A recent foray into postcastdom reminded me that I’ve broken my rule of streaming no more than three things at a time. In recapping the latest developments on “The Walking Dead” and “Downton Abbey,” we quickly wandered into What We’re Watching territory and, as it turns out, I’m up to my eyeballs in great television.

This is thanks, in part, to the shrewd move by Amazon to make current shows available for sale a day or two after they air on broadcast television. 

I have a pretty spartan cable package; it does not include FX. (The only channel I must have is AMC for “Mad Men” and “Better Call Saul” (and before it “Breaking Bad.” Thank goodness PBS gems like “Downton Abbey” are public.) No FX means no immediate access to the few shows I care about on a broadcast network: “Justified”; “The Americans” and “Archer” (don’t judge me; if you’re an “Archer” fan, seek ye “Frisky Dingo,” an animated series that predates “Archer” that was created by members of that Atlanta crew. If you can believe it, it’s far more inappropriate than “Archer” and wickedly funny).

Amazon Prime’s streaming service has since made this channel-less-ness a non-issue. In this Game of Shows that’s emerging – in which networks old and young are pulling out of the licensing stops in a battle for the most viewers – we viewers continue to reap the benefits. Of course, such wealth requires sharing, which brings us to the second in an emerging series of binge reports. 

WATCHING ‘LIVE’: In which ‘Live’ means new programs that air weekly or on or are original to a home network. 

“Justified”:In its final season on FX, “Justified” has been one nail-biter episode after another. A successful recipe of excellent writing (based on the works of the late great Elmore Leonard), fabulous actors, and a well-defined sense of place take viewers on a gritty ride through the crime world in rural Kentucky of all unlikely places. (Watch out for those mineshafts.)

In what he hopes is his final case, Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens is nearly back where he began: chasing down longtime nemesis Boyd Crowder, who, along with some unsavory associates, is playing hot potato with a big bag of money. Meanwhile, larger puppet-masters (with Sam Elliott and Mary Steenburgen portraying two of them with great aplomb) in the same syndicate hope to buy up loads of land on which they aim to set up a monopoly on medical marijuana — and maybe settle a score or two. Without spoiling things too harshly, I’ll say this: I think Raylan will let Ava get away with what she just got away with on the latest episode. She deserves it. 

“The Americans”: Yet another feather in FX’s cap, this show set in the early ’80s follows two KGB agents deeply embedded in the Washington, D.C., suburbs. Keri Russell’s Elizabeth is a long way from Felicity. She’s lethal, she’s smart, and she’s fiercely loyal to Mother Russia. Meanwhile, her equally capable partner and husband, Philip, is losing his taste for the KGB Koolaid. That’ll happen when the boss wants you to recruit your own daughter — who’s grown up truly American and has no idea her parents are Russian spies — drafted to the cause. Elsewhere in D.C., the FBI works with other Russians on and off the record to gain insight into the war in Afghanistan, among other operations (including a big clean-up on a FBI-agent/KGB-spy romance that went terribly awry).

And those are only a few irons on the fire. You won’t believe some of the cover identities Philip and Elizabeth maintain as part of their ongoing duties. Plus, vintage spycraft, great music, and powerful acting combine to make a riveting hour of television. 

“The Walking Dead”: I’ve said perhaps too much on this topic, but I’ll just add that the last two seasons of AMC’s post-zombie-apocalypse series have raised the dramatic bar significantly. We’re starting to see just how much our band of heroes has changed. The new normal isn’t terribly pretty; after perhaps too long in the wild, Rick’s crew isn’t super great at trusting other non-zombies. Ever watchful of betrayal (and walkers), our heroes have varying levels of success finding some peace and quiet in a seemingly safe haven. As the finale approaches, we’re left to wonder if the increasingly unreliable and unhinged Rick is right when he declares “you fight or you die” to his fellow residents of Alexandria. (He might be.) 

