Television

Doyle’s sleuth may be the most notorious mystery man in the world—not to mention certainly the most popular British spy ever written (sorry 007, but you’re a close second)—and for old and new fans alike, the story of the great puzzle master never gets old.

So what to do when the writings (or the latest BBC adaptation) runs dry? Check out the television adaptations that either borrow a lot (or even just a little) to get the same thrills from watching a highly scientific mind unfold obscure details to do what we mere mortals only dream of. So sit back with your magnifying glass and take a hard look at these show, my dear Watson!

1. Elementary

When the producer of the BBC’s Sherlock is “worrying” Elementary is possibly an overlap of its own hit television series, you can take it as a good sign that the show is fiercely dedicated to being a close variation and equally as engaging as Sherlock.

The big twist with Elementary comes with Dr. Watson being played by Lucy Lui, and the setting being New York City, rather than Holmes’ traditional London. For fans of getting every detail exactly like the book, this one isn’t for you! But the rest of the major points—mischief, mayhem and a dead body or two—are definitely up for grabs, as is Sherlock’s ever-lingering addiction. For a look at the detective from the view across the pond, check out CBS’s hit—it’s definitely a fresh retelling.

2. Broadchurch

For the fans of brooding tragic heroes, Broadchurch should be slated as your next obsession. With David Tennant in the titular role of Alec Hardy and his trusted better half Detective Sgt. Ellie Miller being played by Olivia Coleman, the murder of an 11-year-old boy turns a small town on the coast of the British Isles completely upside down in pursuit of the killer. Hardy comes with all the inner turmoil and haunted past that Sherlock carries around like baggage, with the bonus of Hardy being an obvious outsider as a new transplant to the town of Broadchurch.

While this may seem a stretch, the BBC’s latest series takes an entire season to solve a murder, get into the head of its characters and deliver a who-dun-it mystery with the kind of aplomb we’ve come accustomed to from a Doyle adaptation, so don’t count it out for lack of a pipe and hat. This one is ready to knock you off your feet.

3. House, M.D.

Hugh Laurie’s doctor-sleuth may not seem like a total match for Sherlock either, but if you take out the scalpel and hospital, the addiction crazed, ultra-genius Dr. House is certainly a carbon copy of the private detective himself—even if he stole the limp from Watson this go round.

For fans who go just as bananas for Grey’s Anatomy or ER as they do for the Hounds of the Baskervilles, let Dr. House take you on his pill-popping adventure through his discontent with his team, outlandish diagnosis and little-known background knowledge that only someone like Sherlock could possess. Since it was the most show watched in the world in 2008, all 177 episodes and eight seasons are available in their entirety, so no one has to wait for the story to conclude!

4. The Night Manager

Some say the latest screen adaptation of Le Carre’s work will make a future Bond out of Tom Hiddleston, but I’d like to think that the mind games of Jonathan Pine also take a fair amount of inspiration from Doyle’s leading man.

A night manager in Cairo during the break of the Arab Spring, former soldier Pine discovers a nefarious plot during one of his shifts and, instead of resisting attraction to the spy life, dives headfirst into sleuthing for Queen and country. This mini-series is sure to leave you wanting to know more about Pine’s backstory and his extreme intrigue for doing the right thing even when it will surely get him killed. Currently available on the BBC Player, this is a great one to flat out binge on!

5. Holmes

Was there ever a botched job that included the great Sir Ian McKellan? Hardly not, which is why you should get thee to a Redbox immediately to check out his turn as the sleuth extraordinaire in Mr. Holmes.

A different take on the age-old story, McKellen’s Holmes is retired and living out his life in the countryside tending beehives before being wrestled back into the thick of things when his last unsolved mystery won’t stop nagging him. While lacking in a physical Watson (we’ll see him in flashbacks, but no “Elementary, my dear Watson,” I’m afraid), there are plenty of new characters to enthrall in this slower, more reflective adaptation of everyone’s favorite private eye, and an excellent new location to do it from: Tokyo. Don’t say I didn’t warn you; this might just be your new favorite storyline.

