SUMMER BINGE-VIEWING

GUIDE2014

THE UK’S ONLY VIDEO ON-DEMAND MAGAZINE

Sweat. Swimming trunks.Sand. Sunburn. Other people.

Let’s face it. Summer sucks.

If you go outside.

You know, in the sun.

Us? We’re indoors. Under the duvet.

Plan to do the same?

We’ve picked our highlights of what’s on UK VOD to save you from leaving the house.

From new releases to old favourites, here’s our VOD Guide to what to stream this summer...

JulySubscription

New releases

Hemlock Grove Season 2Streaming from: Friday 11th JulyFrom Exec Producer Eli Roth and based on Brian McGreevy’s novel of the same name, Hemlock Grove returns to the quiet Pennsylvania town - where monsters prowl the gap between class and camp. Brilliant? Hmm. Bonkers? Absolutely.

Read our review

The Battered Bastards of BaseballStreaming from: Friday 11th JulyDid you know Kurt Russell’s dad played baseball? This doc follows his attempts in 1973 to form a team inPortland. The Mavericks - the only US independent team - were made up of castoffs but still broke records...

Watch the trailer

Episodes Season 2Streaming from: Monday 14th JulyBrit sitcom writers Sean (Stephen Mangan) and Beverly (Tamsin Greig) go to the US to remake their show for American audiences. Everything goes wron, starting with the star the studio wants for the lead role: Matt LeBlanc. Played by Matt LeBlanc. Hilarious satire that bites with the bitterness of first-hand experience.

Read our review

ExtantStreaming from: Thursday 10th JulyHalle Berry returns from space pregnant in this mysterious show, available exclusively on Amazon in the UK. A woolly jumper of a sci-fi, you can see the strands of Exec. Producer Steven Spielberg and other genre classics woven into the fabric, but the themes of creation are intriguing enough to cancel out the chunky dialogue and retro stylings. A series pregnant with ideas. Can it deliver?

Read our spoiler-free review

The SopranosStreaming from: Tuesday 15th JulyJames Gandolfini towers over this epic series. Following Tony Soprano’s attempts to balance his family life and criminal empire, the show is funny, moving and violent in equal mea-sure. What else were you going to do this summer?

Watch online now

Streaming from: Tuesday 15th JulyLiev Schreiber is one of the most interesting actors around so it’s about time he had his own series. Season 2 returns to the life of LA fixer Ray, who deals with the secrets of the rich as well as his ex-con father. Season 1 is also on NOW TV.

Watch online now

Primeval Season 4 & 5Streaming from: Wednesday 16th JulyFrom the creators of Walking with Dinosaurs, this sci-fi series sees scientists discover wormholes in time that allow dinosaurs to travel from the past and wreak havoc in the present day. As you do.

Watch online now

Ray Donovan Season 2

From £5.99 per month (non-HD) / www.netflix.com £5.99 per month www.amazon.co.uk TV: £4.99 per month / Movies: £8.99 per month

The Game PlanStreaming from: Saturday 19th JulyDwayne Johnson’s last film as “The Rock” sees a legendary quarterback faced with having to raise his eight-year-old daughter, Peyton. Hijinks ensue, as they are wont to do.

Watch online now

Streaming from: Friday 25th JulyThere’s nothing like waiting for a horrifically drawn-out death to unfold. Final Destination 5’s like watching the opening of Casa-ulty for 90 mins. But a change of the rules actually makes this the smartest of the franchise. Thrilling nonsense.

Read our review

Final Destination 5

George of the Jungle 2

Streaming from: Friday 25th JulyBrendan Fraser is missed from this direct-to-video sequel to the 1997 flick. Chris Showerman slips into the loincloth to juggle jungle duties with raising a son. Just the thing for a family summer stream? Perhaps. But it’s no Lilo & Stitch.

Watch the trailer

Streaming from: Saturday 26th JulyDennis Kelly’s conspiracy thriller about a comic book containing a secret message is as bleak as TV gets. The grim answers - and grim-mer violence - are painted with bright colours and a warped humour that makes Utopia a uniquely unsettling show. Graphic and novel.

Read our spoiler-free review

FilthStreaming from: Monday 28th JulyJames McAvoy brings a surprising note of sympathy to this deliriously depraved comedy. It follows bad cop Bruce as he stomps around Edinburgh, doing drugs, women and anything it takes to screw over his fellow officers. Filthy? Gorgeous.

Read our review

Utopia Season 1

Streaming from: Thursday 31st JulyWhen you get into trouble, there’s one person to call; Olivia Pope. Olivia’s the head of America’s most prominent crisis manage-ment firm, who protect the reputations of the important politi-cians in this political thriller showing on Sky Living.

