'Weeds'

Although Netflix-goers might know director Jenji Kohan best for her newest creation, the comedy show Orange is the New Black, I have blissfully spent the better part of my summer obsessing over one of her earlier projects. Kohan first worked her way into the twisted cinematic hearts of teenagers and midlife-crisis victims alike with the sardonic television series Weeds, which originally aired from 2005 to 2012. The premise of Weeds is indeed a bit grim-suddenly widowed suburban housewife Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker) sells marijuana to maintain her family's uppity lifestyle-but that didn't stop me.

Really, the show derives its intellectual and entertainment worth by relentlessly criticizing the "white picket fence" dwelling American family. Nancy's two teenage sons, brother-in-law, coworkers and neighbors all quickly figure out her dealing game, but only exhibit ill-judgment toward her for a brief moment before basically begging to get in on her operation. Everyone wants a cut. In fact, the only character who noisily and earnestly disapproves of Nancy's nefarious business ventures becomes a social pariah and ends up diagnosed with cancer divorced by her dull husband and kidnapped and held for ransom by her estranged daughter. All to the hilarity of the viewer, of course.

But even after turning off the TV and escaping the morally backward, harshly hilarious and surprisingly endearing world of Weeds, I'm always excited for the next episode-mainly because the show's theme song gets stuck in my head for days, and there is really no escape from that. I suppose that's what Kohan is really trying to say about chasers of the American dream: it's an all-consuming endeavor.

-Rachel Hughes

*

'House of Cards' 

The Netflix-produced show House of Cards presents a brand new idea when it comes to the business of television. The content of the show isn't quite as groundbreaking, but it was still by far my favorite of the series that I watched this summer. 

Congressman Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his wife Claire who runs a nonprofit (Robin Wright), are a power couple to the core-they weigh their every small interaction and decision so as to advance themselves as much as possible. Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara) is an ambitious young journalist who develops a relationship with Frank, which, at the same time, complicates and enriches both of their lives.

Most of the characters in the show are well-cast, and when their storylines start to intertwine, the drama heats up. Claire starts to feel abandoned and gets back in touch with an old friend (Ben Daniels), while Frank takes a young politician named Peter Russo (Corey Stoll) under his wing, grooming him for success, and also adding to his own arsenal of resources. Michael Kelly is an excellent supporting actor as Underwood's chief of staff, Doug Stamper.

While many people told me that House of Cards is a spiritual successor to The West Wing, its style is very different and politics as a subject is one of very few similarities.
House of Cards is stylish almost to the point of being artistic, with, for example, Underwood frequently "breaking the fourth wall" by speaking directly to the viewer.
All in all, it's a thoroughly enjoyable show, and I can't wait for season two (reportedly coming out in early 2014!).

-Sam Mintz

*

'The Fosters' 

I know what you're thinking: "An ABC Family show? Really?" I honestly was not expecting much, either, but I have fallen in love with The Fosters after watching it this summer.
The show revolves around a family and its experiences after taking in two foster children, Jude (Hayden Byerly) and Callie Jacob (Maia Mitchell). Stef Foster (Teri Polo) and Lena Adams (Sherri Saum), a lesbian couple, take the children in to live with them and their children, including Stef's biological son Brandon Foster (David Lambert) from a previous marriage and adopted twins Jesus (Jake T. Austin) and Mariana Foster (Cierra Ramirez).
Although the premise shouldn't be so groundbreaking, there should be more shows that follow suit; The Fosters makes life as a same-sex couple appear as mundane as that of any other family. 

The women make the children breakfast. They ask each other about their day. They sleep in the same bed. They go to work. They love their children. The only abnormal aspect of Stef and Lena's relationship is how healthy it is and how little they actually fight.
The Fosters sends a positive message to those who are watching: be yourself, and no matter who you are, you are wanted and loved. The message is not just regarding homosexualaity, but also race, as the twins struggle with their own heritage; gender, in understanding stereotypes, as Stef is a female cop; bullying, as Jude tries to be himself and finds love and support from his new family as well as a brave friend at school.

