bad at some point. This show was the talk of the town during its time on air from 2008 to 2013 and became even more popular when it was placed Netflix. The plot would catch even the most casual television watcher’s attention. The main character, Walter White, is diagnosed with lung cancer. Mr. White is a high school science teacher who reflects on his life and is unsatisfied with what he’s accomplished. He doesn’t feel like his family will be able to survive financially if he was to succumb to his cancer, so he turns to a life of crime. One of his former delinquent students, Jesse Pinkman, is the one who introduces him to the Meth trade of Albuquerque, New Mexico at Walter’s request. Jesse is initially reluctant, but opens up more to the idea when Walter using his scientific savvy, creates the purest form of Meth ever. The batches start small and the money is fair, but as crime bosses catch whiff of the crystal blue meth that is dominating the streets, Walter becomes consumed by the life he’s chosen. He keeps his second life a secret from his wife Skyler, teenage son “Flynn” and the rest of his family which includes a brother in law DEA agent, Hank. Yes, a drug dealer related to a DEA agent. All of these factors point to even inevitable implosion. The build up to this implosion will keep a viewer’s eyes glued to whatever screen they’re viewing to fulfill their binge crave throughout the series’ five seasons. The birth and life of Heisenberg (Walter’s alter ego) is certainly a sight to see.
FRITZ RATING: 9/10
“I am the danger. A guy opens his door and gets shot, and you think that of me? No! I am the one who knocks!” – Walter White
GAME OF THRONES
Now this is admittedly a bias statement that I’m going to make; Game of Thrones is the greatest show EVER created. Bias because it became my favorite the moment I completed my binge of seasons 1 through 6 in a month’s time. It was literally, eat, sleep, work and watch Game of Thrones whenever free time permitted it. This is the definition of premier television, with no series in site to challenge it for the crown. The main plot is the struggle between multiple families for the right to the “Iron Throne”. The occupant of the Iron Throne is King or Queen of the Seven Kingdoms of “Westeros”. There are many who think the King isn’t the rightful heir to the Throne, causing tons of deaths throughout the series. There are the deaths where the writing is on the wall for some characters and there are countless times where you’ll say “WHAT THE FUCK!?” because a character is brutally murdered before you can even process what has happened. My point being, don’t get too close to any one character in the show. Not only is there a fight between the living, there is also the dead that everyone breathing must worry about, but so few know. This element brings a certain aura as it keeps the viewer on its toes, literally not knowing what can possibly happen next. The numerous battles, the monologues from characters such as Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen, the costume designs, the (you guessed it) character development, the visuals, the acting, I can go on and on about everything that is top notch about this show. There are a plethora of episodes that quite frankly could have been released as full blown blockbuster movies, and that isn’t even remotely an exaggeration. If you’re a fan of drama, fantasy and or suspense genre shows/movies, this is the show for you. Man, if you watch television and enjoy watching anything captivating, this show is for you. The series finale is set for April of 2019 and I sure as shit can’t wait. I was very vague in my short synopsis of the show and with good reason; I wouldn’t dare spoil anything to a potential Game of Thrones viewer. That’d just be downright selfish. The events of episode one has implications on the entire story. If you decide to completely disregard all of my suggestions (which would be asinine), please refrain from disregarding Game of Thrones. EVERY person I’ve recommended it to and actually gave it a try ended up feeling the same way or generally close to how I feel about the series. Watch the show damn it.
FRITZ RATING: 10/10
“”Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor, and it can never be used to hurt you.” — Tyrion Lannister
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Written by Elie Fortune
