The English with their penchant for short series is something that always catches me by surprise.
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It really shouldn't because they've been making shows that way for decades - but still it gets me every time.
I got to thinking about this because I've been watching the latest series of crime drama Luther starring Idris "yeah, I was on The Wire but that was ages ago" Elba.
It was on BBC First last month but, given there seems to be so much TV these days and not enough time to watch it all, I'm only getting around to the latest series now.
This is the fifth season of Luther and the longest - yes, the longest - season was the first at a whopping six episodes.
That series aired way back in 2010 and I was keen to watch it because it was created by crime writer Neil Cross.
Let me tell you, that first series is a cracker - it's creepy, raw, a bit nasty and throws in a few surprise twists and turns.
Being used to the US template of at least 10-12 episodes making up a series, when episode six of Luther ended I was gobsmacked.
"Wait, what? That's it? But the series only just started, dammit."
When you start watching the series final of a show you like, I find it helps to actually know that.
Otherwise you get to the end credits and it's like the rug has been pulled out from under you.
You suddenly have to get used to the ugly reality that the next six episodes you thought you had in front of you were just an illusion.
Remember I said that was the longest series - most of the others are just four episodes long.
Season four is just two episodes. Two!
Really, you shouldn't be able to bingewatch an entire season of a show in a single night without staying up past your bedtime.
Overall, there are five seasons of Luther and a grand total of 21 episodes.
There's a reason why there are so few episodes of Luther - they're all written by Cross.
That's a real plus because it means there's a continuity of style throughout. After all, who is going to know the voice of a character better than the person who created them?
All those 21 episodes are worth watching - though be warned that they do get a bit gory.
And they'll be over before you realise.