Serials vs. Standalones

[Duke Psychology]

which storytelling method do you prefer when it comes to television? serial storylines or standalone episodes?

if you don't know which is which, i'll explain

serials are when an episode picks up where the previous episode left off. the story begins with the season premiere and ends by the season finale. it's basically one, long continuing storyline for the entire season/series. (ex. 24)

standalones are when each episode is its own story. the story begins at the beginning of an episode and is finished by the time the episode ends, leaving the next episode open for a brand new story. they will occassionally have 2 or 3 parters, but for the most part, they're episodic. (ex. most sitcoms)

then you have shows that are a mix. they have an overarching story for the season, but they have some standalones sprinkled here and there. the serial episodes are called "story episodes" while the standalone episodes are called "filler episodes". (ex. Teen Titans)

so which method do you prefer?

[Chad Bonin]

I like the mixture, as seen in Smallville and Power Rangers DinoThunder.

Sure, you have an episode about a CCG monster coming to life and attacking Reefside. Big whoop, Triassic Battlizer will take it out. But you end it with the revelation that Anton Mercer is Mesogog, and you know the next episode's not gonna be fun for Trent.

[DarkAngel]

which storytelling method do you prefer when it comes to television? serial storylines or standalone episodes?I like a series that has an arc to it. It doesn't have to be serialized. As long as it's not made up mostly of stand-alone episodes.

[Lord Dalek]

Being a Doctor Who fan, I like the serial approach. It gives stories longer time to develop and allows for more twists.

[Fone Bone]

Serialized with occasional standalones (Buffy, Angel, Farscape, DS9).

[Duke]

Depends on the genre. I would rather comedies be episodic, whereas I'd rather dramas and action shows be serial, a la Gundam.

[Storm]

Serialized with occasional standalones (Buffy, Angel, Farscape, DS9).
Ditto :anime:


- Fray

[Matt-a-Tastic]

Defentally Serials, its main reason why Digimon is so much supior to Pokemon

For comedies though: Episodic, since an episode of a sitcom tends to have a certian theme its much better that way

[Speedy Boris]

Episodic all the way. You can have character development in an episodic show and still have a different, individual storyline every week. Besides that, it seems like episodic series take more effort to write, because each show has to start fresh and grab viewer's interests more than, "OK, we were here last week, uhhh..... watch us again? Please?"

Serials annoy me in some respects. Like if you don't start watching from day one, you'll be in the dark. It's part of the reason why I never really got into "24" and why I'm thorougly confused anytime I tune into "Inu-Yasha". Glad they're out on DVD, though- that definitely helps matters.

[TimTwoFace]

I prefer a mixture, myself. Each episode should be able to stand on its on merits as a great story - but at the same time, there should be an ungoing subplot to rope it into an even bigger picture. It rewards the long-time viewer that way. :)

-Tim

[Temple Fugate]

Mixtures are preferable. Some episodic series can get monotonous, but some serials can become so drawn out I lose interest. Cowboy Bebop is a great example of a series with mostly stand-alone episodes but character arcs that are woven through the show giving it a loose continuity.

Then there's the occasional series that starts off as stand-alone and slowly becomes a serial drama...those generally suck just because by the end of the series it's become a completely different show. Fortunately that doesn't happen much, and some of those actually improve when they go serial. Good examples are ReBoot and Enterprise.

[DarkAngel]

Besides that, it seems like episodic series take more effort to write, because each show has to start fresh and grab viewer's interests more than, "OK, we were here last week, uhhh..... watch us again? Please?"I would say it takes more effort to maintain continuity. A show that has serialized aspects, by nature of having longer storylines, has greater complexity. More time and effort has to be put in to make sure everything comes together well. Also, I'd say an episodic series would have a great likelihood of having an "uhhh....watch us again? Please?" attitude. Because each time an episode ends, another story is completed, and there's nothing to necessarily carry a viewer over to the next episode. Whereas with a serial, viewers are left hanging and want to tune in each week to see what happens next.


Serials annoy me in some respects. Like if you don't start watching from day one, you'll be in the dark. Some greater effort is required, but not much. First, shows like 24 generally start off each episode with a recap. Second, through scene context and dialogue, one can generally get a basic idea of what's happening. For instance, I missed most of the first half of the last season of 24 before jumping in. It really didn't take that long before I figured out what was going on. And any questions can be answered by checking out episode guides online. Finally, if you're really a fan of a series, you're probably going to watch most of the episodes. Missing a couple episodes here and there is hardly an issue.

[cross blues]

I like when a season of a show feels like one big work of art (like a good movie) that's been divided into segments. in serials, the plots can be much deeper. but I won't complain if a few standalones are thrown in to mix things up.

[Nightflower]

Serial, with standalone episodes. Maybe not necessarily too serialized - we all know the problems with soap operas, and while I love Babylon 5, I can't see many series pulling off an entire series' arc like that show did and stay on the air - maybe a main plot arc for each season, like Buffy or Angel.

[Speedy Boris]

Some greater effort is required, but not much. First, shows like 24 generally start off each episode with a recap. Second, through scene context and dialogue, one can generally get a basic idea of what's happening. For instance, I missed most of the first half of the last season of 24 before jumping in. It really didn't take that long before I figured out what was going on. And any questions can be answered by checking out episode guides online. Finally, if you're really a fan of a series, you're probably going to watch most of the episodes. Missing a couple episodes here and there is hardly an issue. True, but you have to admit that just reading the episode guides for what you missed just isn't the same. Even IF it gives you the details of what happened while you were out, you don't get the drama, the action, the dialog, none of it. Like I said, DVDs definitely help fix this problem, and I may consider purchasing "24" someday.

[Fone Bone]

Depends on the genre. I would rather comedies be episodic, whereas I'd rather dramas and action shows be serial, a la Gundam.Arrested Developement is an example of a great serialized comedy.

[Joker85]

I agree, with sitcoms I prefer standalone episodes. But with dramas, if handled properly, I prefer serial or arc type stuff. But that's the thing, a lot of shows try but they can't do it. Babylon 5 and Farscape are great examples of how to do an arc properly.

[Artemis]

I agree with Duke. I prefer my comedies to be episodic and my dramas and action shows to be serial. I think the genres lend themselves to that type of storytelling better than their opposites.

[Duke Psychology]

btw, i like a mixture like Smallville.

[Neighbour]

Mixtures of both episodic and serial is probably what I prefer. That was one of the reasons why I enjoyed 'Buffy' so much during it's run on the WB. Even though each episode had Buffy and Co. fighting a new cohort, there were still continuing storylines interspersed.

As sitcoms are concerned, I much prefer episodic to serial. The genre is just more suited for episodic, IMO.

[The Landstander]

Like I said, DVDs definitely help fix this problem, and I may consider purchasing "24" someday.You really should; I considered this show as a "show I should probably check out" until I finally watched it at season 3. I enjoyed it; but I really didn't get into the show until I watched the first season on DVD. Now it's probably my favorite live action show on TV.

On that note, I think it really depends on the series. A serial can be great if done right; but if done wrong it can end up a never-ending piece of crap. But I'll go with the general feeling and say it works best when a show can be viewed from any given episode and be enjoyed, but has a series long storyline going for it (a great example is Bebop; only a few episodes are needed to fully "get" the underlying plot, but the characters and their own stories are developed episode to episode).

edit: crap, beaten to the Bebop example