Fly Long, Watch Long: Series For Travelers

Live:STR SELECTIONS

by Sophie She

Fly Long, Watch Long: Series For Travelers

7 Mar 2024

We all know the pain in your buttocks from sitting for 5+ hours straight when flying almost anywhere from the UAE. But what’s worse is when there are no time killers available.

So, here we are, gifting you a beautiful list of five long series that will be a chef’s kiss for any of your trips. Don’t forget to download them on streaming services.

The Beef (2023)

If you are on a long flight with limited leg space and a somewhat okay attention span, The Beef (2023) is a majestic answer for your journey.

Premiered at SXSW indie festival, this piece has a true crazy dramedy series. In authors’ minds, simple “beef” in the parking lot between two very different people can end with a nearly psychedelic experience in the middle of nowhere.

“The Beef” by Lee Sung Jin (Film Still)

This hyperbolised anger and sickness about responsibilities and “the perfect life” are very entertaining to watch as you are immersed in the characters’ personal drama and overarching ideas about your own existence.

Additional gifts are beautiful art along the way, including their opening credits.

Duration: 5 h 52 min

Where to watch: Netflix

Sharp Objects (2018)

This one is for people who are calmly having dinner while watching true crime documentaries. We all know we have guilty pleasures, and for many of us — it is sick crime stories. Sharp Objects (2018) is a psychological thriller miniseries based on Gillian Flynn's 2006 debut novel of the same name.

The story is about crime reporter Camille Preaker. She came back to her hometown, Wind Gap, Missouri, and started her own investigation of a murder case. As she returns to her childhood home, Camille finds herself scrutinised by her mother, Adora, making her remember things she would rather forget.

"Sharp Objects" by Marti Noxon (Film Still)

Bottom line, if you are into sharp, engaging stories with good dynamics — this is a catch for a long flight and even some time in the passport control queue.

Duration: 7 h

Where to watch: HBO

This Is Going To Hurt (2022)

The everyday life of Adam, a resident doctor of the maternity ward of a state hospital, where there is constantly a shortage of staff, and the equipment is outdated. You are going to laugh a lot. The story is based on the book by Adam Kay, compiled from his own diaries from the time of training within the National Health Service of Great Britain.

"This is going to hurt" by Adam Kay (Film Still)

These life-like miniseries will reveal the story of an ordinary medical worker, their fears and tears, laughs and real-world situations that uncover the core bitter-sweetness of what it is like to be a doctor.

Prepare some tissues and watch it when everyone else is asleep. You don't want any awkward situations related to the graphic medical scenes, right? You are going to love this, though!

Duration: 5 h 15 min

Where to watch: Apple TV

Painkiller (2023)

We bet you didn’t even know about the American opioid epidemic that took place in the mid-90s. Long story short, Purdue Pharma, owned by Richard Sackler, developed a painkiller called OxyContin that caused the death of thousands of people.

"Painkiller" by Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster (Film Still)

The script is based on Patrick Radden Keefe's investigative New Yorker article The Family That Built an Empire of Pain (2017) and Pain Killer: An Empire of Deceit and the Origin of America's Opioid Epidemic (2018) by Barry Meier. This, together with real-life footage presented in each episode, really makes your nerves tingle a bit.

As a spectator, you will have a great chance to immerse yourself in this medical detective, closely following the lives of “the most evil family in America”, the Sacklers.

If you are into biopics and detective — this will be the right fit.

Duration: 4 h 46 min

Where to watch: Netflix

Fleabag (2016–2019)

Sorry, we couldn't resist, but mention these wonderful series, in case you haven’t seen them yet. So! This is a story of a witty woman who rushes to the barricades of everyday life in modern London. Masterfully crafted and impersonated by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, her character is going through everyday life with kilograms of humour.

"Fleabag" by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Film Still)

In fact, one can say the actress “crafted” her character, as Waller-Bridge came up with Fleabag, when one of her friends suggested that she create a 10-minute sketch for a party. This says a lot about the character as well.

You will definitely enjoy this, if you are into anything fun (and a bit odd).

Duration: 5h 2m

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

by Sophie She