We’ve all been there; and if you haven’t, I don’t know if I should be jealous of you or feel sorry for you. The moment that the end credits start rolling on the last episode of the last season of the show you’ve been watching obsessively on Netflix for as long as you can remember, a hole appears in your heart that can never be filled. Losing the fictional world in which you’ve been engrossed for months, as well as the lovable characters that inhabit it, can be like losing a loved one. Luckily, many of us have been through this pain, and though there are not yet any support groups for people who finish Netflix series (although this might be a good idea), the five stages of grief for losing a loved one pretty accurately encompass what you’re going to experience as you mourn the loss of your show.
Stage 1: Denial
At first, you’re not going to realize it’s over. You’ll wake up the day after you finish the series and log on to Netflix, only to find that there are no more episodes left for you to watch. You’ll wander around your house, numb, refusing to accept the stark reality you’ve been thrust into.
Stage 2: Anger
Next, you’re going to get frustrated. You’ll plop yourself down on the couch and browse the home page, but you won’t find anything you actually want to watch. Indignation will set in; what are you supposed to do with your time? It’s not like you can just hang out with your friends or explore the world outside your computer screen, right?
Stage 3: Bargaining
If I find a new show to watch, I’ll feel better…right? If you’re like me, you’ll try to rebound off of a show by attempting to latch onto a new one. Maybe by immersing yourself in a new plotline and familiarizing yourself with different characters, you’ll be able to get some distance from the pain you’re feeling. Sadly, it won’t help; believe me, I know.
Stage 4: Depression
Well, nothing has worked so far, and now you feel like you’ve tried everything; how can you possibly be happy again, when no show you ever watch will be as good as the one you just finished? Why on earth did you have so many binge-watching sessions instead of making each episode last? You might find yourself mired in hopeless boredom for a while, moping around the house and bemoaning your lethargy.
Stage 5: Acceptance
Eventually, you’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel. The world will gradually go from shades of gray to full color once more, and you’ll find yourself enjoying your life again. Maybe you’ll never find a show as incredible as the one you just finished, and that’s okay. You’ll always have the good memories, and there are plenty of other interesting experiences to be had; the world isn’t ending just because the show did. But then again, maybe you’ll stumble across a new show, and it will exceed all of your expectations. If you are lucky enough to find another amazing series, remember to take your time and enjoy it. Inevitably, you’re going to finish this show, too. When you do you'll have to go through the grieving process all over again, so you might as well make it last.
