In an age where technology gives us the ability to fast-forward commercials, watch TV shows on demand and have most, if not all, of a series at our fingertips through sites like Netflix, I still prefer the movies.
TV Show Devotion Can Lead To Big Letdowns
Movies can be a letdown, just like a TV show, but unlike TV I haven't invested days, weeks, or years watching. If a movie disappoints me I may have wasted a few hours but when a TV show does the same it is a whole different feeling. You get devoted to shows you really enjoy, rooting for the characters you love, wanting them to succeed or get their hearts desire, feeling their pain and happiness sometimes as if this wasn't a piece of fiction but the life of a friend.
Multi-Episode Story Arcs
Storylines can get dragged out for several episodes or even seasons. Look no further than How I Met Your Mother for a great example. It took 184 episodes for fans to catch a glimpse of the titular character. That's 8 seasons running over an almost 8 year time period! Who has the time? I certainly don't, nor do I have the necessary inclination to wait so long and just for a face!
I was a fan of the Sex and the City series that ran on HBO. I loved the first movie. I was eager to see the second and went to the theater opening weekend. I was not impressed, but I didn't lose 8 years wondering what was going to happen in the lives of those four New York City gal pals. I spent 146 minutes being disappointed and I will take that any day over the potential amount of time that can be wasted on a TV series.
Instant Gratification
Maybe it all comes down in instant gratification for me. I can get the whole storyline – the anticipation, the "will they or won't they" feeling and the outcome – of a movie in a neat 2 hour package. It's what I have the time and desire for. It does not matter if I missed an episode or started a series half-way through a season. With a movie, it's all there for the taking. You get to ask your questions and, most of the time, have them answered in one sitting.
