Photo Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly
Shorter television seasons have become increasingly common in today’s streaming world. There used to be more than 20 episodes per season, but over the past few years, many only have half of that. With shorter seasons, there is less time for character development and world-building. Filler episodes are no longer necessary, and while that might be good for the plot, it also prevents us from learning more about the characters.
With streaming services becoming more and more popular, the budgets for these shows seem to prioritize quality over quantity. Without filler episodes, viewers are left to imagine what the characters are like outside of the show. Filler episodes used to provide viewers with insight into secondary characters, or even more knowledge of who the main characters are.
An example of this is the Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” The show has never exceeded nine episodes; however, it does a great job of letting us into the plot and growing it over time. The downside to this is that we never see the kids doing kid things or the teens being teens. There is never a break from the world of monsters that lasts for more than a few minutes.
Some well-known actors favor shorter seasons, as it gives them more time to pursue other projects. For example, Viola Davis from “How to Get Away with Murder” would only sign on if they kept the show at 15 episodes instead of ABC’s normal 22-episode order.
Our society has dived deep into the art of binging a television series. With shorter seasons, there is more appeal to binging a show. For example, “Stranger Things” would be completely different if it had around 20 episodes. Yes, we would get to see more of the characters but it would be harder to watch all of them in a 24-hour time period. Spoiler alerts on social media become more frequent during the release of big shows like this, and shorter episodes can help remedy that. Keeping with the “Stranger Things” example, some of their episodes last around an hour. This is completely different when there are more than 15 episodes per season as each one lasts around 30 to 40 minutes.
ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” plans to have 22 episodes in its third season. This is the most the series has done, and the fans seem to be excited for a longer season. This series says that it was not influenced by the many calls to give the show a full order.
A problem for cable TV with this trend of a lower number of episodes per seasons is syndication. Syndication is when a TV series begins to air reruns. The series has to either have entered their fourth season or have around 80 to 100 episodes. It is more difficult to get to this point if there are no longer 20+ episodes per season. The process of syndication is likely to be in trouble as more and more shows are deciding to focus more on the plot and less on filler. Streaming services have also affected the syndication model, as they do not care how many episodes a show has as long as they have content to put onto their sites.
While each viewer has different opinions on this change in the world of television, it seems to be sticking around. I do not believe there will be much of a change in episode orders anytime soon.
Until then, you have free range on streaming services to watch whatever show you want with episode numbers ranging from eight to 21.
Paige Winn • Aug 24, 2022 at 1:56 am
Thank you for writing this. You are correct that it isn’t talked about enough. iPledge is just another way to control people’s bodies. If I get pregnant on a medication that will cause birth defects, that’s my own problem and no one else’s. Whether or not I am pregnant is private information…why should I have to get regular pregnancy tests? This country is so hellbent on trying to control people with a uterus and I will never understand the obsession with unborn babies when there are real people who currently exist who are being marginalized. If Roe v Wade had been codified into law there would be privacy laws protecting people from this…but now it’s too late. I work at a law firm and am currently studying to go to law school and this enrages me. This violates so many of my rights and I can’t believe that even in New York State I am required to abide by this.
Claudia • Jun 13, 2022 at 10:21 pm
Well said. I agree with all the points you have made and share the same feelings about the iPLEDGE system. Currently thinking about writing a report (non-school related) about this issue and sending it to the FDA.
Wish me luck~
AdysphoricNB • Oct 7, 2021 at 5:11 pm
Thank you for this article. As an afab non-binary lesbian who, for reasons of my sexuality, could physically never get pregnant unless I was literally raped by a man, the whole process was incredibly dysphoric and patronizing. Not only is the language outdated but it conveys the lack of respect and sense of ownership, our culture and medical systems apparently still feel toward and over afab bodies. To add insult to injury, there is little evidence the iPledge program has been effective in significantly reducing isotretinoin pregnancies and yet nothing has been changed in 15 years.
Laurel • Mar 3, 2021 at 6:45 pm
Thank you for writing this! I am currently going through the iPledge nightmare and I cannot even express in words the feeling of rage and helplessness. No one would dream of requiring men to jump through these hoops, and it would never be allowed. What can we even do to push back against this? Where do we send feedback? I honestly don’t even know where to start. It seems like it is an issue that is unlikely to get much attention or support from those in positions of power, because when has that ever worked for women’s health-related issues?
A • Feb 21, 2021 at 10:16 pm
Thank you. I dealt with the same level of condescension throughout my experience on accutane about 7 years ago. Now I will be doing another round of accutane and it isn’t the physical side effects that make me nervous, it’s the sexist ipledge program. It is infantilizing. I am a lesbian cisgender woman in a commited relationship and I cannot get pregnant from sex with my partner. So according to iPledge, I’m "abstinent". But of course even my word that I am "abstinent" doesn’t matter because I am still a cisgender woman who theoretically could become pregnant.
The only way I could become pregnant would be from rape, and if I that happened I would have an abortion. These are the thoughts that go through my head when the iPledge program is constantly telling me I could become pregnant. That it would have to happen through rape; which is very triggering for me.
And that is not to say that people who could become pregnant should be subjected to this either. We can understand the risks and make decisions about our own bodies. I think what the iPledge program is really based upon is the belief that women and those who can become pregnant cannot be trusted to make informed decisions regarding their own bodies.
Thank you for writing this article. This is so rarely talked about and when I mentioned this to my sister (who is a pharmacist) she basically rolled her eyes. These medical professionals are not properly trained to consider the social issues and impacts of these programs and we need to speak out more about it.