This article originally appeared in the November issue of WiFi HiFi Magazine, and in the special edition Holiday Gift Guide issue.
Binge-watching. We have all done it. And for some, it's the only way we consume TV.
The TV landscape has been evolving dramatically, fuelled in large part by online streaming services like Netflix, shomi and CraveTV. Smart TVs, and streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, and Google Chromecast, all make it super-easy to access great programming this way. And with more and more 4K content coming through services like Netflix and Shomi, and devices like the Roku 4 and Amazon Fire TV, the deal has gotten even sweeter.
The concept is simple: pay a low monthly subscription fee, then use your Internet connection and a source device to "binge" watch a season of a show - maybe even the entire series - in rapid succession.
There's no tried and true definition of what constitutes a "binge" watch, though it should require that you watch at least three episodes in a row. At the very least, it means watching an entire season far more quickly than you would through network TV's antiquated schedule. And why wouldn't you want to? Who, after all, could even fathom waiting an entire week to catch up with the next hour in the storyline, or learn the outcome of the previous episode's cliffhanger? And what better way to spend a cold and rainy Sunday at home?
It helps that there's a vast amount of wonderful television content available and ripe for binge-watching. We've boiled it down to 10 great shows for binge-watching, plus a few honourable mentions, and tell you how you can binge-watch them in Canada.* (Don't worry, no spoiler alerts!)
1. Orphan Black
Original network: BBC America (airing on Space, CTV in Canada)
How to binge watch: CraveTV
Number of seasons available: 2
What we love about it: Saskatchewan-born actress Tatiana Maslany manages to portray several clones with such finesse and nuance in movements and expressions that you almost believe you're actually watching different actors playing each character. The plot is continually riveting, keeping you at the edge of your seat the whole way through.
Interesting facts: The show is filmed in Canada with an entirely Canadian cast. While actor Jordan Gavaris (who plays Felix) is originally from Brampton, ON, his fake British accent is so convincing that producers reportedly thought he was faking his normal voice.
Photo courtesy of Space
2. Mad Men
Original network: AMC
How to binge watch: Netflix
Number of seasons available: 7
What we love about it: Dapper men in suits and fedoras navigating the exciting world of NYC advertising in the ‘60s when the industry was at the top of its game. Impeccably-coiffed women dressed to the nines. A full bar in every office, and a drink poured and cigarette smoked with every business conversation. And, of course, there's Don Draper. What is there not to love about this show?
Interesting facts: You might be surprised to know that the writing staff was not made up predominantly of men - by the third season, a reported seven of the show's nine writers were actually women ranging from their 20s to their 50s.
Photo courtesy of AMC
3. The Walking Dead
Original network: AMC
How to binge watch: Netflix
Number of seasons available: 5
What we love about it: It really isn't about zombies. The walking dead are merely background noise to the larger story, which examines the human survival instinct and the terrifying moral dilemmas you could face in life-or-death situations. What kind of people would actually survive in an apocalyptic world? How would that change you? And is it really the walking dead you have to worry about, or the other survivors?
Interesting facts: The character of Daryl (Norman Reedus) is one of a few who doesn't exist in the comic books on which the show is based. Yet he's become one of the most popular characters, even spawning a line of fan T-shirts and Web memes warning creators: "If Daryl dies, we riot."
Photo courtesy of Gene Page / AMC
4. The Blacklist
Original network: NBC (airing on Global in Canada)
How to binge watch: Shomi
Number of seasons available: 2
What we love about it: Veteran actor James Spader starring as a career criminal mastermind known as the "concierge of crime" is enough to draw you in. But watching the story unfold as he turns himself in to the FBI to rat out some of the most sought-after criminals adds an intriguing dimension. Why does he only want to deal with one particular agent, Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone)? What's the mystery behind their relationship? And is he genuinely looking to turn over a new leaf and bring justice, or does he have ulterior motives? Each episode keeps you guessing.
Interesting facts: In 2014, Netflix paid a whopping US$2 million per episode for exclusive streaming rights to the show in the U.S. But that agreement did not extend to Canada. This is also only one of two shows on our list that didn't originate on a specialty TV network.
Photo courtesy of NBC
5. Game of Thrones
Original network: HBO
How to binge watch: HBO Canada On Demand
Number of seasons available: 5
What we love about it: When it comes to water-cooler conversation, this show takes the cake. Chances are you've been unable to avoid at least some spoilers by now. But with all the violence, gratuitous sex, gory deaths, and stunning costumes and marvellous visual effects that beg for high-definition viewing on the big screen, you probably won't care once you delve into the fantasy storyline.
Interesting facts: The show holds the record for the most Emmy wins in a single year, snagging 12 of 24 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series, in 2015. To date, GoT has racked up a total of 26 Emmys, among many other awards.
Photo courtesy of Helen Sloane / HBO
6. Suits
Original network: USA (airing on Bravo in Canada)
How to binge watch: Netflix
Number of seasons available: 4
What we love about it: Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) isn't really a Harvard-educated lawyer. But he fraudulently poses as one in this show. And his massive lie continues to dig him deeper into a hole as he navigates through major cases in a powerful Manhattan law firm. Donna (Sarah Rafferty) is the legal secretary any lawyer would kill to have, and Louis Litt (Rick Hoffman) the partner any businessperson would loathe. But both characters offer hilarious comic relief throughout.
Interesting facts: Adams is an avid photographer in real life, and reportedly owns 25 cameras. Many of the framed photos displayed in his office on the show are of his own work. You may recognize the locations and venues featured in the program: it is filmed in downtown Toronto.