Find out more

Scandal Season 3

Streaming from: Wednesday 23rd JulyIdris Elba returns to play John Luther for the final time on the small screen. Intense and gritty, the crime drama’s his best work since The Wire. This all-too-brief third collection may not be as good as Season 2, but that’s not saying much.

Watch the trailer

Lilo & StitchStreaming from: Friday 25th JulyYoung Hawaiian girl meets violent blue alien in this under-rated Disney gem. Stitch should by rights be really disturbing, but the heartfelt sentiment, beautifully simple handdrawn vi-suals and cute music make this an adorable tale of friendship.

Watch the trailer

Luther Season 3

From £5.99 per month (non-HD) / www.netflix.com £5.99 per month www.amazon.co.uk TV: £4.99 per month / Movies: £8.99 per month

August

Subscription

New releases

Head of StateStreaming from: Saturday 2nd AugustChris Rock wrote, directe and starred in this 2003 comedy about a alderman who finds himself chosen as the surprise candidate for the US Presidence.

Find out more

My Bloody ValentineStreaming from: Saturday 2nd AugustPatrick Lussier’s remake of the 1981 slasher flick of the same name sees a bunch of teens up against a pickaxe-wielding killer in a mine. Not one for relaxed familar viewing.

Find out more

Streaming from: Saturday 2nd AugustBruce Willis made more headlines than Red 2 when this se-quel came out last year. Based on Warren Ellis’ comic book, it sees the retired spies hunted down by the government for reasons.

Find out more

Red 2

Orphan Black Season 1Streaming from: Friday 1st AugustThis Canadian sci-fi series follows Sarah, a woman who take-son the identity of her clone after they commit suicide. Come for the stellar lead performance by Tatiana Maslany. Stay for the moral debate about identity and technology.

Watch the trailer

Ghost Whisperer S1 - S5Streaming from: Friday 1st AugustThis supernatural drama began all the way back in 2005, when Jennifer Love Hewitt was a big draw - and the idea of whispering to ghosts being taken seriously hadn’t been ruined by Derek Acorah. If you need a supernatural drama fix, all five seasons are yours.

Find out more

After resurrect-ing the US remake of The Killing for a third season, Netflix has done it again for this final outing: a chance for Joel Kinnaman’s cop to solve one last case and bid farewell to fans.

Watch the trailer

Streaming from: Friday 1st AugustThe Killing Season 4

The West WingStreaming from: Friday 1st AugustIf you’ve ever wished politicians were less full of crap, The West Wing is the answer. Martin Sheen stars as President Bartlet, who feels like the best parts of Roosevelt, JFK and Clinton rolled into one.

Read our review

From £5.99 per month (non-HD) / www.netflix.com £5.99 per month www.amazon.co.uk TV: £4.99 per month / Movies: £8.99 per month

GravityRelease date: Friday 22nd AugustIn space, you can hear Sandra Bullock breathe. That’s exactly what you won’t be doing during Alfonso Cuaron’s sci-fi, a tech-nical masterpiece that matches adrenaline with emotion as one woman rediscovers her will to stay alive.

Read our review

Extremely Loud and Incredibly CloseRelease date: Tuesday 26th AugustBased on Cassandra Clare’s best-selling young novels, The Mortal Instruments sees Clary Fray discover she is one in a line of warriors who protect the world from demons. Buffy 2.0? A reverse Twilight? Either way, Lily Collins impresses.

Release date: Friday 22nd August

Will Arnett voices BoJack, the failed legendary 90’s star from family sitcom “Horsin’ Around,” whose life is now a mudle of self-loathing and whisky.

His human sidekick Todd (Aaron Paul), though, is priming him for a comeback...

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Saving Mr. BanksRelease date: Friday 8th AugustThe story of the adaptation of Mary Poppins for the big screen, is served with more than a spoonful of sugar, but Emma Thompson’s bitter performance as Disney-hating author P.L. Travers and a rousing soundtrack make this a delight.

Read our review

Release date: Saturday 16th AugustDenzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg team up for this buddy comedy thriller. A guns-blazing, wisecracking action film. Nothing more - and nothing less.

Read our review

2 Guns

Release date: Saturday 23rd AugustBased on Cassandra Clare’s best-selling young novels, The Mortal Instruments sees Clary Fray discover she is one in a line of warriors who protect the world from demons. Buffy 2.0? A reverse Twilight? Either way, Lily Collins impresses.

Find out more

Read our review

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Top of the LakeRelease date: Friday 22nd AugustElisabeth Moss makes the most of her chance to step out of her Mad Men shoes in Jane Campion’s series, which sees De-tective Robin Griffin return to her New Zealand hometown to solve the disappearance of a local teen. Gripping stuff.

