7 Web Series To While Away The Lockdown Blues

Blessed were the days when the whole family used to sit together and watch a film, a daily soap or a mythological tale. From The Flintstones, broadcasted originally on ABC (American Broadcasting Company) to Chitrahaar on Doordarshan, the excitement of waiting for them to be telecasted was invaluable.

Families used to watch TV together

But like they say, change is the only constant and so, in the modern hustle-bustle of daily routines, these small pleasures have been long lost. Increasing work pressure and the rat-race to excel have led to significant changes in the life of a city dweller. Not only this, blame it to the night-life culture or the generation gap, family time today has been, intentionally or unintentionally, pushed down the priority list.

However, owing to the pandemic, most of the people are locked indoors nowadays. Undeniably, this virus has caused irreparable damage to society across all the nations, but one good thing it has done is blessing us with loads of family time. Though differences persist even today but owing to the lockdown, most of the people have learnt the art of finding the middle ground when with family.

Lockdown has increased the family time

And amidst all this, one thing which seems like a convincing solution to almost all the problems is to sit together and watch a web series. Be it Amazon Prime, Hotstar, Netflix, or any other digital platform, the trend of watching web series has shot up significantly in the recent past.

Thus, today we bring you 5 of the most popular web series which are a must-see if you want to add some real drama, some dark comedy, or some thrilling action to your lockdown life.

1. Stranger Things

Official Poster – Strange Things

Created by the Duffer Brothers, this science fiction horror series was released on Netflix in 2016 and since then, has received great appreciation from people all around the globe. Besides, it has also attracted record viewership on Netflix and has a huge, active international fan base. Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, it is about the disappearance of a young boy and how his mother, a police chief, and his friends confront the terrifying supernatural forces while attempting to bring him back. Its remarkable characterization, slow yet thrilling pace and brilliant soundtracks are the main reasons as to why its viewers remain glued to it, season after season.

2. Kota Factory

Official Poster – Kota Factory

Kota, a city in Rajasthan, is a place where students come from different parts of India to join the many coaching centers which claim to prepare them for various entrance exams. India’s first ‘Black and White’ series, Kota Factory is TVF’s latest original focusing on the same. It is a show which highlights the problems and angst faced by the modern-day IIT-JEE aspirants as well as talks about the many sacrifices made by their parents.

One of the most widely watched series, it not only takes a pun on the present-day education system but also gives out a strong positive message on dedication, perseverance, and focused approach. Owing to its relatability with real-life incidences and brilliant characterization, it has been well-received all over the world, especially in India.

3. Breaking Bad

Official Poster – Breaking Bad

Having a superb rating of 9 on IMDb, Breaking Bad is a well-carved story about a high school chemistry teacher. It talks about, how upon being diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer, Walt (the main character) leads his way to the manufacturing and selling of methamphetamine in an attempt to secure the future of his family. Penned by ‎Vince Gilligan and his team, it is a series that forces the viewers to ponder upon the impacts of a fatal diagnosis on a regular, hard-working man. A compelling protagonist, a brilliant plot, and flawless direction is what makes this web series an all-time favorite.

4. The Boys

Official Poster – The Boys

Premiered in 2019, this web series is based on the comic book, titled The Boys, authored by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The plot of this spectacular show revolves around the eponymous team of vigilantes who set out in their journey to take down corrupt superheroes who abuse their superpowers. Packed with action, comedy, and crime, this show is a must-watch for those of this generation, looking for a new group of antiheroes to root for. With a rating of 8.7 on IMDb, it has been the favorite of many around the globe.

5. Game of Thrones

Official Poster – Game Of Thrones

GOT, as it is commonly known as, is a web series that ruled the internet ever since it aired. Filled with fantasy, mystery, and action, this series is about 9 noble families fighting out for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia. Emotive expressions and thrilling scenes is what makes it quite a popular series amongst the teenagers. Not only this, the craze for this series is to such an extent that it has led to the establishment of official GOT fan clubs, international GOT quiz competitions and whatnot. So, why wait! Get, set, and be ready for “Winter Is Coming.”

6. Friends

Official Poster – FRIENDS

Initially aired on NBC in 1994, this 10 season-long series is an ageless classic, watched time and again by many, even today. Receiving a remarkable array of awards and other accolades, the season finale of this series became the 5th most-watched series finale in the television history. Later in 2015, it was premiered on Netflix, and even then, its viewership was record-breaking.

Talking about its plot, it revolves around the life of six friends in their 20’s and 30s, living in Manhattan, New York City. It is a simple story portrayed with absolute brilliance. Not only the plot, but the characters of this series add life to the show, giving out several messages to the society in general. So, if you haven’t watched it before, do it now or be left lamenting forever.

7. Chernobyl

Official Poster – Chernobyl

Who doesn’t know about the Chernobyl incident? Based on the 1986 real-life accident of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion in the USSR, this series throws light on the life of the men and women, who tried to contain the disaster, and on those who lost their lives in an attempt to prevent a subsequent and worse one. Rated 9.4 on IMDb, this series has been on the top of the charts for quite a long time. Amazing casting and a wonderfully drafted storyline is what makes this web series a must-watch. 

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