Nonviolent shows to binge watch during cancer treatment?
October 7, 2019 3:10 AM Subscribe
I have to have these weekly all day treatments for cancer -- basically hooked up to an IV for about 6 hours. I'd love some suggestions of non-violent but engrossing (and downloadable) shows to watch!
For the first round, I watched Big Little Lies, which was perfect -- interesting, beautiful, not too violent, wanted to keep watching, etc. If I hadn't seen them already, something like Friday Night Lights, Mad Men, or This Is Us would work well. I didn't adore Mrs. Maisel, but I did like it, and I think it would have hit the spot too. Or maybe Battlestar Gallatica, which I loved despite generally not liking science fiction.
I'm not crazy about any sitcoms. And it would be great if I could download (rather than stream) as the wireless is spotty. I don't feel awful during the treatments, but I don't feel great, and I can't really handle the focus of watching a film.
Would love any suggestions you have!
For the first round, I watched Big Little Lies, which was perfect -- interesting, beautiful, not too violent, wanted to keep watching, etc. If I hadn't seen them already, something like Friday Night Lights, Mad Men, or This Is Us would work well. I didn't adore Mrs. Maisel, but I did like it, and I think it would have hit the spot too. Or maybe Battlestar Gallatica, which I loved despite generally not liking science fiction.
I'm not crazy about any sitcoms. And it would be great if I could download (rather than stream) as the wireless is spotty. I don't feel awful during the treatments, but I don't feel great, and I can't really handle the focus of watching a film.
Would love any suggestions you have!
Response by poster: Ah Gilmore Girls -- hadn't thought of that, thanks! Just updating that I also wish I hadn't yet seen Fleabag or Glow, as they would also have worked well.
posted by heavenknows at 3:17 AM on October 7, 2019
posted by heavenknows at 3:17 AM on October 7, 2019
The Good Place? It's very charming and funny.
posted by lookoutbelow at 3:40 AM on October 7, 2019 [23 favorites]
posted by lookoutbelow at 3:40 AM on October 7, 2019 [23 favorites]
How about Parenthood? It’s from the creator of Friday Night Lights, it’s totally engrossing, and it’s on Hulu.
posted by Champagne Supernova at 3:47 AM on October 7, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Champagne Supernova at 3:47 AM on October 7, 2019 [3 favorites]
How do you feel about animation? The medium often trends toward beautiful and not too violent, and the very good ones are definitely interesting even if you're not a cartoons person. My go-to for folks who don't already love animation and just want to watch a great show is Avatar: The Last Airbender.
posted by Mizu at 3:48 AM on October 7, 2019
posted by Mizu at 3:48 AM on October 7, 2019
Schitt's Creek.
posted by jonathanhughes at 4:11 AM on October 7, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by jonathanhughes at 4:11 AM on October 7, 2019 [8 favorites]
Dead Like Me and Pushing Daisies are quite good, and non-violent.
Seconding The Good Place, it's funny and uplifting and has a fantastic cast. In its final season now, which they know ahead of time, so it has the potential of having a well thought-out finale before they run the premise into the ground.
Have you watched Good Omens yet? It's only six episodes, but quite good and you should be able to download it if you have Amazon Prime Video.
You mention Battlestar Galactica, so I'll also recommend The Wire, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. They have some violence, but IMO not any more than Galactica.
posted by jzb at 4:42 AM on October 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
Seconding The Good Place, it's funny and uplifting and has a fantastic cast. In its final season now, which they know ahead of time, so it has the potential of having a well thought-out finale before they run the premise into the ground.
Have you watched Good Omens yet? It's only six episodes, but quite good and you should be able to download it if you have Amazon Prime Video.
