Teen Wolf

Unlike a lot of supernatural themed shows that portray all varieties of 'unnatural' creatures, this series is solely based on werewolves. The factor about this show that would perhaps categorise it as 'teen drama' is that, majority of the protagonists of the show are high school teenagers, the most notable character being Scott McCall, who was bitten by a werewolf which caused him to turn into one. 

The series has a lot of emphasis on werewolf mythology, some which are stereotypical and well known, and others a little more unique. Having a darker tone and sense of comedy to it, there is also the involvement of horror and violence, which most certainly caught my interest. Unlike the 1985 movie of the same name on which it is loosely based, this television adaption is more edgier and darker, with a lot more intended focus on the mythological aspect. Keeping in mind that it is 'teen drama', the romance subplots are warranted most of the time, except maybe at a few moments, wherein it seems like they're trying to push it too hard. 

The setting and atmosphere of the show is brilliant, and so are the plot twists. The high school scenario may seem unrealistic, seeing as the characters are never in class half the time and whatnot, but considering that that the series' primary target is to keep the supernatural aspect running, the creators have done a good job. Each season has it's own compelling plot line, with the third season being my personal favourite, and a total of four seasons. The fifth season will premiere on June 29th, with 20 episodes, which will be split into two parts. 

Happy binge-watching! 

White Collar

Falling under the category of crime and drama, this show is about a smart and multi-talented con artist, Neal Caffrey, who works for FBI Special Agent Peter Burke, as a criminal informant. This unconventional arrangement arose as part of a deal that Caffrey made with the FBI when he was caught; he would help them catch white collar criminals by providing insider information and in return, he stays out of prison. 

It is a not a common concept used in a lot of series, and added to that is the overall light hearted atmosphere, that got me interested in giving it a try. Admittedly, Matt Bomer was also a part of the reason, whose good looks and acting give the character Neal Caffrey the much needed charm that makes an individual an excellent conman. The relationship and interaction between Caffrey and Burke has a certain appeal and wit, that starts off as purely professional but then develops into something personal and that development is very much evident. 

For those who are looking for hard-hitting, gory murders and crimes, this isn't the show for them, since White Collar is not exactly like others such as Criminal Minds or CSI. Instead, this series showcases a lot of simple but elegant and classy crimes, that have more than once, made Caffrey and the FBI take on unusual methods in order to get them solved. As the seasons progress, the plot twists get better and the episodes also have interesting scenes with the appearance of recurring characters that are of assistance one or another. The show ended on December 18th 2014, the six-episode sixth season being it's last and to say that I was disappointed would be an understatement. 

Happy binge-watching! 

Once Upon A Time

This show revolves around the lives of well known fairy tale characters, who were transported to the 'real world' from their own realm and had their memories taken away, as a result of a powerful curse cast by the Evil Queen. Now residing in a fictional town, Storybrooke, the episodes portrays two different storylines; one about the events happening in the 'real world' of Storybrooke and the other is a backstory of each character and as to how they became a part of the curse. 

With just four seasons in the running, this particular show has already become one of my all-time favourites. Not only does it capture the fantasy element really well, the way the characters are linked and connected to one and another is just brilliant. While there was a point in the show wherein one of the plot lines seemed to be ongoing unnecessarily, it revived with the introduction of new characters that landed in Storybrooke, not as a cause of the curse. The authenticity of the series is further amplified by the characters' elaborate costumes/outfits, the special effects of the magic involved and the detailed sets of both Storybrooke and the past realm (the Enchanted Forest). 

Once the memories are restored, it is quite enthralling to witness the characters as they come to terms with their dual identities and how their actions in the past, are perhaps what led them to the present day version of reality, with the curse and it's consequences. Additionally, the series also shows a darker side to the 'heroic' fairy tale characters that I am familiar with, having allowed me to see them in a different light and I certainly recommend that you give it a shot. 

Happy binge-watching! 

Criminal Minds

As the name indicates, this is yet another series under the crime/thriller genre and is currently on it's tenth season. Unlike many other crime procedurals, this show focuses on catching criminals by 'profiling' them, a task taken up by FBI's Behavioural Analysis Unit (BAU). The creators continue to be successful in showing that there a lot of instances wherein you have to get into the mind of the criminal in order to catch him/her, and not just concentrate only on the crime. 

