In this era of Netflix, Hulu and all the great TV show streaming providers, a new culture of TV has arisen. We have access to hundreds and hundreds of content at our fingertips, all without the nuisance of advertisements. Ergo, the ability to become a TV connoisseur has never been easier. We are in constant conversation about what we're watching, what you're watching, what we thought about it and what we're watching next. Books and even movies might be becoming a thing of the past because they take a lot more effort to get through than a 25-minute episode. Our entertainment attention spans are growing smaller and smaller, but none of us can deny the rollercoaster of a good TV show and when we are coming to the end of a particular show that we really enjoyed, we can go through the seven stages of finishing a show.
1. Anticipation
You know it's coming. You are a few episodes ahead of the finale, and you can see it staring in your face. The end is near. The end of a show that you fell in love with, and the nerves start to build.
2. Fear
You are fully aware that the end is next. You just finished the second to last episode, and the 15 second countdown to the finale has appeared. Each second is like a stab to the heart. You don't want this to end. Why didn't anyone tell you that this was going to end?!
3. A Brief Intermission
The thought of finishing a fantastic show became too overwhelming. You had to take a break before pressing play on the finale. Maybe this turned into days of waiting to finish the show, just so you can say you still have more to watch. This exciting anticipation is fleeting.
4. Random Joy
So you finally gained the courage to watch the finale. Finale or no finale, you cannot deny that you are still enjoying and excited about watching new content that you haven't seen before. Your favorite characters are still there and the plot is unfolding. You have temporarily forgotten this is the end.
5. The End
So you finished it. Whatever happened, good or bad, there is nothing else to go back to. Maybe someone died, maybe they fell in love and rode off into the sunset. Whether you are feeling positive or negative emotions, you can't shake the lingering sadness that this journey has ended.
6. Denial
This is the time when you can't accept that it's over. You desperately re-watch old episodes and perhaps they satisfy you, but only for a short while when you realize you know exactly what is going to happen next. Then you take to the Internet and frantically search for deleted scenes, bloopers or anything that will just let you see something new.
7. Acceptance
Well. It's over. You did it. You finally came to terms with it. While it may be sad that you have nothing new to watch in that particular show's realm, you are still happy that you got to experience it. You fell in love, cried, laughed and rejoiced with the characters throughout their journey. Now you tell every single person you come into contact with about it. Go!
