Move Over Netflix, Amazon Prime Is Where The Best Shows Are At

Amazon Prime and Chill?

In the present day and age of excellent, and streamable, tv content we’re wondering how you manage to get any work done at all. If you’re looking to spend a productive day at home today, this is not the article for you. If you’re looking to get seriously hooked to some of the best shows on Amazon prime, read on. Fair warning, once you start with any one of these shows you won’t stop till you finish em.

We’ve warned you, so proceed with caution. And, get ready for some serious binge watching!

1. The Man in The High Castle

Loosely based on Philip K. Dick’s 1963 alternate history novel of the same name, The Man in the High Castle explores a dystopian world in which the Axis powers were victorious in the World War II.

15 years after the great war, Germany and Japan have divided the former United States into 3 parts: Japanese controlled West Coast, Nazi Occupied East Coast and a neutral no-man’s land in between. The Man in the High Castle, follows a disparate group of individuals as they either resist or aid the resistance movement against the Fascist regime. The acting, brilliant cinematography, direction apart from the story with unforeseen twists and turns will keep viewers on their toes.

2. Mozart in The Jungle

Gael García Bernal stars as an orchestra conductor and Lola Kirke as his protégé in this frothy and fun musical, in the form of a tv series. The show boasts a stellar cast with beloved faces like Malcolm McDowell, Bernadette Peters, and Saffron Burrows. Mozart is sweet and low-key, but quite entertaining for those looking for a charming little tv series for a quiet afternoon by yourself.

3. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

A sardonic comedy centered around Mrs. Maisel, a.k.a. Midge, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is a high energy retro series bound to keep you hooked. The plot revolves around Midge who is the beauty and brains behind her comedian husband’s career. But things begin to go south as the ungrateful hubby dumps her and their two children. The story arc then takes a turn as Midge’s personal betrayal, leads her to an unexpected career as an actual comedian. The show’s pilot holds great promise for the rest of it, while it gives off a clean-cut air, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel utilizes profanity and nudity towards devastatingly funny ends.

Viewers are sure to be enthralled by Midge’s personality, and innate sweetness. If you’re looking for a sweet and sassy series, with a certain depth about it, give this series a try.

4. Veep

If you’re more of a person who enjoys political satire more than anything else, you’re sure to love Veep. This is easily the smartest comedy on television right now, which deals hilariously with the post-Trump political environment. It is a sharp, witty and extremely relatable, with 6-time Emmy Award Winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus heading the roster of present television’s best cast.

Dreyfus plays a much-maligned Vice President who is exasperated being second-in-command on a day-to-day basis. The show’s mock-serious premise balances perfectly with the profane one-liners served by its characters. But be warned, the only drawback of watching this show is the possibility of belly-churning laughter.

5. Orphan Black

Another conspiracy thriller which has become insanely popular in recent times. Orphan Black’s plot revolves around Tatiana Maslany’s character(s) who are all clone-variations of the same woman. Tatiana’s acting chops ensures that each character appears like a completely distinct individual, so much so that viewers are often left wondering if one woman is playing these characters. Furthermore, you are sure to have a favorite character.

6. Psych

Psych is a slight twist on the conventional ‘buddy-cop’ genre of comedy. This light-hearted comedy series revolves around two characters, an eccentric detective who claims to possess ‘psychic’ abilities and his ‘by-the-book’ partner who doesn’t buy into his claims! Star James Roday, who shares an uncanny facial similarity with Zach Braff of Scrubs also shares Braff’s comic timings, while Dule Hill is perfect as is clueless yet, more practical, partner, Gus.

Psych enjoyed a cult following throughout its eight seasons (me, being one of them), and even now there is a niche crowd who remembers the series fondly.

7. Goliath

From the makers of hit legal dramas such as The Practice and Boston Legal comes Goliath. A legal thriller worth its weight, driven by a solid plot and compellingly flawed characters. David E. Kelly retains his signature style in this epic old-school legal thriller.

The main protagonist is Billy McBride, a fundamentally flawed, alcoholic ‘has-been’ lawyer, who chanced upon a case against a big tech firm. The other characters include, his ex-wife and his old legal partner turned nemesis. The series is hard-hitting without trying too hard, and if you love legal dramas, Goliath is one to watch out for.

