As we reflected on 2013 for this issue, I started to mentally put together my own Year In Review: Stephanie edition. What was different about this year? What did I do? How did I spend my time?
In past years, those questions were answered with a list of books I’d read. But this year, I explored a section of pop culture I’ve overlooked in the past: TV.
I’ve never been a big TV junkie. Growing up, my sister and I weren’t allowed to have a set in our bedrooms, and I never spent much time in front of one. In college, it seemed a waste of my already scarce free time. The shows my friends were into — Grey’s Anatomy, Project Runway, A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila — were of no interest, and it got to where “I don’t watch TV” became more of a boast than an excuse. (Last year, living among roommates with a Netflix subscription, that became “I don’t have cable,” and then now, as I’m still furnishing my first apartment alone, “I don’t own a TV.”)
But in 2013, I discovered an affinity for TV shows that I have not felt since a short love affair with The O.C. back in 2005. While I was off pretending I’m too good for the boob tube, some writers and producers came along and decided there should be some quality television shows out there.
Truth be told, my new habit actually got started last year when I devoured seasons one through five of Mad Men and all three original seasons of Arrested Development with my boyfriend. So much drama! So many laughs! That initial game of catch-up prepared me for 2013, my year of TV.
When season six of Mad Men started in April, I was there to fire Jaguar and pitch Chevy, to witness Sally’s loss of innocence and watch Don get booted out the door. In May, I hunkered down on the couch with my laptop to take in the first few episodes of the much-anticipated fourth season of Arrested Development on Netflix, and, like much of the show’s audience, was disappointed. The the season improved a little as it went on, but just not enough to get me through all 15 episodes.
Around this time, I gave in to my mom’s suggestion that I get into period drama Downton Abbey. Yes, I loved it. Yes, I laughed out loud and cried even louder. The writing is smart and witty. I feel so much tenderness toward even the most despicable characters. How did I survive before without this show?
It was mid-summer when I started to hear an increasing amount of hubbub about a show that centers around a chemistry-teacher-turned-meth-cook called Breaking Bad that was ending in the next few months (hence the increased hubbub). I did some math (scary) and knew that if I started catching up around the Fourth of July, I’d have time to watch all existing 54 episodes in time for the first episode of the last season in the middle of August. I did it, but I wouldn’t recommend watching the series at that speed; I didn’t have quite enough time to savor the comedy of the first couple of seasons, before things turn really dark.
After a few weeks of TV silence (you know, out of respect for the end of Breaking Bad), I was on to Luther, the BBC psychological crime drama staring Idris Elba as Detective Chief Inspector John Luther. The show is somewhat based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s tales of Sherlock Holmes: Luther is stubborn and work-obsessed, and solves the mystery of whodunit way before there is any useable evidence. Sounds kind of like Sherlock, right?
I took my time with the only two seasons of Luther available on Netflix before making the next logical move: Sherlock. It didn’t take long to run through all six of the 90-minute episodes, and I’m now anxiously waiting for season three. (I enjoyed Sherlock, both the character and the show, more than Luther. Recognizing Sherlock’s skills of deduction as part genius, part personality disorder makes him a little more believable and likeable, I think. Plus: Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.)
I’m not sure what’s next. Girls? House of Cards? Game of Thrones? Dr. Who? If you have any recommendations for my 2014 to-watch list, please send them my way (@stephmaxw on Twitter or email, above). I feel pretty far behind, but at least I’m getting caught up.
Now all I need is an actual TV.
Santa, are you reading?