Alice and the Rabbit hole of Rewatching TV-Shows.

Who does not appreciate TV-Shows? Right from childhood, many generations were introduced to the magical world of moving shapes and vibrant colors that shot out of the small television set in the living room. Be it huddled over the set with neighbors, friends and loved ones, or watching it alone, TV-Shows have always been a major part of pop culture, mainstream media and our lives. TV Shows have been a great way to bridge cultural gaps and expose the world and its beautiful details to everyone dwelling inside of it. With an endless buffet of genres, there is something out there to match all of our tastes.

This has been proved even more so due to the pandemic. During a state of lockdown, people were pushed in their homes and exposed to the internet greater than they did. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Hotstar, etc. were churning out content and TV-Shows became easily accessible. Which meant, there was easy access to older shows and shows we have already watched. Re-watch count of movies and shows increased drastically.

So, what makes us so susceptible to re-watching content?

Binge-watching and re-watching shows offer different experiences. Binging immerses viewers in a continuous storyline, creating an intense, often addictive engagement with the content, ideal for plot-heavy series. It’s like a deep dive into the narrative, where every twist and turn feels immediate. On the other hand, re-watching is about revisiting familiar comfort, appreciating nuances missed before, and reliving favorite moments. It's more about nostalgia and relaxation, offering a sense of security through predictability. Each serves different emotional needs and moods.

Re-watching thrusts the familiar concepts and storylines into our hands and gives us a sense of control. The concept of cognitive load comes into play here, which refers to the amount of stress places on our working memories. The pandemic forced us to manage more information and make more frequent, critical decisions than usual. Our working memory, however, has its limits, and when overloaded, we can’t handle additional tasks effectively. The strain of frequent Zoom meetings, juggling work and childcare, and adapting to new routines exhausted our mental resources. As a result, many of us gravitated toward re-watching familiar shows rather than starting new ones to avoid further taxing our overburdened minds. Watching something new demands mental effort—learning new characters, following plots, and anticipating outcomes—but familiar shows offer a stress-free experience, allowing our tired brains to relax without added cognitive demands.

People have a fundamental need to belong, similar to the need for shelter, says psychologist Jaye Derrick, PhD, director of the Social Processes Lab at the University of Houston. She and her colleagues investigated whether favorite TV shows could serve as a source of connection when people feel lonely or rejected. In a 2009 study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, they found that recalling a favorite show could counteract the negative effects of social rejection, unlike non-favorite shows. Shira Gabriel, a coauthor, explains that rewatching familiar shows allows us to reconnect with a social world we already know, much like talking to an old friend.

Derrick and Gabriel continue to inform that while watching TV is often seen as a passive activity, viewing a show that's not a favorite can actually drain energy, especially if you're stressed or tired. Even new episodes of a beloved show can be mentally taxing because they involve emotional regulation, like dealing with suspense or worrying about characters. In contrast, rewatching familiar episodes feels safe and comforting, requiring less psychological effort. Derrick's research shows that after exerting self-control, people are drawn to favorite shows, which can help them recharge after a tough day.

New experiences can be exciting, but they can also bring stress. Research supports the mere exposure effect, which shows that the more we encounter something, the more we tend to like it. This is because repeated exposure increases perceptual fluency, making it easier to process the information, which in turn evokes positive emotions. For example, we grow fonder of songs, art, or architecture the more we engage with them. Similarly, rewatching a favorite show can deepen our attachment and enjoyment with each viewing.

What happens in our brains during a good re-watch session?

When we watch an exciting show, our brains release dopamine, the same "feel-good" chemical triggered by rewarding experiences, which makes binge-watching addictive. This constant dopamine release can be leveraged in learning by incorporating a sense of achievement and progress. Our brains also crave closure, driving us to finish TV series, a need mirrored in completing learning tasks. Binge-watching is often social, enhancing enjoyment, much like collaborative learning can boost engagement. These psychological mechanisms behind binge-watching can be applied to motivate adult learners.

However, ‘feel-good’ re-watching Friends or The Office for the 50th time is, we must keep in mind that there are certain pitfalls that come from falling into this rabbit hole. While late night binge watch sessions are simply perfect for a lot of us, these binges can disrupt sleep and reduce productivity, so its crucial to promote healthy habits like regular breaks. Binge-watching involves prolonged sitting, which could lead to a sedentary lifestyle. Additionally, binge-watching can lead to procrastination, delaying important tasks.

Ahh, the sweet seduction of binge-watching our favourite series again; it's like a warm blanket on a lazy day, it's comforting, and quite familiar. However, it's best consumed in moderation. Yes, it can feel like catching up with old friends when you see your favorite comedy cast again, and who doesn't love that cozy feeling? However, you should probably reevaluate if your TV watching habit begins to resemble an endless cycle of "just one more episode,"(and before you know it, its 5 AM and you’ve missed out on sleep!)

However, after a demanding day of adulting, going back and rewatching can rescue your sanity. It requires no work or stress, and let's face it—there are moments when you simply lack the mental stamina to get to know new people and follow a convoluted story. However, harmony is essential. Perhaps it's time to make some changes if your life seems to be repeating the same scenes from the previous week. Take a stroll, take up that long-abandoned hobby, or even—gasp—read a book! Variety is, after all, what makes life interesting, and who knows? Maybe you'll find a new favorite show that you want to watch again and again!