Read our review

Watch the trailer

From £5.99 per month (non-HD) / www.netflix.com £5.99 per month www.amazon.co.uk TV: £4.99 per month / Movies: £8.99 per month

July

Pay-per-view

New releases

The Zero TheoremStreaming from: Monday 14th JulyWhat is the Zero Theorem? That’s what Christoph Waltz’sanalyst is hired to figure out in Terry Gilliam’s bonkers sci-fi. The dystopian vibe, existential crisis and warped humour may seem like a director’s best of, but it’s a good record to sample.

Watch it online

24: Live Another DayStreaming from: Thursday 17th JulyJack’s back. And he’s got a gun - despite being in England. That changed location is enough to keep 24’s formulaic tricks from feeling too stale, while Live Another Day’s shorter 12-episode length gives a renewed sense of urgency and pace.

Watch it online

Streaming from: Monday 21st JulyThree schoolgirls in 1980s Stochkolm club together to create their own punk band in Lukas Moodysson’s cute coming-of-age flick. With songs such as Hate The Sport, this is warm-hearted look at music and maturity - with a toe-tapping soundtrack to boot.

Watch it online

We Are the Best!

Under the SkinStreaming from: Monday 14th JulyJonathan Glazer’s sci-fi about an alien who drives through Scot-land to trap men is complex, simple, hypnotic andalarming. A bold exploration into what makes humans human - complete with mesmerising heartbeat on the soundtrack.

Watch it online

Starred UpStreaming from: Monday 14th JulyIf you haven’t heard of Jack O’Connell, prepare to be im-pressed. The up-and-coming actor plays a violent young offender sent to the same prison where his dad is incarcer-ated. Intense male confrontation ensues.

Watch it online

The LEGO MovieStreaming from: Monday 7th July

Watch it online

Everything really is awesome about this animated movie based on the familiar plastic bricks.

The film sees regular guy Emmett dis-cover he’s The Special, a fabled Master

Builder who is destined to overthrow the tyranny of Lord Business and save the

world from conformity and commerce.

An anti-capitalist kids film advertising an internationally established toy brand? Phil Lord

and Christopher Miller’s comedy is as anarchic and intelligent as it is unique.

20 Feet from StardomStreaming from: Monday 21st JulyDid you know Kurt Russell’s dad played baseball? This doc fol-lows his attempts in 1973 to form a team in Portland. The Mav-ericks - the only independent team in the US - were made up of castoffs but still broke minor-league attendance records. Watch it online

EST / Download to own - usually available before DVD release on iTunes / blinkbox. Rentals: For all pay-per-view VOD, rentals are available on the same day as Blu-ray and DVD release. Curzon Home Cinema - rentals available on same day as cinema release.

DivergentStreaming from: Monday 28th JulyIn a futuristic Chicago, society is divided into five factions based on personality type, created to bring everlasting peace. All 16 year olds must take a test and choose where they be-long. Tris (Shailene Woodley), though, does not conform...

Pre-order on iTunes

NorthwestStreaming from: Friday 25th JulyWhat would you do if your childhood playground became a battleground for crime? That is what 18-year-old Casper (Gustav Dyekjær Giese), faces in the notorious Nordvest suburb of Copenhagen in this brutal thriller.

Pre-order on iTunes

Streaming from: Monday 28th JulyJesse Eisenberg and Anne Hathaway reprise their roles for this animated sequel to Blue Sky Studios’ 2011 animated ad-venture. Jemaine Clement returns as evil Cockatoo, Nigel.

Pre-order on iTunes

Rio 2

Community Season 5Streaming from: Monday 21st JulyBefore Dan Harmon’s sitcom comes back to life again on Yahoo!, catch up on a “jaw-dropping, polygraph-taking, hot lava-walking, ass-crack-bandit-pursuing, college compus-saving season that gets a rating of five MeowMeowBeenz”.

Masters of SexStreaming from: Monday 28th JulyMichael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan play Dr. William Masters and Virgin Johnson in this biographical drama about the pair’s pioneering research into human sexuality.

Watch online on iTunes

JoeStreaming from: Monday 25th July

Watch it online

Nic Cage - and his beard - star in this moving study of youth, masculinity and coming of age.

Based on the novel by Larry Brown and directed by David Gordon Green, it sees an ex-con take a

young boy under his wing in a backwater town.

Fresh from his turn in Mud, Tye Sheridan matches Cage every step of the way, but the

show is stolen by his despicable father, played by the astonishing non-profession-al actor Gary Poulter.

NoahStreaming from: Monday 28th JulyRussell Crowe stars as Noah in Darren Aronofsky’s wildly stunning version of the Bible story. From rock giants to ad-opted daughters, it’s a liberal retelling of the familiar tale that manages to be both faithful and breathakingly idiosyncratic.

