This is exactly why I've gravitated to movies (art-house, classic, foreign, indie, etc.) over television in the last couple of years. TV is just so much commitment! As you said, at the end of a couple of hours, I'd like to feel that I've watched/been told a story. And so often these days with series that's not the case.

(That said, The Expanse is one of the few recent shows I've watched all seasons of.)