Unpopular opinion: Are single-season shows actually better than long runners?

I just read on a TV stats site that 68% of Netflix's most binged shows only had one season, and that blew my mind because I always thought people wanted deep worlds with multiple arcs. Like, is a tight 8 episode story really more satisfying than a 5 season character journey (I'm looking at you, The Walking Dead)? Which side do you fall on when you're picking your next binge?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_paul6d ago

Does an 8 episode story really beat a bad 5 season show? Not that serious.

ryanm606d ago

So are you saying a tight 8 episodes with no filler can't leave a bigger mark than 5 seasons of dragged out nonsense? Cause I've sat through 60 episodes of shows that went nowhere after season 2, and I'd trade all that for one solid 8 hour arc any day. What's worse - a story that ends too soon or one that overstays its welcome by three seasons?

park.miles2d ago

Watched a 4 season show once where the main character got amnesia in the finale and it was never explained. Would've killed for them to just stop after the first 8 episodes.