8. Mr. Robot

You’ve probably heard this countless number of times, Mr. Robot is one of the best tv shows of the recent decade, which launched the career of Rami Malek. And this is one show which is worth the hype. If you’re still unaware of the plot, Mr. Robot follows Elliot (Malek), a hacker who has acute social anxiety and delusional paranoia living in Manhattan, New York. Elliot leads a dual life, on one hand, he works as a computer programmer for a company that protects other companies from cyber threats, on the other, he wants to be the equivalent of a modern-day ‘Robin Hood’ who is willing to take down E Corp or Evil Corp. if you’re into Kubrick-esque movies such as American Psycho or Fight Club, Mr. Robot is an absolute must watch for you.

9. Twin Peaks

One more for those looking for mind-boggling thriller cum mystery. Twin Peaks is a 2 season drama which basically tells the story of an investigation into the murder of Laura Palmer in the small town of Twin Peaks, nestled amidst picturesque mountains. But things are never that straightforward in any movie or tv show directed by David Lynch, and this one’s no different. FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) investigates the case but things take strange and sinister turns throughout the investigation.

While the plot points are based on the investigation, but Twin Peaks is really a character-driven show. Trust us, this strange yet engrossing story is worth binging on for weeks on end.

10. Doctor Who

Doctor Who is a long-running British series which follows the adventures of a Time Lord and his companion as they travel in the TARDIS. While there have been many story arcs over the decades, the cult favorite still remains an episodic watch. Give this sci-fi show a shot, if you’re a sci-fi fanatic and are into the Star Wars or Star Trek fandom. Others can go for it too because there have been many who were converts into sci-fi genre after watching this show.

11. The Americans

The Americans is premised on the lives of two Russian spies (Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys) who are posing as a married couple living in America. The missions are no doubt, quite fascinating, the main attraction of the show is the relationship drama between its two main protagonists. If you are into spy drama, this show is definitely up your alley.

12. True Blood

Forget Edward and Bella, move over Damon and Elena, Alan Ball‘s blood-soaked, deep South Vampire soap is the best vampire show on television. Set in the fictional small town of Ben Temps, Louisiana, True Blood portrays a world in which vampires are surviving off synthetic human blood i.e. the titular True Blood. Its filled with graphic fight scenes, a lot of blood and a lot more nudity. Considering the main characters are so darn hot, you can let the absence of a cogent plot, slide. This one time.

13. Vikings

While not as grand as Game of Thrones, Vikings has enough spectacular drama to keep you captivated. It is loosely based on the exploits of the 9th century Viking ruler Ragnar Lodbrok, and involves crushing violence, lots of ax play, and frequent battles in Ragnar’s quest for the conquest of Europe. The show is less complicated than GOT and is more about sheer brute force when it comes to Ragnor’s victories. So, if you’re still in the GOT hangover phase then you’ll definitely appreciate this violent historical fiction.

14. Downton Abbey

There’s a reason why from 2010-2015, one couldn’t have a conversation about TV shows without someone mentioning Downton Abbey. This British series based on the internal dynamics of a dysfunctional aristocratic English family, complete with their mansion filled with servants, was the most ‘British’ thing to occupy television in the mid-2000s.

The series is set between 1912-1925 and centered around the Crawley family and their domestic helps in the fictional estate of Downton Abbey, it represented the effect on the family of such historic events like the sinking of the Titanic and the First World War. Downton Abbey has received critical acclaim as well as audience appreciation throughout the entirety of its run. If you love a good Brit drama, you’re sure to enjoy this series like no other.

15. Six Feet Under

Our final pick is a show which might be a little out of your comfort zone. Six Feet Under is a show about death, yes, you’ve heard that right. It explores the different ways in which people deal with grief and uses the loss of a life, to make a brilliant point about living. The show steers clear of generic definitions of death and afterlife, and focuses on people. It is through death that the show brings to light, the essential meaning of life. Six Feet Under, is for those looking for some depth in their television series, it will at least make you self-reflect, without inducing a debilitating existential crisis.

So, grab your Amazon Prime Membership at just Rs 999/- per year and start your love-affair with the top television series of your generation!