Column by Ned Leebrick-Stryker
The new season of “House of Cards” hit Netflix last week to huge numbers and rave reviews.
Kevin Spacey returned to his role as Frank Underwood, a cunning politician who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
The show is smart, thrilling, incredibly dark and definitely worth the time of any Drake University student looking to lose some hours being glued to a screen.
But, if you’re like me, you watched all of it in a few short days. When every episode is available for your viewing pleasure, it’s hard not to binge.
So, what now? Wait for “House of Cards” season three? Of course not. We need instant gratification.
So if you are in the need for an excuse to procrastinate, here are some worthwhile shows that you probably haven’t seen or even given a chance on Netflix.
“Twin Peaks” is a cult classic from the 90s. Its influence can be seen in almost every contemporary television show from “Lost” to “Breaking Bad.”
The plot is simple at first glance: A girl is murdered in a small town in Washington, and an FBI agent is sent to investigate.
But as the story progresses, you meet its quirky cast of characters and begin to discover the town’s dark (perhaps even supernatural) secrets.
It’s scary, funny, surreal and was most definitely ahead of its time.
Viewer be warned: It’s not for everyone. Its strange sense of humor and stiff dialogue could be a deal breaker.
But for those willing to see it all the way through to its devastating finale, you won’t regret any time you spent in Twin Peaks.
I wouldn’t be too surprised if you didn’t know who Joss Whedon was, either.
He did direct “The Avengers,” but before that success, he was the creator of several critically revered shows, such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel” and “Firefly.”
Perhaps his most overlooked show was called “Dollhouse,” which only aired on FOX for two short seasons.
The plot takes place in the future where individuals called “dolls” can be programmed with memories and skills to carry out specific directives.
Our main character, a doll named, Echo, slowly starts to remember things about who she was in her past life. I’ll leave it there.
The show is well written and well acted. It starts out slow but ramps up to a great conclusion and ties everything up in a nice bow. Give it a look.
Not everyone wants a show that they have to make a flow chart for just to be sure they have the storyline straight. Not everyone wants a heavy drama.
Sometimes, you just want to sit back, crack open a root beer and have a good laugh after a long hard day of daydreaming in your college algebra class.
If this sounds all too familiar, “Portlandia” is perfect for you, friend.
A sketch comedy show co-created and starring former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Fred Armisen, we are brought to the strange and foreign world of Portland, Ore.
There we meet local businesses, such as the recurring and always hilarious feminine bookstore, the various clubs and organizations around the area, like the adult hide-and-go-seek league and the occasional hipster refusing to do anything he considers “too mainstream.”
Mocking Portland’s culture as much as respecting it, this comedy will put a big, goofy smile on your face that’s hard to remove.
If you’re binge-watching Netflix and avoiding doing homework, at least watch something related to school.
“Undeclared,” created by Judd Apatow, director of “Knocked Up,” and featuring several of his go-to actors, such as Seth Rogan and Jason Siegel, this coming of age comedy is honest, heartfelt and funny.
We’ve all been there–the first day of college, moving into your dorm, awkwardly trying to make friends with the kids on your floor. It’s all there in this TV show.
Steven is an undeclared freshman in college. His father is going through a divorce, and he’s falling for a girl with a boyfriend.
Along the way, there are boring professors, crazy parties and a feeling that is very, very college.
