The purpose of this research is to develop a mathematical and cognitive framework for addressing the question of the extent to which episodes of television series have an inherent order in which they should be viewed and to look at where Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel fit into the evolution of series television by this measure. It is readily apparent that there are sharp differences among television series in the degree to which the order of episodes is important. In the classic soap opera, seeing the episodes in correct order is absolutely essential to making sense of the narrative. In most situation comedies, Gilligan's Island, for example, order is irrelevant. There are also many series, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, which fall between these extremes, where viewing episodes in the correct order is desirable, but not essential. The existence of different degrees of orderliness suggests the possibility of quantifying this property. This research will draw on work in information theory and statistics to develop a method for quantifying this in a way that agrees as much as possible with common sense understanding of the differences between these different types of show. In support of this, this project will also propose a cognitive model for the way viewers process the narratives to make sense out of their order. Finally, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel will be assessed for their orderliness and considered along with related series to assess their place in the historical development of series television.