Rewatching an old favorite TV show can make you feel cozy and nostalgic, while simultaneously helping you destress. But there’s a big problem: you already know all the characters, plot lines, jokes, and twists.
How can you enjoy your favorite TV show in a new light, bringing novelty and a more interesting experience into the mix?
Watch in a New Location
One option is to watch your favorite TV show in a totally new location. It may not force you to forget key lines and plot twists, but it will help you forge new memories and make the experience more compelling.
-Invest in a new TV or audio system. One straightforward way to change the experience is to invest in a new TV or a new audio system. This is especially true if you’re currently working with an underpowered or relatively old system. A bigger, clearer picture combined with higher fidelity audio can make the TV show feel completely new.
-Build an outdoor bar (or a similar outdoor venue). If you have the budget for it, consider constructing an outdoor bar where you can sit and enjoy your favorite TV shows (and sports). You’ll get to enjoy fresh air and a relaxing environment, and if you’re so inclined, you can even mix a few signature cocktails to fit the experience.
-Upgrade your home lighting. Alternatively, you can upgrade your home lighting to create a more immersive viewing experience. Even simple changes, like adding LED lights to the back of your TV or introducing soft colors to your surroundings, can make a big difference.
-Get some new furniture. Similarly, you may be able to enjoy your favorite TV show in a different way with some new furniture. Splurge on the comfiest, most relaxing pieces you can afford.
Watch With Others
If you don’t have the budget for upgrading your viewing locations, consider reliving your favorite TV show by watching it with other people. This is especially powerful if you’re watching the show with someone who’s never seen it before; this way, you can live vicariously through them and enjoy some new experiences as you converse about what’s happening on screen.
This is especially fun for TV shows with unique plot twists and developments, as the people you watch with will probably have similar experiences, thoughts, and takeaways to yours during your initial watch. Even better, they may have novel takeaways and ideas that you’ve never even considered.
Mix Up the Order
Another strategy is to mix up the order in which you watch the TV show in question.
-Chronological order. If your favorite TV show presents events from multiple points of view or at multiple points in time, you can rearrange the order so that the events unfold chronologically.
For example, the show LOST (spoiler alert) famously juggles multiple timelines, with flashbacks, flash forwards, and even time travel. These events are presented in a way that’s narratively compelling, blending these sequences together, but it’s also possible to watch every scene in perfect chronological order, from scenes that take place hundreds of years ago all the way up to the “future.”
-Organization by theme. If the order of episodes isn’t particularly important, as is the case with many sitcoms, you can rearrange episodes and watch them according to theme. For example, you can watch episodes of The Simpsons grouped according to which family member they focus on, or according to subject matter.
-Least favorites to favorites. Another strategy is to organize all the episodes of your favorite TV show according to your personal preference, then watch them from least favorite to most favorite. Perhaps you’ll change your mind after viewing them.
Of course, these ideas are only meant to get you started. The only limit is your own creativity.
Read or Listen to Commentary
Many TV series are rereleased with commentary from actors, directors, writers, and other people who worked on the show. If you’ve never experienced this, you should give it a try; you can listen to the commentary and discover new things about some of your favorite episodes.
Play an Interactive Game
If you’re feeling creative, you can also come up with an interactive game that allows you to engage with your favorite shows as they play. For example, you can keep a bingo card or take a drink every time someone says a particular line.
he Old Fashioned Way
In this article, we’ve covered a number of strategies that can help you see your favorite TV show in a new way. But remember, there’s also value in simply rewatching for the sake of rewatching – even if you know every line by heart. All that matters is that you genuinely enjoy yourself as you retread this familiar and comfy territory.
