"Game of Thrones" is a three-month Sunday night immersion that demands attention, a good memory and an appreciation of hierarchies, cultures and family ties across several ruling houses. The limited-run option More U.S. networks are adapting the British approach, with short-run, limited-run, "event series" aiming to stand out. ("The People versus O.J. Simpson" is this year's best example.) "GoT" goes against that trend, too, with far-flung locations and post-production offices around the world. Star vehicles are increasingly used to attract attention, like the first season of "True Detective," drawing viewers to see Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey. The structure of those vehicles also appeals to actors who can jump in without being tied to a long-term commitment. By contrast, a series such as "GoT" creates stars. Anthologies such as "American Crime" and "American Horror Story" feel short enough to digest, whereas "GoT" requires serious ongoing commitment. (A shorter episode count can be an enticement. On the other hand, when a favorite such as "Better Call Saul" does only 10 episodes and calls it a season, it feels awfully short.) If you never joined the "GoT" crowd, you may be hesitant now. But that's old-school thinking. In today's fragmented, user's-choice, binge culture, it's never too late. Download Now!
