The end of the semester means it’s time to pick up where you left off on your favorite shows. Here are some recommendations to help kick off your summer of streaming with these binge-worthy shows.
Young Sheldon – Paramount+ and Netflix
“Young Sheldon” is a sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro, and it is a spin-off prequel to the classic show “The Big Bang Theory.” It follows Jim Parsons’ iconic character, Sheldon Cooper, and focuses on his upbringing in East Texas. Sheldon is a child prodigy who starts high school at age nine, and we see the adversities he faces throughout his life while trying to fit in. We see insight into his family dynamic, school relationships and the many gifts he developed as a child. “Young Sheldon” appeals to a vast audience because of its humor and character development, and it is understandable without having to have seen “The Big Bang Theory.” With loveable characters, it is a wholesome show that offers comedic relief everyone can enjoy. With the seventh season finale releasing May 16, now is the perfect time to get caught up.
Invincible – Prime Video
“Invincible” is an animated series that was initially released in 2021 by Robert Kirkman, inspired by his comic series. With the second half of season two just wrapping up, it should be on your list, as it is a must-watch. It is an amazing superhero series that uses many different elements to tell a unique story. It is very graphic and uses shock to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Season two focuses on Mark Grayson, also known as Invincible, dealing with the absence of his father. He feels morally obligated to take his father’s place as a member of the Guardians of the Globe, which is similar to DC’s Justice League. At the same time, Mark wants to live a normal life and attend college but feels he can’t because of his powers. We see how constantly trying to save as many people as he can affects his relationships with the ones he loves most. The action in this series picks up immediately and continues to ramp up with every episode. It is a great series with so much depth to it and is one of the best shows Amazon Prime Video has to offer.
Jujutsu Kaisen – Crunchyroll
If you are looking to get introduced to the world of Japanese animation, look no further than “Jujutsu Kaisen.” This manga and anime series created by Gege Akutami follows high school student Yuji Itadori, who finds out the world is full of curses, which are a race of spiritual beings that are invisible to humans. After an incident at his school, Yuji finds out he is special and can see these curses throughout the land. In an attempt to save his friends, he swallows a powerful object that contains the spirit of a powerful curse named Sakuna. Yuji can retain control of his body, making him the vessel for the curse. Yuji is relocated to a new school where he is monitored to ensure Sakuna isn’t able to take control and so he can train to become a jujutsu sorcerer to fight against curses that pose a threat to humanity. This is a great anime to start with if you aren’t familiar with the genre because of the constant action and character development that is happening throughout the first season. The story is great as well, as it constantly progresses with each episode. Season one and two are available on Crunchyroll now and offer an action-packed story that is sure to get you hooked. In my opinion, it is best to watch this series in Japanese with English subtitles. It is the traditional anime viewing experience, and I couldn’t tolerate the English voice actors.
Blue Mountain State – Netflix
“Blue Mountain State” is a throwback television series that originally aired on Spike TV from 2010 to 2011 with only 39 episodes spanning three seasons. I recently revisited this series after it was re-added to the Netflix catalog. This show follows the fictional Blue Mountain State University football team and the outrageous situations they find themselves in. It takes the stereotypes associated with college jocks to the next level as it depicts the raunchy antics that happen on and off the field. The main characters are the laid-back second-string quarterback Alex Moran, who is more concerned about the next party rather than the next game, and his childhood best friend Sammy Cacciatore, who is the school’s mascot. Seeing this unlikely duo together is hilarious and accurately represents college kids coming together to try and navigate their way through their new lives. It is very comical and crazy, and the story is compelling to college students. It is the perfect show to binge-watch this summer while it is available because Netflix is notorious for removing content that people enjoy watching.