“Better Call Saul”: I was afraid for this show when the creative team behind “Breaking Bad” announced a spinoff show in the works. Yes, the spinoff’s main character, lawyer Saul Goodman, was a memorable and important character on “BB.” Slick, silver-tongued* Saul did much and more to aid and abet Walter White’s meth kingdom; it’s a miracle he survived the series (unlike Walt). But still, fans wondered if Saul could carry his own show. 

He can and he does, and what’s more, we come to learn that Saul wasn’t always Saul. He was Jimmy McGill, a former con-man known as Slippin’ Jimmy turned lawyer. Mentored by his super-shark lawyer brother Chuck (portrayed by a wonderful Michael McKean), Jimmy works his way up a long, winding, scorpion-strewn mountain road to semi-decency. Where Saul is all business and self-interest, Jimmy has a heart and seems to want to do the right thing by the law most of the time; still he’s got an amazing talent for attracting trouble no thanks to his ambition (not unlike his client-to-be Walter White). It will be interesting (and a little sad) to see how Jimmy makes the change to Saul Goodman. Of course, if anyone is suited to the task, it’s actor Bob Odenkirk, who is so very subtle as he conveys Jimmy’s struggle for legitimacy as it wars with his strong opportunist tendency. Bonus: We get lots more Mike back-story in “Better Call Saul.” Tune in, folks.

Also, the creative team is so clever, they made a website for Saul Goodman. 

“Archer”: Because: cartoons. This FX animated spy series is one of my guilty pleasures (and not for the faint of heart). I love Aisha Tyler’s treatment of super-spy Lana Kane, and H. Jon Benjamin is utterly hilarious as super-duper spy Sterling Archer. Plus, we get Jessica Walter as Archer’s domineering spy-boss mother, Malory, and “Arrested Development” fans know the greatness of which she is capable and which she reliably delivers on “Archer.” 

CURRENTLY BINGEING 

Because we’re pretty loaded up with shows that are current, most of our bingers are on hiatus. Still, after a long silly day at work or a heavy episode of “The Americans,” I need a laugh, so I’m pressing on with the “Gilmore Girls” and continue to enjoy its rapier wit, memorable characters and the classic “Gilmore” devices that always get a laugh: Luke and Lorelai’s banter; Kirk and his many odd jobs; Miss Patty and Babette; a new housemaid at every Friday night dinner at Emily and Richard’s house.

I’m in the thick of season four: Richard’s mother, former head Lorelai, has died and the Gilmores are left to sift through her belongings and carry out her extensive and specific funeral wishes. Meanwhile, Rory is plugging away at Yale, and the Firefly Inn is nearing the end of construction thanks in part to a loan from Luke. 

To fill that same need for levity, my viewing partner has added some “Burn Notice” requests to the mix. Available on Netflix, we’re on our second trip through the fast-paced Miami-set spy series. After this winter, any dose of sunshine is a good thing, and that includes Sharon Gless in her role as Madeline Westen, super mom to main character Michael, a burned spy.

We’ve recommended “Burn Notice” to a few friends and were widely mocked for it, but I stand by the recommendation. Yes, it’s a bit formulaic, but well-realized characters, stunning scenery and fabulous DIY spycraft tips make “Burn Notice” a welcome distraction from heavier fare. It’s not high art, it’s TV candy, and who doesn’t like a little something sweet now and again? 

On hiatus: While I’m still interested in the adventures of Hank Moody, “Californication” is hanging on the back burner. Still recommended. 

COMING UP

There is way too much good stuff is on the horizon, so it might be that I give spring a miss and emerge from the house in June. On the horizon I have two big-deal shows starting up again: my beloved “Mad Men” returns to finish out its run on April 5 in what promises to be a heavy, emotional ride; the richly entertaining “Game of Thrones” gets back in gear for its fifth season on April 12. I'll have more to say as the series begin; I have at least three tributes to "Mad Men" planned, so stay tuned. Both shows air on Sunday nights. Thank goodness “Downton Abbey” and "The Walsking Dead" are over/nearly over for now.

I'm on Twitter: @TheMDesk

*Strong language in some scenes.