Five Rainy Day Binge Worthy Series

By: Kelly Kearney

Summer has come and that means plenty of rainy day TV viewing is upon us, but what to watch? With a multitude of streaming platforms offering a variety of options, the average binge watcher might feel overwhelmed with what to veg out to. Fear not TV fans as I’m here to bring you five of the best rainy-day binge worthy shows available right now. Whether you’re a fan of crime dramas, docuseries or just looking for some good old fashion nostalgia, you can be sure there’s something on this list that will wet your bingeing appetites and have you glued to your screens for hours to come.

Electric Dreams (Amazon Prime)

Based on the short stories from science fiction guru Phillip K. Dick (Blade Runner, Total Recall), “Electric Dreams” is a 10-part anthology series set in a dreamy dystopian realm that often feels much closer to today’s world than some bleak post-apocalyptic future that typically dominates this genre. While each episode follows a new character’s search for a meaningful existence, technology, humanity’s greatest contribution works against them more than leads them on their path to fulfillment. The world might be on the fast track to a convenient high-tech future, but humans still suffer from the same limitations they always have. Bigotry, jealousy, the exhaustion and ennui of the ever-encroaching global political machine and the chaos of love and loss makes this peek into the future a relatable journey. Compared to the darker series “Black Mirror,” which focuses on an enemy technology running amuck, “Electric Dreams” delves into a lighter and dreamier take on humanity’s resilience in the face of their own flaws. If technology is meant to assist us in bettering our lives than why aren’t our lives any better? It’s a question that lingers in each episode regardless of the story and the character’s struggles. Possibly, the real enemy isn’t the intangible force of a technological boom that controls our lives, but humanity’s inability to control itself and assimilate to the world they’ve created.  “Electric Dreams” is not perfect by any means, but what it lacks in cohesive storytelling it makes up for in its visual delights and a star-studded cast that includes: Steve Buscemi (“Boardwalk Empire,” The Big Lebowski) Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”), Vera Farmiga (“Bates Motel”), Greg Kinnear (As Good As It Gets), Anna Paquin (X-Men, “True Blood”) Terrence Howard (“Empire”), Maura Tierney (“The Affair”) and Mireille Enos (“The Killing”). Chocked full of incredible special effects and stories that will leave you captivated and entertained, “Electric Dreams” is a great way to binge the day away.

Cobra Kai (YouTube Red)

Based on the film franchise The Karate Kid, the series “Cobra Kai” is the reboot you never knew you wanted. Bringing back the original cast to tell the story of a middle-aged Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and how his loss to Daniel LaRuso (Ralph Macchio), now the owner of a successful string of car dealerships, has changed his life…and not for the better. When we meet the former “No Mercy,” ex- Karate champ who is now a struggling handyman trying to outrun his past (in a 30-year-old Camaro with a tape deck blasting hair metal) while simultaneously blaming his failures on the loss at the All Valley Tournament. After a carjacking and mix-up at work leads him to the unemployment line, Johnny’s life changes when he begrudgingly helps a bullied teen named Miguel (Xolo Mariduena). After a few round house kicking teen bully take downs, Johnny’s love of karate pushes him to reopen the defunct Cobra Kai DoJo and reignite his feud with Daniel. Like a blonde haired, low rent Mr. Miyagi we see Johnny train his new grasshopper in the ways of martial arts and along their journey he finds the self-respect he lost decades ago. What some might categorize as campy nostalgia, “Cobra Kai” manages to weave together comedy and ass kicking drama in a reboot that doesn’t follow the usual formula. Turning a famous 80’s era heel into a sympathetic character isn’t something we’ve seen before and this show executes what we loved about the original with a new modern twist better than anything I’ve seen. The thirty-minute, ten-episode season is a quick and fun binge that will leave you laughing, cheering and asking yourself, “Did Daniel LaRuso come to fight or did he steal Johnny’s future with that illegal kick to the face?”

