Home for the holidays or just have time off? You should be watching Veep instead of Game of Thrones, and here are 10 reasons why.
The holidays normally give people a few days off. In that special time between Christmas and the new year, it’s common for there to be just about no entertainment news. Everyone needs a break, you know? HBO has chosen to take advantage of that time by scheduling the first full series marathon of Game of Thrones. That’s all well and good, and relieving those epic moments is not a bad way to spend a couple of days, but we’re officially throwing our hat in for Veep over Game of Thrones when it comes to holiday viewing.
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It’s true that Game of Thrones has that whole winter angle working for it, but it’s also long, and serious, and sometimes broody. Veep is none of those things, and it’s also hysterical. For combating the post-holiday depression that sometimes crops up, or for just watching something relatively light-hearted with a couple of friends, Veep is the way to go. HBO isn’t airing the series in a marathon, but we live in the future now, and as long as you have access to HBO Go or HBO Now, you’re good to go. The first two seasons are also available on Amazon Prime.
By no means do you have to watch in order, which is also another pro against Game of Thrones. To get you started, click on for some of our favorites.
Season 1
Episode 3, ‘Catherine’
Image Credit: HBO
It’s only right to start with the first season. ‘Catherine’ introduces us to Selina’s awkward, deadpan daughter, Catherine. The introduction would be worth inclusion on this list on its own, but we also get a great episode about a hurricane called Selina. Catherine would go on to be a fairly important character, but this first taste is a fine way to kick things off
Episode 7, ‘Full Disclosure’
Image Credit: HBO
‘Full Disclosure’ is classic early Veep. The episode juggles multiple storylines, including one which puts Gary in a fantastically awkward situation. The Clean Jobs Bill is an important Veep plot point, but the background on it isn’t all that necessary. We also learn about Selina’s past miscarriage, which she chooses to partially share with the public.
Season 2
Episode 5, ‘Helsinki’
Image Credit: HBO
‘Helsinki’ finds Selina and some of her staff traveling to Finland for a trade agreement. This episode features the first appearance of Minna Häkkinen, the Finnish Prime Minister. Häkkinen’s dry sarcasm and constant smiling makes her one of the show’s finest characters. Thankfully we see more of here as the show goes on. Technically this episode relies a little on the one that came before it, ‘The Vic Allen Dinner,’ but it stands well enough on its own. But since we are talking about a marathon, after all, why not just watch both?
Eepisode 8, ‘First Response’
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‘First Response’ is so good that its’ difficult to know where to start. First off, it features a guest appearance by Allison Janney as a reporter out for blood, and that’s not even the best part. Catherine, Selina, and her ex-husband, Andrew, are forced to act like a normal family in order to save face. The dinner that they have together is one of Veep’s best scenes. Consider this episode a must watch.
Season 3
Episode 2, ‘The Choice’
Image Credit: HBO
‘The Choice’ is Veep at its peak. The team is left scrambling after the president flips his stance on pro-choice, leading to some truly excellent comedy. They don’t want to often anyone, which ends up being about as difficult as it sounds. This is also the debut of Jonah’s blog, which is worthy of its own episode.
Episode 5, ‘Fishing’
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You know, the episode in which Selina goes fishing. There is a lot of meat here besides the fishing storyline: Amy and Dan compete for campaign manager, Mike is trying to do IVF, and Jonah gets another start in politics. The best episodes of Veep are when multiple storylines are firing on all cylinders, and that is certainly the case here.
Season 4
Episode 3, ‘Data’
Image Credit: HBO
This episode introduces the data link plot line that will become a major issue. There’s some fun hi jinx with a potential scapegoat. Beyond that, Catherine wants to rev up an anti-bullying campaign, which makes sense considering her mother is an incredible bully. ‘Data’ also features some nice Mike embarrassment, something which is always welcome.
Episode 8, ‘B/ill’
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It’s always makes for good entertainment when high-powered political figures are sick. The West Wing had great success with this, and so has Veep. Selina is sick and most exert her power from bed, which makes her even more irritable. There is also a stellar side story involving Gary when he accidentally makes an illegal political move.
Season 5
Episode 4, ‘The Eagle’
Image Credit: HBO
Basically the episode in which Selina tweets. Her bad tweet causes a bit of a firestorm that Mike is forced to control, and the blame ends up being put on Chinese hackers. This is not good. Gary also gets a lot of attention, and we love when that happens. ‘The Eagle’ handily proves that even five seasons later, Veep has no intention of slowing down.
Episode 6, ‘C**tgate’
Image Credit: HBO
There was no way this episode wasn’t going to make the list. Somebody calls Selina a very bad word, and there is a witch hunt to try to figure out who the culprit was. In typical (and fantastic) Veep fashion, the culprit ends up being everyone. Spoiler alert? Whatever, just watch it.
Next: Will The Young Pope succeed for HBO?
This list is by no means exhaustive, and is meant only as a jumping off point. Do yourself a favor and binge Veep. Game of Thrones will be there later.