If your Facebook and Twitter feeds are like mine, then you have people talking about TV shows they are watching as “stay at home” orders and “quarantine” guidelines are in play across the globe.
While there are a number of popular series that seem to have captured the attention of homebound individuals (“Tiger King” anyone?) there are a number of shows that aren’t part of the current zeitgeist that are worth checking out.
Here are three “under-the-radar” series I’d recommend watching.
ABSTRACT: THE ART OF DESIGN
In an endless sea of junk food television, it’s nice to challenge yourself every once in a while with something that expands your mind.
“Abstract: The Art of Design” takes a look into some of the most interesting minds influencing the world of design. Each episode focuses on a different aspect of design — graphic design, product design, architectural design, apparel design, etc.
The series was created by former WIRED editor-in-chief Scott Dadich.
The overall vibe of the series owes a debt of gratitude to documentary filmmaker Gary Hustwit’s design trilogy of films from the early 2000s (“Helvetica,” “Objectified,” and “Urbanized”).
Whether it was intentional or not, “Abstract: The Art of Design” seems to draw considerable inspiration from Hustwit’s films.
My favorite episodes are “Paula Scher: Graphic Design” (Season 1) and “Jonathan Hoefler: Typeface Design” (Season 2). I handle graphic design duties in our business, and find it inspiring to hear other design professionals talk about their craft.
Both Scher and Hoefler are based in New York City and were featured in the 2007 documentary “Helvetica” (which focused on the history of the ubiquitous typeface).
“Typography is painting with words,” Scher says at the beginning of the episode that focuses on her graphic design career. In a world where type is often treated like white noise, it is nice to see the thought process that goes into selecting and designing fonts.
There are currently two seasons of “Abstract: The Art of Design” available on Netflix. The episodes can be watched in any order.
If you don’t have Netflix, the first season of the series is currently available to stream for free on the Netflix YouTube channel.
While some of the episodes might seem esoteric and wordy, it is nice to have a show that chronicles the intricacies involved in the creative process, and the intellectual complexities therein.
POLDARK
Bridget and I enjoy watching highbrow British dramas. The dramatic series produced by PBS Masterpiece each year (with British networks like the BBC and ITV) epitomize that sort of entertainment. Year after year, series like “Downton Abbey” have increased the overall appeal of PBS’s content library.
One of our favorite PBS Masterpiece drama series has been “Poldark” (which aired from 2015-2019). When Bridget and I watched the first episode on the PBS app in 2015, we were instantly intrigued.
It is based on fiction novels by author Winston Graham, which were also the basis for a PBS series of the same name in the 1970s (the actor who played Ross Poldark in that show appears in a bit part in the updated version).
“Poldark” is an 18th century period drama set in Great Britain between 1781 and 1803. It follows the exploits of Captain Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) after he returns home to Cornwall from fighting in the American War of Independence.
Throughout the show’s five seasons, Capt. Poldark has to deal with familial drama wrapped around economic and political intrigue of the era. Love, betrayal, revenge, and honor are common themes in the series.
Actress Eleanor Tomlinson is terrific as Ross’s wife Demelza. Her airy presence is a nice counterpoint to the brooding Ross.
In addition, the show’s storylines benefit from having conniving businessman George Warleggen (Jack Farthing) working to foil Poldark’s plans.
While the narrative can be melodramatic at times, the overall effect is an incredibly binge-worthy drama. The sweeping vistas are lovely (there are A LOT of wide shots featuring Ross Poldark riding a horse along the cliffs of Cornwall). The musical score by composer Anne Dudley is lovely and helps to set the show’s tone.
It is a series that is definitely worth your time. Available to stream in the United States on Amazon Prime Video or on the PBS app (via PBS Passport).
LONGMIRE
“Longmire” is the series that proved to be the catalyst that eventually led us to becoming cord cutters.
I remember seeing TV spots for the series (prior to the first season’s debut on the A&E network) and thinking, “that looks right up my alley.”
A few days later, I happened to be at The Bookworm (an independent bookstore in Omaha, NE) and saw author Craig Johnson’s series of Walt Longmire Mysteries on a display table.
I fondly remember that day. My mom and I had gone downtown to the Omaha Summer Arts Festival. The temps were steamy that day. As a result, we didn’t stay at the art show as long as we had planned, and made a trip to the air-conditioned comfort of The Bookworm.
My mom ended up buying me the first book in the series (“The Cold Dish”) and I was instantly hooked.
“Longmire” quickly became my favorite detective series when it debuted on A&E. It was also the highest-rated drama on the network.
Unfortunately, A&E decided to cancel the show after its third season in 2014 (despite solid ratings).
Netflix picked the show up and streamed three additional seasons. Upon hearing the announcement that the streaming giant had saved the series, we subscribed to Netflix (about a year before the fourth season debuted in 2015).
It was the first time we’d signed up for a streaming service of any kind. The experience led to us cutting cable TV entirely in 2015 and watching programming via streaming on Apple TV and “over-the-air” using an attic antenna.
“Longmire” follows the exploits of Absaroka County Sheriff Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor), an old-school lawman fighting crime in the least populated county in Wyoming (which is the least populated state in the nation).
Walt’s supporting cast serves as the rough-hewn mortar that holds the series together. Two of those characters are of particular importance.
Henry Standing Bear (Lou Diamond Phillips) is a local bar owner, member of the Cheyenne nation, and a longtime friend who provides sage wisdom and support to Longmire.
Victoria “Vic” Moretti (Katee Sackhoff) is his sassy deputy. Her snarky wit is a nice counterpoint to Walt’s laconic tone.
The series is chock-full of good characters. During its run, “Longmire” had a deep bench of characters that provided texture to each episode. This is a show where the antagonists are just as interesting as the protagonists.
I love the fact that “Longmire” effortlessly infuses classic western archetypes into a modern-day police procedural. The “old school” nature of the sleuthing is compelling, and far more realistic than the current crop of detective series (there isn’t some “super computer” that magically solves the mystery for our heroes).
I can’t recommend “Longmire” enough.
I’d also recommend the books by Craig Johnson. I’ve had the opportunity to see the author three times at The Bookworm.
All six seasons of “Longmire” are available to stream on Netflix. In addition, the Warner Archive Collection produces terrific Blu-Ray versions of each season as well:
FINAL THOUGHTS
There are a lot of series out there to choose from. It seems like I’m constantly hearing about something new to watch from friends and family members. It’s a far cry from the days when I was a kid and there were only three TV networks to watch.
The three series I talked about in this post are ones that are a bit off the beaten path (the exception might be “Longmire,” which has developed a loyal following over the years). I picked them in part because I haven’t seen a lot of my connections talking about them.
As much as I try to focus on movies, TV shows, and books that are significant in popular culture, I also try to also focus on hidden gems people haven’t yet discovered.
“Abstract: The Art of Design,” “Poldark,” and “Longmire” are definitely worth your time.
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