5 Netflix Originals That I’m Thankful For

By: Nicolas Tamayo

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s about that time of year where we stuff our mouths with food and ask ourselves what we’re thankful for. While it’s important to be thankful for things like your health and family, I’ll be pointing out five Netflix original shows that I’m personally thankful for and why. I tried to pick programs from different genres so that hopefully you might discover a new show to binge during Thanksgiving. While some of these shows are widely popular and others are underrated gems, take a look at some of my favorites!

1. Black Mirror

Genre: Sci-Fi

Although Black Mirror isn’t technically a Netflix original, Netflix bought the show's rights in 2015 and has since produced several (incredibly amazing) seasons. Every episode of Black Mirror tells a new story, usually involving some sort of amazing technology that eventually turns bad and then everyone dies. No, not really, but this show can be equally lighthearted and very dark at the same time.

Why I’m Thankful for Black Mirror:

Not only do I appreciate the creativity and attention to detail that every episode has, but the show definitely reminds us that we should never be over-reliant on technology. We’re on our phones and computers all day and don’t even realize it sometimes. Black Mirror is great at making you think hard about our society and raises ethical concerns that are often ignored.

2. Bloodline

Genre: Drama

Bloodline is one of those shows that takes you forever to finish, but only because you’re too nervous to watch the next episode. The show follows a family in the Florida Keys that slowly falls apart over abuse, drugs, and murder. It’s a slow burn series that (quite literally) explodes at the end.

Why I’m Thankful for Bloodline:

I grew up not too far away from where the show takes place, so I’ll always go watch an episode of Bloodline when I’m feeling homesick just to see the scenery. I also remember watching this series with my family so it brings back good memories. Most importantly, Bloodline emphasizes the importance of open communication and honesty. If you take care of an issue early on, you can prevent it from escalating into something that spirals out of control.

3. The Keepers

Genre: Documentary

I remember starting The Keepers at an airport and couldn’t stop watching, so I finished the entire series on my flight home. The seven-part documentary sucks you in and examines the unsolved murder of a Baltimore school nun, Sister Cathy Cesnik. Although we still don’t know  who killed Sister Cesnik at the end of it, you form your own idea about who the murderer is. (P.S. If you like The Keepers, you’ll love Making A Murderer. They just came out with a second season!)

Why I’m Thankful for The Keepers:

As sad and frustrating as the documentary is, it sheds light on important issues like sexual abuse and hypocrisy within the Catholic Church. I’m glad that the show was popular when it came out because it exposed a corrupt institution, even if it did so at a local level and held some people accountable. I’m also glad that Sister Cathy was able to have her story told to the world, because she dedicated her life to helping others before it was taken so unfairly.

4. Orange is the New Black

Genre: Comedy

You’ve probably heard about Orange is the New Black a million times by now, and it’s definitely one of my favorite shows ever. This year, Netflix released a list of the top 10 shows that people binge first on the streaming service and OITNB took the number one spot. It’s no surprise that the hilarious and super unconventional show, with an all-star cast and excellent writing, is Netflix’s most popular program. For six seasons, it has followed the lives of several female inmates in the criminal justice system as they do their time (and try not to go crazy).

Why I’m Thankful for Orange is the New Black:

I think part of the reason why the show has blown up is because it does a great job at presenting important topics in a memorable way. OITNB has tackled so many controversial social issues, from the Black Lives Matter movement to immigration to LGBTQ rights. Most notably, it  shows examples of how injustices in the American prison system affect people on a daily basis. The show makes you laugh and cry, but also makes you think critically about your personal identity and those of others. Also, it features a mostly female cast and minority groups that are often underrepresented in television and film.

5. Maniac

Genre: Drama/Sci-Fi

Maniac is the most recent Netflix original I’ve seen, and it’s definitely one of the more weirder shows on the internet. Maniac’s about a pharmaceutical drug trial that doesn't go exactly as planned. Emma Stone and Jonah Hill both play really interesting characters who have an unworldly connection and go on trippy adventures together. Maniac takes some time to get used to, but by the end of the series, you’ll be begging for a season two.

Why I’m Thankful for Maniac:

First of all, I’m thankful that the director Cary Joji Fukunaga (who also directed the Netflix original film “Beasts of No Nation”) made Maniac because he’s incredibly talented and his cinematography is stunning. Everything from the lighting to the set design in Maniac is so well done and I appreciate the hard-work that was put into the little details. Secondly, the show paints a picture of what it’s like to live with certain mental illnesses. I think it helps to destigmatize mental illness, which is important to me personally. You can get help and overcome your issues, no matter how long it may take. At the same time, Maniac also remind us that there’s no magic cure to fix our problems, and that doing it alone can be really hard. Having a friend there for support can help tremendously. I think we often forget that when we’re going through our own problems.

Happy Thanksgiving!