Post-series depression is dangerous. When your favorite show ends, it is normal to feel that nothing and no one can replace it. It's not always easy to recover after investing so many hours and energy in a show. However, the void is filled over time and, fortunately, it is possible to feast on other interesting series to turn the page.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Cushioning the Loss
Step 1. Take a break from television
If your favorite show is finished, you probably have the feeling that nothing else can fill the void it left. Watching a TV series usually involves a considerable investment of time, so it's time to take a break from the small screen. Do more: read books, play video games, see your friends, focus on your hobbies.
Step 2. Venture out online
If you watched the show on first run, many other people are in the same boat as you. The end of a beloved series may leave a void, but you can fill it by talking to other fans. Write a post to share your thoughts on the conclusion. Interesting conversations can arise online. Moreover, as they say, a common ill, half joy.
Step 3. Make friends with other fans of the show
If your friends aren't as passionate as you are, go online and meet other fans. You will be able to talk endlessly about your favorite parts, plus this experience will help you appreciate the show even more, especially certain aspects. The first viewing of a series is accompanied by a very strong social component, for example an episode can stimulate debates and conversations at the same time as it is broadcast or the day after. Generally the same happens at the end of the show.
Step 4. Write TV-inspired fan fiction
Fanfiction is a narrative genre (prose, plays or poetry) developed by fans of a cultural product and usually focuses on their favorite characters. If you can't resign yourself to the end of your favorite show, why not keep writing it yourself? Reconnect to the final episode and continue with the story. If you are really passionate and know the show well, you should have more of an idea about the future of the characters.
- If the fandom of a show is large enough, then probably other writers have already created fanfictions. Visit sites like FanFiction (in English) or EFP (in Italian) to read stories dedicated to your favorite characters.
- Remember to recognize and name the creator of the show or the author of the book from which it was based.
Step 5. Plan a farewell party
If you know other people desperate for the show to end, invite them over to your house for dinner or a drink. You can talk about the series and your favorite parts. If you have the episodes available, review the clips you love. Stimulate friendly debates on the finale. A quiet discussion is what it takes to distract yourself from the loss.
If you prefer a dramatic farewell, you can arrange a mock funeral for the show and the characters. For example, stand in a circle to reflect on your favorite characters and scenes
Step 6. Send complaints letters or emails to the channel
Not all shows are lost forever. If a television network has canceled a show and realizes it has broken the hearts of many viewers, it can convince itself to put it back on the air. Find out who canceled or ended the show, then send a letter or email expressing all the love you have for this show. In the event of a cancellation, be sure to point out and emphasize that you would like to see it on the air again. Feedback received from a television network very often influences the decision to bring him back to life or not.
Don't have too much hope of a possible revival. TV shows like Firefly caused a fervent backlash upon cancellation, but fans couldn't get the revival they wanted so much
Part 2 of 3: Reviewing Your Favorite TV Show
Step 1. It's about the DVD show
After some time you will be able to buy all seasons of your favorite series, usually sold in box sets. If you like to watch it over and over without relying on a television network schedule, try to have a physical copy in the house. Streaming services like Netflix also offer full-length shows. It is an ideal solution for those who are bingeing as standard.
Check if you can download your favorite show for free. Some websites provide old episodes that can be retrieved when you want
Step 2. Cover the show from start to finish
If you've seen it in the first run, reviewing it will give you the opportunity to relive it without having to wait months between seasons. You can also watch several episodes every night or, if you want, you can run a marathon in just one day. Generally this experience is more fun as a couple or in a group. Watching a show together from start to finish takes some time planning, but you will feel much less alone.
Step 3. See DVD extras
If you've bought a box set, you probably have specials like behind the scenes at your disposal. Elements such as interviews, documentaries on the set and promotional initiatives help to enrich one's knowledge of the show and to appreciate it even more. If you find out all the work done for a certain scene, you will almost certainly view it with greater regard in the future.
Step 4. Take a look at the TV Tropes page dedicated to your favorite show
This site is very interesting because it catalogs TV and mass media tropes. If you are looking for your favorite series, you can discover all the narrative gimmicks and observe what connections they have with popular culture in general. A beginner may feel overwhelmed by all this information, but the associations between the show and the rest of pop culture can be real gems to be discovered.
Step 5. Get new friends to watch it with you
Persuading a good friend to follow a show you love is one of the greatest satisfactions for a TV series fan. This way you can indirectly relive a show you know well by discovering a fresh and enthusiastic perspective.
Step 6. Consider how your ideas have evolved
After watching a show for the second time, think about how your views have changed over time. Reviewing a TV series means knowing what will happen from the first episodes. This will put the characters' narrative arcs and dialogue in a new light, because you know what the writers had in mind.
Part 3 of 3: Finding New TV Shows to Watch
Step 1. Go through different websites for recommendations
Sites like IMDb are great for finding new shows. When you feel ready to move on, you can refer to the lists of the best TV series to discover new ones. It's easy to find tips online. It won't be long before you find another interesting show.
Step 2. Check out shows that have the same crew and actors as your favorite TV series
The show may be over, but the actors, writers and everyone else have moved on with their careers. Probably each of them (from cast to crew) has participated in new programs. If you have a favorite actor, find out what other shows he has starred in. Is your favorite TV series characterized by witty and intelligent dialogue? Find out about other projects the writers and creators have been doing since the series ended.
Step 3. Ask your friends for advice:
they are an inexhaustible source of recommendations. If you don't know what to watch, they can help you clarify your ideas. They will tell you which TV series they have enjoyed in the last period and may give you targeted suggestions for your preferences. A friend can be a rich source of information regarding the media. There are far too many programs nowadays, so it's hard to consider them all alone - taking advantage of the experiences of others can save you a lot of time.
It goes without saying that it is preferable to contact friends with tastes similar to yours or that you respect
Step 4. Request an automatic recommendation
There are websites that offer suggestions with the help of algorithms. They can be quite useful, as they will bring you shows that your friends haven't even heard of. Sites like TasteKid, IMDb or RateYourMusic try to best guess what you might like based on the ratings and interests you've recorded in their databases.
Step 5. Give some show a chance
Once a series has started, nothing forces you to continue. Watch the pilot episode of some show. Give it a chance and, if it doesn't have a hold on you, try another one. It may take several tries before you find one that actually deserves your attention.
Consider all the time a new show will take away. A TV series requires a considerable investment from this point of view. Time is precious, so only invest it if the show really inspires you
Step 6. Join a new fandom
If you've found an exciting show that's still on the air, sooner or later it's time to join the community. Write posts about this new program. Read the fanfictions. Visit fan forums and find out their theories. The more you immerse yourself in the world of a new show, the less you'll miss the old one.
