When it comes to television shows (do we call them something else now?), I have picked up a few that I consistently hear positive reviews from people I know. Generally if a lot of people are talking about it and multiple people recommend it to me, it’s doing something right. I’ll never have enough time to consume everything on every streaming service that I have been cornered into subscribing to (thanks kids). There have been a handful that I’ve watched over the past few years (Succession and Ted Lasso as a few examples) and through fear, I dare not go past season one. I think it’s still my trauma from how off the rails Game of Thrones went.
Time is an important constraint in art. It is so fundamental to our nature. Our time in this universe is finite and that adds a very healthy level of perspective. You can tell when art has something to say and knows where its conclusion is. A multi-episode show offers a deeper and richer story telling over a two hour movie. However, it should not go on indefinitely. I’d like to see more single or two season shows to offer a mid-term story arc. I understand there is a fair amount of pressure to keep a success going as there is money to be made, but you should always leave them wanting more. I’m glad to hear Succession had a well received finale, so perhaps it’s time to watch the rest of it.