Bingeing the Nineties

With so many options to binge nowadays, it's difficult to know what to watch. Maybe you don't just like one type of show. It can't be all reality or science fiction shows for you. I'm the same way. I mix up my binges all the time, but I have to admit that 1993 debuted some of the best bingeable shows that I will still watch today. Check them out; maybe you'll want to catch them, too!

Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman

Set in the 1800s, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman lasted six seasons and spawned two movies. Though the premise was a lady doctor who left Boston to move to Colorado where she hoped she would be accepted and able to practice, in reality, the series was more an homage to true realities of life during this time period.

Dr. Michaela "Dr. Mike" Quinn comes to Colorado Springs and almost immediately becomes a single mother to three children after the death of her friend. She struggles with her new role as well as finding patients in the small town, but with the assistance of mountain man, Sully, she soon develops a love and kinship with the town and its people.

The romance between Dr. Mike and Sully is a large portion of the overall arc of the series; however, the show delivered some truly gripping episodes from the past like Washita which is was based on The Battle of Washita River, Epidemic which details the town's struggle with the flu, and The First Circle which is a horrifying look at the arrival of the KKK in Colorado Springs.

If you love history, romance, and strong women, you should give Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman a try. You can stream it on Philo with a free trial.

NYPD Blue

By showing nudity and allowing the use of profanity not normally used on mainstream television, NYPD Blue broke new ground when it debuted in 1993. Lasting for twelve seasons, the series revolved around a squad room of detectives, their personal lives, and the crimes they solved on a daily basis.

The multiple award-winning program toured the underbelly of New York City in the nineties and addressed issues still prevalent in today's society like racism, alcoholism, domestic violence, sexual assault, and police corruption. Though episodes were often dark and gritty, the writers knew how to add just the right amount of light moments, often with a wisecrack from lead character Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz), who portrayed a recovering alcoholic who was uncomfortable with emotion and fiercely devoted to his family.

Though the series had weekly crimes to solve, the show was at its best when it delved into the characters as they struggled to maintain their lives outside the precinct while battling some of the worst crimes on the city streets. When the credits rolled for the final time on NYPD Blue, television lost something truly spectacular.

Fortunately, all twelve seasons are currently available for bingeing on Hulu.

Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

With villains like Bad Brain, Prankster, Toyman, and Anonymous, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman didn't tackle realistic crime. Instead, the show veered toward the cheesy goodness of superhero vs. maniacal bad guys who, more often than not, wanted Superman's head as a trophy. But that's not what made this series great anyway.

Teri Hatcher's portrayal of Lois Lane as a feisty, take-charge reporter who would do anything to get the story and Dean Cain's calm, easygoing act as Clark Kent did. And their onscreen chemistry was one of the many reasons why this 1990s show was a hit.

Focusing more on the personal life of Clark Kent than Superman, this series took a different approach to superheroes, and it worked. Though viewers still saw Superman each week, the majority of the episodes revolved around the working (and later personal) relationship between Lois and Clark and the trouble they got into trying to break newsworthy stories.

The series had its fair share of humor which is another reason why it's perfect to binge. If you love romance, Superman, and all things Metropolis, you'll love this series.

All four seasons are available to stream through DC Universe's online platform.

Honestly, you can't go wrong with any three of these series. So if you're looking for something different, and maybe a little bit of nostalgia, add these shows to your binge list.