Most of the shows I watch are shows I like that I own (DVDs) or streaming shows. Some of it is because of the limited number of western shows on Japanese TV; some shows are Japanese shows that English speaking audiences probably haven’t heard of; some of it is frankly, time. I can’t watch TV everyday between work and family. I’d rather read or write in the down time I have. So shows tend to be binge-watch affairs on vacations (or home with a cold). Most are SF or mysteries. I’ve recently started watching Killjoys, which I enjoy. And Orphan Black is now fully available on worldwide Netflix so I can watch the run. And I have to watch The Crown so my mother and I can compare historical notes.
So, I decided to write this post about shows (other than Star Trek) that I have binge-watched over and over through the years because they are special to me. When I’m feeling depressed or sick with the flu, these are the shows that are my tv medicine.
I love Blake’s 7. I don’t think there is a version available for US region; but I have a multi-season DVD and its not hard to find online anyway. Blake’s 7 follows freedom fighter Roj Blake and his fight against the Federation. He is arrested, sent to a prison planet, but gains a crew of criminals-who commandeer an alien ship known as the Liberator. His crew includes computer expert Kerr Avon, professional thief Villa Restal, strongman Olag Gan, pirate captain Jenna Stannis, the ship’s AI Zen. Later on we get Cally, a telepath the series we get Orac, a brilliant computer mind. In later seasons we have new crew members Tarrant, Dayna, and Soolin. And their adversary Servalan. It’s about political system, oppression, freedom, independence, social control etc. All those juicy political themes. And it doesn’t try to be optimistic either. I have watched the whole series several times and I purchased many of the audio shows via Big Finish Audio.
Peaky Blinders. Thomas Shelby is a bad man. The Peaky Blinders are bad people. But I can’t help watching every episode of that show. Set in Birmingham after WWI it’s just fantastic. The only gangster show I ever really found interesting. And there’s going to be a SERIES 5!!!! On a gathering storm comes/ a tall handsome man/In a dusty black coat with/ a red right hand…..
X-Files. The X-files was one of the first shows outside of Star Trek that I was really a fan of. I watched it faithfully from episode one’s broadcast until the end. Even after Scully and Mulder were gone. I even watched the Lone Gunmen spin-off and Millennium. Even after the weird second movie. And I have watched X-files 2018. X-files is just a part of my life at this point, and I have to accept it.
Alien Nation. I go through bouts where I have to watch Alien Nation again. I have to sit through Buck’ growing pains and George’s pregnancy and Sikes and Cathy’s relationship. It’s still a good show, that I always enjoy and I’ve discussed it before.
Are you Being Served? This is a comedy classic. Set in the fictional Grace Brothers Department store. I started watching this show late at nights on public broadcasting. ( Along with Fawlty Towers) There are a few episodes I’ve missed, but I’ve seen all the most popular ones down through the years. We didn’t have cable.( My father felt that television was not worth paying for.) Mrs. Slocombe. Ms. Brahms, Mr. Humphries, Captain Peacock, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Rumbold, Young Mister Grace.
Mr. Humphries are you free?
Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister. Basically, political satire and it is brilliant. With a rather small cast, and never big sets, the dialogue alone is masterful. Hacker, and MP who later becomes Prime Minister and Sir Humphrey Appleby, his permanent secretary. There aren’t many episodes, but they are well worth it.
THE ECHO ZONE 
I like the X-Files a lot, too! Have you heard if they’ll be making any more seasons of it?
Blake’s 7 sounds intriguing. I’ve never seen it advertised anywhere here in Canada, but I’ll see if it’s available on Netflix or somewhere similar.
My post.
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It’s and old BBC show (1978) so I doubt it’s on Netflix. It’s probably been YouTubed.
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I could watch Are You Being Served? for hours. I love that show. Mrs. Slocombe’s hair, Mr. Lucas chasing Miss Brahms…and Mr. Humphries. I need to go binge that show again. Thanks for the reminder!
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I always feel better when I watch that show. It’s wonderful.
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Thanks for stopping by! You have some of my favorites on here (that didn’t make my list), especially Are You Being Served. Blake’s 7 sounds like something I would really enjoy. YouTube, here I come!
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Glad so many people love Are You Being Served! Blake’s 7 is a treasure if you’re and SF fan.
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Loved X files – even the newer ones on FOX!
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I will always love Mulder.
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Wow, X-files is the only one I recognize. Have to check some of yours out.
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Please do. Alien Nation is good if you like SF.
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Hooray for another fan of Killjoys! Oh man, I’d forgotten about Peaky Blinders. How, I’m not sure, since I’m obsessed with Cillian Murphy (thank you, Inception). I think it’s so intriguing because while they do seem irredeemable, they often do believe they are doing things for the right reasons. Family and the like.
I hope you continue to enjoy Killjoys and Orphan Black was so well done!
My link
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I’m really enjoying Killjoys. It much deeper and unique than I expected, and I’ve loved the binge.
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I agree – for ‘just a sci-fi show’ it’s very layered and nuanced and the cast is amazing.
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Okay, yes, pretty much any of the British comedy that showed up on PBS during that era.. love it!
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It was a golden era of comedy.
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Nice list. Some are on my to-be-watched list – Peaky Blinders, Orphan Black, The Crown. Some I haven’t heard of – Blake’s 7, Are You Being Served. Some I own – Millenium, X-Files 2018 (Working on the rest of the series.) Alien Nation. So yes, a very nice list. Like you, I don’t do regular ‘commercial’ TV. Netflix or Amazon Prime where I can binge watch without commercials, or my private library. This week I am watching Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I am so glad I am watching it on Netflix. I would have gone nuts watching this continuing saga on regular TV. Having to wait a week between episodes. Nope! Netflix all the way. As for my go-to-comfort-watch-over-and-over shows. Twilight Saga. Farscape. Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. Doctor Who. NCIS. Star Wars. Star Trek – any or all of the movies or series.
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Orphan Black is good!!! Since you’re a SF fan, you’ll probably like it. I need to binge watch S.H.I.E.L.D. I didn’t have time to keep up on a weekly basis so I drifted away…I miss Farscape. I haven’t seen it in years.
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Oh man, I loved “Are You Being Served”. SO FUN… I haven’t heard of most of the others (except X-Files, because of course). I’ll have to check them out!
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I think you might like the humor of Yes Minister (if political humor is ok with you)
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Oh, Blake’s 7. I had all of the VHS, now I have the DVDs, and watched it live (yes, I’m old!) The very last episode *ruined* my Christmas a child when it was aired 😉
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I love Are You Being Served! It’s a classic.
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Absolutely!
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