STSNW's episodic storytelling or STD and STP's Serialized Seasons

[fireproof78]

Modern Trek writers seem better at writing episodic series. They just haven't figured it out how to effectively serialize an ongoing story. But that doesn't mean it's impossible for modern Trek. They just haven't done it yet.

Hopefully they do it soon.

 

[Mr Awe]

Which is why I welcome the 10 episodes. Keep the audience wanting more, instead of overstaying your welcome.

I think whenever the audience is glad there are only 10 episodes and not more, the showrunners are doing something wrong.

When DS9 was on, I was so glad they had ~26 episodes per season. And I was still sad when the season was over!

If you're making a quality show, the audience won't tired of it even when there are more episodes per season. So, every time someone touts the "only 10 episodes" as a plus, I actually think it's quite telling about the series in question.

In contrast, SNW had only 10 episodes and I think most of us are sad that it's so short!

 

[fireproof78]

I think whenever the audience is glad there are only 10 episodes and not more, the showrunners are doing something wrong.

When DS9 was on, I was so glad they had ~26 episodes per season. And I was still sad when the season was over!

If you're making a quality show, the audience won't tired of it even when there are more episodes per season. So, every time someone touts the "only 10 episodes" as a plus, I actually think it's quite telling about the series in question.

In contrast, SNW had only 10 episodes and I think most of us are sad that it's so short!

The hell? I absolutely think SNW is doing a good job AND am glad it's only 10 episodes.

What I have learned, especially with Trek fans, is that demands for more of something results in lesser quality, regardless of initial quality. So, yeah, SNW is doing a good job. Don't give the fans more fuel to complain about.

 

[Mr Awe]

The hell? I absolutely think SNW is doing a good job AND am glad it's only 10 episodes.

What I have learned, especially with Trek fans, is that demands for more of something results in lesser quality, regardless of initial quality. So, yeah, SNW is doing a good job. Don't give the fans more fuel to complain about.

I'd point to both DS9 and TOS to refute the idea that more leads to lesser quality. Of course, that's subjective and YMMV.

Generally, when someone enjoys something, they want more, not less. I personally wish the SNW seasons were longer because I like the episodes. Although, I'm very happy we've gotten what we got!

But I'm glad you're happy with the shorter seasons.

 

[fireproof78]

I'd point to both DS9 and TOS to refute the idea that more leads to lesser quality. Of course, that's subjective and YMMV.

Generally, when someone enjoys something, they want more, not less. I personally wish the SNW seasons were longer because I like the episodes. Although, I'm very happy we've gotten what we got!

But I'm glad you're happy with the shorter seasons.

Of course I want more. And I'm happy we are not getting more. Those two things are true for me at the same time.

TOS and DS9 are outliers and if Trek keeps running after that all they will do is create hollow leftovers rather than recognizing that they need to tell the story they want to tell.

And more than that, my experience with Trek fans is demands for more does not mean they will actually be satisfied with more. So, again, I stick with my attitude of keep wanting more and be accepting of the good we got. I think the term is contentment.

 

[TRON JA307020]

Well it's not. But 10 hour plus episode seem to have the worst track record.
I think episodic, two/ three parters or overall arc (Ala DS9) which have stand alones and an overall theme. All those types seem to work best.
A 10 plus straight story with little location change or story advancement doesnt seem to suit Trek very well. Either that or the current writers just plain suck at it...

Yup. One thing is quite clear episodic star trek is back and as we can see it's been far more successful for fandom. So much is packed into one episode in terms of characterization and story and basically no boring filtering we get in many serialized productions. Yup.

 

[TrekTrucker]

The pendulum was always going to swing back to episodic story telling at some point. And I think SNW may very well be the beginning of that swing. And at some point it will swing back to serialization. I don’t have a particular prefer to either, so long as the story being told and the execution of that storytelling is good.

 

[fireproof78]

The pendulum was always going to swing back to episodic story telling at some point. And I think SNW may very well be the beginning of that swing. And at some point it will swing back to serialization. I don’t have a particular prefer to either, so long as the story being told and the execution of that storytelling is good.

I think they should use what best fits the story. If it's a longer story then go with serialized. Shorter? Do episodic.

This is really not rock surgery. People think in such simple terms of a "one size fits all" style to storytelling and that's so ridiculous.

 

[Ray Hardgrit]

This is really not rock surgery.

Good, because I'm a doctor, not a bricklayer.

(I'm not actually a doctor).

 

[Dar70]

I think they should use what best fits the story. If it's a longer story then go with serialized. Shorter? Do episodic.

This is really not rock surgery. People think in such simple terms of a "one size fits all" style to storytelling and that's so ridiculous.

Yeah. I don't see why we cant get a mix. With only 10 episodes per season one 2 or 3 parter and 8 or 7 standalone eps would be great..

 

[Quinton]

I enjoy both approaches, and Pubert, I appreciate that you included a poll option for me. I wasn't certain you would.