The children sometimes face embarrassment, struggling with their moms being a same-sex couple, finding their own identities and learning to live with each other. In the end, however, there always seem to be sagacious and beautiful words from either mom followed by a hug-it-out moment that will send you bawling. This show is proof that love knows no boundaries.

-Marissa Ditkowsky

*

'Burn Notice' 

It all started with Netflix-after watching just a few episodes of Burn Notice on the ever-addictive website, I was hooked. Not only is Michael (Jeffrey Donovan) a total looker, but the show never ceases to find new adventures for its core cast. The chemistry between best friends Michael, Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar), Jesse (Coby Bell) and Sam (Bruce Campbell) is undeniable, especially while watching them sacrificing everything for each other. 

The best way I can describe their friendship is the classic "you jump, I jump" adage; they are always there for each other and willing to do whatever it takes to protect each other. And yes, they usually find themselves in need of a friend, getaway driver or sniper.
"USA: Characters Welcome," the network's clever slogan, perfectly describes the unique cast of Burn Notice. Every episode reveals more and more about who these characters are, and over time, you can't help but feel connected to them. The show is pure entertainment and adrenaline.

After years of working for the CIA as a special operative, Michael is "burned" (read: kicked out of) from the agency, and the series tells his story as he tries to get his life back together-starting with figuring out who burned him. Like any spy drama, there's the perfect mix of plot twists, deception, suspense and fear.

Sadly, Burn Notice is about halfway through its seventh season, which USA Network has announced as its final. From its crazy situations and jobs to the addictive chemistry between Michael and Fiona, Burn Notice will be missed on my weekly television rotation.
Thankfully, we'll still have Netflix reruns to feed old addictions, and I can't wait to see where Michael, Jesse, Sam and Fiona end up next in the television world.

-Jessie Miller

*

'Orange is the New Black'

A women's state correctional facility isn't your typical setting for a TV drama, and two dozen murderers, drug dealers and thieves isn't your typical cast of characters. Then again, Orange Is the New Black is not your typical show.

This Netflix original series, created by Jenji Kohan, premiered in July. It is based on an eponymous memoir by Piper Kerman. The show tells Kerman's story through its main character, Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), who was arrested for carrying drug money as part of an international drug cartel 10 years prior. Piper is an upper middle class woman in her early thirties who made a mistake in her youth. Her story leaves the audience thinking "she could have been me."

At first Piper's story sounds bad, as do many of the women's stories, before you really hear them. There is the old woman who thought she shot a deer only to realize later it was a child. There is the homeless 19-year-old girl who tried to pay for something she had stolen two years before. There is the elderly nun who was arrested for trespassing while peacefully protesting at a missile silo. Obviously, some crimes and motives aren't as easy to overlook, but the show still humanizes these women. 

The close relationship the viewer has with each character mirrors the prisoners' relationships with each other. The inmates don't have a lot to occupy themselves except each other and they become very close in dealing with similar struggles. Only they understand each other's lives: the drama, the hierarchy, the alliances and their shared experiences act as handcuffs, tying them to each other emotionally. 

Some bonds go further than friendship or even romance. For example, the Russian chef/inmate, named Red because of her ruby hair, has a group of younger inmates that she refers to as her "girls" or "daughters." A strong bond is formed between the younger girls in their late teens and early twenties and the older, experienced woman who takes care of them in a very touching family dynamic. 

Orange Is the New Black is not regulated by any television network, and is therefore able to be brutally honest in its depiction of life in prison. Scenes range from pornographic to disturbing as the audience gets a glimpse into the characters' past and current lives. While the content can be very dark and upsetting, the show remains comedic and lighthearted. The exaggerated, lively characters and humorous situations light up and overtake the dark. With a fantastic cast and an original idea, Orange is the New Black is a show to keep your eye on when it returns in 2014.

-Emily Wishingrad