1. Denial: When the last episode ends you may find yourself questioning whether or not the show that has consumed the last three days in your life is really over. In this moment of loss, it's common to wonder if the recommendation for you to watch some other show you have no interest in is just a clever ruse by Netflix to keep you on your toes. Here are some warning signs that it is really over:
- The main character dies.
- The main character is given life in jail.
- They play “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day over a montage of highlights of the show's history.
- They put “fini" in white letters at the end of the episode, because you have classy taste apparently.
- One of the lead actors expresses a desire to act on Broadway in an interview (a pipe dream if I've ever heard one, they must have let the musical episode get to their head).
- All of the interesting plot points are wrapped up.
- The title of the episode is “finale."
- Everyone is talking about how this is the last episode.
- You look it up and it actually is the last episode.
2. Anger: When the dust settles, it is understandable that you be upset. You may find yourself saying some pretty disparaging things you later regret. What's important is that you get it out in a safe space where your words won't later be used against you. Professional help is always an option, but first you can try to find some ways to unleash that anger. For example, take up competitive boxing, or time the end of the binge to coincide with finals so that you can play with puppies on the Drillfield. Whatever it takes.
3. Bargaining: At this point in your post-Netflix-binge grief, it is possible to find yourself tempted to watch the crappy spin off they've inevitably made of your favorite TV show (or maybe I need to start moving on from tween shows). You may feel that it will satiate your fix for more. I'm warning you now, don't bother. It's never what you hope it will be. You can't avoid the grief, so steer into the skid.
4. Depression: You are feeling fine, until you go to pull up that tab and it all comes rushing back. You've spent more time looking at the ceiling than ever before, and maybe have re-watched some of your favorite episodes to try and bring that feeling back, but it's not the same. What you need to heal is time.
5. Acceptance: Well, really you just started another show.