Pre-order on iTunes

Same Day as Cinemas

Watch online on blinkbox

Watch online on iTunes Watch online on blinkbox

Same Day as Cinemas

EST / Download to own - usually available before DVD release on iTunes / blinkbox. Rentals: For all pay-per-view VOD, rentals are available on the same day as Blu-ray and DVD release. Curzon Home Cinema - rentals available on same day as cinema release.

August

Pay-per-view

New releases

LiltingStreaming from: Friday 8th AugustAfter his untimely death, a mother attempts to understand who her son was. Together with his lover, they try toovercome their grief despite not having a shared language.

Watch the trailer

The Raid 2Streaming from: Monday 4th AugustGareth Evans follows up The Raid with another action-packed thriller that actually outdoes the original in terms of sheer violent spectacle, if not script. Think you’ve seen a car chase? See what this Welshman can do with a seatbelt...

Pre-order on iTunes

Streaming from: Monday 4th AugustAs far as you can get from the cynical humour of Juno and Thank You for Smoking, Jason Reitman’s sentimental drama sees a dangerous ex-con (Josh Brolin) hold a mum (Kate Winslet) and her son hostage for a weekend - and bake pie with them.

Labor Day

The DoubleStreaming from: Monday 4th AugustRichard Ayoade’s adaptation of Dostoyevsky’s novella sees the timid Simon (Jesse Eisenberg) scratch out an isolated exis-tence in an indifferent world. Then, a new co-worker arrives: James, Simon’s physical double and his exact opposite.

Pre-order on iTunes

PioneerStreaming from: Monday 4th AugustFrom the director of the original Insomnia, this tense thrill-er tells the true story of a deep-sea diving conspiracy during the Norwegian oil boom. A superb score by French group Air keeps the underwater mystery firmly pressurised.

Pre-order on iTunes

Muppets Most WantedStreaming from: Monday 4th August

Pre-order on iTunes

After the success of The Muppets, the troupe find themselves in a sequel - and so they hire a new manager, Dominic Badguy, to take them on a world tour. But unknown to them, his partner-in-crime Constantine, who looks exactly likeKermit, soon infiltrates the gang to carry out his own evil froggy plans...

Pre-order on iTunes

LockeStreaming from: Monday 4th AugustThere aren’t many actors who you could watch drive a car for 90 minutes and still be gripped. Tom Hardy is one of them. He plays Ivan Locke, a married concrete specialist who finds himself driving to London to be with another woman....

Pre-order on iTunes

EST / Download to own - usually available before DVD release on iTunes / blinkbox. Rentals: For all pay-per-view VOD, rentals are available on the same day as Blu-ray and DVD release. Curzon Home Cinema - rentals available on same day as cinema release.

Same Day as Cinemas

TracksStreaming from: Friday 8th AugustYoung woman Robyn leaves her life in the city to trek across the 2,000 miles of sprawling Australian desert from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean - accompanied only by her dog and four unpredictable camels.

Watch the trailer

Two Days, One NightStreaming from: Friday 22nd AugustThe Dardenne brothers’ latest, selected to compete in the Palme d’Or, follows a woman who tries to convince hercolleagues to give up their annual bonus to help her keep her job.

Watch the trailer

Streaming from: Monday 25th AugustPompeii tells the epic story of Milo, a slave turned gladiator who finds himself in a race against time to save his true love Cassia, the daughter of a merchant who has been unwillingly betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator.

Pre-order on iTunes

Pompeii

Captain America: The Winter SoldierStreaming from: Monday 18th AugustIn the aftermath of New York, Captain America makes new friends and faces old enemies while finding his place in the modern world. A political thriller wrapped up as a superhero blockbuster, this is one of Marvel’s best.Pre-order on iTunes

CavalryStreaming from: Monday 4th AugustBrendan Gleeson plays Father James, the local clergyman of a rural Irish parish. During confession, an unseen local informs the Father of his plan of killing him as retribution for abuse he suffered as a young boy.

Watch the trailer

The Amazing Spider-Man 2Streaming from: Monday 18th AugustWe’ve always known that Spider-Man’s most important battle has been within himself: the strugglebetween the ordi-nary obligations of Peter Parker and theextraordinaryresponsibilities of Spider-Man. But in TheAmazing Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker finds that a greater conflict lies ahead.

PlasticStreaming from: Monday 25th AugustSon of Rambow’s Will Poulter and Game of Thrones’ Alfie Allen join the cast of thriller about a ring of university students who become credit card thieves to get more money.

