Finals Edition: The best Netflix shows for a study break

Finals week is not just a time for studying. It’s also a time for some heavy, heavy procrastination. So, in the spirit of finals, the A&E staff has compiled a few of its favorite TV shows to binge-watch when the pressure’s on. Exhaustion, tears and crippling anxiety not included.

Andrew Fishman

“Freaks and Geeks”

If you haven’t discovered the feel-good, coming-of-age cult favorite “Freaks and Geeks” by now, winter break is the perfect time to find out what you’ve been missing. “Freaks and Geeks” originally aired in 1999, but was canceled before the first season even finished airing. In the last couple of years, “Freaks and Geeks” has experienced a strong cult revival. The main appeal of the show now is the fact that it gave many of today’s well-established celebrities — including James Franco, Seth Rogen and Jason Segel — some of their first solid performances. 

“Freaks and Geeks” tells the classic story of growing up from two very different points of view by showing the perspective of the freaks alongside the geeks. It’s easy to develop an emotional connection with some of the characters in just one season. For a somewhat typical show concept (growing up in high school), “Freaks and Geeks” is surprisingly realistic and somewhat poignant.

Shawn Cooke

“Rectify”

With Walter White retiring his pork pie hat and sunglasses this year, many scrambled to find a worthy replacement to revive TV’s fading (or already lifeless) “Golden Age.” Look no further than “Rectify,” Sundance Channel’s first foray into original dramatic programming from the producers of “Breaking Bad.” After DNA evidence vacates Daniel Holden’s conviction for the rape and murder of his teenage girlfriend 19 years after her death, he must return home and adjust to life in his divided hometown. Powered by stellar performances and a patient, contemplative pace, “Rectify” is the perfection of the slow burn — and with just six episodes in its first season, cruising to the heart-wrenching conclusion should take no more than an afternoon.      

Jackson Crowder

“Firefly”

Killed in its infancy by short-sighted network executives with shallow pockets, Joss Whedon’s “Firefly” represents the perfect commitment-free show to watch over break. A space western that feels like a blend of “Star Trek” and “True Grit,” “Firefly” follows the outlaw crew of the starship Serenity on their illicit, intergalactic adventures. The show is well-acted and well-written relative to other shows from its era and, at the time, represented a landmark series for computer graphics. Though it only lasted 14 episodes, “Firefly” has attained the charmed pop culture distinction of cult classic and is well worth any serious TV watcher’s time.

Ian Flanagan

“Sherlock”

Forget those hyper-stylized Robert Downey Jr. films — BBC’s modern interpretation does proper justice to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famed sleuth. Boldly set in the present, “Sherlock” sees the chillingly intense yet inexplicably charismatic Benedict Cumberbatch as the cunning protagonist, with Martin Freeman as endearing everyman John Watson, a former army doctor as well as Holmes’ companion and roommate. With smooth direction, consistently sharp writing and excellent performances, “Sherlock” is great television that possesses film-quality scope and significance in most of the two seasons, partly due to the 90-minute running time on each episode. Plus, with only six episodes in total, the show is a minimal time investment yielding unrelentingly entertaining results. Highlights include the very first episode, which features a faultless establishment of the characters and an ingenious premise, as well as some clever twists throughout the series and a wonderfully frustrating cliffhanger in the season-two finale. 

Vincent Smith

“Cheers”

Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. Granted, most of us will be home with our families for the holidays — and they will, in fact, know our name — but there is something much more fulfilling about spending time with the “Cheers” crew than actually paying attention to dinner table conversations. With 11 seasons to watch, unforgettable characters and simple storylines, “Cheers” pulls at the heartstrings and makes you laugh at the same time. You will learn to relish the Sam Malone-esque moments in your own life while forever cursing the existence of Diane. For comic relief there is the surly Carla, the beer-guzzling Norm and the inexorably annoying Cliff. The biggest decision viewers have to make is whether they enjoy Coach or Woody more behind the bar.