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Advice & More February 2016

Further Review

Some Series Better Viewed on a Binge

By Tharon Giddens

I'm also a fan of binge watching of a movie or a television series. It's easier to follow the narrative and to appreciate the nuances in acting and cinematography when you view a series all the way through on consecutive nights instead of weekly installments.

There are seven tabs open on my laptop.

I'm listening to NPR on one, waiting on incoming email on another, monitoring online sales on three, and checking on what's going on in the world on two more. I like to think I'm multi-tasking, but those seven tabs are more indicative of my ever-declining attention span. I flit from one site to the next. It's a common affliction that's changed my brain – your's too.

Our collective attention spans have shrunk from about 12 minutes to 5 minutes, according to studies. Mine seems more like 5 seconds. I love reading novels, but it takes a conscious effort to de-clutter my brain and focus on what's on the page. It takes five minutes or so for me to get into the flow of a book. I can then get lost for hours at a time.

It's binging in a good way. You get the continuity and rhythm of the written word, a better grasp of the narrative and the author's theme's, and an appreciation of the nuances in the text.

I'm also a fan of binge watching of a movie or a television series. It's easier to follow the narrative and to appreciate the nuances in acting and cinematography when you view a series all the way through on consecutive nights instead of weekly installments. Shows with ensemble casts and multiple storylines are also easier to digest when watched in a marathon. Try it with "Downton Abbey" and "Game of Thrones."

It's a great way to enjoy something you've never seen before, but it's also a way to gain a greater appreciation for an old favorite. Here are five of the best that are well worth a week or so investment of your time for a binge marathon:

The Sopranos (HBO, 1999-2007): The fade-out finale is far less bothersome and more appropriate when you watch all the episodes consecutively over a few weeks. Superb acting, sublime storytelling and lots of foreshadowing going on that you likely missed the first time around.

The Civil War (PBS, 1990): The 150th anniversary of this seminal event is a great reason for a second viewing of this documentary from Ken Burns at his finest. As with the first time around, it's almost too much to bear over the course of a week as you deal with the brutality and bloodiness, but it gives a visceral understanding of the first modern war.

Doc Martin (PBS, 2003-2013): This quirky British series with Martin Clunes jumped the shark in its most recent season, but is still well worth a second watch. It's a fun, clever and gentle comedy with stunning Cornwall coastal scenery that HDTV was made for.

The Tudors (SHOWTIME, 2007-2010): Entertaining English history, with exceptional performances from Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII and from Sam Neill as Wolsey. The court politics and intrigue are easier to follow in a marathon screening. It's also fun and amazing to watch how the makeup wizards aged Meyers.

Foyle's War (ITV, 2002-current): A new season began this month on the UK's ITV, so we'll have to wait a while for the episodes to air here (maybe) on PBS. In the meantime, you can catch up on this little gem of intrigue and murder set in Britain during World War II and in the ensuing Cold War. Michael Kitchen gives an understated, nuanced performance as Inspector Foyle, and Honeysuckle Weeks (love that name!) is fun as his plucky driver/assistant. Well worth a weekend of your time.

 

Further Review looks at films or television series worthy of a second viewing. What are your favorite films dealing with mental health issues? Contact Tharon Giddens at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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