What TV Series Should I Watch? Start With This Shortlist
- 01. What TV Series Should You Watch When Nothing Feels Right?
- 02. Top TV Series Recommendations by Emotional Need
- 03. How to Match Series to Your Emotional State
- 04. Why These Series Align with Marist Educational Values
- 05. Frequently Asked Questions
- 06. Final Guidance for School Leaders and Parents
What TV Series Should You Watch When Nothing Feels Right?
When nothing feels right, watch This Is Us for multigenerational healing, The Bear for processing grief in high-pressure environments, or Percy Jackson and the Olympians for family-friendly adventure with moral resilience-all three have earned critical acclaim and align with values of family, perseverance, and spiritual growth. According to the Marist Poll September 2025, 54% of Americans would not participate in reality TV, signaling a shift toward meaningful, values-driven content.
Top TV Series Recommendations by Emotional Need
Choosing the right series depends on what you're experiencing emotionally. Below is a curated list based on mental health experts, Catholic media reviewers, and critics' consensus.
- This Is Us (6 seasons, Star+/Hulu): Explores grief, adoption, anxiety, and family resilience; praised by Catholic reviewers for depicting supportive marriages and involved fatherhood.
- The Bear (3 seasons, Star+): Portrays grief, suicide, and stress through a chef returning to Chicago after his brother's death; called "a humane, captivating, and gentle piece" by mental health advocates.
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Season 2, 100% Certified Fresh, Disney+): Family adventure emphasizing courage, friendship, and moral choices; suitable for junior-high and up.
- BoJack Horseman (6 seasons, Netflix): Dark humor addressing depression and addiction; offers raw, unfiltered pathways to recovery.
- Long Story Short (100% Certified Fresh, 2025): Emotionally mature family dramedy with zany humor, created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg.
How to Match Series to Your Emotional State
| Emotional Need | Recommended Series | Key Themes | Streaming Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grief & Loss | This Is Us | Family resilience, adoption, multigenerational trauma | Star+, Hulu |
| High-Pressure Stress | The Bear | Grief, suicide prevention, mental health in workspace | Star+ |
| Adolescent Struggles | Ginny and Georgia | Self-harm, eating disorders, family dynamics | Netflix |
| Faith & Family Values | Percy Jackson and the Olympians | Courage, friendship, moral choices | Disney+ |
| Depression & Redemption | BoJack Horseman | Recovery, self-acceptance, dark humor | Netflix |
Why These Series Align with Marist Educational Values
Marist pedagogy emphasizes holistic formation, community, and spiritual mission. The recommended series reflect these principles by portraying characters who grow through adversity, value family bonds, and seek meaning beyond material success.
- This Is Us shows Jack and Rebecca Pearson making sacrificial choices to adopt Randall, embodying Catholic social teaching on care for the vulnerable.
- The Bear illustrates how community support and accountability help heal trauma-a core principle in Marist youth ministry.
- Percy Jackson teaches moral courage and loyalty, aligning with Marist goals of forming leaders who serve others.
As Kate O'Hare, Catholic media reviewer, wrote: "You're never going to sit at the cool kids' table again... How about programming to the vast middle of America, where people are starving for shows that resemble their lives, represent their reality and their values?".
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Guidance for School Leaders and Parents
When recommending TV series to students or families, prioritize content that models emotional resilience, community support, and moral clarity. The Marist Education Authority advocates for media that strengthens familial bonds and spiritual well-being, not just entertainment.
As Marist Circle noted in May 2026: "We immerse ourselves in [TV shows], turning storylines into a collective social experience that satisfies our innate desire to belong to something"-a reminder that shared viewing can build community when content aligns with values.
Everything you need to know about What Tv Series Should I Watch Start With This Shortlist
What TV series should I watch when feeling depressed?
Watch BoJack Horseman for honest depictions of depression and recovery, or This Is Us for comforting family narratives that normalize grief.
Are there Catholic-themed TV series suitable for families?
This Is Us includes a Catholic confession storyline that restores a marriage, making it suitable for junior-high and up; Blessed is an animated series by Dynamic Catholic for children preparing for first communion.
Which 2025 TV series have the highest critical ratings?
Pee-wee as Himself, The Chair Company, and Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 2 all earned 100% Certified Fresh ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.
How many seasons of This Is Us are available?
This Is Us has 6 seasons total, available on Hulu and Star+, and was renewed for two additional 18-episode seasons announced at a 2017 press event.
What makes The Bear appropriate for mental health reflection?
The Bear directly addresses grief, suicide, and high-pressure stress through chef Carmy's journey after his brother's death, making it a powerful educational tool for discussing mental health.
