Why Do We Watch TV?

Published May 23, 2018 · Updated July 6, 2022

Dear gentlemen and awesome Kerri,

Why do we watch TV? This week’s deep dive was richer than usual, and perhaps it was because you didn’t like the episode as much. It wasn’t as satisfying, so then your discussion was trying to figure out why. And I loved that. You know it was one of my favorite episodes because I love storytelling. I enjoy the mystery, but sometimes I just want a good story. Maeve’s adventure asks questions not just about her capabilities, but about feudal Japan, about absolute loyalty of the soldiers, about what it means to have been brought up as a child to serve as a Geisha. What would Westworld have been like if we hadn’t started there, but instead Shogun World? And how is there expertise in world-building but such laziness in narrative-building? I love the tinfoil, but it is ok to put it away now and again.

Has watching TV turned from entertainment to a massive mental exercise? Can we just watch a show without spending countless hours on Reddit? It depends, but for me, I know I can do both.

The way you wrapped up the deep dive makes me wonder if you don’t know yourselves anymore. I used to be a blogger, which meant I then stopped loving to read other opinion pieces and news. I became to critical because I was part of the biz. I had to take a step back.

Perhaps this is a good time, with a holiday weekend, to break from Westworld for a moment and find something you really love in TV. Go back to The Leftovers, or find something new. You all know I love The Expanse, with themes of scientific development, political intrigue, and relationships with the most different of people – it’s bingeworthy on Prime right now. Or take a step back from violence and look at The Crown or Victoria. Go completely 180 with Skins or The IT Crowd. Break the loop.

I hope watching TV doesn’t become a jaded, frustrating experience for you. Because we all know, if everything is perfect, it’s all mediocre.

Emily Jasper

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Gene Lyons says:

May 28, 2018 at 6:24 pm

Sometimes, I wonder if I’m just unclear on my opinions. I really enjoyed Episode 5, both from an entertainment perspective and a story development angle. But few people listen to the podcast to hear me talk about how much I liked the show. Most of the audience wants insights and analysis of the episode, and that sometimes amounts to overthinking.