Not everyone plans the same thing for the 4th of July. Sure, for some the holidays are all about family, friends, barbecues, swimming pools, yada, yada, yada. My favorite part of the holidays? Watching TV marathons. I do it every year for every holiday. Thanksgiving it’s every Thanksgiving themed episode of “Friends”. Halloween, there’s nothing better than “Buffy”. Christmas and Chanukah it’s any holiday themed episode of my favorite shows. Valentine’s day, episodes where my favorite TV couples fall in love. 4th of July? Well that’s what I’m hear to advise you on today!
Given the theme of 4th of July is our independence, I think it’s highly appropriate to have a binge marathon on TV shows where the characters are fighting for their beliefs. Especially the episodes where they rise to the occasion against all odds.
Here’s my suggestion of 8 great shows to marathon or 12 selected episodes to include in your perfect 4th of July marathon:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer-
For the super Buffy enthusiast, power watch the show starting bright and early Thursday morning. As someone who watched the 4th season of Angel in just one day, I know it is entirely possibly to enjoy at least 4 seasons of Buffy over this four day weekend! If you don’t have that much time on your hands, I suggest including these episodes in your ultimate 4th of July marathon:
S2x21/22: “Becoming Pt. 1 & 2”
No friends. No family. What does Buffy have left? Herself.
S3x1: “Anne”
After Buffy runs off to LA, she realizes that no matter where she runs, she will always be the slayer and fighting against evil.
S7x22: “Chosen”
The First may think it’s all mighty and powerful but in this episode, an important choice is made that empowers each potential slayer.
Angel
If you’re already a Whedonite, chances are, you’ve already seen it all. Change up your usual marathon and watch the first season of Angel and the fifth season back to back to really highlight the rising moments of our hero! No matter what, don’t forget to watch the final episode:
S5x22: “Not Fade Away”
This show was about fighting for the greater good, fighting for a cause. Whether Team Angel would win or lose this final battle, it didn’t matter. What matters is they got to work and they fought.
24
If you’re going to pick a season of 24 to binge watch, pick season 5. Not only is it, in my opinion, the best season, Jack also came back to town from on the run because he needed to save the day once again. If you’re going to stick with my 12 episodes marathon, switch to season 1 and watch these two amazing episodes:
S1x12/13: “Day 1: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm” & “Day 1: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm”
It’s impossible to choose just one and hard to choose just two episodes of 24 but these episodes were the only true ones where if it ended at 1:00 pm, Jack would have saved the day.
Castle
There is nothing better than Kate Beckett trying to find the answers to her mother’s murder. I’d suggest watching the episodes that showcase Beckett’s greatest cause and don’t skip out on this gem of an episode:
S3x24: “Knockout”
Sure, Captain Montgomery was involved in some bad stuff way back in the day but he died a hero: sacrificing his life to try and save Beckett and put an end to the coverup.
Chuck
One of my TV favorites! Chuck is the perfect way to spend 4th of July. It’s got comedy, it’s got drama, and most importantly, it shows the rise of a hero, in a mostly non-supernatural setting (we’ll pretend the intersect is a real thing). If you have the chance and don’t depend on sleep, you can watch this show in four days. Hit the play all button and don’t look back. If you have to pick a season though, pick season 2. It marked Chuck’s change from a guy stuck as a hero to a guy who truly wants to save the world. Pick just one episode? Go with this one:
S2x22: “Chuck vs. The Ring”
Becoming the intersect wasn’t Chuck’s choice but becoming a hero was.
Friends
Amidst all of the other shows full of drama, you’re probably a little surprised to see Friends on this list! Independence though doesn’t always have to be about fighting battles and saving the world. For most of us normal people, this show represents what independence is truly about. Getting out into the world and surviving on your own. Pick your favorite episodes but don’t forget this classic:
S1x1: “The One Where Monica Gets a Roommate”
Not everything you watch today has to be filled with explosions. Rachel did cut up her father’s credit cards in this episode and it doesn’t get any more independent than that!
White Collar
Neal may not be free but he’s got a pretty sweet deal and who knows, maybe one day he will get to independently choose to be an agent with the FBI. If you don’t have the 4th (and latest) season saved on your DVR, you can watch the first three, which are all on DVD. No matter what, be sure to watch this episode:
S3x16: “Judgement Day”
Will Neal wake up tomorrow and only answer to himself? Or will his independence still remain years away?
Dexter
4th of July just took a massive turn to the dark side – or should I say, dark passenger? Yes, Dexter is a serial killer. Yes. It’s not good that he kills people. But honestly, isn’t he just Superman without superpowers and a cape? He still kills the bad guys. Dexter struggles with his independence every day. He thinks he’s without a soul and yet he doesn’t want to let go of Harry’s Code because he truly does not want to hurt the innocent. Enter your binge marathon of Dexter with the first season and don’t miss it’s concluding episode:
S1x12: “Born Free”
Who is Dexter Morgan? Is he a super hero or a serial killer? Dexter is always trying to figure out who he is but when given the choice to save Deb’s life or finally have his long lost brother, he battles himself and his code and chooses.
Don’t own any of these on DVD or have Netflix? Don’t fret. There’s always an “NCIS” marathon happening on USA, a “Castle” marathon on TNT, a “Star Trek: TNG” marathon on BBC, or if you don’t feel like seeing people battling for the greater good in solid story lines, there’s always the show where self righteous characters battle for their own greater good, “Beverly Hills, 90210” on Soap. If you’re not into a TV marathon, my final suggestion is to watch a Die Hard movie marathon. Just skip the latest one and pretend it never happened.
Have a great 4th of July everyone!