What TV/Streaming Shows Are Better Binged? Which Are Better Weekly?

[Reynard]

To each their own I find that is the TV media equivalent to the run-on sentence with no pause to consider or breath or process the information that is given to you so that the possible consequences in terms of plot and character emotional development are left behind in the needlessly relentless need to move forward that seems more an artifact of the modern streaming service business model than anything to do with making good fiction which leads to works that are effectively more about inducing the audience to turn the metaphorical page than actually absorb the work

 

[payn]

To each their own I find that is the TV media equivalent to the run-on sentence with no pause to consider or breath or process the information that is given to you so that the possible consequences in terms of plot and character emotional development are left behind in the needlessly relentless need to move forward that seems more an artifact of the modern streaming service business model than anything to do with making good fiction which leads to works that are effectively more about inducing the audience to turn the metaphorical page than actually absorb the work

Depends largely on the scope. I find limited series do just fine with character development and are not a sprint to the finish when they focus on a character. Its when you have an ensemble and you are trying to tell 2,3,4,etc... character stories at once that it falls apart.

 

[Artamo]

I think a lot of the streaming mini series such as Mike Flanagan’s stuff is much better to watch on a binge versus weekly. I feel like some of the story beats and nuances might get lost from week to week.

 

[Umbran]

Depends largely on the scope. I find limited series do just fine with character development and are not a sprint to the finish when they focus on a character. Its when you have an ensemble and you are trying to tell 2,3,4,etc... character stories at once that it falls apart.

Limited series are fine. I was speaking to binging...

 

[Rabulias]

I did try Person of Interest and bombed out of it. To be fair to episodic fans, ive never really been all that enthralled with the format. Though, POI seemed to me to be the last prime time show of the format. I was told it was really really good and to try again. It really really wasnt. The 20+ episode format specifically made it a weak show.

Person of Interest is a slow burn, but is really worth it, IMO. IIRC, the metaplot does not really get going until season 2. The 20+ episode seasons do lead to some filler episodes, but one of the show's strengths is its supporting cast and minor characters, and the slower pace makes their appearances feel more organic.

 

[payn]

Person of Interest is a slow burn, but is really worth it, IMO. IIRC, the metaplot does not really get going until season 2. The 20+ episode seasons do lead to some filler episodes, but one of the show's strengths is its supporting cast and minor characters, and the slower pace makes their appearances feel more organic.

Well.... no no no. I am not doing this again

I get it POI has its big fans, but ill never understand it.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

one of the show's strengths is its supporting cast and minor characters

Given the male lead (Caviezel) basically seems to give up on acting entirely in S3/4 (he's decent in S1, okay in S2 but it's steeply downhill from there), the entire emotional heft of the show ends up being on the supporting cast and minor characters. And they definitely have the strength to carry it, but normally they wouldn't have to.

Well.... no no no. I am not doing this again

I get it POI has its big fans, but ill never understand it.

I've watched the whole thing and I don't think it's worth struggling through. It does get good and has some of my favourite actors in it (not the lead lol), but I think it's got too many episodes which are just sort of dithering and Caviezel becomes less and less compelling. Accounts from people who were making the show rather suggest this is because he was in the process of essentially vanishing up his own ass, ego-wise. His behaviour actually got so bad that he eventually got banned from filming certain kinds of scene which a lead normally would do (particularly car-related ones). It's a pity because Emerson, Henson, Shahi, Acker and Chapman do great work here and seem to be having a good time too.

It's a bit like the X-Files too in that sometimes the filler episodes are better than the mythos ones, and sometimes it just sucks.

 

[Umbran]

It's a pity because Emerson, Henson, Shahi, Acker and Chapman do great work here and seem to be having a good time too.

I have to admit that while Acker is fine, the character of Root is... not well done, imho.

 

[TheSword]

Lincoln Lawyer is absolutely bingeable. 10 episodes per season. Strong story for each season.

We just did season 4 in two sittings. Couldn’t stop!

 

[Parmandur]

I have the same opinion even though im not quite so scortched earth with it. Though, yeah I think folks think about the long episodic format with rose colored glasses. I have tried to revisit some shows of yesteryear and the format isnt a strength at all. I can count on one hand the number of 24 weekly episodic shows that can compete with the serial age of the last 25 years.

Oh, I like long series just fine, they are just better binged, too (proof: old time weekend UHF TV marathons in syndication were lit) . Weekly viewing was always just an evil that was tolerated, not a positive feature of TV viewing.