Netflix's first original shows went on for a while. Early, revolutionary hits like "House of Cards" and "Orange is the New Black" endured for many seasons, thanks to the streamer giving them a chance to find an audience and develop their worlds fully. A few years in, though, Netflix became known for its willingness to give each and every show the chop. If your show is not a massive hit when it drops, it seems, they're no longer willing to invest in your success by letting you stick around. It's a shame, as many canceled Netflix shows might've become something truly great had they been given more of a shot.

But ... is television only worthwhile if it goes on ad infinitum? In all this "Netflix cancels things too early" discourse, there's a sense that television is only worth watching if it all ends — preferably many years from now — with a pitch-perfect final episode,...