BU News Service Editorial Board
The BUNS staff is mostly back in Boston, but for new and old students here and abroad, we wanted to share what we’ve been watching so you can get to know us better. This is what we’ve been enjoying over the summer and as the semester heats up, and head over to the BUNS Instagram where we’ll be sharing our favorite BUNS memories.
Lillian Eden, Managing Editor, Melrose, MA
I definitely was not immune to the hype generated when Avatar The Last Airbender dropped on Netflix over the summer. Somehow, despite not having seen it since I tuned in when it was first airing, I still have the entire intro narration memorized. My partner and I worked our way through ATLA over the summer and finished it just in time to be able to watch Legend of Korra on Netflix, too. I know I may be in the minority here, but I actually appreciate LOK more than ATLA. I enjoyed the hero’s journey arc of the first series, but in some ways, it’s more interesting to follow the story with someone who starts her journey with a lot of confidence in herself and her abilities and has to overcome learning that she’s sometimes not the best at what she’s supposed to be doing. And the ring announcer voice describing the “previously on” segment over a sepia-toned video reel is always a highlight.
Sammie Purcell, News Editor, Boston, MA
While I’ve known to lean into my feels when they hit, lately, I’ve been trying to counteract my sadder tendencies with escapist movies and television as much as possible. I just finished up a rewatch of “Before Sunrise,” the first in Richard Linklater’s romantic trilogy starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. The film represents everything I wish I could do right now but can’t – namely, meet a handsome stranger on a train and then spend the day traversing around Vienna – but it also represents a level of human connection that’s comforting. Striking up a philosophical conversation with a stranger on a train or in a bar seems like an action that’s so far away, but watching movies like this reminds me that it was once possible, and gives me hope that it might be again.
Katharine Swindells, Politics Editor, Boston, MA
I’m leaning right into my role-stereotype with a start-to-finish watch of “The West Wing.” I’ve watched it in bits and pieces before, but this summer I started it from the beginning with my family. It’s strange because I would have thought that when I’m bombarded with political news all day every day, this 90s political drama would be the last thing on my list, but quite the opposite. “The West Wing” may as well be a rom-com; it feels so far from real life. The show drips with a saccharine idealism that, although sickly, is the perfect antidote to the cynicism and frustration of the real-world White House.
Caitlin Faulds, Photo Editor, Boston, MA
I’ve been loving Hulu’s “Ramy” recently, quickly binging my way to the end of season two. Ramy, the flawed protagonist, played by creator Ramy Youssef, is a first-generation Egyptian American sounding out his identity as a Muslim millennial. The show is equal parts endearing and anxiety-inducing, constantly wrapping you up in the highs and lows of Ramy’s life. And the character development and growth throughout the series are astounding, with some episodes revolving around Ramy’s family — his younger sister Dena, his parents and his racist (though misunderstood) Uncle Naseem. Altogether, “Ramy” has pulled me out of my COVID blues and plunged me into another American experience. It’s a good reminder to be empathetic to those around you, and it’s a damn good comedy, too.
Kaitlyn Riggio, Arts, Features & Opinion Editor, Boston, MA
I was looking for a light, easy-to-binge show to watch as a break from academic stress. What I landed on was “Clone High,” and I was not disappointed. “Clone High,” originally came out in 2002, is about a high school of adolescent clones of famous historical figures (like Abraham Lincoln and Joan of Arc). It’s a bizarre concept on the surface, but the show is hilarious and easy to enjoy. Getting invested in the lives and antics of these teenage historical clones is a great way for me to relieve stress. The characters are larger-than-life versions of their historical predecessors and they’re easy to love (or love to hate).
It only ran for one season on MTV and all 13 episodes are around 20 minutes long, so it’s easy to binge-watch on MTV’s website or YouTube. The only downside is there are only 13 episodes, but the show’s creators announced back in July that there are plans in the works to reboot the series on Comedy Central. In the meantime, there’s plenty of time to watch and rewatch the original episodes or enjoy fan content that’s being produced by the show’s recently-revived and ever-growing cult following on platforms like TikTok.
Kami Rieck, Social Media Editor, Fort Wayne, IN
From weeknight family dinners to quality time with my two cats, living in Indiana with my parents has been more meaningful than expected. The time I spent commuting to and from work granted me extra time to indulge in various books and podcasts (I prefer reading over watching T.V.) — from the comfort of my bed.
Lori Gottlieb’s memoir “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed” is my go-to bedtime book. Gottlieb’s striking sense of humor and vulnerability are the perfect combination I need after a hectic workday.
Five-mile walks substituted the short, multiple strolls I used to take during my work and study breaks. I dived into The Wall Street Journal’s “Secrets of Wealthy Women” podcast, which leaves me feeling inspired and liberated. There’s nothing like starting your morning with anecdotes on how to achieve success in your professional and personal life.
Paige Colley, Science, Technology & Business Editor, Boston, MA
I’m glad to see I’m not the only weeb on the editorial board. I’ve been rewatching the very popular anime “My Hero Academia.” The driving thread of the show is about going beyond and finding new ways to grow as an individual, which is a very powerful message at the moment that really helps keep me going on days when I don’t want to get out of bed. Plus, the world building is so unique and rich that even when some of the arcs get tiring I can still find a way to engage.
After that, I just need to find something to fill the void until “The Mandalorian” season two comes out.
Stella Lorence, In-Depth Editor, Boston, MA
My roommates and I recently finished the Netflix original show “Spinning Out.” The main storyline is about a figure skater with bipolar disorder who has to learn to partner-skate or give up skating forever. My roommates and I got unreasonably invested in all the twists and turns that this modern soap opera offers, and the meme-worthy lines sprinkled through each episode were icing on the cake. With a whopping 2.5 stars on Netflix, this show is truly bad TV of the highest quality and the perfect escapist drama. I’m honestly disappointed it got canceled after one action-packed season.
I’m not sure what I’ll turn to next, but I’m tempted to revisit “The West Wing,” because, well, you know.
Devyani Chhetri, Data Editor, Boston, MA
Everything this time of the year feels pretty high stakes to me, so I’ve been rewatching “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood,” an incredibly popular anime based on a manga, to honor all the drama I’m swimming in. The show has the perfect mix of political strife, fantastical elements and complex character arcs in bite-sized segments that I can binge on while taking a breather.
I’m also wrapping up “I May Destroy You,” which one could say is a pretty timely no-holds-barred exploration of racial identities and sexuality. Michaela Coel, the writer and lead character of the show, is a relatively new addition to Chez Chhetri, but close sources have confirmed that she’s here to stay.
Alyssa Vega, Copy Editor, Boston, MA
My perfect comfort TV show at the moment is “Gilmore Girls.” I’m a California girl through and through, so watching this show is the closest I can get to experience autumn. Stars Hollow is the perfect place to escape. I love the familiarity of the town’s gazebo; the small town is decorated with pumpkins and haystacks during the fall season, the red-brick bookstore, which is arguably Rory’s favorite place in town, and Luke’s Diner. I love the comforting constants in every episode: the Friday night dinners or Lorelei and Rory meeting up at Luke’s Diner for coffee. After years of watching this show, “Gilmore Girls” is still my go-to show after a long, stressful day because of its familiarity.
