As someone who always needs a TV series on hand, watching shows — more specifically binging them — has become my favorite form of relaxation. That being said, when there are no new arrivals anywhere, maybe it’s time to discover the power of re-watching.
In December, for example, when I finished The Witcher, I was so sad because I couldn’t find anything else good to watch. Recently, though, I’ve unlocked a new way to avoid my entertainment block. In the past two months, I’ve rediscovered multiple series that I watched and loved years ago. Some of these shows were really interesting and I can’t believe I forgot about them. Since so much time has passed since I originally watched these old shows, I forgot a lot of the plotlines; re-watching them is almost like I am seeing them again for the first time.
In hopes of bringing you that same feeling, here are some of the series I’ve re-watched and where to find them:
- Beverly Hills 90210 (the 2008 reboot)
I watched this show years ago and I completely forgot it even existed. One day, though, the series popped back into my head, and it was like I unlocked a suppressed memory. 90210 is a drama series that focuses on the lives of Beverly Hills’ high school students. The show depicts how young adults struggle with sex, drugs, relationships, family issues, and more. Upon rewatching, I realized that the reason I originally loved it is because of the fast-paced plot coupled with non-stop drama and ever-changing events. In my second time watching the show, I found myself shocked, excited, and hooked, all over again. You can watch all 5 seasons of Beverly Hills 90210 (2008) for free on Pluto TV or on the CW app. It’s free to watch, but the only downside is that you can’t find it anywhere without ads.
- Skins U.K
Let me start off by saying, Skins walked so Euphoria can run. The show is split up into 3 series with each one consisting of two seasons. Each series has a different cast and depicts the lives of college students in Bristol, England. This show is amazing because they capture teen issues in such a raw and transparent way. In each series, the characters navigate academic stress, partying, drugs, pregnancy, relationships, tragic accidents, mental health, and so much more. I watched this show in middle school, so I didn’t properly understand or appreciate it as much as I do now. When I re-watched it, I fell in love with the characters all over again. It’s forever worth the watch and you can do just that, as all seasons of Skins are on Hulu.
- Freaks and Geeks
I first watched Freaks and Geeks in early middle school so when I re-watched it, it was almost like I’d never even seen it before. Unfortunately, this series never got renewed past the first season, but all 18 episodes are still amazing. Freaks and Geeks has an amazing cast; it’s where a lot of Hollywood actors got their first start. If you watch it, you’ll get to see the talent of young James Franco, Seth Rogan, Jason Segel, Linda Cardellini, and Busy Phillips. The show is centered around Lindsay Weir, a high school student who is going through what seems like an identity crisis. As she tries to fit in, she becomes a part of the freaks clique. She and other characters deal with teen issues like drinking, drugs, bullying, and pressures of conformity. She also has a younger brother Sam. Sam, and his friends are considered nerdy geeks, and they struggle to navigate growing up. I recommend watching — or rewatching — this show, especially if you love 90’s vibes and humor. You can watch Freaks and Geeks on Hulu.
- Jane the Virgin
This show might be on the newer side, but several years have passed since I first watched it. It needs no introduction but to sum it up, anyhow: Jane the Virgin follows the structure of a telenovela or a Latin American soap opera because it’s an actual adaptation of the Venezuelan telenovela Juana la Virgen. The show’s protagonist, Jane, is a devoted catholic virgin aspiring to be a writer. In the pilot, she accidentally gets inseminated by her gynecologist. Surprisingly, her accidental insemination is one of the least dramatic events that take place in the series. Throughout 5 seasons, Jane struggles to find love, deals with family issues, overcomes traumatic events, and so much more. I liked re-watching this show because it was filled with humor and wasn’t as serious as the other shows I re-watched (despite the aforementioned plotlines). I usually watched it when I didn’t want to overthink or as background noise for when I was multitasking. Watch Jane the Virgin on Netflix.
Re-watching old shows is my new favorite hack to get rid of boredom. Whether you want to take a look at the shows I mentioned or you’ve suddenly remembered an episode from a show you completely forgot about, open up your streaming platform and get going. Don’t leave the fun in the past and take the time to rediscover a series you once loved.