If you've never heard of Rectify, it's time to listen up, because you're missing the best show on television right now.
Rectify is about Daniel Holden (Aden Young), a man who spends almost 20 years on death row before new evidence vacates the original conviction and he returns to his small hometown in Georgia.
And after its recent recognition from the Peabody Awards, one of the most prestigious awards in media, now is the time to get into it.
First, it's got a truly beautiful brother-sister relationship.
And Daniel's sister, Amantha (Abigail Spencer), is one of the biggest badasses around.
She's sharp, clever, and unafraid to back down, but despite her hard edge, she's also one of the most deeply loving and caring characters you'll ever see.
It's also a visually stunning series.
Like, LOOK AT HOW BEAUTIFUL THIS IS. LOOK.
Plus, you'll actually think while watching Rectify.
If you're more into shows for their ~exciting plots~ rather than atmospheric brilliance, then lucky for you, Season 2 ramped up the question of who actually committed the crime that landed Daniel in jail.
Can the series get a little dark? Sure, but what are you expecting from a series about a man who may have wrongfully spent half his life on death row?
And unlike other shows that are bleak simply for the sake of being bleak, Rectify's darkness is full of purpose. As Daniel learns the realities of a world that largely does not want or accept him, we see society as it looks through his eyes — empty, lacking forgiveness, and deeply rooted in the tragedies of the past.
And don't worry — it's not all dark.
There are some people around Daniel who treat him with love and respect, giving Daniel and the viewer hope that he may be able to successfully re-enter society after all.
Of course, there's also a TON of other great stuff happening on the show — far too much to mention.
From Daniel's relationship with his prison friend, Kerwin, to the struggles of his sister-in-law, Tawney, to Daniel's relationship with his mother, the series is so complex and layered that it's impossible to tease out just one or two incredible things about the show that you need to pay attention to. The whole damn thing is worth it.
With the series' third season premiering in just under a month, it's time to start catching up on Seasons 1 and 2, streaming on Netflix.
Then watch Season 3 when it premieres on Sundance TV, Thursday, July 9 at 10 p.m. ET/9 CT.