This is made possible by internet resources like the iTunes Store, Netflix, and network websites like ABC.com. Episodes become available, generally, the day after the show is initially broadcast. The iTunes Store is just that, a store. But what is nice is the ability to purchase songs, and especially in this case, episodes, a la carte. No need to wait for the boxed set to come out. No need to find out the hard way that you are not a fan of a particular show. Netflix is another pay site, but it has a monthly fee. If you want to wait for the boxed set DVDs and see all the commentaries and other special features, but don't need to actually own the DVDs, this is the way to go. And you also have access to an almost unlimited collection of movies as well. But generally, the best value on Netflix is the TV series. And now along with the DVDs they send you in the mail, they also have select titles that are available for instant viewing on your computer.
Now if you don't want to pay to watch you favorite program, networks have begun to make their programs available for free on their websites. The best of the networks' websites in my opinion is ABC.com. They have most of their programming available for viewing, and in HD. To make this possible though, there are commercials at the same places as during the broadcast. But they are usually only 30 seconds long, and just one commercial per break. I think ABC's has the highest quality video. NBC's is lacking in picture quality, and I haven't really tried to watch anything on CBS.com.
This leads me to what I am really excited about this week. The return of LOST. I have been eagerly anticipating the beginning of season five. I've been watching clips on YouTube of scenes of the upcoming episodes, and I am geeking out. I haven't really gotten into the fan community, that is posting on message boards, though I do read the message boards. I just can't bring myself to interact with these other fans, though I feel like mocking some of the theories they put out. I watched one video chat between two guys reviewing season 4 and previewing season five, and they were trying to make comments on scenes and things that they couldn't quite remember. Everything is on DVD, and if you have enough time on your hands to make videos commenting on the show, you have enough time to do research and sound like you know what you are talking about.
If you haven't seen any of LOST, then I would highly recommend it. Though I would add the disclaimer that you should start with season one and watch it through before trying to watch the new episodes. The show is a serial narrative, so each episode builds upon the ones before it and affects the ones that come after it. Also, if you end up liking it like me, you'll need a lot of restraint to keep from watching it all in one sitting. I'd watch one disc and then want to pop the next one in, even if it was already 2 o'clock in the morning. So just be warned.
