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I think X-Files had the right balance. The arc episodes were spread out, usually as two-parters during sweeps, which meant that you didn't have to watch every single episode in order. The ironic thing is that the standalone episodes are some of the best: "Squeeze" and "Pusher" (each of which had sequels, but were hardly arcs), "Clyde Bruckman," "Home," "Unruhe".... I could go on.
Now, it seems like if I didn't watch an episode of Fringe, I'm screwed. I think there's an economic issue, as well: producers are beginning to think of broadcasts as trailers for the eventual DVD. It may seem like the evolution of TV, but I think it's a little like a new species growing a tail where it didn't need one. Reply
Now, it seems like if I didn't watch an episode of Fringe, I'm screwed. I think there's an economic issue, as well: producers are beginning to think of broadcasts as trailers for the eventual DVD. It may seem like the evolution of TV, but I think it's a little like a new species growing a tail where it didn't need one. Reply
@Wookie1972: You're so right about the standalone episodes of the X-Files: they're definitely some of the best. I think they're aging better than the arc episodes, which were compelling at first but eventually were bogged down in ways that few arc-heavy shows managed since then.
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@Wookie1972: I really credit the X-Files with having an excellent transition balance. X-Files and Buffy are what brought arcs into mainstream. But while Buffy did it by slowly melding long arcs into the MOTW format, the X-Files did it by having completely distinct MOTWs and mytharc episodes. And when it worked, it worked really well. I wish that format remained more common.
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@Wookie1972: I think the standalones on X-Files seem to work better because the best mytharc on X-Files was not the aliens or the conspiracies but instead the relationship between Mulder and Scully. The dynamic between those two and how it changed throughout the series was the best arc and it got great play in the standalone eps. The other arcs didn't do so well because the showrunners didn't have them as well thought as the partner dynamic. Of course until they decided to make the relationship romantic, offscreen.
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@Mortimer Gray: I think part of that is because the Arc failed in the x-files. If they had ended it earlier when the writing staff had more interest, then I think it would stand up better, but the show (and especially the Arc) really fell apart in the end.
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@Wookie1972: If they didn't grow tales, we wouldn't have them to appreciate, would we? Or did I mean 'tails'? ;)
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