You mention Battlestar Galactica, so I'll also recommend The Wire, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. They have some violence, but IMO not any more than Galactica.
posted by jzb at 4:42 AM on October 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
If you don't mind cartoons, there are some really great ones out there. In addition to Avatar, mentioned above, I'd add Steven Universe, Bob's Burgers, and Gravity Falls.
posted by rikschell at 5:13 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by rikschell at 5:13 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
The West Wing: Battlestar Galactica, on earth. (I kid, but only to a certain extent.)
posted by golwengaud at 5:14 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by golwengaud at 5:14 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
The Young Pope on HBO was a lot of fun to watch.
posted by kiwi-epitome at 5:27 AM on October 7, 2019
posted by kiwi-epitome at 5:27 AM on October 7, 2019
There's a lot of British documentaries or craft shows (GBBO, Big Dreams Small Spaces, Garden Rescue, Who Do You Think You Are, Grand Designs) or panel and comedy shows (Would I Lie To You, Taskmaster, QI) that are made for this. Not to mention cozy mysteries (Miss Fisher, an Aussie show) All the good vibes to you.
If you want something fun and silly to listen to, downloading actual play podcasts (comedians and other folks playing rpg) works for me - Dragon Friends is deeply silly, and the Magpies podcast very good.
posted by Geameade at 5:55 AM on October 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
If you want something fun and silly to listen to, downloading actual play podcasts (comedians and other folks playing rpg) works for me - Dragon Friends is deeply silly, and the Magpies podcast very good.
posted by Geameade at 5:55 AM on October 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
"The Good Fight" (spinoff of "The Good Wife," and a far better show, IMO) is a marvelous mix of a serious look at the issues of right now and some truly hilarious comedy. Great acting, great writing. Warning: If you are a Trump supporter, you probably won't like it. It is overtly anti-Trump.
posted by Dolley at 5:57 AM on October 7, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by Dolley at 5:57 AM on October 7, 2019 [4 favorites]
Good Place
Russia Doll
Great British Bake Off
posted by nickggully at 6:09 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Russia Doll
Great British Bake Off
posted by nickggully at 6:09 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Drop Dead Diva is ridiculously good fun.
The Vicar of Dibley (old but cozy and lovely)
The Fosters (soapy goodness)
Kim's Convenience (Canadian sitcom)
posted by Ftsqg at 6:49 AM on October 7, 2019
The Vicar of Dibley (old but cozy and lovely)
The Fosters (soapy goodness)
Kim's Convenience (Canadian sitcom)
posted by Ftsqg at 6:49 AM on October 7, 2019
How are you on talk shows? If you haven't seen any episodes of Graham Norton's show, they're a delight. He has a knack for getting some loopily candid moments from a lot of "Hollywood types".
There's also the British pattern of "comedy quiz shows" - they use the game show format, but it's comedians who are the contestants, and there are no prizes and no real competition; it's just an excuse to have different comedians riffing around with each other every week. QI is far and away the best.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:06 AM on October 7, 2019 [3 favorites]
There's also the British pattern of "comedy quiz shows" - they use the game show format, but it's comedians who are the contestants, and there are no prizes and no real competition; it's just an excuse to have different comedians riffing around with each other every week. QI is far and away the best.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:06 AM on October 7, 2019 [3 favorites]
Downton Abbey is sort of stressful tbh.
I'd recommend The Crown and the new Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
posted by DarlingBri at 8:12 AM on October 7, 2019
I'd recommend The Crown and the new Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
posted by DarlingBri at 8:12 AM on October 7, 2019
+1 to Great British Bake Off, it's so soothing and wonderful.
Maybe Call the Midwife, if you like British stuff?
posted by n. moon at 8:27 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Maybe Call the Midwife, if you like British stuff?
posted by n. moon at 8:27 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Wow, so much to watch! I'm generally avoiding anything about death :), so I've struck those. And politics makes me anxious so although the Good Fight has been top of my general viewing list for a while, I think I might put that on the back burner. Have seen many others of these (Call the Midwife, Downton Abbey, GBBO -- wish I hadn't seen every episode!)
