In 1997, something revolutionary was founded. It changed the generations to come and played a large role in shaping the world of entertainment. Through the years it has proved to be a growing pastime, a favorite hobby, and a popular go-to when boredom strikes. In 1997, Netflix was born.
With the creation of Netflix, a new term was created. Binge watching.
Binge watching – (v.) the practice of watching a particular television show for excessive amounts of time without breaks unless to get more popcorn or use the bathroom.
With binge watching on Netflix, we get the privilege of skipping commercials. But most importantly, we get to surpass the feelings of anxiety and anticipation that comes with watching the premiere of a new episode (because we all know that producers love to leave cliff hangers at the end of episodes).
As beneficial and valuable that Netflix is, it can bring about extreme amounts of sadness. This sadness comes when you finish a series completely. When binge watching a series regularly, you get to know the characters and often spend much of your time thinking about them. You truly develop a bond whether it was intended or not. You feel as though the show has become apart of your daily life and that you too are somehow apart of the show. You wait anxiously for the next ounce of free time you will have, just so you can continue watching the show. But when that last episode ends and the credits start rolling for the last time, tears are often quickly produced. We are then left to search the pages of Netflix for another show to start, just to find that no show can live up to the standards and expectations the last series left you with. It's as if no other show gives you the same fuzzy feeling or fire burning desire to continue watching.
However, eventually you find a show that is good enough to start binge watching and then the process begins again. You get so into your new show that you're constantly anticipating when you will get to watch it again. It becomes so addictive that it causes you to start slacking in your responsibilities in order to make time for what you feel is most important, watching Netflix. You realize that it's been a couple days since you have taken a shower or seen another living human being.Then the dreaded last episode finishes and you are once again left in tears, mourning the lives of the characters you had grown so close to.
So, while this wonderful 18-year-old creation is entertaining and a somewhat relaxing amusement, it will undoubtedly give you sadness time and time again. And that sadness is the tragedy of finishing a Netflix series.
