However, as I got older, that appeal quickly became a horror. How could I deal with the stress of not knowing what happens later down the line? What if my favourite character turned out to be the bad guy? Or worse, what if my favourite character died? I would have no time to emotionally prepare myself for such an event, because it could happen at any moment.
Slowly, I began to stop watching new shows and instead decided to stick to my old ones. Inside these shows, everything was safe – I knew what was around every turn, and I knew who died and who didn’t. My life turned into a series of re-watches, and I can now quote entire episodes of Peep Show and Black Books on command.
My friend was horrified when I admitted to them that I looked up the plot of each new episode I watched, just to make sure there wasn’t anything in it to upset or frighten me. They told me in shock that that was defeating the point of film and TV – you’re supposed to feel surprise, fear, excitement, sadness, shock.
The people who relate may be asking – how does one get over such a feeling? Stepping away from those beloved re-watch shows is the first step. Whether you like it or not, they’re holding you back, and if you let them go you’ll be able to move on to bigger and better things. This doesn’t mean you have to forget them, but just let them rest for a while.
Stepping away from those beloved re-watch shows is the first step. Whether you like it or not, they’re holding you back.
Step two; watch shows with other people - it takes away that odd sense of panic. I have always found watching TV shows to be a good way of creating bonds with the people that I love, and I am slowly regaining that. It’s a fun activity for everyone to do and bit by bit, the fear goes away. It’s time to take back TV watching and stop letting anxieties control you.