Now thinking Gilmore Girls, Parenthood, and Vicar of Dibley. But more suggestions always welcome, and thank you!
posted by heavenknows at 8:36 AM on October 7, 2019
Now thinking Gilmore Girls, Parenthood, and Vicar of Dibley. But more suggestions always welcome, and thank you!
posted by heavenknows at 8:36 AM on October 7, 2019
Derry Girls. Everything Sister Michael says is an absolute gem.
posted by Julnyes at 9:03 AM on October 7, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by Julnyes at 9:03 AM on October 7, 2019 [5 favorites]
Lucy Worsley does really good history shows. Mainly English. She has a good series in the history of the home, and a very good one on Versailles. Check her out on YouTube.
posted by Enid Lareg at 9:23 AM on October 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Enid Lareg at 9:23 AM on October 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
Nthing Steven Universe and The Good Place so hard. They're probably my favorite things on TV right now. The Good Place, despite being set in the afterlife, is really about how to live a good life and not so much about death at all. But, you know you best, so go with your gut on that one. If you do end up watching the Good Place and liking it, try Brooklyn 99 and Parks and Recreation (feel free to skip the first season of Parks and Rec). Yes, they're sitcoms, but they're not your stereotypical hapless dude/long suffering female partner sitcoms.
Be aware that there is a breast cancer storyline in season 4 of Parenthood.
Since you liked GBBO, try The Great Pottery Throwdown, if you can find it where you are (I had to use nefarious means in the US). Blown Away on Netflix is a similar style show about glassblowing. It's American but falls more on the GBBO side of reality shows than most American competition shows.
Some of the folks who made Avatar are involved in Netflix's The Dragon Prince, which is also pretty good.
posted by natabat at 9:30 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Be aware that there is a breast cancer storyline in season 4 of Parenthood.
Since you liked GBBO, try The Great Pottery Throwdown, if you can find it where you are (I had to use nefarious means in the US). Blown Away on Netflix is a similar style show about glassblowing. It's American but falls more on the GBBO side of reality shows than most American competition shows.
Some of the folks who made Avatar are involved in Netflix's The Dragon Prince, which is also pretty good.
posted by natabat at 9:30 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
I very much enjoyed Mozart in the Jungle during my recent maternity leave.
posted by maddieD at 9:39 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by maddieD at 9:39 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
A Million Little Pieces is amazing, very "This Is Us" however there is a cancer storyline in the mix - maybe you'd like that (relateable?) or maybe not?
I also really second Parenthood as well. Lots of seasons so that is helpful.
Netflix has an amazing show called Call The Midwife thats great too!
posted by Sara_NOT_Sarah at 9:42 AM on October 7, 2019
I also really second Parenthood as well. Lots of seasons so that is helpful.
Netflix has an amazing show called Call The Midwife thats great too!
posted by Sara_NOT_Sarah at 9:42 AM on October 7, 2019
this is probably more a Me Personally problem than a problem in general but for Me Personally when I'm not feeling great for medical reasons, watching cartoons/animation is pretty unpleasant and not restful because of the timbre of the extremely shrill voices and loud/blaring musical stings/sounds. just a thought if you are (horrors) paying to download any series, try out one single episode or clip on youtube first to see if it's your thing. I love bob's burgers but I can't watch more than like 5 minutes in a row if i'm having a bad pain day; I can't watch gravity falls at all but enjoy the gifsets I see of it very much.
posted by poffin boffin at 10:11 AM on October 7, 2019
posted by poffin boffin at 10:11 AM on October 7, 2019
Tuca & Bertie
The David Suchet Poirot?
The IT Crowd (completely silly!)
Doc Martin
Good Omens
Antiques Roadshow, both UK and US versions
posted by Lawn Beaver at 10:34 AM on October 7, 2019
The David Suchet Poirot?
The IT Crowd (completely silly!)
