In no order, HBO is the best programming network, and the original premium channel. Now you can get it without a cable subscription in the same way that Netflix is available. HBO is a pioneer in bringing the best of the best to your living room, it’s worth a look, and here are the best 5 ways to start.

Entourage – Season 5 Episode 12

This series is the male version of ‘Sex and the City’, it’s a lot of guy comedy mixed with the actual plot and story arc. This is the best episode of the series, and also where it jumped the shark. It exemplifies the best things that the series has always relied on, friendship, loyalty, and ultimately making the best artistic decision possible, regardless of the logic.

Foo Fighters – Sonic Highways Episode 7 – Seattle

Dave Grohl’s series, ‘Sonic Highways’ is amazing for any music fan. This episode in particular pulls all of the emotion and history out of the origin of Dave’s music. He get’s into his earliest days in music, talks about his time with Nirvana, and as always, is the most genuine and honest man in modern rock’n’roll. Even if you don’t like the early grunge-era music, there are so many other musicians in the episode that make it worth watching.

The Wire – Season 2 Episode 6 – ‘All Prologue’

The best show in the history of television. You can line a group of critics around the block to say the same thing. If you like crime dramas, this is your show, and this is arguably the most accessible episode. Omar Little, one of the main characters throughout the series, and also President Obama’s favorite character, steals the show when he takes the stand against another rival drug dealer. His testimony alone is worth the watch.

The Newsroom – Season 1 Episode 1

Quite possibly the best introductory 10 minutes in a series ever. I’m sure it’s more difficult to enjoy if you don’t lean left politically, but this series deserves at least an episodes’ glance. It presents an excellent, and critical perspective on modern American news. If you watch nothing else, watch the first 10 minutes of the pilot, it may even give you that bump to register to vote.

The Sopranos – Season 1 Episode 1 

The legendary series that you’ve always heard about. Often compared to ‘The Wire’, and for good reason. They are both excellent, but require more effort than the average network, wrap it up in an hour drama. This is just the beginning for Tony Soprano, but this episode sets up the series perfectly. Never has a character been emotionalized by ducks in his swimming pool, especially considering he is a mob boss.

So in short, get HBO as soon as you can, and check out the many amazing shows they have to offer. Many are also available on Amazon Prime, let good taste prevail!