Combined Minds 

The girls talk seasonal TV shows and movies

Words by Carmen Macri and Ambar Ramirez

Carmen: It seems like common knowledge that certain movies and TV shows just feel better during certain times of the year. Take Harry Potter, for instance. Name one sociopath who chooses to watch the series during summer. No, Harry Potter is a must-watch during the late fall or early winter months. I don’t make the rules, I just enforce them. But let’s talk about why that may be. 

Ambar: I’m on my sixth rewatch of “Gilmore Girls,” and honestly, I can’t even explain it. Every time fall rolls around—though, living in Florida, the leaves changing is more of a daydream than a reality — I find myself heading straight to Netflix to revisit this beloved autumn show. At first, I thought it was just me, but when I discovered that nearly everyone else seems to binge it during the fall too, I started to wonder: what makes this series a seasonal must-watch? Is it Richard Gilmore’s memorable line from the first season, “I’m an Autumn,” or is it simply because the seven seasons give you the perfect excuse to stay bundled up in bed for months? Whatever the reason, if “Gilmore Girls” isn’t part of your fall routine, what are you even doing?

Carmen: Now is probably a bad time to tell you I’ve never watched it… 

Ambar: And it’s one of the biggest gaps in our friendship.

Carmen: Take a deep breath Ambar, we’re fine. Have I watched “New Girl”? Absolutely. How many times? That’s between me and God. But I will admit, it’s only been a binge-watch tradition for me during early spring. The ice starts thawing (metaphorically), and it’s time for a little spring cleaning. And by spring cleaning, I mean shaking off the cobwebs, tossing out the water bottles stashed by your bed, and making your way to the living room because we’re watching “New Girl.” The show practically screams spring — not just because of the bright colors that seem to have thrown up over the costume design, but because it’s all about Jessica Day’s journey after a life-shattering breakup. You get to watch her bloom like a beautiful flower. Not to mention Nick Miller is the love of my life but that’s beside the point. 

Ambar: If you’re not up for committing to a seven-season series and just need a one-night escape, nothing says spring quite like “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” We all get that urge to cut loose every now and then, and instead of causing chaos in your own neighborhood, why not live it vicariously through Bueller himself? Once again, we don’t make the rules, we just follow them — or, like Bueller, you could just break them entirely.

Carmen: This one also seems self-explanatory — but necessary— to add. “The Lord of the Rings” is undoubtedly a fall series, but not just fall, no, it is pigeon-holed into November specifically. With the gloom and doom that is “Fellowship of the Ring,” it only makes sense that you have to watch it while the sun is hiding behind charcoal clouds. Imagine this, you just finish eating your body weight in turkey, stuffing and 10 different types of potatoes, you saunter into the living room and see no other than Elijah Woods’ Frodo Baggins gracing the screen … name a better night. 

Ambar: Hate to break it to you, but if you’re watching Christmas specials in winter, you’re doing it all wrong. Why lean toward joy and merriment when you can lean toward what winter is really about, vampires and werewolves? That’s right, the “Twilight” saga is the ultimate winter binge. The gloomy, snow-covered Washington backdrop perfectly captures the mood we all feel during the cold months. And with a cast paler than the moon, you won’t be missing out on any sunshine. Who knows? Maybe Edward Cullen will catch a glimpse of your pale face through the screen and fall in love with you.

Carmen: I get it—technically, it’s a summer show since every season drops in July. I hear you. But honestly, even if it premiered in, say, October, it would still scream summer. Maybe it’s because the kids are on summer break in season 3 with a full-on fair and fireworks. Daytime trips to the mall or the entire lifeguard plot (I miss you, Billy). Or maybe it’s the whole ’80s aesthetic with the neon colors and tube socks that just radiate summer. Or, let’s be real, it could just be that killer soundtrack in every season. In case you didn’t catch on, I’m talking about “Stranger Things.” But you knew that already, right?

Ambar: The only redeeming factor in our relationship is when I told Carmen to watch “Sex and the City” and she actually did.

Carmen: Season 4, episode 12. Don’t spoil anything (else).

Ambar: There’s just something about the hot summer months that makes you rethink your whole personality (and wardrobe). And what better way to pull off a total personal rebrand than by adopting the persona of a completely different character? Are you a Miranda, a Charlotte, a Carrie or a Samantha? I like to think I’m a Carrie, but that isn’t something I like to broadcast.

Carmen: I am also a Carrie and, unfortunately, I also have a Big but that’s neither here nor there. There is something so summer about watching four best friends navigate life in their 30s in the bustling city. The plot lines, the outfits, the love stories. It is also one of the most relatable shows I’ve ever watched. None of them really have their shit together, and that is just so comforting to me. The chaotic nature of each character matches how we usually feel during the summer months.