As the weather changes, days get shorter and nights longer, and the desire to leave your house grows fleeting with each passing day, it only makes sense to seek solace in some wonderful, strange, and thought-provoking shows to keep yourself sharp. Here are some suggestions to beat the winter of our discontent.

Over the Garden Wall

While only ten episodes long, the Emmy-winning TV show Over the Garden Wall contains incredibly impactful storytelling, with one of the most captivating plots in recent animated history. The two main characters, Wirt, the awkward, people-pleasing older brother, and Gregory, the fun, excitable little sibling, find themselves lost in the woods, guided by the help of a talking blue-bird. Its initial appearance may seem lighthearted, but don’t let that fool you. While the show may begin as an upbeat series about two brothers finding their way lost within a shadowy forest, the series quickly develops to showcase the darker nature of things, playing with themes of death, grief, and the afterlife. The story delves majorly into Wirt’s life and the audience slowly learns more about the true nature of their situation through the plot’s development. Over the Garden Wall also includes a beautiful soundtrack, featuring vibrant instrumentals and haunting vocals. Not only is the storytelling beautiful, with an amazing soundtrack, but the show’s artwork truly encapsulates the feeling of a fall day as a forest of oranges and yellow leaves fill the background, making Over the Garden Wall an ideal watch for an autumn day.

(Available on Hulu)

Twin Peaks

Following the murder of high-school prom queen Laura Palmer, FBI Agent Dale Cooper, played by Kyle MacLachlan, is left to sort clues in a lengthy and extravagant investigation. The majority of the show focuses on much more serious topics, following a haunting story of abuse and addiction. It paints the life of Laura after her death, retelling her last days in an attempt to figure out her killer. As the show develops, the audience learns the true nature of this small town, as the underlying crime is exposed after Laura’s death. While at face-value, the show may seem like a cut and dry crime drama, it involves a large supernatural element, with talk of spirits and the afterlife. The supernatural aspect of the show is mostly explored later in the series, as many unknowns are revealed. A great portion of the show also focuses on the plots occurring within the lives of the Twin Peaks residents. Its soap opera-like side-plots leave the viewer engaged in numerous different romances and dramas happening within the town. If you’re unfamiliar with David Lynch’s work, Twin Peaks, like his movies, is largely surreal in nature. With cryptic messages from dreams, log-ladies, llamas, and long winded conversations about Tibet, Twin Peaks often plays on abstract humor. You will no doubt find yourself questioning what is happening at points, all while being thoroughly entertained. Its setting shapes that perfect foggy fall day and its surrounding forests of Redwoods and Douglas fit the late October and November scene perfectly.

(Available on Paramount+)

The X-Files

The X-Files is a mix of sci-fi, crime drama, and romance all in one show, containing something for just about anyone. The two lead FBI agents, Scully, a by-the-books med student turned agent, and Mulder, an outcast within the department obsessed with questioning the paranormal, are assigned together in an attempt to rationalize Mulder’s outlandish beliefs. Following countless cases involving the extraterrestrial, Mulder and Scully investigate it all. Whether that be the usual UFOS and aliens, which take up a large majority of episodes, or the “Monster of the Week,” episodes featuring various supernatural creatures, they attempt to piece together the clues laid out. With eleven seasons and the two feature films, The X-Files: Fight the Future and The X-Files: I Want to Believe, it is by no means short on content and is perfect for anyone looking for a longer watch. The underlying romantic tension between the two characters also creates an on-screen chemistry that is unparalleled. The unresolved nature of Mulder and Scully’s romance constantly leaves viewers wondering what will happen next. The X-Files is a classic spooky show, and a great watch for anyone this season.

(Available on Hulu)