Best Series for Binge-Watching

This show about post-9/11 New York firefighters really gives the feeling of being part of a brotherhood, and although the subject matter is serious and sometimes heartwrenching, Denis Leary and the character Lou provide moments of levity.

Couch Commitment: Seven seasons you'd better split into two weekends, to give your eyeballs (and liver) a break.

As so many have said, this series is brilliant. It follows a team of Baltimore police officers and their political and criminal counterparts. Each season has a theme, varying from education (my favorite season) to journalism. The way the fates of the characters are tied together is fascinating, as are the shifting loyalties and allegiances of both the characters and the viewer! Morality is ambiguous and sometimes it's not clear who the "good guys" are.

This Netflix-originals series is about a 30-something preppy blonde sent to women's prison for a youthful mistake, and her growing relationships with the various inmates. "Orange" plays with the many cliches of other shows set in prison (aka, Oz), and is really funny at times. I loved getting to know the backstories of the various inmates.

Couch Commitment: One very lazy day of jammies and popcorn (or buttered corn on the cob), enjoying slippers NOT made of maxipads.

"Breaking Bad" is about a high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with cancer who decides to make meth to secure his family's financial future. Bryan Cranston is excellent, charismatic despite his chilling actions. The plotting is great, it doesn't "go stupid" all of a sudden, a very dark, clever show.

Perhaps the first of the binge-watchable modern era of TV, "The Sopranos" is of course the story of Tony Soprano, a New Jersey mafioso, and his suburban family and mafia family. This show is funny, warm, and shockingly violent.

Couch Commitment: Thanksgiving week.

While this series about the President of the United States and his team of advisers loses its way in the last season after the departure of Rob Lowe, the early seasons have some of the smartest writing of television. Each episode brings new crises to the White House, and it's inspiring seeing this dedicated team work together--this show will make you feel patriotic in a way you probably haven't since 4th grade civics class.

Couch Commitment: With 7 seasons (4 1/2 are required viewing, until Josh Malina appears), hopefully you have Fourth of July week off (and no urge to go outside, you lazy bastard).

"Homeland" focuses on the question of whether Brody, a Marine prison-of-war recently returned from Iraq has been "turned" (recruited as an agent by the terrorists), and the cat-and-mouse games between him and the CIA, especially Carrie (played by Claire Danes). This show is intense and gripping, definitely one that will keep you clicking for the next episode as soon as the credits start.

Couch Commitment: Long weekend, preferably at a cabin.

"Dead Zone" is lighter fare than the other choices on this list, in tone somewhere between "X-Files" and "Matlock". The supernatural premise is that following an accident Johnny can see potential futures by touching a person or object, and solves crimes as he tries to piece together his life following a devastating accident.

Once Greg Stillson shows up, the series "jumps the shark" a bit, with a silly apocalyptic plot that made more sense in the book, but until then the show is good, cheesy fun.

A classic, with great ghost, sci fi, horror and romance stories. Pulpy and fun, with terrific guest stars and intriquing story lines. This show about a team of FBI investigators searching for unexplained events is more episodic than some of the other series, but it's great to watch and see the relationship between Mulder and Scully evolve. *Caveat: Feel free to skip the last season, especially when Robert Patrick and Annabeth Gish show up. Blech.

Centering on a group of privileged LA lesbians, this show is very silly at times, with crazy plots and lots of drama, but it's enjoyable watching the characters mature over the years as they fall in and out of love.

"Grey's Anatomy" shows Meredith Grey from her first day as a doctor at Seattle Grace, as she tries to live up to the legacy of being the daughter of a famous (vicious) surgeon, and juggles falling in love with her boss and the messy relationships of her fellow doctors (who are also her friends/f-buddies/roommates/sister/etc.).

The medical plots get progressively less interesting after season 4 or so, but by then you're hooked on the relationship drama.

"Downton" focusses on a wealthy British family and their servants, beginning the day after the Titanic sunk and extending through WWI. Plenty of characters to fiercely love and fiercely hate. The quality of the writing slumps a bit in the second season, but it remains worth watching.

Couch Commitment: Enough drama for a flu's worth of viewing.

A fantasy beloved by those who love and those who hate the fantasy genre, "Game of Thrones" is a fairy tale for adults about various dynasties and tribes all vying for rule over the land. Binge watching can lead to fatigue over the high melodramatic tone of the show, but it helps to make it easier to follow the plot twists and strange names.

"Dexter" tracks the title character as he resolves his conflicts between being a sociopathic serial killer, devoted family man, and leading blood forensics expert for the Miami Police Department. "Dexter," both the show and the person, is violent, funny, and dark.

"24" premiered shortly after 9/11, showing the adventures of Jack Bauer, an agent of the Counter-Terrorist Unit of L.A., as he handed out ass-kickings and lollipops (oops! all out of lollipops!). Addicting, as each season shows 24 hours in real time, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Who knew digital clocks could be so noisy?

Couch Commitment: With 8+ "days" worth of episodes...Christmas vacation, with a deep-freezer's worth of frozen pizza.

"The Walking Dead" is about the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse, as much about romantic triangles as finding clean water and avoiding being eaten alive. Originally on AMC, it's gory but not HBO-violent. The family dynamics are a welcome distraction from the tension of will-they-or-won't-they (get bitten).

Couch Commitment: Long weekend.

Very charming, lovable characters. Set in mid-century Britain, about a group of midwives helping out the community, examining the social mores of the time and really about friendship and sorority.

So many strong, female characters, and great story lines. Alicia, a stay-at-home mom and politician's wife, must reinvent herself after her s***bag husband's infidelities, and so launches her legal career at 40+ years of age.

About a motorcycle club in Central California, Hamlet-esque rising of the prodigal son as he negotiates betrayal and allegiances from his family, rival gangs, and fellow club members. Very violent and at times misogynistic (story lines if not writer's tone).

Follow the lives of Coach Taylor and his family and students as they compete for the State Championship! Even if you don't care for football, the compelling interweaving stories of this small town are fascinating and make for easy viewing.