Gems of Netflix

Here’s this week’s guide to finding something worth watching on Netflix Instant:


To watch in your pajamas — Season 4 of “Ally McBeal”

Yes. Just the 4th season will do the trick. You’ll catch on quickly to the dynamic of the show without having to suffer through the awkwardness of a sitcom’s first season.

I was too young to watch the show when it was on the air in the early 2000s, but  when I noticed it on Netflix Instant, I was curious.

Of course, I wasn’t curious enough to commit to 100 episodes of another show on Netflix. The “West Wing” disaster of 2013 that compromised my sleep pattern and emotions is still very fresh in my mind.

However, as an avid Robert Downey Jr. fan who has waited for the show to be syndicated to catch a glimpse of his Golden Globe-winning portrayal of Ally McBeal’s love interest Larry Paul in season four, I thought to myself, “Can I get away with just watching one season?”

The answer is yes.

“Ally McBeal” was one of Downey’s last roles before his second and longest stint in jail for using heroin. Knowing this, it is incredible to watch him steal the show, and really, you can’t help but fall for his character, even though you watch knowing that he will somehow be written off at the end of the season. Larry Paul is charming and a bit more put together than most of Downey’s roles. For other fans of the actor, you’ll also get quite a kick out of watching him in a sitcom.

Downey aside, I admit that I went into Ally McBeal not expecting much more than a few amused laughs. I was proven wrong. The show sports a predominantly female cast, a great mixture of racial backgrounds, and some very racy discussions about gender and sexuality. As someone who finds herself alienated by what she sees on television today, I found that this show certainly packed a dynamic punch, and I’d love to see something similar to it now instead of the travesty that is “Girls.”


For a quick addiction — “Titanic: Blood and Steel”

There aren’t many ways to retell the story of Titanic’s sad voyage, especially since James Cameron capitalized on it at record-breaking levels already.

However, despite its title, “Titanic: Blood and Steel” isn’t a retelling of things you’ve already seen and heard.

The show revolves around Marcus Malone (or Mark Muir), who manages to become one of the engineers of the ship, and falls into a controversial relationship along the way. While there are some historical inaccuracies in regard to the construction of the ship, I can’t imagine that it would bother even the biggest Titanic nerd; the series is less about the Titanic and more about the characters behind its planning and construction. I can’t help but see “Downton Abbey” in everything from the incredible cast to the brilliant writing and nuanced storylines about the dynamics of class and politics.

“Blood and Steel” should satisfy those who are suckers for period dramas and are looking for the quick fix of a satisfying new show.