Daniel J. Harris on why Netflix is ruining his life…
Netflix is ruining my life. Once upon a time you could only watch your favourite TV shows once a week – and if it finished on a cliff hanger you had a full 7 days to wait and see what happened next. Netflix has changed the game and now I can watch an entire series in one go – the very second it is released! I binge! Then…. It’s over. And there’s a huge whole in my life.
Netflix has undoubtedly changed the way we consume content. As audiences we can find the TV shows or films that we want any time of the day or night and watch whatever we want, when we want to watch it. There’s a plethora of content available at the touch of a button.
For the digital generation this immediate availability is something they are used to. The internet gives you the information you need within seconds of you searching for it and the explosion of mobile phones mean that we are always connected to our chosen digital world. However, it wasn’t that long ago when we were sat waiting all week to see the next episode of Lost! The digital world has changed the game in many areas of our lives, but it’s the change to TV that is affecting me most.
Why is it ruining my life? I’m a filmmaker – I live and breathe film and TV! If a story, character or series grabs me I feel the need to consume as much as I can. I get sucked into that world. In the early days of Netflix I would watch the odd film and have a browse for new content. Then they started making their own content. And… House of Cards.
For me – House of Cards is one of the best shows on TV. Ever! The characters, story, the writing, the world of politics, the back stabbing, the suspense, the ruthless hunger of President Francis Underwood’s ego! Oops – there’s a spoiler there if you’re not up to speed. It has gripped me. As each episode finishes I’m desperate to watch another. And I can. Netflix delivers the entire series in one foul swoop and I can watch until my eyes bleed! I’ve managed to consume series 4 within 5 days.
It’s great that audiences no longer need to wait all week to see the next instalment of their favourite shows, and for many they still may consume content in bite size chunks intermittently across a month or so period. I’m not that strong. If the next episode if available – I want to see it! I watched episodes 1 to 7 of series 4 in one sitting on a Sunday whilst suffering with a hangover. My only companion was a family sized pizza.
During those 5 days I didn’t manage to make it to the gym. That film funding application didn’t get written. I didn’t speak to my Mother. I managed to get to work, but very little else. I sat alone… in the dark… watching Frank Underwood destroy those who dare stand in his way of being re-elected President of the United States of America. Then it ended.
Now, I have to wait another 12 months to see if Frank holds onto his Presidency, not to mention how the several other cliff hanger moments unfold. As a result there’s a massive hole in my life. There was the elation of a new series, the thrill of watching each episode and then the crash. It’s over. No more. Gone. Life doesn’t seem to make sense anymore.
My name is Daniel J. Harris and I am a Netflix addict. I’m itching and scratching at my skin, my hand shaking as I wait for series 5. My life is a shambles without my fix of House of Cards. I’ve no idea how I can carry on. Oowwh! I wonder if Narcos is any good?
Netflix – Stop being so good. You’re ruining my life.
Daniel J. Harris – Focus Shift Films
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Originally published March 20, 2016. Updated April 15, 2018.
