Confessions of a Serial Show-Reseter (and How to Join the Club)
Okay, let's get real. Do you ever feel the urge to just… start over? Not with your life (though maybe sometimes!), but with a show on HBO Max?
Don’t lie. We've all been there. You're not alone in this guilty pleasure.
The "Oh No, I Missed Something" Reset
This is the classic. You were multi-tasking. Browsing your phone during a crucial scene. Maybe you dozed off during a really important plot point in House of the Dragon.
Suddenly, you're lost. Totally adrift. What's a viewer to do? Nuke it from orbit, that's what! By nuke it, I mean, of course, reset it.
Back to episode one! Fresh eyes. This time, no distractions. This time, you *will* understand why Viserys made that particular life-altering decision.
The "Character Regression" Reset
Some shows have characters that… evolve. Or devolve. Sometimes, it's not pretty. Take, for example, a certain character on Succession. I won't name names (cough, Kendall, cough).
You reach a point where you think: “I miss season one Kendall." So, you go back! Relive the glory days. Before… well, you know. Reset time!
It’s like time travel, but cheaper. And you don’t risk creating a paradox.
The "I Need a Refresher" Reset
Okay, so maybe you *did* pay attention the first time. But it's been a while. Seasons are long, life is short, and your memory is... selective.
You're gearing up for the new season of Euphoria. But can you *really* remember all the drama between Rue and Jules? Absolutely not.
So, you hit the reset button. A little refresher never hurt anyone. It's practically a public service.
The "Unpopular Opinion" Method (aka, the Real Reason We Reset)
Here's my controversial take: sometimes, the *beginning* of a show is just better. Hear me out!
The first season has all the potential. The intriguing mysteries. The quirky characters. No pressure to keep up with the hype.
Later seasons… well, let's just say sometimes shows jump the shark. So, I revisit the golden age. Repeatedly.
The Reset Process (aka, Erasing Your Sins)
HBO Max, bless its heart, doesn't make this *super* easy. They kind of expect you to watch in a linear fashion. How quaint!
No, there’s no magical button. No “Reset Show” option lurking in the settings. We must be crafty.
Here’s the trick: go to your profile. Find the “Continue Watching” section. Locate the offending show. Then… remove it.
Yes, it's drastic. Yes, it feels a little like deleting memories. But trust me, it's worth it.
Now, when you go back to the show's page, the "Resume" option is gone! Replaced by the sweet, sweet siren call of "Episode 1."
You're free! Free to relive those early episodes. Free to ignore the parts you didn’t love. Free to be a show-resetting rebel!
A Final Word (from One Resetter to Another)
Don’t let anyone shame you for your resetting habits. It’s your viewing experience. Own it!
We're not hurting anyone. We're just trying to enjoy our shows the way *we* want to.
So go forth, and reset with pride! And maybe, just maybe, we'll meet again… back at episode one.
