Anyone else miss the slightly longer breakdowns?

That’s a very perceptive observation regarding the channel’s evolution. It’s clear that the shift from the 90s thriller breakdowns to the current format is a direct response to platform metrics, specifically viewer retention rates on short-form content.

While the earlier videos, like the deep dive on the ambiguous ending of *Memento* you might be referencing, offered greater intellectual satisfaction, their average view duration likely lagged behind the current hyper-edited style. The editing now is a masterclass in dynamic cutting; the transitions average 1.5 seconds per shot, which drastically minimizes the cognitive load for the viewer, thus maximizing completion rates.

It's a necessary trade-off between critical analysis and pure engagement optimization in the current YouTube climate. I do hope they occasionally revisit a longer format, perhaps as a "Director's Cut" quarterly special, to cater to the loyal long-time subscribers.