# TV Series

## Overview

Television series require balancing episodic storytelling with long-form narrative arcs, maintaining character consistency across episodes and seasons while delivering satisfying individual installments.

## Series Structure

### Episode Types
**Procedural**:
- Self-contained episodes
- Case-of-the-week format
- Minimal serialization
- Easy entry point for new viewers
- Examples: Law & Order, CSI

**Serialized**:
- Continuous storyline
- Episode cliffhangers
- Character arc development
- Requires sequential viewing
- Examples: Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones

**Hybrid**:
- Episodic A-plot (case/problem)
- Serialized B-plot (character arcs)
- Balance accessibility and depth
- Examples: Buffy, The X-Files

### Season Structure
**Traditional Network** (22-24 episodes):
- Premiere (establish season arc)
- