Amazon has just released the first three episodes of its first original series Alpha House, and you can watch them for free on Amazon Instant Video.

Alpha House stars John Goodman and was written by Doonesbury‘s Garry Trudeau. It focuses on four U.S. Senators who live together in a rented house in Washington D.C.

Amazon is departing from the path blazed by Netflix, choosing not to release the entire season of Alpha House all at once. Amazon is giving viewers a taste by allowing them to watch the first three episodes for free, but after that each episode will become available on a weekly basis. You’ll also have to have a subscription to Amazon Prime (Instant Video) in order to watch the whole series.

According to Amazon Studios director Roy Price, they chose this release model “so that customers can chat about the shows and build up anticipation.”

“We are incredibly excited to make our very first original series available to Amazon customers. Our goal has always been to create shows that customers will love and we can’t wait to see Alpha House come to life,” said Roy Price, Director of Amazon Studios. “Creator Garry Trudeau and the amazing cast of Alpha House have delivered a humor-packed first season that doesn’t skip a beat.”

Amazon’s second original comedy series, Betas, will premiere its first 3 episodes a week from today.

Image via Amazon Studios, YouTube