To binge, or not to binge, that is the question.
Over the past few years, a binge-watching culture has grown around us. With the rise of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and other streaming services, we no longer have to wait entire weeks to watch our shows, or suffer to catch up on a shows already aired for three seasons. Instead, we spend days watching entire seasons with only minute-long intermissions between episodes to get snacks or use the bathroom.
I love binge watching.
A few summers ago, I watched all nine seasons of 'One Tree Hill.' At my worst (or rather best) I watched thirteen episodes in one day.
I could not stand cliff-hangers. I needed to know what was going to happen with the Brooke/Lucas/Peyton fiasco; if Nathan and Haley would end up together and if Mouth would ever find the happiness he deserves.
Day after day, I would watch, enjoy and exist in this new fictional world. I also binged 'Gossip Girl,' 'How I Met Your Mother,' 'New Girl' and 'Velvet,' among lots of other wonderful shows.
Looking back, part of me wishes I would not have binge-watched those shows. If only I savored every episode -minute by minute- rather than ravenously devoured them without ceasing.
The other day, I raved about 'Glee,' which I literally do on the daily. I lamented, "How I wish I could erase my memory and watch it all over again for the first time!"
If I had a time machine, I wish I could be twelve again and experience the novelty of 'Glee.' Or even be introduced to the show for the first time at age twenty when I see the world differently.
Now that my life is exponentially more busy than it was the summer after sophomore year, I struggle to watch thirteen episodes in one day.
On an occasional open Sunday, I can sometimes manage five or six if I have no homework.
Currently, I am trying to watch 'The Originals'. There is an innate urge within me that wants to binge it, as I always do. Binging would instantly gratify any angsty suspense, and also, I have a list of recommendations that I want to watch after. However, there is another part of me wants to slowly relish it.
For the first time in years, I watched live TV more than stream.
During the winter season, I had a TV show to watch every night, sometimes even multiple (shout out to Tuesday nights and TGIT). Although I was frustrated by not immediately knowing what was going to happen to Jack Pearson, or if Jane and Rafael would end up together, I felt giddy sitting on the couch emotionally prepared to tune in with my full attention. I got to discuss these episodes with the fandom online, since most of us were on the same page, and I got to read through the live tweets and laugh along with the actors.
I feel that there are some shows that you can binge, that require binging. But there are some shows that deserve better. There are some shows that deserve your full attention and appreciation.
