The more and more I watch TV shows, the more I realize that most TV series have a fundamental flaw and strength.
They have no resolution.
The lack of resolution and tying up strings is also the TV show's strength because it dangles the imaginary ending just around the corner and entices the viewer to watch "just one more episode". And I applaud the writers and directors for creating such a crazy good way to make money while still making a gripping story that tells well.
But there is a flaw in their story telling.
When a author plans on writing a series of books, he generally will (but not always) write a basic outline of the events leading to the conclusion of the epic story. But an author hardly ever sells a book series to a publisher without having an outline, and a planned ending.
I have started a book without any idea on how it will end and just went with it. And I understand the thrill of the discovery in that. But when millions of dollars hang on the line, you'd better have a goal in mind.
When did movies or books sell the best, especially during the final installments in a series? They sold the best when there was a definite ending, and all the loving fans, clamored to read/watch the finale, knowing full well that it was the last story, and that it was going to go out with a huge bang. Think:
Star Wars,
Lord of the Rings,
Harry Potter, and numerous others.
What if you could do the same thing with a TV series? What if you could have
a projected 2-5 season series that culminated into a finale that the world has
never seen on TV? What if you could count down to the final season, the final
episodes, and the fans wait eagerly, expectantly, and nervously for the finale
they hope and fear for.
Instead of letting a series fade out of pop culture by just writing
more and more episodes until the following completely hates it, why not make it
a classic, a masterpiece, a legend in TV history?
Tell a story. A story has a beginning, a middle, and an
end. If it doesn't have a definite ending, then it lacks one of the most fundamental parts of a plot.
It may be good style, good premise, good acting, but it can not be good story telling unless it is a complete story.
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Not having a resolution is a money maker for studios and I understand that. But prolonging a TV series just because it is a hit, shows a lack of creativity to create a new show that is as new and dynamic as the last.
I challenge every story teller, screenwriter, author, playwright, actor, producer, director, and studios to take a leap and plan, and make an
end.
