More often than not, TV premieres of late -- particularly on streaming platforms like Disney+ and Hulu -- have involved dropping two or more episodes the first week. Presumably to create hype for marketing reasons. Sure. From Daredevil: Born Again to Star Wars: Andor, there doesn't seem to be much hope of this ever stopping.
This concept is, of course, nothing new. When I was a kid, the thrill of an "hour-long premiere" of a series or season -- technically not an hour, because commercials -- was tangible. And that was fine back then when on-demand viewing didn't yet exist. If you missed the premiere, you weren't going to be able to log into an app and just watch it later (at least not in my house). The hype was exciting, but so was the overall event itself.
Now, despite the on-demand capabilities of streaming, there's an attempted comeback for the event-viewing experience. Though many of us aren't taking advantage of it. Why stay up late to watch a multiple-episode premiere (as an adult with responsibilities, and a job) when you can start it earlier the next evening, or even wait until the weekend to freely enjoy it without the immanent danger of spontaneous napping?
I don't hate multiple-episode premieres because I'm chronically tired. I hate them because of spoilers. I hate them because I want time to digest one episode of a very good show at a time before being exposed to the next one, and either forcing me to devour both or make the choice to wait -- selfishly, I know -- makes the whole thing a chore.
The TV watching experience, at least for those who are online because we have to be, has become less about entertainment and more about attention. Who can drop the best hot take, the most viral criticism? The quicker you watch, the more clicks and impressions your #content about the episodes will get. Algorithms over enjoyment. Every time.
Avoiding social media when you're contractually obliged to cover it -- but not so much so that you get advanced screenings of it -- really is a dilemma without a resolution.