Pre-order on iTunesPre-order on iTunes

Same Day as Cinemas

EST / Download to own - usually available before DVD release on iTunes / blinkbox. Rentals: For all pay-per-view VOD, rentals are available on the same day as Blu-ray and DVD release. Curzon Home Cinema - rentals available on same day as cinema release.

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How to Binge-View

Step 1. Stay indoors

Step 2. Don’t get up

Step 3. Ignore everything else

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A fool-proof guide in three simple steps

See this if you liked... Breaking Bad and, of course, the 1996 movie.

What is it? A parable about the battle between good and evil, set against the banal backdrop of rural Minnesota.

How long does it take to binge? 8.85 hours / 0.37 days (10 episodes)

When was the last time a TV show surprised you? Penny Dreadful, starring Eva Green and Timothy Dalton’smoustache, mashes up Frankenstein, Dorian Grey andothers to produce a piece of pulp art that sounds trashy but rings with class. How close will it stick to the stories we know? John Logan’s script weaves the tales with a taste for mortality, while Juan Antonio Bayona directs the shadowy Victorian sets with constantly creeping cameras. As Eva’s descent into darkness continues, moments of possession clash with vampire shootouts, while Josh Hartnett and Billie Piper feel their way through a tragicromance. The result is silly, terrifying and alwayssurprising. Worth seeing just for Simon Russell Beale’s lsping Egyptologist.

3 Must-See EpisodesE 1 – Sets the camp/serious tone for the series.E2 – Eva Green steals the show at a horrifying séance.E7 – Timothy Dalton’s moustache.

Where to watchNOW TV (Entertainment Pass - £4.99 a month)

Until 7th August

Continuing the misdirect that Joel and Ethan Coen used to get away with some of their more audacious twists in the movie on which this series is loosely based, creator Noel Hawley prefaces each episode of Fargo with a notice: “This is a true story.” Although this monologue-heavy character epic sometimes stretches credulity, the real truth is in its darkly funny portrayal of human nature and the frightening power of corruption. Specifically, it’s about Martin Freeman’s mild-mannered insurance salesman Lester Nygaard discovering his sense of self-preservation, after a meeting with Billy Bob Thornton’s wolfish Lorne Malvo. Violence and betrayal ensues, leaving Allison Tolman’s quick-witted police deputy, Molly, to make sense of it all.

3 Must-See EpisodesE1: Malvo sets Lester on a deadly course.E4: Lester has an eventful day avoiding hit men, while Malvo unleashes biblical carnage.E9: Lester confronts his creator and dives into the abyss.

Where to watchblinkbox (£15.99 SD / £20.99 HD)

iTunes (£15.99 SD / £20.99 HD)

Amazon Instant Video (£15.99 SD / £20.99 HD)

The CW have dug up DC’s Green Arrow and given it a realistic sheen. Five years ago, Oliver Queen was lost at sea. The Ollie rescued from the island is not the same spineless spoiled brat that washed up there. He has a mission: hunt down the people corrupting the city with a bow and some dubious morals. Arrow seamlessly meshes island flashbacks with present day crime-fighting. And even if Stephen Amell only has one facial expression, the cast, characters and story arc keep you hooked - Susanna Thompson’s creepy mother and Willa Holland’s awesome little sister are both top-notch. And if John Barrowman’s enigmatic Malcolm Merlyn’s not your cup of tea, you’ll fall for Emily Bett Rickards’ sparky, can-do IT girl, Felicity Smoak.

3 Must-See EpisodesE1: You wouldn’t want to go in blind, would you?E23: A season finale: how can you improve a city with explosives?E46: What followed Oliver back from the island? And how will vengeance be exacted on him?

Where to watchAmazon Prime Instant VIdeo (S1 - £5.99 a month)Amazon Instant Video (S1 £9,99 SD / S2 £24.99 SD) blinkbox (S1 £14.99 SD / S2 £24.99 SD) iTunes (S1 £9.99 SD / S2 £24.99 SD)

If you’ve ever wished politicians were less full of crap, The West Wing is the answer. Martin Sheen stars as President Bartlet, who feels like the best parts of Roosevelt, JFK and Clinton rolled into one. Over the course of eight years, Bartlet deals with war, security threats and a scandal which threatens to ruin his presidency. Thankfully, he’s not alone – Bradley Whitford, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney and the late, great John Spencer give knockout turns as the his closest staff. And that’s without mentioning the plethora of guest stars - appearing here was, at one time, as big an honour as a cameo on The Simpsons. But the real star is writer Aaron Sorkin. Before The Social Network, he cut his teeth in the White House, creating some of the funniest, inspiring and dramatic moments in the history of TV.

