Netflix: The Unimpressed Judge of My Binge-Watching Habits

I remember the days when I had to wait for my favorite TV show. Now, I wait for Netflix to ask if I’m still watching… as if I have any other plans.

The nostalgic days, when waiting for your favorite TV show felt like an eternity but added excitement to your week. Back then, the anticipation was palpable, and missing an episode meant relying on spoilers shared by those who had been more conscientious in their couch potato duties or (gasp!) waiting for a rerun.

Remember the thrill of gathering around the television, perhaps with family or friends, counting down the minutes until your show began? There was something oddly satisfying about the wait – it built up the excitement. And the agony of cliffhangers! Those moments that left you hanging by a thread, eagerly awaiting the next installment. The next day’s conversations were filled with theories and speculations, adding a layer of intrigue to your social interactions. The rush, during the commercial, where you had to run around to fill up your popcorn bawl, not to miss any minute of the show. Those were simpler times, weren’t they?

But surprise – surprise, the digital age began, bringing with it the mighty Netflix with its binge-watching marathons. Netflix descended upon the world, offering us a new kind of freedom – the power to watch anything, anytime, anywhere. No more waiting, no more schedules, just endless hours of streaming. No longer were we subjected to the tyranny of waiting; instead, we could devour the entire series in one sleep-deprived weekend.

So, picture this: you’re deep into a gripping storyline, eyes glued to the screen, popcorn mid-air, and just when you think you’re safe, Netflix interrupts your binge with that judgmental, question. “Are you still watching?” it asks, as if expecting you to suddenly abandon your characters and embark on a spontaneous world adventure. As if you were hiding a secret social life or an unexpected gala dinner between episodes of “Stranger Things.” As if assuming that at any moment, you might toss the remote aside, leap to your feet, and exclaim, “You’re right, Netflix, I must paint the house, finish that novel, or attend a fancy ball! Well, of course, I am, because clearly, I have nothing better to do.

Netflix, the all-knowing oracle of our viewing habits, questions our life choices with an air of condescension. “Yes, Netflix, I am still watching,” we declare, with a sarcasm so thick you could cut it with a knife. “I’m not off traveling the world, solving world hunger, or discovering the cure for the common cold – I’m here, glued to my screen.

As if we could possibly have any other plans more riveting than the fate of our favorite characters. Thank you, Netflix, for reminding us that our social life exists solely within the confines of your vast streaming library. And so, we definitely click “Continue Watching”. Yes, Netflix, we are still here, still watching, and we’ll continue until our eyes glaze over and our snacks run out, and no, I do not possess other plans that could possibly outshine the screen time. Because in this battle of wills, apparently, you win. I am actually rolling my eyes while writing this story thinking at Netflix’s audacity!

We begin our journey innocently enough, armed with the noble intention of watching just a single episode. But alas, the autoplay feature, that sneaky accomplice, lures us into the abyss of binge-watching. As one episode transitions into the next, Netflix raises an eyebrow in disapproval, silently questioning our life choices. We tell ourselves it’s just for tonight, but the unimpressed judge knows better. It’s a slippery slope, and we’re sliding down faster than you can say, “Are you still watching?”

Netflix thrives with our moments of weakness! The unimpressed judge takes note as we ignore responsibilities, deadlines, and even basic human needs, all in the pursuit of one more episode. “Surely,” we think, “this next plot twist will be the last!” But Netflix, with its vast selection and irresistible cliffhangers, knows how to keep us hooked. Our to-do lists gather dust, our social lives become non-existent, and Netflix smirks from its throne, unimpressed by our frail attempts at self-control.

And let’s not forget the judgmental “Continue Watching” list, a constant reminder of our lack of willpower. It’s as if Netflix is saying, “Oh, you thought that I would forget? Think again.” The unimpressed judge never lets us forget our past indiscretions, displaying our binge-watching history like a badge of shame.

We had a thought to not renew our subscription. Well, not me; I am using my brother’s account, as well as my parents. My brother had this thought. We had a shock, we gasped, our blood pressure went high, and we had several panic attacks. What were we supposed to do? Go outside? Feel the nature? Have a life? My dad threatened him with demoting him from the title of ‘favorite child,’ and, let’s say I may or may not have told him that I know where he lives. 

Canceling a Netflix subscription becomes a Herculean task, a challenge that tests the limits of human determination. The unimpressed judge continues to reign supreme, and subscribers, no matter how determined, find themselves trapped in the never-ending cycle of monthly payments and irresistible content.

So, Netflix keeps asking if I’m still watching. I’ll respond with a resounding “Yes!” and maybe a half-hearted promise to take a break after just one more episode. But let’s be honest – we both know I’m in this for the long haul. May we continue to wait for the “Are you still watching?” prompt, because deep down, we know the answer is always a decisive “Yes.”