About a year ago, I wrote an article called “Opinion: 5 Underrated Shows You Should Binge This Weekend”. With what’s going on in the world today and a lot of people either getting off work or still sitting at home bored, I figured it was time to suggest 5 more underrated shows you should binge-watch this weekend:
The Last Man on Earth
Okay, this pick may seem fairly bleak considering our current global situation but bear with me. This comedy series stars MacGruber’s Will Forte as Phil Tandy Miller. Phil is presumedly the last man on Earth after a deadly virus decimated the entire human race.
Yeah, that synopsis didn’t help things. Let’s just get to the part where I tell you why you should watch this series.
Some mild spoilers ahead. Phil isn’t the only character in The Last Man on Earth. Along with Forte, the series features Kristen Schaal, January Jones, Mel Rodriguez, Cleopatra Coleman, Mary Steenburgen, and Boris Kodjoe throughout its four-season run. It also has a plethora of amazing cameos that I won’t spoil for you here. Just know that everyone who appears on this show brings their comedy A-game and its apocalyptic setting lends to the amusing situations this group gets into.
Also, this is a series that simply grows on you. Not only is it absolutely funny throughout but it isn’t until the show’s second or third seasons that you begin to realize how great it is. Look no further than its main character, Phil Miller. Phil is irritating, selfish, dumb, and has almost every trait imaginable that makes you want to hate him. That being said, Will Forte plays the character so well that he keeps you invested while the character begins to develop into someone who is still annoying but trying to be better.
Here’s all I’ll say. If you got about 30 minutes sometime this weekend, watch the first episode. If you aren’t on-board after that, fair enough. But I’m pretty sure you’ll be convinced.
How to Watch: Hulu
Travelers
Moving on to our second spot on this list, we have Travelers. This was a series from Netflix that lasted three seasons on the platform before being canceled in early 2019. Here’s a synopsis from IMDb (via ahmetkozan):
“Hundreds of years from now, the last surviving humans discover the means of sending consciousness back through time, directly into people in the 21st century. These Travelers assume the lives of seemingly random people, while secretly working as teams to perform missions in order to save humanity from a terrible future.”
Travelers is a series that didn’t get a definite ending, that much is true. But the reason it’s on this list is due to the interesting concepts the series throws in your face. You’ll watch most of the first season purely to discover what the hell is going on and all of the rules the show implements. You’ll do this not as a chore but as a genuine desire to see what’s next. Not many shows can generate that feeling.
There’s a lot of solid performances in the show too with the standouts by far being Patrick Gilmore’s David Mailer and Reilly Dolman’s Philip Pearson. Other than that, sit back, relax, and try to piece together this puzzle. It may not have that definite ending but it may end a little better than you think.
How to Watch: Netflix
Psych
This may be a controversial pick for some because Psych is a popular and revered series. But, it isn’t talked about on the same level as other high-rated comedy/dramas. Hence, why it took a spot on this list.
Psych stars James Roday and Dulé Hill as best friends Shawn Spencer and Burton Guster (Gus for short), respectively. Shawn is highly observant and a skilled investigator but he is also a bit of an underachiever who never takes anything seriously. After deceiving the police department into thinking he’s a real psychic, Shawn enlists the help of his best friend to solve crimes.
What is there to say about Psych? It has an amazing cast that foils our main characters perfectly. Roday and Hill have outstanding chemistry that makes you buy into their Shawn and Gus’ friendship immediately. Then there are the constant references to classic movies, running gags, and hilarious hijinks that make the series so memorable. There are even some solid emotional moments sprinkled in there for good measure.
Psych doesn’t feature an over-arching story like other picks on this list but it will keep you satisfied each and every time you watch it. Plus, when you get done binging this, you can move onto the movie that released in 2017.
How to Watch: Amazon Prime
Burn Notice
Burn Notice stars Jeffrey Donovan as Michael Weston, a spy who gets disavowed by the government for something he didn’t do. After being sent back to his hometown in Miami, Florida, Michael uses his espionage skills to help others in need while trying to uncover the truth behind his burn notice.
Like many of the shows on this list, Burn Notice works so well because of its stellar and mostly likable cast. Jeffrey Donovan is exceptional in every role he’s asked to play in this series but the main two standouts are Sharon Gless as Madeline Westen and Bruce Campbell as Michael’s best friend, Sam Axe. Here’s a little bit of a mild spoiler for you. If there’s one thing you’ll enjoy from this series, it will most likely be Campbell’s Sam Axe.
Another thing Burn Notice does so well is keeping you engaged. The cons Michael and his crew pull off every episode are mostly filler but they are always entertaining. Aside from the client of the week format, the show also does an exceptional job of building this conspiracy behind Michael’s burn notice and keeping the story fresh throughout its seven-season run.
Basically, Burn Notice will hook you in by doing a lot of cool spy stuff but you’ll stick around due to the lovable characters and compelling story.
How to Watch: Hulu and Amazon Prime
Legends of Tomorrow
Rip Hunter, a time-master (basically the time police), gathers various misfits from around the Arrowverse to stop a ruthless warlord named Vandal Savage from conquering and destroying the world.
That’s the synopsis for Legends of Tomorrow’s mixed bag of a first season. There’ll be plenty of ups and plenty of downs but once you hit season two, you’ll find yourself realizing how easy of a watch this series is.
Because here’s the thing about Legends of Tomorrow. When you watch this show, you are in for 40+ minutes of pure, unadulterated fun. It doesn’t set itself out to be an overly serious superhero show like Arrow or Daredevil. This show’s sole purpose is to entertain you. And it does that very well.
If you’re still not sold, I got one last hail mary for you. If you’re a fan of the way Doom Patrol or The Umbrella Academy treats their stories and characters, Legends of Tomorrow may be the next series for you.
How to Watch: Netflix
And those are 5 more underrated shows you should watch this weekend. What are you binge-watching? Let us know in the comments!