Wild Wild Country (Netflix)

Brought to you by brilliant Duplass brothers, “Wild Wild Country” is an addictive docuseries that chronicles America’s greatest test of tolerance in the middle of a war between church and state. When a controversial non-religious group led by a massively popular guru moves to rural Oregon to build their Utopian paradise, the local townspeople reject the newcomers and make life difficult for both the old and the new. What starts off as fight for land and a fear of the unknown quickly spirals into one of the largest federal wiretapping cases and the first bioterror attacks on U.S. has ever seen. Largely forgotten in the history books, this series not only follows the amazing accomplishments of the Bhagwan community but reminds us of the lengths many will go to, to protect their homes and their freedom to assemble. At the core of “Wild Wild Country” is lesson about how differences in ideology can often lead to a violent outcome even when both sides start off with the best intentions. If the freedom to peacefully assemble becomes an act of terrorism the question remains, “Is freedom contingent on appeasing the masses?” Diving into the six-episode series, you may find yourself bouncing back and forth between siding with the Oregonians, cheering for the Bhagwan and cringing in horror at the level of hate from both sides of this fight. It’s a shocking and, at times, hilarious whirlwind of a ride that makes this docuseries a must watch. If there is one show that can teach us all how a little acceptance can defeat humanity’s vicious cycle of hate begetting hate, it’s this binge-watching extravaganza.

The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)

Based on the 1985 best-selling novel by Margaret Atwood, “The Handmaid’s Tale” tells the story of Handmaid Offred (Elisabeth Moss) who is a young woman fighting to survive a totalitarian regime that treats its female population like possessions. After a Christian theocracy overthrows the United States’ government, the patriarchy runs amuck and claims ownership of all child bearing women while subjecting them to forced copulation to propagate the species. Mirroring what many see has a possible outcome to an ever-increasing push to erase the rights of women and minorities under the guise of religious freedom, this dystopian drama is not only timely but a warning of what could happen if the rule of law fell into the wrong hands. While the series is a harsh depiction of the horrors inflicted upon women when their bodies become a commodity for the rich and powerful, the characters of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” are inspiring in their fight to reclaim their independence within this oppressive society. Their strength and perseverance in the face of the very worst humanity has to offer is empowering and offers a light at the end of this very dark tunnel. If fighting religious fanaticism to reclaim your identity while simultaneously making the world a better place, is your idea of must-see TV, then “The Handmaid’s Tale” is for you. So, pull up a sofa cushion and prepare to immerse yourself in a two-season marathon of female liberation and award-winning content that’s sure to entertain and shock you to your core.

Killing Eve (BBC, OnDemand)

“Killing Eve” is a critically acclaimed British crime drama being heralded as the best show of 2018 and for good reason! Everything from the story to the casting to the film locations makes this edgy cat and mouse game an addicting adventure. Critics and viewers can’t seem to get enough of this female driven story about Eve (Sandra Oh) who is a bored American in London working as a M15 officer that been ordered to find a psychopathic assassin with a flair for the dramatic. Whereas Eve is bored with her life, the assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer) is seemingly having the time of her life while relishing the perks of her job; which is easy for a fashion obsessed woman who excels in murder. Throughout her country hopping search for the elusive killer, Eve learns that Villanelle might be trapped and looking for an escape from the worldwide government organization that keeps her in French couture and the blood of their enemies. This action packed and psychologically thrilling drama is something we’ve not seen before, in that it forces the viewer to recognize the similarities between good and evil and how it can sometimes have more in common than not. Full of strong subtext between the two leads and an unapologetic bisexual obsession that muddles the lines of who’s hunting whom, “Killing Eve” goes places that other shows in this genre tend to shy away from. Nothing is more exciting than two women from opposite ends of the spectrum who are equally consumed with the other as much as their desire to kill one another. With a chemistry that can only be described as atomic and lethal, the twists and turns of this series will keep you guessing and panting with anticipation. If diversity, representation, psychopaths and crime are your cup of tea, then pour yourself a mug and venture into the world of “Killing Eve.” It’s a binge-watching experience that might end with you cheering for another rainy day just, so you can enjoy the series all over again.