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I love the ongoing story arc in Alias. It's gripping (for those that gave it a chance) but ... Firefly??? Thread needed to explain please 
Posted: 00:41 Mar 25 2002
Arcs or episodes?
It seems that B5 started a trend with its story arcs, its hard to reember that before that, practically every epsiode on every genre show was standalone.
Now not everyone can pull of a good arc, and you can bet the networks hate them, they so want nice packageable chunks they can put on in any order they see fit , but do you think upcoming shows like Firefly should have one or the other?
Now not everyone can pull of a good arc, and you can bet the networks hate them, they so want nice packageable chunks they can put on in any order they see fit , but do you think upcoming shows like Firefly should have one or the other?
5 Replies and 1872 Views in Total.
Posted: 00:41 Mar 25 2002 
It sepends some shows are way too Arcy (dont think thats a word), You have to strike a balance as someone who is a fan may miss an episode and then not have an idea whats going on.
Posted: 19:00 Mar 25 2002 
Hopefully it can work like Buffy, where there is an overall arc to the season, but not all episodes have to be solely concerned with it. I'm all for arcs, its good for better character development i think, but there's always a place for good 'monster of the week' eps. I like it when you get just little scene's that reference/advance the main story within an otherwise stand alone ep.
And i really ought to be able to come up with a good Buffy example here, but i can't summon one at the moment.
Anyway, i just really hope Firefly doesn't suck. He did good with Angel, but a succesful show creator doesn't necessarily get to repeat that (see Chris Carter... though i must admit to not having seen any of his stuff other than the X Files, none of it has lasted)
And i really ought to be able to come up with a good Buffy example here, but i can't summon one at the moment.
Anyway, i just really hope Firefly doesn't suck. He did good with Angel, but a succesful show creator doesn't necessarily get to repeat that (see Chris Carter... though i must admit to not having seen any of his stuff other than the X Files, none of it has lasted)
Posted: 19:35 Mar 25 2002 This often leads to a situation where the arc is put on hold while we have the standalone eps. Glory the superstrong hell-God on a tight schedule apparently sitting around not doing much for the entire period between 'Blood Ties' and 'Intervention', for example.
by Watcher girl
Hopefully it can work like Buffy, where there is an overall arc to the season, but not all episodes have to be solely concerned with it.
Not sure about that. Character development should of course be ongoing whatever's happening, but Buffy actually has a tendency to put a lot of it in standalone eps. Sometimes with a big signpost saying "Look, we're developing this character!" ('The Zeppo', anyone?
I'm all for arcs, its good for better character development i think,
) I don't necessarily like it when they do that though...Several of the eps in the 2nd half of S2 spring to mind. 'Killed by Death', 'I Only Have Eyes For You'.
but there's always a place for good 'monster of the week' eps. I like it when you get just little scene's that reference/advance the main story within an otherwise stand alone ep.
And i really ought to be able to come up with a good Buffy example here, but i can't summon one at the moment.
From what I know of 'Firefly' it's going to be quite character-based, which for me is a good sign. I have high hopes, obviously, but we'll just have to wait and see..
Anyway, i just really hope Firefly doesn't suck. He did good with Angel, but a succesful show creator doesn't necessarily get to repeat that (see Chris Carter... though i must admit to not having seen any of his stuff other than the X Files, none of it has lasted)
Posted: 13:43 Mar 27 2002