Whether you’re looking for the close version of pipe and Victorian Baker Street or just hoping to fall in love with yet another guileless character prone to insanity and extraordinary skills of deduction, these picks are perfect for the Doylians and Sherlockophiles alike. Good reading to you!

It’s that time of year when the summer shows are airing the world over. Watching these shows is not as easy at it should be depending on where you live. Netflix and Hulu, in the US, are the go-to services for streaming television. In addition to their original series, Netflix shows past seasons when they receive the licensing, and Hulu features current show seasons for those they are licensed to show. Licensing, however, is also based on country. Not all countries are considered equal in this case.

Watching TV Shows on Netflix

While Netflix services are open to a variety of markets all over the world, not all markets have the same TV shows or movies at the same time. Netflix original series are available in all markets since Netflix owns those licenses. Network TV shows, however, are not owned by Netflix, so they can’t be shown until the production companies allow Netflix to serve them to their users and in specific markets. Netflix also isn’t licensed to stream TV shows as they air.

Watching TV Shows on Hulu

Unlike Netflix, Hulu is only available in the United States. This makes it harder for those around the world to watch television via their service. Since Hulu is owned by some of the production companies, they have licensing to stream some TV shows between a day and five days after they air. Hulu also offers some original shows but not to the extent of Netflix at this point. Like Netflix, users outside of Hulu’s jurisdiction are not able to stream these shows due to geo-blocking. Viewers often have to resort to other options; though some of them are not considered safe.

What About File Sharing Sites?

Some of these less than safe options include a variety of file sharing sites. Free streaming sites are not always a good idea because they usually send users to illegally hosted files of copyrighted shows. These sites do not have licensing for the content they share and are heavily inundated with ads. Sometimes these sites get shut down without notice by the US government for hosting copyrighted content. Others are fly-by-night sites that are not considered reputable.

One of the biggest dangers of these file sharing sites is that your computer could be at risk by visiting them. Many of the files shared could be infected with malware or viruses. And since they rely on the ad revenue to make money to stay in operation, the ads on the site could also contain malware and viruses.

What is a Good Alternative?

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are a good alternative to file sharing sites. VPNs hide your IP address and can make it seem as if your computer is in a different country than where it actually is. This allows you to watch shows on Netflix or Hulu despite the geo-restrictions. Picking a good VPN is key. Some could cause your computer or connection to slow down, which isn’t good for someone who is trying to stream online content.

Have you ever ran into a video that you couldn’t watch online due to where you live? What did you do?

There’s no denying that Game of Thrones has taken the world by storm. Whether it’s the original books by George R. R. Martin or the TV series based on them, fans all around the world can’t get enough of the thrilling plotlines, unique fantasy world and turbulent tales of this epic saga. However, the much-loved series looks to be taking a controversial turn this year as the long-awaited final book still has no release date, and it’s television counterpart is fast on the heels of the storyline.

Publishing Delays

The original book saga, titled A Song of Fire and Ice, first hit the shelves in 1996. Over the next decade, the four subsequent books have trickled out, each with years between them. However, since the last release—A Dance with Dragons—in 2011, things have become exceedingly quiet from the writer as avid readers have made numerous predictions about the next release, with little success. It seems as if even George R. R. Martin isn’t sure when the next installment will be coming out, but it’s looking like it’s not going to be before the TV series catches up with him.

Outpacing the Writer

The television adaption of the show first premiered in 2011. Since then, millions of eyes across the world have been glued to screens as the five series have brought us drama, unlikely romances, endless deaths and a plethora of equally fantastical mythical creatures. Although the series hasn’t directly followed the book’s storyline and has played around with the chronology, it has been confirmed that, for the first time, season six will cover situations that are yet to be released in print.

Spoiler Alert?

