# Series — Category

> Television/streaming serial narrative. Multiple episodes. Ongoing characters and storylines.

## What series is

Long-form narrative across multiple episodes. Distinguished from film (self-contained) by:
- Recurring characters
- Ongoing storylines
- Episode + season + series arcs
- Cliffhangers possible
- Audience time investment over weeks/years

## Universal series principles

### 1. Episode + Season + Series arcs
Three levels of story:
- **Episode**: Self-contained beginning/middle/end
- **Season**: Multi-episode arc (usually 8-13 episodes)
- **Series**: Multi-season grand narrative

Each level needs satisfaction.

### 2. Sustainable character dynamics
Unlike film (character resolves in 2 hours), series characters maintain their core flaws across years. Slow evolution.

### 3. Cliffhangers + Releases
Series uses unanswered questions to drive engagement:
- Episode end: small hook
- Season end: major cliff
- Series end: resolution

### 4. Recurring vs new elements
Each episode balances:
- Familiar (recurring characters, settings, dynamics)
- New (case-of-the-week, situation, guest)

## Episode counts (modern)

| Type | Count | Length |
|------|-------|--------|
| Limited series | 6-10 | 50-75 min |
| Streaming drama | 8-13 | 50-75 min |
| Streaming comedy | 8-13 | 25-40 min |
| Network drama | 22 | 42 min |
| Network sitcom | 22 | 22 min |
| Premium cable drama | 8-13 | 50-60 min |
| Anthology season | 8-10 | 50-60 min |

## Series structure (Save the Cat for TV)

### Pilot
- Establish world + characters
- Pilot specific structure (see pilot format)

### Season pilot
- Re-establish + advance
- Set season's question
- Hook for season

### Mid-season
- Standalone + season-arc balance
- Subplots advance
- Bottle episodes possible

### Mid-season finale
- Major cliffhanger
- Season's first half resolved partially
- Hook for second half

### Season finale
- Major arc resolution
- New question for next season
- Cliffhanger possible

### Series finale
- Full series resolution
- Major character arcs concluded
- Audience contract honored

## Sub-formats (within series)

- Pilot
- Mid-season episode
- Mid-season finale
- Season finale
- Series finale
- Cold open
- Bottle episode
- Flashback episode
- Limited series episode

## Sub-types

- Prestige drama
- Procedural
- Sitcom (multi-cam vs single-cam)
- Anthology
- Soap
- Kids animated
- Documentary series

## Voice in series

- Showrunner voice often dominates
- Multiple writers but unified vision
- Specific tone per series
- Consistency essential

## Pilot's job

The most important episode:
- Establish world
- Introduce characters
- Set tone
- Promise of premise
- Hook for episodes 2+

Pilot is sales pitch + first episode simultaneously.

## Audience contract

Series promises:
- Recurring characters audience invests in
- Style/tone consistency
- Question-and-answer cycles
- Resolution eventually (or not, if cancelled)

Breaking contract = audience leaves.

## Common series pitfalls

- Inconsistent tone
- Saggy mid-seasons
- Too many subplots
- Character regression (un-development)
- Failed cliffhangers (didn't pay off)
- Series ending unsatisfying
- Pilot doesn't promise the actual show

## When to write series

- Large story needing time
- Character ensemble
- Streaming hit potential
- Long-form ambition
- Multiple seasons planned
- Modern audience attention preferred

## Compose with

- Sub-format (pilot, mid-season, etc.)
- Sub-type (prestige drama, sitcom, etc.)
- Genre (within series — drama, comedy, etc.)
- Persona (showrunner style)
- Platform (HBO, Netflix, broadcast)
