Television once thrived on expansive 22-episode seasons, allowing characters to evolve and stories to unfold at a comfortable pace. However, the streaming era has ushered in a trend of shorter seasons, leaving viewers feeling something is amiss.

From classics like The Sopranos and Breaking Bad to modern hits like Netflix originals and Marvel series, the 10–13 episode format has become the standard. While this change has contributed to the golden age of TV, it might also be contributing to its decline.

Are shows such as Stranger Things, Ted Lasso, and Severance establishing a new normal? Or can series like Abbott Elementary revive the tradition of 22 episodes per season?