Ranging from kidnappings, killings, bomb blasts and so on, the series has managed to portray a variety of crimes, some more graphical than the rest. The acting of the individuals who play the culprits and victims are so powerful and raw, definitely giving the show a realistic and convincing touch. Additionally, they haven't zoomed in too much into the relationships between the protagonists (the FBI profilers) but made it over-dramatic but rather, done it with the right amount to show that there is indeed a strong bond between the characters. 

Each of them has been through something traumatic, lost someone close to them, and that has made me empathise with the characters and admire them at the same time, for they relentlessly manage to catch the bad guys. It's intriguing to see how they use the clues to create an accurate profile about the criminal, thereby making the connections that eventually leads them to him/her. 

Happy binge-watching! 

Community

A different kind of a sitcom, Community is about a varied group of students (a bit like The Breakfast Club), who have enrolled in the local community college in the fictional city Greendale, Colorado. You don't get to hear the usual kind of jokes, but rather the show has a lot of pop-culture references and also mocks many of the typical television cliches. I really enjoy the sense of humour portrayed in the episodes and by the characters, and isn't what I'm normally exposed to. 

The biggest plus point of this show, are it's amazing characters. With each one so very different from the other, it really is like a perfect way to state that each individual is indeed unique and has some features or the other that makes them stand out. It was nice to see a study group that was formed purely for selfish reasons by Jeff Winger, turned out to have more impact on everyone in the group, than they could have imagined. The humourous methods with which they deal with everyday situations is also another funny aspect of the show. To say that there are a lot of pop-culture references would be an understatement, especially since one of the characters, Abed, is a TV shows and movies geek.

There are many episodes that I could definitely watch again and laugh like it's the first time. Yet, there were also a few that weren't all that funny and seemed to have been trying too hard. Everyone might not be eased so quickly into the humour within the first season but once you are past that, you are hooked, for there are a couple of crazy and imaginative episodes as well. I cannot wait for the sixth season, which will air on March 17, 2015. 

Happy binge-watching! 

Arrow

This show is about the DC Comics superhero, Green Arrow (Oliver Queen), who, after years of being stranded on an deserted island due to a ship wreckage, returns home to Starling City to fight crime as a secret vigilante. Unlike many other heroes, he does not possess any 'powers' and rather fights with trained physical strength, strategic mind and his main weapon, which is a bow and arrow. The fact that he has no out-of-this-world features and yet is able to bring down strong enemies, is what makes him one of my favourite heroes and also, one of my favourite shows. 

This is one of those serials that keeps getting better with each succeeding season. Starting off with Oliver's return and him spending his nights killing criminals on his 'list', it was sort of monotonous for a while and wasn't exactly gut-wrenching or raw as I thought it would be. But of course, the best part is getting to see him harness such a primitive weapon to such a high usage and that is something that makes the character very much stand out. The flashbacks of his moments during those five years away from his home, also helps to form a connection between the character and the audience. 

The action sequences are are very well shot and helps in giving the show that dark and gritty edge. The ongoing third season is the most brilliant so far, with it's enthralling major plot, bringing in a main villain into the folds and yet another superhero from the comics, The Atom. Overall, I would say that this is a show that everyone should check out.

Happy binge-watching! 

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.EL.D

This is a show based on S.H.I.E.L.D (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division), which happens to be a fictional spy organisation in the Marvel Comics, in a world surrounded by many superheroes. These agents deal with unusual heroes or enemies are responsible for making sure there is a balance of peace and anonymity between the gifted ones and the ordinary civilians. Being a fan of all things Marvel, I had been quite excited on hearing about this show. 

I am not going to lie, the first half of the first season was not all that good, to say the least. The cases were too random and a little dragging and the story didn't seem to be going anywhere. But once the first major plot twist occurred, that's when things really got interesting and the show had  found it's tempo. Not like I would have given up completely, but I could see why people would find it unappealing. That aside, the show as a whole is currently going awesome in the second season, especially with the introduction of many more characters right from the comics. 

The character development is a huge plus point, which is evident from comparing how they were in season one and how the chain of events has affected them all. The storyline is getting really captivating in season two, supported by equally good special effects. 

Happy binge-watching!