Bloodline
Netflix is fighting user indecision.
Since the beginning of 2015, the streaming platform has cleverly crafted a formula for the release of its original series so there’s never an entertainment lull for serial binge-watchers. No new show exemplifies this better than Bloodline, a thrilling familial mystery set in the Florida Keys.
Bloodline, released in March, was not as touted a Netflix staple as House of Cards or Marvel’s Daredevil, both of which had built-in fan bases. But Bloodline’s excellence made up for the lack of hype, as the series was renewed for a second season shortly after its release.
Bloodline managed to debut quietly, which bodes well for the new Netflix format. The series, made by the creators of Damages, was sandwiched in between the premieres of buzzier shows — Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt in early March and Daredevil in April.
But Bloodline’s quiet entrance means it might not be the kind of show Netflix users binge instantly but one they discover through word of mouth or curiosity. With Netflix continuing to churn out new series on a monthly basis — Grace and Frankie and Between are set to premiere in May — it gives viewers more quality series to add to their queue.
Bloodline showcases this strategy best; the show’s premise of a family marred by past secrets might not attract an immediate fan base, but it proves to be well worth a viewing. With slow pacing, stellar acting and one of the creepiest villains in recent television history, Bloodline is a thoroughly gripping affair that tempts you to click “next episode” again and again. It’s a show perfectly suited for the streaming media’s latest formula.
But Netflix is not done tinkering. Between, a Canadian thriller, will drop its six one-hour episodes on a weekly basis starting May 21. This certainly deviates from the tradition of Internet streaming sites, but the experimentation is why Netflix is currently winning the game.
Following this, Netflix will release the third season of Orange Is the New Black and the reboot of Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp this summer. These shows won’t struggle to draw eyeballs as Netflix continues to front-load its original programming.
All this might appear to be overwhelming. House of Cards and Orange is the New Black might be the kinds of shows you binged immediately after their release on Netflix, but not every show should receive the same treatment. Hearing of a good show and patiently waiting until you finish one original series to begin another can deliver an exciting and possibly better payoff.
When I first started Bloodline, I had no idea what I was getting into. I only knew of Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights) and the Netflix stamp of approval before diving headfirst into the Florida Keys mystery. Consequently, the series surpassed all my expectations, and I cannot stop recommending it to others. I don’t even need to worry about how long there is before the second season drops because Netflix continues to release original shows I can trust to be enjoyable.
Netflix is evolving. Like all streaming platforms, as it becomes more popular and prevalent in pop culture, it continues to toy with the format that made it great. But so far, Netflix is doing a phenomenal job of preventing user boredom and giving viewers something to watch at all times. Not long from now, it’s possible the annual Netflix buzz for series like House of Cards will transform into a yearlong hum for the litany of quality, original offerings.