While most of us are waiting with baited breath for the release of the new season, there are also a large number of fans who are worried that outpacing the books is going to ruin their reading experience when it is finally released. Let’s face it, you can’t avoid Game of Thrones spoilers once the episodes have been seen, since the whole world is talking about them, so it’s not even like the book-lovers can simply avoid watching to preserve the experience of the next book release. How much will be ruined by the new season and is the creative team doing anything to combat this unusual situation they’ve found themselves in?

Producers Reassurance

Fortunately for all, the producers have reassured all fans that the TV series will diverge from the books as much as possible in order to preserve the original literature. They have noted that people will be very surprised as they reveal the variation in Martin’s original storyline throughout the coming season. They have also reassured people that the show won’t lose it’s integrity, commenting that it will still be the Game Of Thrones world that we know and love, there will now simply just be two different versions.

Similarities

Regardless of the attempts made not to step on the toes of Martin’s upcoming novel. It goes without saying that complete uniqueness between the two storylines is going to be impossible. It’s already been slipped than a number of events will be overlapping between the two and it doesn’t seem like there’s any way to get around this. For those worrying about the TV series ruining the books because of this, I guess you will have to rest in the solace that the excitement will come from not knowing which elements of the book are featured and which bits have been created solely for television.

With the shows release coming up in the next few days, people all across the world are getting ready to sit down in front of their screens and see what the next section of the saga has in store for us. Although outpacing the original author is a unique and controversial situation for any series to be in, once those title credits come on and the theme tune begins to play, I doubt there’s a single person out there who won’t be excited and grateful that this much loved story is back on in our lives.

What’s your opinion on the GoT dilemma? Are the producers right to take the story into their own hands or should they have waited for the book? Be sure to leave your thoughts below and start the discussion going!

The way we watch television is changing. No longer can we be bothered with the hassle of waiting for new weekly episodes to be released. We want our entertainment now, readily watchable and all at the same time! If you’re like me, you’ve probably already binge-watched the majority of Netflix, Hulu and any other streaming site of your choice and are searching the depth of these services for unique and interesting programs to fill your evenings and weekends with. This list covers 5 of the best little-known shows that will more than fill your binge-watching needs.

Master Of None

This Netflix original series is a quirky look at life in New York for a young, aspiring Indian actor (played by Aziz Ansari) and his group as friends as he strives to find work and love while avoiding being typecast. It’s refreshingly honest, naturalistic and extremely sarcastic style of humor perfectly mirrors the disgruntled attitude of today’s youth as they try to swim the ever-changing tides of the modern economic and political climate. With the first season fully released and the second on its way, there are plenty of laughs to be had—if you can get over how depressingly accurate Aziz’s never-ending job hunt is. Definitely one to binge on once you’ve come home from a day in the rat race!

Narcos

Another Netflix original, and definitely one to get started on straight away, this creative retelling of the famous Pablo Escobar saga is just the right balance of action, adventure and historical relevance. It gives you an insight into Pablo’s ever-changing world as his life takes him from being Colombia’s Robin Hood to their most wanted criminal. Following the story from the point of view of his family, the Colombian government and two rebellious DEA agents, it addresses the question of what it really means to be the bad guy. With so much drama and suspense in each episode, there’s no way you won’t click “play next.”

Peaky Blinders

Originally released on the BBC, this cinematically spectacular series looks at life in a way is has never before been addressed on TV—through the eyes of illegal bookies in 1920’s Birmingham, England. A generation of men who’ve just returned from the scarring and brutal trench warfare in France, a place where the communists and IRA pose as much threat as the Germans had done on the battlefield years previously, the story is full of twists, turns and changes in allegiance. It follows protagonist Tommy Shelby, a war hero, and his family as their criminal outfit takes over the Birmingham streets and gives even the most esteemed police force a run for their money. With a storyline so gripping and a composition so visually stunning, you most certainly won’t be turning this one off after the first episode.

