In March 2022, we released the first edition of TV Shows That Help Relieve Stress and Distract. Back then, we didn’t know how long the war would last and what stress we would all need to overcome every day. But even during the darkest days, it’s necessary to find something positive and interesting, something that keeps us sane, inspires us, or brings happiness.
Today, we’ll explore the top 5 TV shows that left me with a pleasant aftertaste and a good mood. It’s worth noting that the shows on this list are in no particular order but differ in genre, mood, year of release, and duration. So, I hope everyone will find something to their liking!
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Plotline
When aristocrat Eddie inherited the family estate, he discovered that it housed a huge empire for growing weed, and its owners had no intention of leaving. Over the course of eight episodes, Eddie navigates various encounters and deals, both favorable and unfavorable, to get out of the game, all while encountering colorful characters along the way.
All the trademark features of Guy Ritchie are present – from sudden shocking violence and upbeat pop songs to wildly eccentric characters, ironic and acerbic British humor, boxing, and handwritten yellow subtitles to keep the audience in the loop.
Vibe
Undoubtedly, it’s an exploitation of a loud hit name, plot, and style, which turned out to be surprisingly good and a reinterpretation that the creators can be proud of. The money here went not to the actors but to the setting – the visuals are magnificent. In addition to the absurd plots and a plethora of unsavory characters, the stylization resembling the original “Gentlemen” adds fun and boldness to the series.
From picturesque sets and costumes to on-screen text that helps viewers keep track of the various deals, people, and schemes – the series unfolds like a dazzling web of chaos, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats throughout the eight episodes.
Watch
If you enjoy sharp British humor, have an eye for style, and for some reason missed the original, the series might provide a push to give it a watch.
Don’t watch
Get ready for the pace and zest of good old Ritchie, expect to see familiar faces, and Guy in the director’s chair (unfortunately, he only directed the first episode).
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Plotline
In 1995, a young Assane Diop experienced the death of his father, who was accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Twenty-five years later, Assane is involved in stealing a necklace belonging to the French Queen Marie Antoinette. The precious jewel, displayed in the Louvre, belongs to the wealthy Pellegrini family.
Assane seeks to avenge his father, who was unjustly accused of theft by the Pellegrini family, drawing inspiration from his favorite character, the “gentleman thief” Arsène Lupin. Alongside his illegal activities, Assane tries to find time for his son, Raoul, who lives with his mother, Claire, Assane’s former girlfriend.
Vibe
The greatest trick of “Lupin” is that it masks the essence in plain sight. The series, created by British showrunner George Kay and inspired by the beloved French character Arsène Lupin, combines more than 115 years of inspiration (since the character was invented by writer Maurice LeBlanc in 1905) into a sleek, fast-paced escape that’s easy to cover in a day (as it was in my case).
The star of the series, French actor Omar Sy, stands out sharply among his scene partners. Elusive and unpredictable yet full of charisma, his character, Assane Diop, is a con artist with a golden heart, capable of transforming into an elusive master of deception. “Lupin” combines the inspiration of “Ocean’s Eleven” with gripping implausibility and the cultural knowledge of “National Treasure.”
Watch
You adore transformations and unexpected plot twists, anticipating a fresh take on the old-fashioned character in a classic genre.
Don’t watch
You expect a level of sophistication and cruelty akin to Bruce Wayne or the icy cunning of Thomas Shelby.
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Plotline
The plot revolves around the adventures of the pirate Monkey D. Luffy, who sets sail into the perilous waters of the Grand Line in search of One Piece, the legendary treasure that will make him the Pirate King. Along the way to the vast and dangerous ocean, he finds friends and comrades who assist him on his journey.
However, the heroes are pursued by the Marines, and they are not the only pirate crew hunting for One Piece. Bound by strong bonds of friendship, the Straw Hat Pirates are ready for the journey and the struggle for their dreams.
Vibe
Together, the actors create an amazing, quirky atmosphere that fits perfectly with the Saturday morning vibe of the original anime, complemented by dynamic camerawork and VFX brawls borrowed directly from the manga.
Even with the main character’s ability to stretch, fish-men, and quirky animals that people use as phones, “One Piece” is perceived as a world whose fragments you’ve already seen elsewhere, explored from an absurd and fresh perspective – a world that more than deserves your attention and has every chance of becoming a real hit.
Watch
If you can quickly adapt to the specific, amazing, and somewhat crazy pirate universe.
Don’t watch
If you don’t like anime adaptations, consider yourself a serious and mature person, and can’t stand conceptual fixation.
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Plotline
“3 Body Problem,” a high-budget adaptation of Liu Cixin’s book series by Netflix under the guidance of the creators of “Game of Thrones,” brings science into science fiction.
The series focuses on scientists trying to unravel a mystery spanning decades, continents, and even galaxies.
Vibe
What works in “3 Body Problem” is its uniqueness. The story jumps in time from the setting of Maoist struggle to modern days, discarding key settings as the plot progresses, allowing for a healthy dose of misdirection.
It’s important to note that it pays special attention to viewers who at least halfway understand concepts like higher-dimensional geometry, a mentally linked society unable to grasp the concept of lying, and a convoluted physical puzzle that gave the show its name. In short, there’s a lot going on here, but the creators didn’t miss the mark.
Watch
If you’re a fan of mind-bending physics, mysterious visitors, and futuristic technologies, if you’re open to time jumps and intricate plotlines.
Don’t watch
If you’re not interested in the history of China and its Cultural Revolution, and you prefer a light and steady pace of storytelling.
By the way, I’ve done a very detailed review of this series, which you can read here.
Plotline
The series is set in an Asian world ravaged by war, where certain individuals can “bend” one of the four classical elements – water, earth, fire, or air. Aang is the Avatar, the only mage capable of using all the elements and is tasked with bringing balance and stopping the war unleashed by the Fire Nation many years ago.
Together with his new companions Katara and Sokka, Aang learns and develops his powers while also evading Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, who seeks to regain his honor by capturing the Avatar.
Weibe
If you’re not familiar with the world of airbenders, the adventure drama “Avatar: The Last Airbender” from Netflix is a remake of the popular Nickelodeon animated series of the same name, which debuted in 2005.
There’s so much potential in this story – about a world where some people have the supernatural ability to control water, fire, earth, and air through a practice known as “bending” – to create something magnificent and impressive in real-time. And it’s not a frame-by-frame reproduction; it’s its own epic, encompassing the themes and tone of the original material.
Watch
If you want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of childhood, love beautifully choreographed fight scenes, and don’t mind a flying blue bison, this series is for you.
Don’t watch
Not ready to let go of the cartoonish charm and dynamic presentation of the original in favor of a more serious fantasy.
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I tried to cover different genres in this TOP so that everyone could find something to relax with or, on the contrary, engage their brains with an interesting puzzle. However, I’m sure that whether you like them or not, you won’t remain indifferent. All series are already available on Netflix. Enjoy watching!
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