Contrary to popular belief, college faculty and staff do not spend all of their time working. On very rare occasions, they have free time. Many use this free time to watch television, and some were kind enough to pass along their recommendations to The Witmarsm.
Dr. Zachary Walton photo by Nathan Heinze
“I’d recommend Westworld and the 2004 version of Battlestar Galactica,” said Associate Professor of Communication Zachary Walton. “Both have incredible writing, excellent casting, high production qualities, and dense, complex characters. Both have deep, multi-layered mysteries that keep you coming back for more. In addition, both programs ask deep philosophical and ethical questions about the consequences of artificial intelligence, human dependence on technology, the nature of consciousness, and the ethics of human desire. Finally, they contain excellent and memorable action sequences that rival any blockbuster movie.”
Westworld is available on Hulu and Battlestar Galactica is available on HBO GO. Both are also available through Amazon Prime Video.
“[Grace and Frankie] makes me laugh out loud, but probably only because I’m about the same age as the main characters,” said Director of Academic Development Services Jacqui Slinger. “Frankie and Grace live together after their husbands revealed that they were in love with each other. The dynamics among the family members is quite amusing. I can definitely relate to the characters.”
Grace and Frankie can be streamed exclusively on Netflix.
Dr. Jackie Wyse-Rhodes file photo
Both Assistant Professor of Religion Jackie Wyse-Rhodes and Assistant Professor of Social Work Heidi Mercer recommended NBC’s The Good Place, which can be streamed on Netflix and Hulu.
“Although the series is a cute, quaint comedy about the afterlife, do not discount the thoroughly thought provoking messages it leaves the watchers,” said Mercer. “The series gives you many philosophical ideas, for example moral particularism, which is the idea that moral judgment can only be found if one decides particular cases, either real or imagined. From this philosophical stance, the story line leaves you with so many ethical dilemmas that the characters face.”
Dr. Jeff Gundy photo by Nathan Heinze
Another recurring recommendation was The Man in the High Castle. Both Professor of English Jeff Gundy and Associate Professor of History Martina Cucchiara suggested others watch this Amazon Prime Video series.
“The premise is that the Axis powers win World War II and have occupied the USA,” said Gundy. He also echoed Walton’s praise for Westworld and suggested Sense8, a Netflix series about “a group of eight people from all over the world who have a mysterious psychic connection.” Sense8 is directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski, directors of The Matrix trilogy.
Cucchiara, on the other hand, endorsed watching Netflix series, Ozark, which stars Jason Bateman as the lead.
Dr. Martina Cucciara photo by Nathan Heinze
“[Ozark] is the story of a family of an accountant in Chicago who gets embroiled in money laundering with the Mexican drug cartel,” said Cucchiara. “And his partner steals money from the Mexican drug cartel, and in order to avoid being killed, he promises to launder $6 million for the cartel in the Ozarks, which is in the south.”
Assistant Professor of Psychology Deanna Barthlow-Potkanowicz suggests the BBC classic, Doctor Who, which can currently be streamed from Amazon Prime Video.
“We like it because it can continually refresh itself by having the main character regenerate into a new person,” said Barthlow-Potkanowicz. “And we like that it weaves current social issues into its storylines. This season, for the first time, the main character is a played by a woman, which feels timely and relevant.”
Professor of Mathematics Steve Harnish recommended Stranger Things, a Netflix-exclusive series for a much more personal reason.
“My main reason for watching all of seasons 1 and 2 is that we got hooked after an episode our sons were watching with friends,” said Harnish. “Its high suspense and end-of-episode cliffhangers kept us going right through each season. Besides the main goal of entertainment, one might see a minor role for helping bridge generations. As you follow high schoolers in Hawkins, Ind., in the early 80s, and observe a ‘simpler’ pre-Internet life with dial-up phones, funky 70s décor and 80s clothes, you might imagine elements of early life for us from an older generation. This could also spawn interesting conversations with your parents, aunts, uncles or possibly even grandparents who grew up in that era.”
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Randy Keeler suggests The 100, a CW series that is available on Netflix, which is about a group of 100 juvenile prisoners being sent back to a post-apocalyptic Earth and their experiences.
Everyone needs downtime一students and faculty and staff alike. When you need to unwind after a long day of classes, consider giving these Bluffton University faculty-approved television favorites a try.
