It\u2019s getting tougher for me to keep up with current TV shows as they air. I\u2019ve become very accustomed and comfortable watching shows at my own leisure and pace. The model of weekly TV is not something I find deeply rewarding as far as most shows are concerned. We\u2019ll get into the weeds on that in a tick, but let me say that I\u2019m currently watching Alien: Earth and Peacemaker Season 2 as they air on their respective weekdays (Tuesdays and Thursdays). To be clear, I\u2019m thoroughly enjoying both of these shows so far. The stories they are telling have my attention and I look forward to each new episode.<\/p>\n
However, I\u2019m starting to realize that I\u2019m probably going to like Alien<\/a>: Earth and Peacemaker Season 2 a lot more when I have the chance to binge them as a whole. But, I also understand why they should be weekly releases. Guess I better get into those aforementioned weeds.<\/p>\n Alien: Earth and Peacemaker Season 2 are not the kinds of TV shows that feel like mutilated movies, let\u2019s get that out of the way up top. A lot of criticism has popped up in recent years that many TV shows (especially in the MCU<\/a>) would function better as standalone cinematic experiences, but their television incarnations feel like butter scraped over too much bread. I\u2019m not saying that about either of these shows.<\/p>\n What I will say is that the stories being told in Alien: Earth and Peacemaker Season 2 are having to fit into a specific TV mold, the \u201cSame Bat-Time, Same Bat-Channel!\u201d structure necessary for shows to keep people hooked and interested in the next installment. And though they have been mostly effective in that cliffhanger regard, they have felt a little confined at times by this structure. Both shows have had episodes whose endings felt almost arbitrary simply because they ran out of time.<\/p>\n I should also clarify that I\u2019m not arguing for Alien: Earth or Peacemaker Season 2 to drop all their episodes all at once. Netflix<\/a> made that a certain expectation for a while, but even they realize they need to space out episode releases to maximize engagement across all possible platforms. In fact, with the rare exception of something like Midnight Mass, I don\u2019t think the \u201call at once\u201d model really benefits most shows in the way they\u2019re presented.<\/p>\n I\u2019m glad Alien: Earth and Peacemaker Season 2 are being embraced by audiences, but I think I\u2019ll be more excited when they are all wrapped up and I can take them in at a deliberate pace. Specifically, I can\u2019t wait to binge the entirety of Alien: Earth in a single sitting. It\u2019s the most refreshing entry in the franchise since the first film, and as much as I enjoy watching it with my friend every week, we both are eagerly anticipating watching the whole thing together. I get the feeling I\u2019ll appreciate the show even more once it\u2019s left the necessity of telling its story in chunks.<\/p>\n\u201cSee You Next Week!\u201d Stories vs. Movie-Turned-Show<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The Problem With The \u201cAll At Once\u201d Model<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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