Conquering the Unwatched Abyss: A Hulu User's Guide to Marking Episodes as Watched
Ah, Hulu. The land of endless entertainment, questionable reality TV, and the occasional existential crisis when you realize you've been staring at the "Up Next" queue for longer than you care to admit. But there's a dark secret lurking beneath the glossy veneer of shows and movies: the unwatched episode menace.
Those little grey checkboxes mocking you, silently screaming, "YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED US YET!" Fear not, fellow Huluvian, for I am here to guide you through the treacherous waters of marking episodes as watched.
The "Just Let it Play Out" Method (For the Laid-Back Leader)
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The Lowdown: This method is perfect for those who embrace the "go with the flow" philosophy of life (or just really want an excuse to nap). Simply hit play on that episode, snuggle in with your favorite blanket (or beverage), and let Hulu do its thing. Eventually, you'll reach the credits, and voila! The episode will be magically marked as watched.
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Pros: Minimal effort required. You might even discover a hidden gem during your "accidental" viewing.
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Cons: There's a chance you might, you know, actually fall asleep and miss the entire episode. Not ideal for those precious minutes before work.
The "Fast Forward Frenzy" Method (For the Impatient Captain)
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The Lowdown: For those who find the "Just Let it Play Out" method a tad too Zen, there's the "Fast Forward Frenzy." This method involves hitting that fast-forward button like your thumbs are on a sugar rush. The goal? Reach the glorious end screen as quickly as possible.
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Pros: Much faster than waiting for the episode to play out naturally. Perfect for those with limited time or an overwhelming urge to see what happens next (without, you know, actually watching everything in between).
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Cons: You basically sacrifice the entire episode on the altar of efficiency. Plus, your brain might feel like it's been on a roller coaster ride by the time you reach the end.
The "Marking Your Territory" Method (For the Control Freak... I mean, Particular Viewer)
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The Lowdown: This method is for the meticulous viewers who like things done right (and marked as watched). Depending on your device (computer, phone, tablet), there might be a magical "Mark as Watched" option hidden somewhere. For some shows, you might even be able to mark an entire season as watched in one fell swoop.
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Pros: The ultimate satisfaction of a nice, clean queue. No more unwatched episodes taunting you.
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Cons: Requires a modicum of effort (the horror!). Also, be warned, this method can lead to feelings of superiority towards those who haven't embraced the "Marking Your Territory" lifestyle.
There you have it, folks! A handy guide to conquering the unwatched episode menace on Hulu. So, choose your method wisely, and remember, a watched episode is a happy episode (and a much tidier queue).