With Lost coming to Netflix everyone has been bemoaning how binge watching and streaming models of television mean no one makes filler episodes anymore, and it's just kind of sweet that we all so fondly remember these.
When I re-watched SOPRANOS I was impressed that most episodes were good self-contained stories that also advanced the larger plots. On most prestige shows, it’s “here’s 50 minutes from the middle of this season’s 9-hour movie”.
Right?!?! I’m trying to watch a show with my 14 yr old and she LOSES HER MIND at commercial breaks because she’s never encountered them on TV. (YouTube, sure)