After watching six of the most popular series ever produced, namely True Detective, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, House of Cards, How I met your mother and The Big Bang Theory we present you with the most important reasons why you shouldn’t miss them.

Many of these series are responsible for damaging our personal lives and consuming most of our free time, as it is extremely hard to refrain from watching the next episode (and then the next, and then the one after that) until the small hours. They have become one of the most popular subjects of discussion among friends, surpassing even the cinema blockbusters in that aspect.

From the Academy Awards to the small screen

The show that really stood out this season is undoubtedly “True detective”. Matthew McConaughey was a true revelation. The 45-year old American, gave one of the best performances in his life, than can only be matched by his appearance on “Dallas buyers club” and made us appreciate his acting skills. Leaving behind the “surfer – model with perfect abs” image he played the role of an exemplary cop who has plunged deep into cynical, depressed alcoholism.

His worthy partner, played by extremely talented Woody Harrelson is a classic middle-aged man with a crippling weakness for women who sees his life slipping through his fingers after a series of stupid mistakes. The lives of two detectives become entangled during a 17-year hunt for a serial killer in Louisiana.

Once upon a time in Westeros

George Martin, the author of the book series on which Game of Thrones was based, had one of his female protagonists, ruthless Cercei Lannister say: “When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die.” This couldn’t be more true, as many of the main characters of the series suffered a gruesome death before the fourth season of the show.

The element of shock is not the only reason why “GoT” is such a hit. The interesting plot, the amazing locations and the extremely talented cast are all contributing factors to the success of the show. The anguish of Catelyn Stark at the “Red Wedding” and the paranoid outbursts of King Joffrey have offered us some of the greatest scenes in TV history.

The best blue meth around

“Didn’t know you’d think that I’d forget or I’d regret / The special love I had for you, my baby blue / All the days became so long”… Even now, the verses of the last song heard at the last episode of “Breaking Bad” brings us a sweet melancholy. What can anyone say about the show that took the world by storm and broke our hearts when it ended? Amazing performances from all the actors and an exemplary script – well written to the smallest detail.

Shakespeare in streaming

The first episode of the “House of Cards” series could very well start with the famous phrase from Shakespeare’s Richard III ” Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this sun of York.” Our first contact with Francis “Frank” Underwood, the show’s protagonist, was enough to take us back to the summer of 2011, when we saw Kevin Spacey playing Richard III at Epidaurus: Both characters are determined to conquer power, trampling anyone who stands in their way.

Similarities can even be found in the plot, as the series is primarily about ruthless pragmatism manipulation, power and doing bad things for the greater good.

Set in present-day Washington, D.C., House of Cards is the story of Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), a Democrat from South Carolina’s 5th congressional district and House majority whip who, after being passed over for appointment as Secretary of State, initiates an elaborate plan to get himself into a position of power.

Challenge accepted

Although the last season of the series was somewhat disappointing, we will always remember the “How I met your mother” show for its funny lines and hilarious characters, such as Barney Stinson, a charming womanizer known to enjoy being single, wearing suits, and playing laser tag. The character has been well received by critics throughout the series’ run, and has been credited for much of the show’s success.

Another one of the five main characters, Robin Scherbatsky, is a Scotch-drinking, cigar-smoking, gun-toting Canadian ex pop-star-journalist that captivates the audience with her clever lines.

Bazinga!

After “Friends” series ended in 2004, many of us wondered what sitcom would ever be good enough to replace it. We had to wait three years to learn the answer “The big bang theory” of course! The series follows the daily lives of Sheldon, Leonard, Howard and Raj, a group of nerds, some of them most normal than others and some with a unique lifestyle (who can forget the episode when Sheldon Cooper called the police because someone hacked his World of Warcraft account?)