The Boroughs - Netflix

What if you could go back in time and still be as adventurous as you were 40 years ago? A wide-eyed prepubescent, the adolescent feeling is just that—a feeling captured in your Generation X body. Its exploits may be fun, but they might kill you in the end. In the comedy/sci-fi Netflix series The Boroughs, a misfit band of five senior citizens proves that agism in both cinema and episodic television is prevalent, and it is certainly not relevant in this funny, action-packed sci-fi series.

In The Boroughs, a group of retirees lives in a community that, on the surface, appears to be the perfect place: serene, beautiful homes, great food, and staff that seem to care. But it is in the middle of nowhere in the New Mexico desert, alien territory. It’s a place where the fountain of youth has been found through an extraterrestrial being whom they call mother. Using the resident’s brain fluid to stay forever young, a dedicated group of the elderly is The Borough's only hope.

The 8-part series stars Alfred Modina (Spider-Man 2), Alfre Woodard, and Gena Davis (The Long Kiss Good Night). The series is funny but intelligent enough to avoid becoming goofy or campy. It captures the feeling of Steven Spielberg’s classic, The Goonies, if they were grandparents instead of kids. Each adventurer has a distinct role in the expedition. Modina’s engineer is the smart one, and his grief over his recently deceased wife makes him a bit antisocial. Alfre Woodwood is the extrovert who will do anything to solve the problem, partly seeking revenge for the death of her lover. Then there is her enlightened cannabis chemist husband, Clarke (Art Daniels), who searches for meaning each morning, looking for adventure in the desert. Lastly, Renee (Davis) is the badass of the group. When courage is needed, she gives the group Popeye-like strength.

No, there is no hidden treasure at the end, but there are plenty of tunnels and caves, and things that will kill you, and a vast desert littered with other oddities to be concerned with. The Boroughs definitely induce binge-watching. All episodes are about 45–50 minutes long. Easy night of watching. Gather your treats, make sure you are hydrated, and enjoy. It is definitely a Netflix-and-take-it-easy night.