Departures

One for all the travel lovers out there, this series is the ultimate travel vlog. It was created by two Canadian adventures who left their full time jobs as film makers to travel the world and share their journey with anyone who will watch. From meeting village kings in Madagascar to surviving a whirlwind trip to the incredible Thailand, there are countless adventures to be had with the pair, and their open-minded and jovial narration style makes for a truly classic series. A true masterpiece for any vicarious traveler, if it doesn’t convince you to pack a bag and leave for your own adventures straight away, it’ll have you stuck to your couch watching in awe.

Orphan Black

The Canadian science fiction thriller has been gaining fans at light speed. Looking at the moral and ethical questions surrounding cloning, it takes place in a future dystopia where these controversial practices have become commonplace. Following the story of main character, Sarah Manning, who assumes someone else’s identity after witnessing a traumatic event, its quick-paced and nail-biting action and adventures make it the ideal watch for horror and thriller lovers everywhere. As Sarah finds herself deep in a world she didn’t know existed, she discovers the secret to the origin of the clones, and from then on, she becomes a wanted person by a number of terrifying and controversial factions. If this doesn’t demand a binge-watch, then nothing does!

Do you have a favorite show that you binge-watch regularly? Is there something that deserves to be on this list that isn’t? Be sure to leave a comment below to let me know what you think.

For a long time now, cable has been perhaps the number one way to watch TV. With tons of different channels, there’s always something to watch. But there’s a big catch to cable—an increasingly expensive one—and that’s the cost. While cable prices have continued to increase, the service has remained largely unchanged.

Sure, there are a few new bells and whistles now: HD choices, DVRs to record your shows and more On Demand options than before. But those features are now facing some steep competition both on the front of price and on the front of convenience. As consumers, cable needn’t be the only option. It certainly isn’t the cheapest. So what else is there?

Netflix

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Netflix would be first on the list. With thousands of movies and recent TV shows to view, it presents a clearly valuable choice at the low cost of $7.99 for the basic package, or as much as $11.99 for the premium package. While it does require an internet connection to stream shows, you probably wouldn’t go without internet anyway.

What you get is much more than traditional cable has to offer. You can watch shows on any TV with a viable device connected (such as PS4, Xbox One or Wii U), as well as on Smart TVs with the built in feature for apps. But more than that, you can also watch Netflix on your PC, smartphone, tablet or other similar device.

For those you whom are a little more old fashion, Netflix does still offer a DVD/Blu-ray rental option. This is considerably slower than just streaming, but the choice is there if you need it.

Traveling and still want to view all your favorite Netflix shows on your Android or iPhone? You can, but you’ll need to get yourself a Virtual Private Network (VPN), as Netflix restricts content regionally. With a VPN, you can connect to remote servers located in the US, which will allow you full access to the usual line of content (and it also makes using public WiFi safer).

Sling

The one downside of Netflix is limited access to more ordinary TV programming. But it isn’t the only service on the block competing for your hard earned cash. Starting at $20 a month, Sling offers access to a small handful of the most popular channels, with options to add very select channels for just a fraction of the cost of cable.

Sling functions similar to Netflix in that it can be accessed on a variety of different platforms, though only on one device at a time. Typically owning a device such as a Roku will allow you to watch programs on your television set just like with cable. You’ll also be able to access live television, something not all streaming services offer.

Unlike with cable, you can actually own the device playing your shows, rather than being forced to rent a device for extra cost every month. There are admittedly a few channels missing that might be otherwise available on cable, but at such a steep discount, that hardly matters.

The only real downside is lack of access to “public access” television. You won’t get any local channels just using a Roku or the Sling app. That’s why it may be worth investing in.

Digital Tuners and Antennas

When we think of an antenna, it brings back memories of a bygone era where dad had to climb up on the roof to adjust the signal, perhaps with some aluminum foil. After all, we’ve reached a new era of smart technology.

But with that, we’ve also come far ahead in the field of broadcast television. Many stations such as FOX and NBC publicly broadcast their channels. So long as your TV has a built-in digital tuner, you’re able to receive those signals. For older TVs, you can purchase a separate digital tuner that can decode the signals.