Photo courtesy of Bravo
7. Entourage
Original network: HBO
How to binge watch: CraveTV
Number of seasons available: 8
What we love about it: Live vicariously through this youthful group of 20-somethings who suddenly find themselves immersed in the world of Hollywood when one of them becomes a big-time actor, and brings his buddies along for the ride. Cameos abound, everything is in excess, and you can't help but hate to love manic agent Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven). Don't forget to top off the complete series with the just-released movie.
Interesting facts: The show is loosely based on the life of executive producer Mark Wahlberg and his rise to fame. Wahlberg has often made appearances on the show as himself.
Photo courtesy of HBO
8. Breaking Bad
Original network: AMC
How to binge watch: Netflix
Number of seasons available: 5
What we love about it: It's just. That. Good. The story revolves around anti-hero Walter White (Bryan Cranston) who, upon receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, decides to turn to drug dealing to ensure his family is taken care of after his demise. But his true downward spiral occurs within the dark underground drug world, leaves viewers tormented. Love him? Hate him? Pity him? Fear him? A fabulous supporting cast and compelling script make every scene a nailbiter.
Interesting facts: There are several clever crossovers between this show and its spin-off Better Call Saul, which centres around the scene-stealing, shady lawyer character Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk). And wonder what the infamous "Blue Sky" meth from the show was actually made of? Blue rock candy, crushed up to look like the drug.
Photo courtesy of Cathy Kavany / AMC
9. House of Cards
Original network: Netflix original series (based on a BBC series)
How to binge watch: Netflix
Number of seasons available: 3
What we love about it: Watching an emotionless, narcissistic couple manipulate, blackmail, threaten, and worm their way to the White House, knocking down anyone in their paths, is both unsettling and fascinating. And Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright are truly believable as the flawed political power couple of Frank and Claire Underwood.
Interesting facts: Perhaps a rarity in TV land, every major character cast on the show was the first choice for the role, confirms Director and Producer David Fincher.
Photo courtesy of Netflix
10. Sons of Anarchy
Original network: FX
How to binge watch: Shomi
Number of seasons available: 7
What we love about it: Extremely violent, often teetering on the edge of disturbing, this show isn't for people with weak stomachs. Nor is it the type of show you even want to consider the kids accidentally walking in on while you're watching. But you can't help but feel intense levels of varying emotions for every character, right through to the end.
Interesting facts: Show creator Kurt Sutter is married to Katey Sagal in real life, who plays the universally-hated but convincingly-portrayed character of Gemma Teller. A spin-off based on the Mayan Motorcycle Club is reportedly in the works.
Photo courtesy of FX
Flip to the next page for some more suggestions...
Looking for More?
Black Mirror (BBC, Shomi): Thoroughly disconcerting, though-provoking, and original, you might find this show a bit heavy to binge. But it's worth poring through every unique episode, each of which showcases a new kind of horror fuelled by our modern-day digital world.
Silicon Valley (HBO, HBO Canada On Demand): It's the perfect satirical show for tech nerds. Complete with geeky, reclusive developers, greedy CEOs, quirky VCs, and lawsuits galore, it mocks every stereotype there is about the California tech hub. Those who work in the CE industry will recognize some familiar events that are central to the storylines, like TechCrunch Disrupt and CES. Those who don't won't get some of the more subtle jokes, but will be laughing hysterically, nonetheless. And keep this in mind while watching: rumour has it that many characters are loosely based on real-life tech execs. Some say the Peter Gregory character is modeled after PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, and the eccentric billionaire Russ Hanneman on Mark Cuban.
Photo courtesy of HBO
Ray Donovan (Showtime, CraveTV): Liev Schreiber plays a "fixer" who seems to need some serious fixing in his own life; and Jon Voight perfectly captures the essence of the dirtbag dad. It'll have you cringing the whole way through, for more reasons than one.
American Horror Story (FX, Shomi, Netflix): Many of the actors return each season. But every one stands on its own with different characters and a distinct storyline, each just as horrifying as the first. Don't watch this one if you'll be sleeping alone!
Photo courtesy of FX
Key & Peele (Comedy Central, CraveTV): Looking for some lighter fare? You can blaze through an entire season of this hilarious sketch comedy show featuring the side-splitting duo, Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, best know from their time on MadTV. Watch for popular recurring characters like Peele as President Obama and Key as his expressive "anger translator" Luther.
Photo courtesy of Comedy Central
BONUS WEB CONTENT:
Still haven't found the binge-watching show that will truly capture your attention? Check out these additional options
Better Call Saul: A follow-up series to Breaking Bad, this AMC show serves as a prequel, of sorts, following the life of greasy lawyer Saul Goodman. There's only been one season thus far, but it's worth checking out.
The Big Bang Theory: A favourite among Canadians, this show, which airs on CBS, looks at the hilarious antics of young, brilliant, uber-geeky and socially awkward scientists and their quirky wannabe-actress neighbour. There's a reason Jim Parsons has won several Emmys for his portrayal of Dr. Sheldon Cooper, and it's worth watching his journey of personal and professional growth through the seasons.
Modern Family: ABC has proven that the single-camera comedy and sitcom genre is alive and well, and this ensemble cast that portrays a true, modern family brings the laughs again and again in every episode. While the acting is en point with this show, it's truly the consistently creative and clever writing that makes it so watchable, and worthy of a lengthy binge session.
What shows would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments below.
*In addition to streaming, full seasons of some shows may also be available via digital download sites like iTunes, or via a local TV provider. Check your listings.