Kendra Steele

#10 #10

By Kendra Steele

T V EPISODES YOU SHOULD WA T CH

Fellow quarantine binge-watchers, are you tired of watching your favorite TV show characters eat out at restaurants and go on beach trips? Are the shows that normally distract you from our crumbling reality now only reminding you of the lack of agency you have over your own life? Well, I’ve got the perfect watch list for you!

While no one could have predicted the COVID-19 pandemic, there are quite a few classic TV episodes that involve characters avoiding sickness, getting trapped in one place for too long, or losing their minds after being around the same people for several hours. Right now, the most revolutionary thing that you can do is safely find any small bits of joy you can. I hope that you’ll find these episodes relatable and comforting in these times of woe. 01. “The Gang Get Quarantined” – It’s Always

Sunny in Philadelphia, S9 E7

In this episode, “The Gang” is preparing for a singing competition and must quarantine themselves in order to protect their vocal chords from a viral flu. Quote: “Oh my God, for the last time, we’re not playing quarantine, this is a quarantine.” —Dennis

02. “Cooperative Calligraphy” – Community,

S2 E8

The study group places themselves in a voluntary lockdown after a pen goes missing. The question of who stole it threatens to tear these friends apart. Quote: “Accidents don’t just happen over and over again, okay? This isn’t budget daycare.” —Annie

03. “Sam Again” – New Girl, S5 E13 When Nick gets the flu, it isn’t long before the rest of the roommates get it as well. Schmidt, who is terrified of getting the flu, forces his infected friends to quarantine themselves. Quote: “No germ can live in a body that is 65% beer.” —Nick

V EPISODES DURING QUARAN T INE

04. “All-Nighter” – Superstore, S1 E9 In this episode, the Cloud 9 workers find themselves trapped in the store after hours. The retail workers reflect on their lives and vent about their harrowing jobs. Quote: “We’re locked in!” —Glenn

05. “Hurricane Wanda” – Broad City, S1 E7 After a dangerous hurricane hits New York, Abbi and Ilana must stay inside with their quirky roommates and Abbi’s crush! This awkward group struggles to keep themselves calm and entertained during a night without electricity. Quote: “In case we all die, there is something that I must confess to you, Ilana. Last summer I switched our laptop chargers in the night like a sneaky thief. And that’s why yours never works. And I see you try and you try and you try and it’s because it’s mine. It’s never gonna work, Ilana.” —Jaime

06. “Leslie and Ron” – Parks and

Recreation, S7 E4

After a falling-out between the two, Ron and Leslie’s friends force them to stay in the Parks and Recreation office until they forgive each other. Quote: “I feel extremely angry.” —Ron 07. “Heat Wave” – New Girl, S5 E9 While Los Angeles experiences a citywide heat wave, the tenants of apartment 4D must find electric fans, ice machines—anything to keep cool. Quote: “The heat is untenable.” —Schmidt

08. “9 Days” – Brooklyn 99, S3 E12 When Jake and Captain Holt are exposed to the mumps, they are forced to quarantine themselves for nine days. Quote: “You’re quarantined! You can’t go outside spewing mumps like a couple of mump fountains.” —Amy

09. “Mindy St. Claire” – The Good Place,

S1 E3

Seeking refuge, Eleanor and the gang escape to “The Medium Place” and have to decide if they want to live a life of mediocrity or fight for something better. Quote: “Ooh, I’ve never had to walk before, this is fun! [Walks a few steps] Now I’m bored. Walking is dumb.” —Janet

10. “The Flu” – Parks and Recreation, S3 E2 In this episode, Leslie and the rest of the town go to extremes to avoid getting the flu. Quote: “What’s with the mask?” . . . “Flu protection. My body is finely tuned like a microchip and the flu is like a grain of sand. It could literally shut down the entire system.” —Chris