Prior to streaming services, a tv series, even a show with a serialized narrative, was still generally episodic and formulaic. The traditional five-act structure presented a full story in each episode, so, in a serialized show, each episode had a clear beginning, middle, and end, almost like chapters in a novel. Has the intentionally binge-worthy show broken or abandoned this structure? When the goal is to keep eyes on the screen and increase minutes watched, a streamed serialized episode frequently seems less like a chapter and more like a chapter cut off mid-sentence. It’s an effective way to keep viewers, but at what cost? Does this narrative strategy abandon narrative principles like actually building and modulating tension, and instead rely on instant gratification and cheap suspense? Is the intentionally binge-worthy show creating a new structure or formula for plotting a tv series? If so, what might that structure look like?
Okay, good questions and exploration-worthy topic. I wonder though, what your personal definition of "binge-worthy" is. I ask because since we have streaming services now, a viewer could potentially binge any and every show they wanted. However, that doesn't mean they want to. I've encountered plenty of shows critics claim are binge-worthy that I'd never watch, or that I've tried and found boring. So, is there objective criteria for a binge-worthy show? If yes, what is it? And if not, are there other goals behind bingeing other than increasing minutes and revenue? – Stephanie M.6 months ago