Streaming services like Netflix offer countless TV episodes, yet many viewers spend more time deciding what to watch than actually watching. This browsing fatigue is especially frustrating for people rewatching favorite shows, who often just want a random episode without the effort of choosing.

The Random Episode Solution

One approach could be adding a "Random Episode" button to each TV show's page. When clicked, the system would:

• Scan the show's episode catalog
• Pick one episode randomly (optionally considering viewing history)
• Start playing it immediately

For story-driven shows where order matters, the feature could limit options to already-watched episodes or include spoiler warnings. This would differ from Netflix's existing "Play Something" by focusing on specific series rather than the entire library.

Why This Works

This concept serves several viewer needs:

• Rewatchers who want quick access to favorite shows
• Background viewers needing familiar content without commitment
• Groups struggling to agree on which episode to watch

For streaming platforms, this could increase engagement by reducing browsing abandonment and encouraging more complete viewing of show catalogs.

Getting Started

A simple test version could begin as a browser extension that adds this functionality to Netflix's website. If successful, deeper platform integration could add features like:

• Viewing history-based episode weighting
• Social sharing options
• Mobile app integration

The concept stands out by addressing a specific viewing behavior that existing features don't fully capture - the desire for instant, satisfying access to familiar content without decision-making effort.