“The Toys That Made Us” Television Review: To Binge or Not to Binge

    I freely admit that I am a massive toy collector and while I am currently trying to pair my collection down, I still have a ton of toys and they still temp me to this day.  While many people grow up and leave their toys behind, some of us embrace our inner child with nostalgia.  Remember the sense of wonder you had playing with an action figure?  Remember how much imagination went into playtime with your dolls?  Why do adults like myself still collect toys?  Some of us find inspiration in our childhood playthings, some people find them to be interesting display pieces, and others are still just kids at hearts.  Regardless the reason, this show is dedicated to everything regarding toys.

    The show is a documentary focusing on different toy subjects each episode.  Episodes range from Star Wars to Barbies and showcase how each toy line has changed and evolved over time.  You will hear interviews from toy developers and collectors to get a better sense of the complete history of each line.

    This series success far better than most other documentary style shows because it has fun with it’s subject and can be very funny at times.  I found myself fascinated with episodes involving toy lines I have and never will have any interest in.  When an episode about Barbie or Hello Kitty can hook me for a hour, you know the show is something special.

    The show perfectly captures what drives collectors crazy about toys.  Though some adults just see mounds of plastic, collectors see a gateway to their childhood and a way to show their fandom.  This show depicts collectors as a form of fun loving historians which isn’t far off.

    What I love most about the show is how it details the history of each toy production.  The show’s focus on the development of each toy line helps show why each brand has managed to stay relevant over decades.  The format Netflix embraces is perfect for this series.  This show once again proves that while Netflix’s original movies still need a lot of work, it’s television shows are still a step above a lot of network television currently airing.

    “The Toys That Made Us” will make you feel like a kid all over again.  It’s worth a watch at any age and you will want to learn the history of every toy possible.  Who knew learning could be so fun!

Overall Grade: A

To Binge or Not to Binge Verdict: BINGE