10 Shows to Watch While Waiting for GoT to Return
Now that you’ve re-watched season 7 of Game of Thrones for the third time all the way through, you’re probably sitting there staring blankly at your TV screen, scrolling through trying to find something interest. Below we have 10 recommendations of both newer and older shows that will help you pass the time.
10 Shows You Can Binge Watch While Waiting for Game of Thrones to Return
1) Vikings
If you’re into the violent, medieval times aspects of Thrones, Vikings will be a great show for you to start on. It has four seasons so far with a fifth currently being produced. While it has less of a fantasy focus, expect to be comfortable with the style in which it’s filmed. It’s available on Hulu.
2) Orphan Black
While I haven’t seen this show yet and can’t speak to the way it is filmed, almost everyone I rightfully complained to about having to wait for Thrones to return mentioned this show. From the reviews, it looks like it’s gotten better as it’s run through the first five seasons which means there’s likely great writing supporting that.
3) Westworld
Westworld was considered to have been snubbed at the Emmy’s last week and with good reason. It’s a captivating, well written show with an amazing cast. When you step back from the show and realize the improvements in AI technology, it’s feasible to think that a fictional setting like Westworld could come to fruition decades down the road. A word of advice: don’t read spoilers for this show. Just trust me and know that the twist and turns are worth watching through unknowingly.
4) Black Mirror
This is a show you’ve likely heard of before as well. Admittedly, this show is not for everyone as it can be very dark and unnerving. The premise of the series is to show how current and future technology could potentially impact our lives in ways we might not consider. The best part about Black Mirror is that each episode is standalone. You can watch any of the episodes in any order as they are all completely separate story lines. I’d recommend starting with “San Junipero” as it is the least dark of all of the episodes, is critically acclaimed, and will give you the best idea of what the show is about. Also, don’t start with season one, episode one as that is one of the most unnerving to watch. Fair warning.
5) Band of Brothers
While BoB is a fairly old series, it is an absolute classic. Following up on Saving Private Ryan‘s success, Band of Brothers has some of the best acting performances ever in an HBO series. While it’s set during WW2, the series is less about the war itself and more about the men that fought in the war. It’s also based on a true story and does a great job of tying that into the show.
6) The OA
The OA is only one season long and is easily watchable in a weekend if you have the free time and are feeling overly motivated to sit on your couch/in bed for 7-8 hours. When I first watched it, I initially expected it to be something completely different from what it ended up being. It’s tough to describe the show without giving too much away about how the plot progresses but know that it’s worth sitting through the first few episodes even if it feels slow as the final payoff is quite the tear-jerker.
7) The Sopranos
The Sopranos is arguably the series that put HBO on the map from a television show perspective. Please keep in mind, however, that not everyone from New York and New Jersey are like this, as much as people would like to think so.
8) Stranger Things
While Stranger Things and Westworld recently got snubbed at the Emmy’s, it was nominated and expected to win for many reasons. This is a show that I’d venture that most people have seen already, but if not, spend some time with it. But watch during the day and definitely not right before you go to sleep.
9) The Wire
“except maybe the wire” is a great description. The Wire is a criminally underrated show and one that was speculated to never get nominated for more awards because of a mostly African-America cast and an inner-city setting. This is a must-see show that takes some time to get through, but it absolutely worth the time.
10) Friends/The Office/How I Met Your Mother/It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia/Arrested Development
Because let’s be honest, this is what you’ll probably end up watching for the 27th time anyway.