ELLIE SKJERSAA  / ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

Whether you use it to be informed, to be entertained or to escape the uncertainty of the real world, it is undeniable that the media, especially television, plays an immense role in most people’s lives. For busy students that face loads of coursework, the stress of employment or involvement in campus organizations, life can get overwhelming. Many students revert to television as a way to wind down after a crazy day, oftentimes turning to their favorite comfort shows. 

“Watching a show I’ve already seen definitely gives me a break from reality,” USD senior Ave Sandstrom said. “There’s also this element of nostalgia in there, and  sometimes that’s just what you need.”

In  contrast to  watching a new  show, comfort shows nurture relaxation because the twists and turns of the plot are already anticipated. Being on the edge of your seat is not necessarily sought out in times of high stress.

“I feel like I always start watching [a comfort show] in the thick of the semester when I don’t have enough brain space to start a new show but I want to have something on in the background,” USD senior Zoe Black said.

In comparison to films, long-running television shows can be watched over the span of months or even years. Because of this, finishing a series and saying goodbye to the characters you love most can be a challenge. Rewatching can provide one with a sense of comfort in knowing that these characters will always be there.

However, for some, the characters aren’t necessarily  what  keep them  coming   back.   For students like USD junior Emma Vertiz, the artistic nature of the show is what she appreciates.

“Letting myself just live in that world of action which is so separated from my life or anyone’s life, it’s just fun to be in that for a moment and to let myself go for a moment to appreciate the cinematography, the art and the work that was put into it,” Vertiz said.  “I can enjoy that every time.”

All of these elements are crucial to what makes a series worth watching over and over. USD students reflect on their favorite comfort shows and why they return.

“Friends”

“Friends” largely focuses on the intricacies and values of friendship, the struggles of adulthood and the growth one inevitably goes through. For students like Sandstrom, the show offers stability at a time of discomfort. Sandstrom explained that when she traveled by herself at a young age, she turned to “Friends” to find support in a time when she felt homesick.

“I was looking for familiarity and comfort, and ‘Friends’ was on Netflix so I watched it pretty much every night I was [abroad],” Sandstrom said. 

Sandstrom also noted that a lot of the comfortability it offered could be attributed to the characters in the show.

“This show is kind of unique because there isn’t just one main character that people connect with and see themselves in like the way it is in other shows,” Sandstrom said. “There are six main characters,  and they are all so different. Obviously not very different in terms of race, but they’re different in terms of gender, personality, story and occupation and I feel like everyone can identify with someone in the show. I love Joey and Phoebe, and without them I definitely wouldn’t watch the show.”

“Primal”

Genndy Tartakovsky’s sketches for the series, “Primal.” Photo courtesy of @genndytartakovsky/Instagram

This Adult Swim cartoon series was created by Genndy Tartakovsky, a Russian-American  animator  who is  known for his animated series “Samurai Jack” and “Dexter’s Laboratory.” “Primal” centers around themes of survival, the hardships of loss and the beauty that one can find in connecting with others. What separates it from other shows is the absence of dialogue  throughout the episodes.

For  Vertiz, “Primal” is special. Although she doesn’t rewatch many series, this one has stuck with her throughout the years.

“I love his art, I love gory action shows and [Tartakovsky] has all of that,” Vertiz said. “His world building and those connections you can make with the characters without having any dialogue, what a unique thing. It’s like you’re on that journey with [the characters]. When you see them happy or when they struggle, you really feel something which is just really incredible.”

Although the characters are somewhat unlikable, Vertiz explained that there is still a desire to  root for them because of the hardships that the audience watches them go through. In that way, they can be relatable to anyone who has  gone  through the  heartache  of  losing  someone  that  they  love or has grappled with the complex realities of human nature. 

“New Girl”

Main character Jessica Day from “New Girl.” Photo courtesy of @officialnewgirl/Instagram

For students like Black, “New Girl” is a go-to show. The series follows the lives of five friends and roommates who endure comical scenarios together, navigate complex relationships and face the ups and downs of what it means to grow older.

“I love it because the characters are really unique, funny and they are relatable. It is a good reminder that no one’s normal,” Black said. 

Like Sandstrom and Vertiz, Black finds that the characters are what bring her back every time. Not only are the characters entertaining, but they are also relatable to college students who may be struggling to find their purpose in the world.

“I think it makes me feel better about being an adult because [the cast] are all adults still living with friends, are funny and don’t have super serious jobs,” Black said.

“Adventure Time”

Lead characters Finn and Jake from “The Adventure Time” series. Photo courtesy of @adventuretime/Instagram

Cartoon Network is home to the popular show “Adventure Time.” This animated series takes place in the Land of Ooo, a thousand years after a nuclear war destroyed civilization. Jake the Dog and Finn the Human, the main characters of the show, take the viewers along on their wild adventures in this coming of age series. 

For Generation Z, this show was a favorite due to the imaginative world it takes place in and for its quirky yet captivating humor. For some students, comfort shows are those that have elements of nostalgia.

“I think [‘Adventure Time’ is]  really funny,” USD senior Zach Babbs said. “It’s definitely more tailored toward a young boy, so it has stupid jokes that I liked growing up and continue to like now.”

The shows people revert to in moments when yearning for the known are sometimes those enjoyed during childhood. This could be because of the simpler times one enjoyed in their  youth.

“I watched it as a kid, and I guess when I’m watching it [now] it brings me back to the times when I didn’t have as many obligations,” Babbs said.

Television serves as a powerful and reliable escape for students. Whether it’s the relatable characters, engaging storylines or the familiarity of a show watched during childhood, comfort shows foster relaxation and a reminder of simpler moments. The comedic nature of “Friends” and “New Girl” and the action and artistry of “Primal” and “Adventure Time” make these a few of the shows that some Toreros love to rewatch.

Ross. Phoebe, Rachel, Joey, Monica and Chandler from “Friends.” Photo courtesy of @warnerbrostv/Instagram