3 Must-See EpisodesS2 E22 – A personal tragedy and a huge politicaldecision lead to one of the best hours of TV ever made.S3 E1 – A one-off special broadcast shortly after the events of September 11, 2001.S7 E7 – Broadcast live across the USA, this fictional presidential debate puts the real thing to shame.

Where to watchNOW TV (Entertainment Pass - £4.99 a month)

Amazon Prime Instant Video (£5.99 a month)

blinkbox (£14.99 SD / £19.99 HD per season)

iTunes (£49.99 SD / £54.99 HD)

Your Binge-Viewing Guide to the Best TV Shows

79% of viewers say binge-viewing makes shows more enjoyable

- Netflix survey 2013

Binge-viewing (noun)

Watching 2-6 episodes of the same TV show

in one sitting.

FARGO See this if you liked... American Horror Story, The Woman in Black, Dracula

What is it? A Gothic horror drama weaving together classic literary texts. against the banal backdrop of rural Minnesota.

How long does it take to binge? 6.666 hours / 0.25 days (8 episodes)

PENNY DREADFUL

See this if you liked... Smallville, The Cape, Batman Begins.

What is it? Nuts and bolts live action superhero tv series. Like the cartoon ones you watched as a kid. But better.

How long does it take to binge? 32.2 hours / 1.34 days (46 episodes)

ARROW See this if you liked... AHouse of Cards, A Few Good Men, The Newsroom

What is it? A witty political drama showing the USA under a fictional president.

How long does it take to binge? 104 hours / 4.3 days (156 episodes, 7 seasons)

THE WEST WING

See this if you liked... Sex and the City, Frances Ha.

What is it? A comedy drama about four New York girls who navigate life with wit and unflinching honesty.

How long does it take to binge? 960 minutes / 16 hours (3 seasons)

Born from The Thick Of It and helmed by Armando Iannucci himself, Veep follows to the day-to-day trials of Vice President Selina Meyer and her working relationships. Struggling against the President, the media and her staff, Selina tries to balance staying afloat with staying relevant. Keeping with the Armando tradition, the satire is brilliantly foul-mouthed and creatively insulting whilst maintaining an air of urgency about the office in which it all takes place. Julia Louis-Dreyfus shines as the politician battling to be treated as the second most powerful person in the world. With Dreyfus flanked by comedy talent like Anna Chlumsky, Tony Hale, Matt Walsh and Timothy Simons; the show manages a unique blend of satirical optimism and - yes - swearing.

3 Must-See EpisodesS1 E2 – Selina has to balance a very serious event with a visit to a yoghurt shop. A fantastic introduction to Veep.S1 E7 – When the Veep and her staff face disaster on every front, Selina takes charge by threatening to fire someone. S2 E6 – Selina runs into her ex at her daughter’s birthday.

Where to watchNOW TV (S3 - £4.99 a month)

blinkbox (S1 £13.99 SD / S2 £17.99 SD)

iTunes (S1 £14.99 SD / S2 £17.99 SD)

Amazon Instant Video (S1 £18.99 SD / S2 £22.99 SD)

Set against the backdrop of Brooklyn’s uber-hip Wil-liamsburg (the Shoreditch of stateside), Girls follows four New Yorkers as they navigate first jobs, first loves, first smear tests and first marriage breakdowns. It’s been called the new Sex and the City but aside from being about four white women who somehow have bottomless pockets and huge flats, the comparisons end there. Don’t let the title fool you; the girls play off against a cast of men - notably Adam Driver, playing Hannah’s on-off boyfriend, and a bizarre cameo from Chris O’Dowd. It’s been criticised widely for its lack of diversity (and for Lena Dunham’s ‘insistence on getting naked), but it’s unflinchingly honest and in that, every-one can draw something from it.

3 Must-See EpisodesS1 E7: Shoshanna does crack cocaineS2 E6: A cameo from The Lonely Island’s Jorma Taccone S2 E10: “You’re here!” “I was always here.”

Where to watchblinkbox (S1 £17.99 SD / S2 £17.99 SD / S3 £18.99 SD)

iTunes (S1 £17.99 SD / S2 £17.99 SD / S3 £21.99 SD)

Amazon Instant Video (S1 S2 £17.99 SD / S3 £18.99 SD)

Kevin Spacey takes Richard II to the Capitol in this gripping, cynical and darkly funny thriller. Majority Whip Frank Underwood devides to take revenge on all those above him after he’s passed over promotion, with the help of Kate Mara’s naive reporter, Zoe Barnes. The fact that Frank mostly succeeds is no surprise - the fact that we cheer him on is highly unsettling. Talking to the cam-era with his charming drawl, Spacey is as charismatic as ever, but it’s Robin Wright as Frank’s wife, Claire, who turns the TV show into something more than a panto-mime: together, the believably fleshed-out couple are supportive of each other’s own power games, creating a fearsome double act that never fails to shock - and, indeed, never fails. Welcome to 21st Century politics.

