September 3, 2024

I recently checked out the DVD of a popular TV series from my local library. It was one of those multi-disc boxed sets, but I didn’t make it through the first DVD.

Why?

Because the show didn’t present a clear protagonist (or group of protagonists) and goal. 

Photo of a woman scratching her head and holding her other hand up in a gesture of confusion.

There were too many characters introduced in the beginning scenes. Each with their own interpersonal drama. And they all seemed to be in conflict with one another. 

Were all of them equally important to the plot? Who was I supposed to care about?

We barely got to spend time with a character before the scene ended and we were exposed to yet another character and another fraught relationship.

I love strong character development. But please, give me time to feel a connection with Character A before introducing me to Character B.

 The other problem with this show? I’d started watching because it was supposed to be action adventure. Yet by the time I stopped watching, I still hadn’t seen any coherent external threat. The external plot that existed was…well…boring.

And the villain? Off doing things that didn’t tie in with what we were being shown on the protagonists’ side. Making it hard to see them as a genuine threat.

Confused and frustrated, I stopped watching. And crossed that show from my To Watch list.

In my head, I’m making a note not to do this in my writing.

How about you? Is there any show you started watching recently then gave up on?

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