Storylines are the backbone of episodic TV, providing structure and depth to each episode. A storylines drive the main plot and character development, while B storylines offer secondary elements that complement and enrich the primary narrative.
Understanding different types helps writers craft compelling episodes. A storylines receive more screen time and narrative weight, focusing on central conflicts and characters. B storylines explore subplots, supporting characters, and provide contrast or thematic resonance.
Definition of storylines
Storylines form the narrative backbone of episodic television, providing structure and depth to each episode
Multiple storylines allow writers to explore various characters, themes, and plot points within a single episode
Understanding different storyline types enhances a writer's ability to craft compelling and well-rounded episodes
A storyline vs B storyline
Top images from around the web for A storyline vs B storyline
Anchoring Phenomenon Routine - Storyline Tool | OER Commons View original
Is this image relevant?
UJ005: Figure 2.3 | Plot points on a story arc. The User's J… | Flickr View original
Mastering these elements ensures viewers remain invested in both storylines throughout the episode
Emotional investment across storylines
Develop relatable character conflicts or dilemmas in both A and B storylines
Create emotional stakes that resonate with viewers in each storyline
Use B storylines to explore different emotional landscapes than A storylines
Develop character relationships that viewers can invest in across multiple episodes
Balance emotional intensity between storylines to maintain viewer engagement
Maintaining viewer interest
Create intriguing hooks for both A and B storylines early in the episode
Use cliffhangers and act breaks to build anticipation for both storylines
Develop mysteries or unanswered questions in each storyline to maintain curiosity
Balance pacing between storylines to prevent viewer fatigue or boredom
Introduce unexpected twists or revelations in both A and B storylines
Payoff and satisfaction
Ensure both A and B storylines reach satisfying conclusions or developments
Provide emotional or narrative resolutions that feel earned and meaningful
Balance the impact of A and B storyline resolutions on characters and overall plot
Use B storyline resolutions to complement or contrast with A storyline outcomes
Create payoffs that set up future storylines or character arcs for upcoming episodes
Key Terms to Review (18)
Antagonist: An antagonist is a character or force that opposes the main character, often creating conflict and driving the narrative forward. This opposition can come from various sources, including other characters, societal pressures, or internal struggles within the protagonist. The presence of an antagonist is crucial as it shapes the protagonist's journey and helps establish the story's central conflict.
B Storyline: A B storyline, often referred to as a subplot, is a secondary narrative that runs parallel to the main story (A storyline) and typically explores different themes or character relationships. This storyline serves to enrich the overall narrative by providing depth, contrast, or comic relief while allowing the audience to engage with different aspects of the characters and plot.
Character Arc: A character arc is the transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story, showcasing their development and change in response to the events they experience. This evolution often reflects the character's personal challenges and growth, impacting their relationships and overall narrative role.
Chemistry: In the context of writing episodic drama, chemistry refers to the intangible and magnetic connection between characters that makes their interactions engaging and believable. This connection can enhance ensemble dynamics, deepen relationships with supporting characters, and elevate storylines by making conflicts and resolutions feel authentic. Chemistry is essential for crafting dialogue and distinct character voices that resonate with the audience, as it fosters a sense of realism and emotional investment in the narrative.
Climax: The climax is the turning point or moment of highest tension in a narrative, where the central conflict reaches its peak and the outcome becomes clear. It often leads to a resolution, influencing the trajectory of both the main and secondary storylines. This moment is crucial as it determines how characters will change, and it provides a payoff for the buildup created throughout the narrative.
Cold Open: A cold open is a technique used in television writing where a scene or sequence occurs before the opening credits, grabbing the audience's attention right from the start. This immediate engagement helps establish tone and set up key story elements that will unfold in the episode, making it a crucial tool in episodic storytelling.
Conflict Resolution: Conflict resolution refers to the methods and processes used to facilitate the peaceful ending of a disagreement or conflict between characters. In storytelling, this concept is crucial for moving the plot forward and often involves characters confronting their differences, negotiating terms, or reaching an understanding. It plays a significant role in developing A and B storylines, as well as enhancing the world-building by showing how characters interact within their environments and with each other.
Flashback: A flashback is a narrative device that interrupts the chronological flow of a story to revisit past events, providing context, background, or insights into characters and plot. This technique enriches storytelling by revealing character motivations, past traumas, or critical backstory, enhancing emotional depth and engagement.
Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is a literary technique used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story. It serves to build anticipation and create a sense of suspense, allowing viewers to connect various elements of the narrative as they unfold. This technique enhances narrative continuity and can deepen character arcs by setting up future events and emotional responses.
Inciting Incident: The inciting incident is a pivotal moment in a story that sets the main plot into motion, introducing the central conflict that the characters must confront. It often acts as a catalyst, compelling the protagonist to take action and propelling the narrative forward, while also creating hooks and cliffhangers that engage the audience's interest from the start. This moment is crucial in shaping character dynamics and setting up both primary and secondary storylines.
Motif: A motif is a recurring element or theme within a narrative that contributes to its overall meaning or reinforces its central ideas. Motifs can be symbols, images, phrases, or concepts that echo throughout the story, enriching the audience's understanding and emotional experience. By weaving motifs into various storylines and character arcs, writers create deeper connections and layers within their work.
Protagonist: The protagonist is the main character in a story, often facing a central conflict and undergoing significant growth or change throughout the narrative. This character drives the plot forward and engages the audience's empathy, often serving as a lens through which the audience experiences the story. The complexities of the protagonist's journey intertwine with other characters and themes, making them essential to the overall structure and emotional impact of the narrative.
Resolution: Resolution is the final part of a story where conflicts are resolved, characters' arcs are completed, and the narrative reaches a satisfying conclusion. This element is crucial as it ties together all the threads of the plot, providing closure for both the characters and the audience. It plays an essential role in shaping the overall impact of the story, influencing how the audience feels about the journey they just experienced.
Rising Action: Rising action is the series of events in a narrative that build tension and develop the central conflict, leading up to the climax. This part of the story creates suspense and deepens the audience's investment in the characters and their struggles, making it essential for developing both A and B storylines, pacing scenes effectively, introducing conflicts, and building tension throughout the narrative.
Storyline: A storyline is the sequence of events and actions that take place in a narrative, providing the structure and flow of the plot. It serves as the backbone of a story, guiding character development, conflict, and resolution, which are essential for engaging the audience. In episodic drama, understanding the dynamics between A and B storylines is crucial, as they can enhance character arcs and thematic depth throughout the series.
Subplot: A subplot is a secondary storyline that runs parallel to the main plot of a narrative, adding depth and complexity to the overall story. Subplots often involve supporting or recurring characters and can explore themes, character development, or conflicts that enhance the primary storyline. They serve to enrich the narrative by providing additional perspectives and emotional resonance.
Tag: In the context of episodic drama, a tag is a short concluding scene that wraps up the episode and often includes a final joke or moment of reflection. It serves to provide closure for the viewer and can highlight character growth or tie back to themes established throughout the episode. Tags are essential for creating a satisfying end to a story, ensuring that audiences leave with a strong impression.
Theme: Theme is the central idea or underlying message that a story conveys, often reflecting broader societal issues or human experiences. It serves as the foundation for both A and B storylines, providing coherence and depth to the narrative. By exploring themes, writers can evoke emotions and provoke thought, making their stories resonate with audiences on a deeper level.