3 Must-See EpisodesS1 E1: Frank has no patience for weakness.S1 E11: Corey Stoll steals the show as recovering alcoholic Peter RussoS2 E1: “Did you think I’d forgotten you?”

Where to watchNetflix UK (S1 & S2 £6.99 a month, HD)

Amazon Instant Video (£24.57 SD - £1.89 per ep)

blinkbox (£24.57 SD - £1.89 per episode)

Orange Is the New Black is based on Piper Kerman’smemoirs about her own 15 months behind federal bars. Writer Jenji Kohan unsurprisingly changed Piper’s name to Chapman but made one, altogether more unexpected, alteration: where Kerman’s story is told from her POV, OITNB zooms out to put Chapman’s tale into perspective. More specifically, multiple perspectives. Each episode takes a different character and flashes back into their past to find out how they ended up in prison. It sounds like a corny gimmick, but Kohan pulls it off with just the right amount of heart and honesty. At no point do these inmates feel like formulaic devices or narrative padding. From Uzo Aduba’s hilarious “Crazy Eyes” to Laura Prepon’s sexy lover, they feel like real people.

3 Must-See EpisodesS1 E1: Welcome to prison. It’s a tampon in a bun kinda place. S1 E8: Jason Biggs gets a chance to shine as Piper’s frustrated husband, Larry. S2 E3: Suzanne and Taystee get the back-stories they deserve.

Where to watchNetflix UK (S1 & S2 £6.99 a month, HD)

Amazon Instant Video (S1 £24.57 SD - £1.89 per ep)

blinkbox (S1 £24.57 SD - £1.89 per episode)

79% of viewers say binge-viewing makes shows more enjoyable

- Netflix survey 2013

Binge-viewing:Watching between 2-6 episodes of the same

TV show in one sitting.

GIRLS See this if you liked... In The Loop, 30 Rock, The Thick Of It, This Is 40.

What is it? A sweary, witty satire starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as a struggling Vice President..

How long does it take to binge? 14 hours / 0.58 days (28 episodes)

VEEP

See this if you liked... In the Loop, The West Wing, The Ideas of March.

What is it? Richard III in the White House, with a charistmatic Kevin Spacey manipulating his way up the chain of power.

How long does it take to binge? 22 hours / 0.92 days (24 episodes)

HOUSE OF CARDS See this if you liked... Weeds

What is it? An equal opportunities ensemble drama that gives every inmate of a women’s prison the chance to shine.

How long does it take to binge?22 hours / 0.92 days (26 episodes)

OITNB

51% of viewersprefer to binge-view

with other people.- Netflix survey 2013

House of CardsHomeland

Game of ThronesBattlestar Galactica

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Your Binge-Viewing Guide to the Best TV Shows

How long would it take to watch...?

See this if you liked... Twin Peaks, Se7en

What is it? A dark drama about two detectives solving the depraved murders lurking beneath the civilised surface of Louisiana.

How long does it take to binge? 6.6 hours / 0.28 days (8 episodes)

Mild-mannered chemistry teacher Walter White funds his cancer treatment the only way he knows how: by cooking meth. That’s the starting point for Vince Gilligan’s epic drama, which turns Mr. Nice Guy into a Scarface for the 21st Century. Bryan Cranston astonishes as the falling father, while Aaron Paul’s sidekick, Jesse, brings swearing, humour and sympathy to the table. Balanced perfectly be-tween dark, funny and moving, the cast of characters is so well fleshed-out that every scene feels unpredictably real - which makes the violence, when it inevitably comes, all the more effective. Unashamedly slow-paced, a measured first season gives way to a gripping downward spiral that grips with every turn; a perfectly concocted hit that never fails to produce an explosive reaction. Yeah, bitch. Science.

4 Must-See EpisodesS1 E6 – We meet Heisenberg for the first time, as a little bit of the old Walt is blown away by sheer willpower.S2 E13 - Jesse’s heart is broken.S4 E10 – Giancarlo Esposito proves why he steals every scene he’s in as the world’s most ruthless chicken shop owner, Gus. S5 E14 – The point of no return.