Doc Martin
Good Omens
Antiques Roadshow, both UK and US versions
posted by Lawn Beaver at 10:34 AM on October 7, 2019
Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce (low stakes fluff)
Vera (no-nonsense British lady detective in scenic area)
The Detectorists (small-town British metal detector hobbyists; good acting/characters)
Veronica Mars (high school Nancy Drew)
Los Espookys (surreal Mexican goth dramedy)
Letterkenny (surreal Canadian dry comedy)
posted by *s at 11:02 AM on October 7, 2019
Vera (no-nonsense British lady detective in scenic area)
The Detectorists (small-town British metal detector hobbyists; good acting/characters)
Veronica Mars (high school Nancy Drew)
Los Espookys (surreal Mexican goth dramedy)
Letterkenny (surreal Canadian dry comedy)
posted by *s at 11:02 AM on October 7, 2019
Seconding The Good Fight, although I don't agree that it's better than The Good Wife and The Good Wife is a lot easier to find on streaming. TGW is a cerebral legal drama with compelling female characters, a deep focus on the impact that technology has on society and some soapy romance thrown in for good measure. I found it eminently binge-able and if it sounds like your kind of thing you're in for a real treat.
posted by zeusianfog at 12:01 PM on October 7, 2019
posted by zeusianfog at 12:01 PM on October 7, 2019
Seconding everything natabat said. Parks and Recreation is so lovely and unlike most sitcoms, the characters really care about each other and treat each other with kindness. Community fits into the same category in my head, although it's a bit more snarky.
If you run out of TV shows or have days where you don't feel like focusing on the screen, there are some wonderful podcasts out there too.
posted by beandip at 12:58 PM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
If you run out of TV shows or have days where you don't feel like focusing on the screen, there are some wonderful podcasts out there too.
posted by beandip at 12:58 PM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Jane the virgin is really fun! I think it has a million episodes
posted by natasha_k at 4:27 PM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by natasha_k at 4:27 PM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Call the Midwife
posted by ChristineSings at 5:58 PM on October 7, 2019
posted by ChristineSings at 5:58 PM on October 7, 2019
Oh man, if you like Battlestar Galactica then you should definitely watched The Expanse.
posted by thebots at 6:22 PM on October 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by thebots at 6:22 PM on October 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
I love Veronica Mars, but I wouldn't consider it cozy and peaceful if that's what you're looking for. She's a teenage PI trying to solve the murder of her best friend and figure out where her (alcoholic) mom went. Really good show, available to stream on Hulu, but might not fit what you're looking for.
Some cozy mysteries I've enjoyed: Father Brown, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (neither is violent-you don't see the murders generally). I watched both on Netflix.
Jane the Virgin is a fun show (the title/premise turned me off but it's better than they imply) and I think the actress who plays Jane is so natural and wonderful to watch.
Offspring, an Australian family drama available on Netflix, is also good (haven't finished that one myself).
Other cozy shows that have been recommended but I haven't started myself: Parenthood and Anne with an E.
posted by kochenta at 2:23 PM on October 8, 2019
Some cozy mysteries I've enjoyed: Father Brown, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (neither is violent-you don't see the murders generally). I watched both on Netflix.
Jane the Virgin is a fun show (the title/premise turned me off but it's better than they imply) and I think the actress who plays Jane is so natural and wonderful to watch.
Offspring, an Australian family drama available on Netflix, is also good (haven't finished that one myself).
Other cozy shows that have been recommended but I haven't started myself: Parenthood and Anne with an E.
posted by kochenta at 2:23 PM on October 8, 2019
The Orville is fun sci-fi. There's some violence, but it's of the "pew pew lasers" variety and not super serious.
posted by neushoorn at 7:15 AM on October 9, 2019
posted by neushoorn at 7:15 AM on October 9, 2019
*s beat me to it, but seconding, thirding, and nthing Detectorists! I am rewatching it and just want it to go on forever. (There are I think 18 half-hour episodes, so it should get you through ALMOST two of your six-hour sessions.)
If you have a laptop with a DVD player, you might see what your library has - many libraries have extensive collections of TV series, and that could be one way to get a bunch of episodes handy without worrying about streaming. (And check whether any of your library's streaming video might be downloadable, as well.)
posted by kristi at 7:18 PM on October 10, 2019
If you have a laptop with a DVD player, you might see what your library has - many libraries have extensive collections of TV series, and that could be one way to get a bunch of episodes handy without worrying about streaming. (And check whether any of your library's streaming video might be downloadable, as well.)
posted by kristi at 7:18 PM on October 10, 2019
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posted by something something at 3:13 AM on October 7, 2019 [2 favorites]