With the outbreak of COVID-19 and mandated stay-at-home orders, many may find themselves with a lot of free time with nothing to spend it on. Fortunately, faculty and staff at Bluffton have been able to share what shows they have been watching through streaming services. Here’s a list of their recommendations.
Professor of Communication and Forum Director Gerald Mast recommends “Professor T,” a a Belgian show about a criminology professor working for the Antwerp Police Department.
“He’s a germaphobe who wears latex gloves and carries antibacterial wipes everywhere he goes. He practices social distancing,” said Mast. “It’s the perfect show because the professor’s unusually obsessive compulsive habits are actually normative in our time and place.”
Mast also recommended “The Good Doctor,” an American adaptation of a South Korean drama series that focuses on a surgical resident with autism, and how that benefits and creates challenges in his work and life
“The show displays his struggles with professional and personal relationships, his communication challenges with his patients,” said Mast.
“Professor T” is available on PBS Passport and Amazon Prime.
“The Good Doctor” is available on Hulu and Apple TV.
Assistant Professor of Art Jim Fultz recommended “Kusama: Infinity,” a documentary about an elderly Japanese artist.
“[It] is, as they say, for anyone but not for everyone,” said Fultz. “It’s about a 91-year-old woman who dedicated her life, wholeheartedly to her art and ideas and I think it tries to make a case for her historical importance and influence.”
Fultz also recommended “Meek’s Cutoff,” a film about a family who gets lost traveling to Oregon.
“I enjoyed [‘Meek’s Cutoff’] because of the cinematography, the landscape shots, it’s slow tempo and I just like the director’s style,” said Fultz. “It’s about… the psychologies of being lost, wandering.”
Both “Kusama: Infinity” and “Meek’s Cutoff” are available on Hulu.
Assistant Professor of Art Philip Sugden’s suggestions are primarily shows from the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, owing to his British heritage. One example is “Doc Martin,” a spinoff of the 2000 film “Saving Grace” that focuses on the character of Dr. Martin Bamford. Another is Australian-New Zealand comedy-drama series “800 Words,” about a columnist who must adjust to a new life as a single father in the small seaside town of Weld.
“Both [are] slow moving with no violence and generally quite peaceful,” said Sugden.
Sugden also suggested crime drama “No Offense,” which follows abrasive Detective Inspector Viv Deering and her team of detectives as they investigate a string of related crimes.
“[It’s] a detective mystery with foul language,” said Sugden.
“Doc Martin,” “800 Words,” and “No Offence” are all available to stream on Acorn TV.
Director of Academic Development Services and Counselor for Disability Services Jacqui Slinger said that she suggests “Broadchurch.”
“‘Broadchurch’ begins with the murder of a young boy and is a ‘whodunit,'” said Slinger. “Olivia Coleman, one of my favorite actors plays a flawed police officer on the hunt for the killer(s).”
Slinger also recommended “Bloodline,” a drama series about a dysfunctional family living in Islamorada, Florida.
“Ben Mendelsohn, who plays Danny Rayburn in ‘Bloodline,’ is one of [the] creepiest characters I’ve ever come across,” said Slinger. “I often caught myself watching that drama about family secrets between my fingers.”
Finally, Slinger recommends “Ozark,” a drama series that recently launched its third season.
“It follows a family and a myriad of other players through white-collar criminal activities,” said Slinger. “There are a number of intriguing characters including Ruth Langmore, a really tough and smart young woman with quite a family history.”
‘Broadchurch,’ ‘Bloodline,’ and ‘Ozark’ are all available on Netflix.
During this time, it is important for students to practice social distancing. That said, students looking for something to pass the time, or for something to watch with friends—remotely, of course—will have plenty of choices.
