I’m about to start the weekend the best way I know how.
It doesn’t involve getting dressed up, going to a pub or a mass consumption of alcohol.
It does involve wine, good food, good company and some very old friends I haven’t seen in a long while. But the friend’s aren’t actually my friends – they are the fictional characters I was madly obsessed with many moons ago. And they go by the names of Tess and Claire McLeod.
They were the stars of Channel Nine’s McLeod’s Daughters.
It was 2001 when I first met them. I used to wait by the TV for them every Wednesday night at 8.30.
Every week.
For nine years I'd be in the same position - watching, waiting, anticipating. I was obsessed. So much so that I visited 'Gungellan' (real name Gawler) when we were holidaying in South Australia. Not one of my finest moments, but hey - who didn't want to eat a steak at the Gungellan hotel and possibly spot Nick or Alex?
In 2009 the show came to an end. Granted, it lost it's way in about the 6th series, but my love affair never really fizzled out.
Six years later and I am about to revisit. I'm about to watch the entire catalogue again, starting with the first episode of the first series. I'm binging with a friend who was also obsessed.
There's something about binge watching that connects you to the characters. You get synced into their lives, and become deeply involved in everything they do. Sometimes you even start acting like them - heck, I've even been known to dress like them (jeans, Akubra).
Sometimes it's better if you've seen it before. Sometime's not. But you are in complete control - and it is glorious.
Turn's out I'm not the only one planning on binging this weekend. Here's what some other people around the Debrief Daily office plan on watching:
How to Get Away with Murder.
Orange is the New Black.
The third season has just dropped. Enough said.
Lost.
Another oldie.
The Fall.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Friday Night Lights
Spartacus
Outlander
Downton Abbey
What are you binge watching this weekend?
For some more suggestions, try:
The TV show that will make you laugh so hard you might wee a bit.
15 of our favourite TV shows from back in the day
Who joins Downton’s Lady Mary on our list of the 6 most evil women on TV?
