Like everyone in America, I’ve been pretty annoyed with Netflix this year. They provide a great service, yes, and I’ve discovered all sorts of movies thanks to their crazy algorithm (wait, one more Quirky Romantic Comedy with a Strong Female Lead? How about a Cerebral Foreign Drama? yes and yes.) Their DVD selection still encapsulates why I stick with Netflix, despite their rising prices and totally clueless marketing attempts – funky movies I can’t find anywhere else. But I couldn’t see paying for two discs at a time anymore (I used to have three, back in the day) and also didn’t want to get rid of On Demand, constantly getting better plus super convenient. So I switched to one disc at a time, plus streaming.
And it was just OK.
If I got really into a TV series (hello, True Blood!) I’d be getting discs one at a time for weeks, hardly ever seeing anything else. Seemed kind of silly. I don’t have cable, so my only non-Netflix options are Redbox (pathetic) or five versions of PBS (occasionally great, but extremely hit or miss. Way too many Holocaust documentaries for me this year.)
But now, I have but one word for you: Roku.
I got the TINY purple Roku LT for Christmas from my brother. Set up took less than ten minutes. It has a dedicated red Netflix button on the remote. And all of a sudden I feel like I have the best TV options ever. (not so much the TV, which despite being called TruFlat is anything but and has a weird green spot on the screen which generally corresponds perfectly with people’s faces…it was abandoned at my house for a reason…but I digress)
So many movies! So many TV shows! Plus Pandora and Amazon Video on Demand and Spanish TV channels and who knows what else since I’ve only had this thing hooked up for a few days! It’s awesome.
So I’m looking for some TV recommendations. I’ve heard good things about Friday Night Lights but have never seen it. Apparently it has amazing music? Think I’m going to start watching The Office – should I start with the UK version, or just go straight to Steve Carell and Co.? I’ve seen two seasons of Mad Men but might need to take a little break, since it’s a little depressing to me. What’s your favorite thing to watch on Netflix Streaming?
I like writing, photography, reading, music, design, typography, paper products, days in the seventies and sparkly snow, Spanish wine and cans of PBR. I spent a year in Córdoba, Spain, working as a 
Oh definitely start with the UK Office first- Gareth is just marvelous and totally worth it.
Another good show from “over here” is Peep Show. It’s my favourite, hands down. It’s so awkward/funny/neurotic- you hear people’s inner thoughts and see everything through POV cameras. And there’s 6 seasons now I think, so lots to see!
Yes on Peep Show – it is great and I heart David Mitchell.
And for AMAZING captivating television: Forbrydelsen – aka The Killing. Please watch the Danish version (NOT the American version which strips away everything that was great about the original). It is absolutely perfect: beautiful, intelligent and exciting. Plus Danish is so lovely to listen to.