Where to watchNetflix UK (All 5 seasons - £5.99 a month, HD)

blinkbox (S1 £9.99, S2 £12.99, S3/4 £19.99, S5 £29.98)

iTunes (All 5 seasons - from £9.99, SD)

Amazon Instant Video (All 5 seasons - from £9.99, SD)

“Ernest Hemingway wrote, ‘The world is a fine place and worth fighting for.’ I agree with the second part.” Imagine Se7en remade for the post-Millenial age and you’re halfway to what makes True Detective so good. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson play detectives Rust and Martin, who find themselves peering into the dark abyss beneath Louisiana’s civilised, Christian surface. One alcoholic, the other violent, if these male archetypes recall Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt’s iconic partnership, the brilliance of Nic Pizzolato’s literary script is that the unbal-anced Rust, all sunken face and prophetic hallucinations, is Morgan Freeman. Disturbing, full of questions and shot with cinematic style by Cary Fukunaga, True Detective is that rare TV show which meets its hype.

3 Must-See EpisodesE1: Who is The Yellow King? The first of many questions sets the tone for something twisted and mysterious.E4: The whole series is worth watching just for this episode’s six-minute tracking shot.E8: “The light’s winning.”

Where to watchblinkbox (£14.99, SD)

iTunes (£14.99, SD)

Amazon Instant Video (£14.99, SD)

What would you do if you found yourself surrounded by zom-bies? The Walking Dead’s stomach-clenching suspense stems from that question. While some zombie shows and films focus on running and shooting, te series - based on Robert Kirkman’s graphic novels - follows sheriff ’s deputy Rick (Andrew Lincoln) as he navigates the moral dilemma of staying alive. As part-ners turn on each other and friends, well, “turn”, that fall from humanity to ruthless monsters is more shocking than any amount of blood. But don’t worry, the show has its fair share of that too. The writing team has changed over the years, but it’s to their credit that the series remains consistently scary, sad and surprising - helped no end by the addition of David Morrissey’s fascinating The Governor in Season 3 and 4, who extols the other ethical extreme of survival.

3 Must-See EpisodesS1 E1: Taking place in almost complete silence, this opener nonetheless tells us all we need to know about our hero.S2 E12: Rick’s son comes of age as an old friend tests loyalties - and a horde of the undead surrounds them. S3 E8: An eye for an eye, as The Governor gives Norman Reedus’ Daryl a chance to shine.

Where to watchAmazon Prime Instant Video (S1/2 £5.99 a month)

iTunes (S1 £10.99 / S2 £15.99 / S3 £20.99)

blinkbox (S1 £9.99 / S2 £14.99 / S3 £19.99

Homeland is a nailbiting TV series that manages to be gripping and ridiculous at the same time. When US marine Brody (Da-mian Lewis) is released by al-Qaeda after years of captivity, the country hails him as a hero. Obsessive CIA agent Carrie (Claire Danes) suspects otherwise, doing everything from bugging his house (warning: contains graphic sex) to falling in love with him. The series relies on uncertainty for tension - Is he/Isn’t he? Will he/Won’t he? Did he/Didn’t he? - and, thanks to Lewis’ ambiguous performance and Danes’ intense range of facial expressions, it works. Season 2 is the least consistent, but the show lurches expertly between stupid and stupidly exciting. And that’s before you mention The Princess Bride’s Manty Patinkin as Carrie’s boss, Saul, whose magnificent beard steals almost every scene. Homeland? HOMGland, more like.

3 Must-See EpisodesS1 E6: The lie detector test introduces the first OMG moment. S1 E12: Tension reaches fever pitch in the season finale.S3 E4: Just when you think the show’s gone off the rails, Homeland delivers its biggest - and best - twist yet.

Where to watchNetflix UK (S1 & S2, £6.99 a month, HD)

blinkbox (S1/S2/S3 £19.99, SD)

iTunes (S1/S2/S2 £19.99, SD)

79% of viewers say binge-viewing makes shows more enjoyable

- Netflix survey 2013

Binge-viewing:Watching between 2-6 episodes of the same

TV show in one sitting.

TRUE DETECTIVE See this if you liked... The Shield, Orange Is the New Black, Weeds

What is it? A mild-mannered teacher discovers he has cancer and does the logical thing to raise money for his family: cook meth.

How long does it take to binge? 46 hours / 1.91 days (62 episodes)

BREAKING BAD

See this if you liked... American Horror Story. Dawn of the Dead. Zombieland

What is it? A group of humans fight for survival amid a zombie epidemc.

How long does it take to binge? 39 hours / 1.63 days (51 episodes)

THE WALKING DEAD See this if you liked... 24

What is it? A marine returns home after being held prisoner in Iraq. While the US hails him a hero, one CIA agent suspects otherwise...

How long does it take to binge?27 hours / 1.12 days (36 episodes)

HOMELAND

668,000 Netflix members watched all of House of Cards S2in its first weekend.

6% of viewerssay they have never

binge-watched a show.- Piksel survey 2013

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Your Binge-Viewing Guide to the Best TV Shows

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