3 Shows I Watched During the Pandemic - And You Should Too

If you’re anything like me, the only way I spend my time when I’m not working or hanging with my family/friends is watching (albeit, binging is the right word) different tv shows or movies. Really, I’ll watch almost anything. Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Max are some of my best friends. I mean, seriously, I’m writing this as I watch Sex and the City on HBO Max.

Rewind to the beginning of the pandemic, circa March 2020. Besides job searching on LinkedIn and taking my daily walk around my neighborhood, I had quite a bit of time on my hands. Okay, I had A LOT of time on my hands, so I widened my interest pool when it came to tv show genres. Turns out, I found out I like a lot more than I thought I did!

In no particular order, here are three shows I watched throughout the pandemic. I recommend picking up and watching them, like, right now.

1. Elite

I only have three words to say about this show…oh my LORD.

This show threw me through a loop. I mean, it’s literally the Spanish version of Gossip Girl on 10 Redbulls. I didn’t know what to expect when I was watching the show and was shocked each and every time something happened. Seriously, everything surprised me. Who knew that three teens from a public school would cause so much drama? I mean, high school isn't THAT scary.

But I couldn’t stop watching. I finished the first season in two days. Do you know why? Because you’ve got mystery, gorgeous people, murder (YUP!), teenage angst (oh my goodness, the angst!), class differences, and so much more. I was in such awe that there was a show with the audacity to push the limits in every single episode. It was a thriller I didn’t know I needed.

And the most beautiful thing about this show is that there are four seasons, and it’s going on a fifth as well. You can watch all four seasons and the multiple short series' on Netflix anytime you want.

I’m not telling you to walk, I’m telling you to run and log in to Netflix and start watching Elite immediately. You won’t be sorry!

1. Outer Banks (OBX)

I know, I know - we’re all a bit obsessed with Outer Banks. It’s been out for almost two years now with two great seasons, so we're all pretty invested in this show.

But let me tell you why I like it so much - besides my affinity with JJ Maybank (Rudy Pankow), and hopefully, you’ll agree with me. When the show first aired on Netflix, it was, once again, the beginning of the pandemic. If I’m being honest, the title didn’t drive me in that much, and it just looked like a couple of good-looking people on the screen, and with social media now-a-days, that’s all I see almost all of the time now. But I’d seen a lot of craze for it on TikTok, so I thought, why not?

I finished this series as quickly as I finished Elite, and it’s all because I loved the characters and was BLOWN AWAY by the script. They reminded me of my best buddies that I grew up with because we'd do anything for each other - just like this group of Pogues and Kooks do (it's an OBX thing, you'll understand if/when you watch it). No matter what's going on in all of their lives, they consistently showed what true friendship and love are all about.

Seriously, this show is so much fun to watch, and I was delightfully surprised by the twists and turns these kids get into. And, trust me, they get into some weird ish on their adventures! Josh and Jonah Pate, can I please join your cast (kidding, but honestly not really)?

The gang and their two seasons are available to watch on Netflix. If you need an adventure from the comfort of your tv or computer screen, then start the show today.

1. Good Trouble

If you watched The Fosters growing up like I did, you might be familiar with some of the main characters. Callie (Maia Mitchell) and Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) Adams Foster, are two sister adopted by Lena Adams Foster (Sherri Saum) and Stef Adams Foster (Teri Polo), and they take center screen this time around. I was slightly hesitant to start this spin-off only because The Fosters had a soap opera-ish feel to it (which was the one thing I slightly disliked about the show), and I assumed it would translate into Good Trouble. But you know what happens when you assume? You end up looking like a dummy.

Boy, was I wrong about it being a soap opera! This show is grown-up and SO fun. In truth, I actually started watching this the summer after I graduated college, so the emotions and experiences Callie and Mariana faced for the first time now that they were in the real world resonated with me on a personal level, and I picked it up again during the pandemic when I grew curious about what these girls were getting themselves into. I love the change of location from San Diego to L.A. and am obsessed with the fact that this show revolves around not one, but TWO strong women! And all of the new characters, their background stories, and the real-life issues they confront really make the show what it is - powerful. And once you really get into it, you’ll wonder, am I team Gael or Jaime?

You can watch this sensational duo on Hulu at any time.

So What Should You Watch First?

Listen, I know I didn't go TOO in-depth with any of these shows, but that's the point. I want you to go ahead and watch these shows. When you do, drop a comment and let me know your thoughts! I'm your TV, movie, and entertainment buddy. Happy watching!