Seen one of those (The Boys). Maybe two if you count the first season of Westworld (don’t plan on watching more because it’s supposed to be shite).
I only really bother with Mike Flanagan’s single season stuff on Netflix, because the man knows how to open and close a story. Others should take note. Don’t start a story unless you know how it’s going to end and how long it’s going to take to get there.
“This is popular, let’s make more” is an attitude that has ruined television.
They don’t care about the quality of television. Writing a story that goes on and on and offers the possibility of several spinoffs is the equivalent of micro-transactions in video games : they make more money that way.
Capitalism only maximizes money, it doesn’t maximize quality. It eats quality to make more money.
The model worked back when episodes were self contained. I don’t need to see seasons 1-20 (or whatever they’re up to now) of The Simpsons to understand the latest episode. Old Star Trek was the same. You didn’t need a huge back story. Kirk/Picard and chums were the good guys. The guy with the plastic on his face and angry eyes was the bad guy. It was easy.
But stretching a simple story over 10 seasons of gradually declining quality is nonsense. By their own logic we can only have a conclusion when the quality has declined to the point that nobody cares what happens. Might as well not even have an ending at that point.
Agreed about Flanagan. I feel like now’s the time to have more one season stories for easier digestion. Especially since so many of them turn to shit so quickly. Ted Lasso being a recent example. Holy shit that last season was horrendous.
It’s the same thing in video games and books, people chasing money or lack skill go after the most popular genres even if they themselves don’t really have any interest in it and produce mediocre products that have 0 passion in them.
I should really watch more stuff from Flanagan, I though midnight mass was alright even if it dragged it’s feet in the middle.
Seen one of those (The Boys). Maybe two if you count the first season of Westworld (don’t plan on watching more because it’s supposed to be shite).
I only really bother with Mike Flanagan’s single season stuff on Netflix, because the man knows how to open and close a story. Others should take note. Don’t start a story unless you know how it’s going to end and how long it’s going to take to get there.
“This is popular, let’s make more” is an attitude that has ruined television.
They don’t care about the quality of television. Writing a story that goes on and on and offers the possibility of several spinoffs is the equivalent of micro-transactions in video games : they make more money that way.
Capitalism only maximizes money, it doesn’t maximize quality. It eats quality to make more money.
The model worked back when episodes were self contained. I don’t need to see seasons 1-20 (or whatever they’re up to now) of The Simpsons to understand the latest episode. Old Star Trek was the same. You didn’t need a huge back story. Kirk/Picard and chums were the good guys. The guy with the plastic on his face and angry eyes was the bad guy. It was easy.
But stretching a simple story over 10 seasons of gradually declining quality is nonsense. By their own logic we can only have a conclusion when the quality has declined to the point that nobody cares what happens. Might as well not even have an ending at that point.
The new Star Trek, Strange New Worlds and Lower Decks, both go back to the standalone episodic model. And they are the best since DS9.
They have a DS9-style balance where there is an overarching story, but it’s usually not the focus. The Lower Deckers are now Lieutenant junior grades.
The Simpsons is now on season 35.
Agreed about Flanagan. I feel like now’s the time to have more one season stories for easier digestion. Especially since so many of them turn to shit so quickly. Ted Lasso being a recent example. Holy shit that last season was horrendous.
It’s the same thing in video games and books, people chasing money or lack skill go after the most popular genres even if they themselves don’t really have any interest in it and produce mediocre products that have 0 passion in them.
I should really watch more stuff from Flanagan, I though midnight mass was alright even if it dragged it’s feet in the middle.