Sharp Objects has mounted an inadvertent case for binge-watching

The Ringer

There seems to be a disconnect between viewers and TV critics of the Amy Adams limited series. Viewers seem to slog through it as if they have an obligation to watch the prestige drama even though they don't want to, says Alison Herman. Meanwhile, critics gave Sharp Objects great reviews after receiving seven of the eight episodes in advance. "I’m convinced part of the answer to the problem of vibe versus viability lies in a show’s format," she says. "Because HBO provided every episode of Sharp Objects except Sunday’s finale in advance, I and many other members of the media imbibed the show through long, sustained gulps, enveloping ourselves in hours of story at a time. What registers as painfully slow or teasing in a week-to-week broadcast feels more like a pleasant airiness when taken in as a batch. Sharp Objects favors depth over breadth, putting down roots over rolling onward." ALSO: Warning: Watch the Sharp Objects finale to the very end.