The new Amazon drama “Homecoming” has a lot going for it. Julia Roberts in her first starring TV role. Bravura directing from Sam Esmail of “Mr. Robot.” A top-notch supporting cast, taut writing and a mind-bending military-corporate thriller plot.

I wrote about all these things in my review. But to be honest, what most excited me when I first started watching the screeners was that every episode is about 30 minutes long.

With today’s expansive TV drama installments typically running an hour (or more), each episode of “Homecoming” felt like a gift certificate for 30 extra minutes of sweet, unencumbered life. Thirty more minutes to work, to sleep or — why not? — watch a second episode.