What are you binge watching?
Setodzi Avoke
Staff Writer
Between premium services like Netflix, HBO and standard television programming, students have a lot of choice when deciding what to watch this fall.
Semiconductor manufacturing major Bram Deruddere named science-fiction thriller “Westworld” as his favorite. Based on the Hugo Award winning book and movie, the 2016 remake delivers a story about synthetic androids turning against people in a western-themed technologically advanced amusement park.
“The actors do a terrific job of reenacting the robots that are supposedly going evil, and also Anthony Hopkins plays a magnificent role in the series,” said Deruddere.
Deruddere said he would definitely recommend it to other people, and that it gets much better after the first episode. “Westworld” is a HBO exclusive that can be watched through its subscription cable channel and the HBO GO app.
Computer science major Erin Wilder recommended “Criminal Minds”, a police crime drama following a group working in the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit in their search criminals. Wilder likes “Criminal Minds” because it makes her think.
“It’s really thought-inducing, and it’s deep,” said Wilder. She recommends the show to anyone who likes creepy things.
Construction major Dylan Kipp enjoys HGTV, or Home & Garden Television, which broadcasts a variety of how-to shows, with a focus on home improvement, gardening, crafts and remodeling.
The “Property Brothers”, Kipp’s favorite show on HGTV, star the twin brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott. Using state-of-the-art computer programs, the Scott brothers convince a couple in search of a home to buy an older house and allow them to renovate it, rather than buying a newer house.
“I like everything about homes. How they build them. Unique things that make the house stand out. Things that interest me. I like building, that’s why I’m taking construction.” said Kipp. He recommends the show to everybody.
The popular and long-running show, “Survivor”, continues to pit people against each other on isolated tropical islands. It’s latest iteration “Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X” is the only show individual studies major Keri Smith is watching.
“I’m part of the millennial [generation], so you kind of connect with one team automatically,” said Smith. For anyone interested in the strategic social element and action found in the challenge to survive, Smith would recommend watching it on Wednesdays on CBS.
Although currently on hiatus, “Game of Thrones” is still the favorite of criminal justice major Thomas Brown, who enjoys the show’s suspense. Based on the plot of George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire”, “Game of Thrones” features a deadly struggle for control over the fictional Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and it’s Iron Throne.
“You think you know what’s about to happen, then they kill somebody off,” said Brown. The big budget, immersive actor performances and “better story” make it easy for Brown to suggest HBO’s flagship property to others.
Despite new offerings, individual studies Taylor Parks prefers returning to modern classic, “The Office.”
Shot as a fake documentary starring office workers, the cast play their charming imperfections off of each other. The show’s success has been rewarded with regular television replays, Netflix binges and award show accolades.