Digital tuners can do more than that though. Newer devices can connect to your WiFi and broadcast to any devices connected in the house. They can even sync up with a PC so that you can create your own DVR system to record, pause and play your shows as you wish.

Naturally, you’ll also need an antenna to pick up the signal. Depending on the antenna, expect to pay anywhere from $20-$100; some antennas are simply better than others, complete with better reception and compatibility with HD signals.

Channel availability will vary with your locale, so this is best used as a supplement to other programs. But given that there is no subscription cost, it works as an excellent complement.

Don’t Be a Slave to Cable

Maybe cable doesn’t deserve all the flak it gets. But with some subscribers paying more than $200 a month, mostly to access just a tiny handful of channels they actually like, it certainly feels like the criticism is justified. If you’ve been stuck paying high cable bills, maybe it’s time to consider an alternative.

Don’t feel like cable is the only option, because it isn’t. Many consumers have decided they needn’t pay through the nose for a service scarcely more feature rich than other, much more affordable alternatives. Cutting the cord might be a little scary at first, but after a few hundred dollars saved in just a few months, you’ll quickly come to appreciate what competition has to offer.

I have a long list of TV shows that I follow, but the amount that I travel often interrupts my viewing schedule. One of my biggest pet-peeves is having an episode spoiled because my friends are talking about it before I’ve had a chance to watch it, so I’ve gotten pretty good at keeping up with all my favorites no matter where my busy life takes me!

Depending on where you are, though, you may have a difficult time finding local shows on basic television channels. You might even encounter restrictions on Netflix, Hulu and the other streaming sites that you love. There’s no reason you should have to go without though!

Here are five ways you can watch anything you want from anywhere:

1. See if your current service provider allows free online streaming.

A lot of television service providers (among them Comcast, DirectTV and many more) allow you to sign on to their websites and stream certain content. Unfortunately, this is for the most part available for live-viewing only, which doesn’t really help if the problem is your busy schedule (or if you’re in a vastly different time zone). But hey, if you’re paying for cable at your home, you might as well get the most out of it.

2. Check if you can watch it on the broadcaster channel’s website.

Increasingly more broadcasters are realizing the value of allowing shows to be streamed from their websites. Not only does this allow their shows to reach a broader audience, but it allows them to give you direct access to special features, outtakes, merchandise and more.

Unlike with television service providers, broadcasters will often restrict their shows to not be viewable live. Instead, you may have to wait a day, and the video may only be available for a certain amount of time (often a week, but sometimes less). I like this option because it’s often free and because it keeps me to a week-by-week schedule where I’m looking forward to the next show-night, just like normal television viewing would!

3. Subscribe to a website so you can stream content.

Netflix has long made a name for itself offering streaming of movies and television shows on its website. Many other sites have followed suit, and now they’ve even started offering exclusive shows that aren’t being broadcast anywhere else. In fact, I find that most of the shows my friends are talking about these days are Netflix Originals!

Unfortunately, when I’m traveling, I find that a lot of these sites won’t allow me to stream from abroad. Then I found out this little trick of using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to hide my IP address so that Netflix doesn’t actually know where in the world I’m located. Now I can catch up on shows during a layover or watch a movie in the hotel on a lazy night in, no matter where I am. It’s definitely helped me get through a few homesick nights!

4. Scour YouTube for interesting content.

You’d be surprised at what you can find on YouTube these days. It’s no longer just a place for dumb videos taken by teens using cheap cellphones! From your favorite music videos to sports clips to DIY lessons to yoga classes, you should be able to find enough content to keep you interested for hours. Weed between the only-on-YouTube content and you might even be able to find some of your favorite movies, despite the fact that copyright restrictions might apply.

5. Torrent movies, shows and other multimedia directly onto your device.

Torrenting services are great because they allow you to download larger files (such as shows or movies) quickly and from a number of sources around the world. Unlike streaming, you’ll be able to save content directly on your device, so you don’t need an internet connection to watch whatever it is (which is great for long bus rides, hanging out in the dentist’s waiting room, etc.).

