This is an insane time in our country right now, isn’t it?

I’ll tell you this, I’m 41 and never have I lived through a pandemic so bad that it essentially shuts down a country like the United States.

Friends, this dreadful Coronavirus has it so that we’re all (well, those of us living outside of Florida at least) are are living in quarantine. We are essentially isolated from the way of life we’ve all grown accustomed to living.

Now, there’s more no socializing. No more out to drinks with the girls. Furthermore, I’m still bugging – CHURCH IS CLOSED!

For those of us who are non-essential workers who even still have jobs, we’re working from home.

So my question: what has been keeping you sane through quarantine?

For me, the binge watch has saved my sanity during this unbelievable time.

Now I say, thank ya Jesus for the binge watch!

Because of streaming apps like Netflix, I’ve been able to enjoy the very best in entertainment television.

I can now admit it: My name is Blissfully Single Bean and I am a newly converted binge watcher.

Read below for my 5 favorite binge watch shows!

OZARK

Ozark is my favorite show to binge watch.

Let me preface with this: my fascination with Ozark began way before a COVID-19 and quarantine.

Allow me to take things back three seasons.

I just scored an amazing job which allowed me to purchase my first home. After working at this company for only five months, the company announces they will be laying of 45% of the work force. Having just started, I was one of the first to lose a job.

Devastated and sobbing, I drive back home, stop at the 7 Eleven to buy a Thot Juice (Bud Light Rita Drink) and then I call my cousin Sammie to complain about being an utter disappointment to myself and my children. Yes, I am VERY dramatic with a dash of martyr syndrome thrown in the mix.

In a haze from the sudden job loss, I crawl into bed and scroll Netflix and find Ozark. I’ll tell you one thing for certain: watching Ozark took me through the depression of unemployment.

Now, Season 3 is here and just what I need to start my quarantine binge watch on Netflix. Trust me, an Ozark binge is more than worth it!

The viewer gets to experience how the main character, Marty Byrd falls into money laundering and the complex layer of problems it causes for himself and his family. Oh! And the end of season three is an absolute mind blower. I froze in shock!

Ozark is a brilliant, dark thriller that doesn’t play fair and the third season is the best binge watch yet.

The world of money laundering, drug cartels and murder has never looked more titillating than how Ozark does it.

SAFE

Harlan Coben is an American writer of mystery novels and thrillers. As of late, he’s been the creator behind several British television drama series. The Netflix original Safe is one of these and let me tell you, the binge watcher will be at the edge of their seat the entire time watching!

Safe is one of those thrillers where you have no idea what’s going to happen next.

The premise of this show revolves around Tom Delaney, a recently widowed physician whose daughter ends up missing.

Yes, initially the show does give the movie Taken vibes, but Safe is so much more layered. While Tom is on the search to find his daughter, there are a several other mysteries that unfold. The brilliance of this series is that all of the side mysteries seamlessly connect to help solve the mystery of the missing girl.

With 8 episodes, Safe is a quick show binge. I finished in one day and that’s mainly because I just had to get to the next episode; I couldn’t stop watching!

THE STRANGER

The Stranger on Netflix is another one of Harlan Coben’s book creations brought to life on the small screen. Much like Safe, The Stranger will keep the binge watcher at the edge of their seats the entire time.

Adam Price plays the protagonist. During an outing, a beautiful stranger approaches Adam with a secret that completely shakes the foundation of his family. This secret unfolds into a mystery that completely changes Adam’s life forever. This Netflix binge is one of those “who done it” shows that keeps you guessing. As soon as you think you have the right answers – you’re wrong.

No word on if there will be a second season of The Stranger on Netflix, but the ending certainly leaves the possibility open. Yet in still, The Stranger is one of those Binge watch drama series that will keep the binge watcher glued to the screen.

COFFEE & KAREEM

OK. So, I’m a binge watch cheater on this one! I say this only because Coffee and Kareem isn’t a binge watch, it’s a movie. I just had to include this one in the mix though because it’s so hilarious, it deserves a watch.

With the way our world is changing with everything surrounding COVID-19, things can get pretty dark. Netflix’s Coffee and Kareem is just the mindless laughter you need to brighten your mood.

Kareem is a twelve year old kid who hires the neighborhood drug dealer to kill his mother’s new police officer boyfriend James Coffee. Unfortunately for Kareem, his plan doesn’t go quite as expected when the tables turn and Kareem now finds himself fighting to stay alive with the help of mom’s new boyfriend, Officer Coffee.

I laughed from the beginning until the end. The casting makes Coffee and Kareem funny from the very start.

Coffee is played by Ed Helm (the guy who lost his tooth in The Hang Over) and Kareem’s mother is played by the incomparable Taraji P. Henson. I knew the giggles would be full force seeing this oddly paired couple sharing the screen.

Then you have Kareem. The raunchy dialogue given to this young actor was so explicit, but clever; there’s no way you can watch and not cackle at Kareem. In fact, the laughter Kareem brings out from the watcher comes from what he says, not what he does.

Coffee and Kareem may not be a binge watch, but for an hour and a half worth of laughter, it’s definitely a must see.

MONEY HEIST

Money Heist is actually a Spanish thriller adapted for the American audience on Netflix. Four seasons in, this truly is a binge worthy drama that will make your time in quarantine feel a lot less dull.

A criminal mastermind leads a crew of eight thieves who storm Spain’s Royal Mint, taking several hostages. The goal? To pull off the biggest heist the world had ever seen – two billions Euros.

Everything you need in a great binge watch is there: action, love, sex, power and greed.

In addition though, what really pulls me in are the relationships formed as a result of this hostage situation. The most unlikeliest of people fall in love and the story lines are so compelling.

Do yourself a favor and binge watch Money Heist. You’re welcome in advance.

Hey listen, if you’ve watched any of these shows listed, I would love to know what you think! Drop me a note below.

Blissfully Single and Yours Friends,