The Synergies of Meaningful Shows and Phases in Life

In talking with Quinn recently, he mentioned that certain phases of life are marked with excellent shows. In other words, whatever series we are watching during a certain time in our lives really leaves a mark on us. Especially when you share that experience with someone else, or at least, have someone to talk about and analyze the show with. It inscribes into our neurons so much better when the right environment is in place. I want to list some of them here and describe a little about where and what I was doing at that time. 

1. Teen Wolf - Circa 2012 -  One of my earliest memories of watching a series. I watched it with David, and I remember how eager we'd be each week whenever the new one was released. We'd mention how one of the main actresses, Allison was too beautiful to be real. A bit of an infantile show but still it was novel. 
2. True Detective - Circa 2017 - I eventually moved in with Quinn and Zach, my two closest friends. They mentioned a show called true detective. At that time, I didn't pay them much attention. I didn't really appreciate shows or the deep meaning one could derive from them if careful attention is paid. We began watching in our apartment in Gainesville while we attended UF. It isn't a long series. Really only like 7 or 8 episodes. But damn, some of the most impactful TV I have ever scene. What a weird show, really. I remember the late nights in our college apartment. Watching it right after dinner. I probably had to work the next day at 7am or go to class at 9, but we relished those moments of bonding time in front of the TV. 
3. MadMen- Circa 2018 - Quinn and Zach raved about a show called Madmen they both had previously seen. We began watching it from the beginning together and made it about half way through when I moved to San Fransisco for an internship. I would work all day, come home and work out, and then I would lay down in my Airbnb bed and finish watching seasons 4 - 7. I would get a little high and then open the double windows in my room and watch Don go through his adversities. 
4. Master of None - Circa 2018 - I finished off the summer in California with Master of None. I would long to come home and watch this show even though I was doing all this other cool and fun stuff. The love story and the way the show is filmed truly stirred emotions within me. Always been a fan of romantic shit like that even though it is a stretch.
5. Fringe - Circa 2019 - I had just broke things off with a girl I was talking to for a while and had a lot of extra time on my hands. I also was living with my brother David at this point in Gainesville. Quinn had just bought the series called Fringe on Youtube, so he gave his user so I can watch it. I spent that entire spring consuming it and falling in love with Oliva Dunam and looking up to her bf, Peter. 
6. Suits - Circa 2019 -  I just moved to Tampa for my internship when I started watching this show. Quinn's recommendation. I remember setting up my laptop on dinner table (didn't have a TV) every night after the gym while I ate my dinner. I remember trying to embody Harvey's Spector's confidence or Mike's quick witted responses at work daily. It took me the entire summer to finish. 
7. West World - Circa 2019 - This was during one of my last Semesters of Grad school. David and I binged watched this show every nighter after working and going to class. I'd usually catch him falling asleep during the last episode of the night and we'd have to rewatch it the next day so he'd know what's going on. 
8. Ozark - Circa 2019 - I was still living with David when we watched this. On Quinn's recommendations. We immediately loved the show. We'd coordinate everyday so our schedules would line up just so we can watch 1 or 2 episodes that night. David and I still quote Ruthy and Darlene until this day, "No more deals!!" 
9. Halt and Catch Fire - Circa 2020 - I mean where do I even start with this one? Joe, Cam, or Donna and Gordon? One if the only show that ever made me cry. I'd say this show was top 3 for me ever. I watched this during my last semester in grad school at UF. I was working at FRC Rehab. I'd come home and watch it in between watching others shows with David. 
10. Peaky Blinders - Circa 2020- I just moved back in with my mom and dad in Jacksonville as my new job at J&J started as fully virtual. Again, on Quinn's recommendation I reluctantly watched it. I'm slightly resistant and skeptical of new shows, yet I always fall deeply in love with them anyway. I would watch this show every night it would bring me a little bit of escapism from my daily anxieties in a new job. Watching Thomas Shelby always walking somewhere with cigarette in his mouth made me crave whisky, violence and nicotine a little more than i'm uncomfortable admitting. 
11. Game of Thrones - Circa 2021 - This show I had been postponing for years. Frankly, I felt some retroactive FOMO as I began watching it. It was that good. It was good enough that I felt like missed out on the viewing parties, hype, and chatter back in ~2017. This show reminded me just how deeply a show can draw us in and forget about reality.