Of course, torrenting copyrighted material is kind of a legal grey area. Some people say it’s fine as long as you aren’t uploading and sharing any material on your own, but a lot of internet providers will cut your connection if they even suspect you’re torrenting copyrighted content, in a bid to eradicate the issue. But again, a VPN can be a handy tool. It’ll give you an encrypted connection so that your service provider won’t be able to see exactly what you’re up to.

The internet has made it so much easier to access the content we want from anywhere in the world. What are your favorite movies and shows? Do you prefer to watch at home or stream on the go?

Traveling abroad is super exciting, but sometimes you just need to kick back and relax with something familiar. Nothing says “cozy” like curling up on the couch with hot chocolate (or a margarita, depending on the climate) and catching up with your favorite TV shows.

Unfortunately, your favorite TV shows might not be available everywhere in the world. How do you access Game of Thrones and Orange is the New Black as a world traveler?

1. Use a VPN to Watch Netflix

Because of licensing issues, Netflix can’t allow users in certain countries to watch certain TV shows. It’s called geo-blocking, and it’s extremely inconvenient. It’s usually used to preserve copyright restrictions, but it’s also used for other things, such as online gambling sites that aren’t legal in certain places.

Currently, the Netflix service is available in 130 countries, but that doesn’t mean the catalog of TV shows and movies is going to be the same everywhere. As everybody who’s tried to access Netflix from another country knows, American Netflix is undoubtedly the best when it comes to selection. Once you leave the US, the number of choices you have plummets.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help you solve this problem. It creates a secure pathway between the source of data and its destination, keeping information from prying eyes while also protecting it within a shell. Imagine a tank driving through a tunnel. It was invented to allow employees to access company networks when they were working remotely, but now it’s put to a variety of different uses. In this case, you can use it to mask your IP address so it looks as if you’re watching Netflix from inside the US.

2. Torrent New Episodes

The problem with Netflix is that seasons get uploaded all at once, usually months or years after the series ends. It’s great for binge-watching old favorites, but if you want to stay current with a show that’s still on the air, torrenting may be your only option.

If you’re unfamiliar with the idea of torrenting, it’s a type of file sharing in which people share the weight of the download and downloads occur in small pieces. It makes the downloading process much more efficient, so your files are ready to watch as soon as possible.

Plus, torrenting is pretty popular. New episodes will often get uploaded within hours of appearing on TV, meaning you might be even less than a day behind.

Of course, there’s a catch. Torrenting is not inherently illegal, but often people will use torrent sites to host illegal copyrighted material so the sites are under constant government surveillance. These TV shows are included in the category of illegal copyrighted files. Therefore, it’s pretty common for these sites to get shut down, and individual torrenters can be fined outrageous legal fees. Those consequences are usually reserved for the most avid torrenters, but even if you only download a few files, there’s always a danger of catching computer viruses that are appended to the files.

Luckily, you can also use a VPN to combat these problems! As if using it to watch Netflix wasn’t convenient enough, a VPN can also help you torrent safely. The technology can help you avoid legal repercussions by hiding your IP address, but it can also add another layer of protection against computer viruses while downloading.

3. Convince a Friend to Get a Slingbox

 Slingbox isn’t a popular solution to geographical TV restrictions, and there’s a reason. It’s not very convenient, but as a last resort, it will work. Slingbox was invented so that people could get their cable TV channels on any device, such as their mobile phones or the TV at their vacation homes. So if you convince a friend or family member in your home country to buy a Slingbox, you can watch your favorite TV shows together.

Obviously, there are some flaws in this plan. You need someone to buy a Slingbox just for you, and you would have to agree on one channel at the same time. If you and your sister have watched every Vikings game together since you were kids, she might be willing to shell out and agree not to change the channel, but not everyone will be that patient.

What shows can’t you miss? How are you going to watch them? Let us know in the comments below!