Rewatching favorite TV shows is a common habit, especially for episodic comedies or anthology series, but deciding which episode to watch can sometimes feel like a chore. Manually scrolling through seasons breaks the flow of passive viewing, while always starting from the beginning gets repetitive. A shuffle feature could recreate the old-school TV experience of stumbling upon random episodes, making rewatching more spontaneous and enjoyable.

How the Shuffle Feature Could Work

One way to implement this could be a "Shuffle" button next to the usual "Play" button on a show's page. Clicking it would:

• Pick a random episode from the entire series or from selected seasons (like seasons 2-4).
• Optionally continue playing subsequent episodes in order, keeping the binge-watching experience intact.
• Allow users to skip episodes they've already watched if they prefer fresh content.

Why This Would Be Useful

This kind of feature would benefit several groups:

• Rewatchers who enjoy comfort shows but want more variety.
• Anthology viewers watching shows like Black Mirror, where episodes are standalone.
• Groups of viewers who can't agree on a specific episode.
• Viewers tired of algorithms who prefer randomness over recommendations.

Making It Happen

A simple starting point could be a basic shuffle feature tested with a popular episodic show like The Office. Based on initial feedback, additional options could include:

1. Letting users filter by seasons or skip recaps.
2. Excluding heavily serialized shows, where randomness might confuse viewers.
3. Adjusting the button placement to avoid cluttering the interface.

Unlike Netflix's existing "Play Something" feature—which shuffles across all shows—this would focus on randomizing within a single series, offering a more targeted experience.

Overall, this idea taps into the nostalgia of channel-surfing while solving a real pain point for rewatchers, with little technical overhead required.