Why I won't tire of TV series re-runs

I've discovered that the true value of a television show can, at times, be realised during re-runs.

Most of my friends shake their heads in disbelief when they hear that, yet again, I have been binge-watching a television series - like Friends - for the fifth time. at times sixth time, or even seventh time (I did that with Desperate Housewives). Not just watch a stray episode or two, but the whole series, in chronological order, from Season One right down to the grand end-of-series finale. Starting over and going all the way to the finishing line, over and over again. There's something utterly comforting about it, like revisiting key signposts in my life (like 'The One Where They All Turn Thirty'). So, whenever I watch a series finale, I don't ever feel like there's a sense of closure; because it's a path I can tread again, whenever I want. Thanks to my penchant for re-runs, I don't have to leave behind my fave TV characters - who become my friends and family members - and move on. Ever.
What's more, I've discovered that the true value of a TV show can, at times, be realised during re-runs. When The Mentalist debuted in my life, I didn't quite get the points Patrick Jane (aka, The Mentalist, played by the delectable Simon Baker) was making. After Season One was over, I felt somewhat let down; but I decided to do my classic re-run a couple of weeks later, and I was hooked. I immediately bought the DVDs of Season Two, Three and Four and devoured them the same fortnight. And then all four seasons again a few months later.
Most of my friends shake their heads in disbelief all over again when I tell them of my television series set-boxes' collections (except the ones that are still ongoing - like The Good Wife or House of Cards: for those, I buy the 'seasonal' DVDs as and when they come out). Nobody buys DVDs these days, just stream them online, they suggest helpfully. I think I've talked about this earlier, but once again, with feeling: nothing like owning your set, displayed prominently somewhere in the living room so you can have a nodding acquaintance with your reel family any time in the day.
I recently read a news article that talked about research on 'watching re-runs' (I was thrilled to learn it's actually a top-of-the-mind issue and I'm not a freak after all). The good people at the University of Buffalo - God bless them - claim that will power and self-control are both given a boost after you watch re-runs of a fave show. The diagnosis - at least whatever I could make out - is that because you are on familiar terrain, there is lesser energy expended (tried watching House of Cards the first time around? I was at the edge of my seat 90 per cent of the time, feeling tensed, scared, outraged, gobsmacked and what have you - basically expending a critical mass of energy; second time over, it was a breeze and not one whit less enjoyable) and, therefore, your vitals are preserved. The Daily Mail quotes the lady leading this wonderful, life-affirming research as saying "watching a re-run of a favourite TV show may help restore the drive to get things done in people who have used up their reserves of willpower or self-control".
Watching re-runs of Everybody Loves Raymond - my all-time favourite sit-com, and I don't care what the Friends lobbyists have to say on this matter - is the greatest stress-buster in my life. I've watched all of Ray's antics (spread across nine seasons) at least 20 times over, and last Friday, after a particularly exhausting week, I embarked on the 21st marathon.
It worked like magic. Two seasons down, I was ready to conquer the world.
sushmita@khaleejtimes.com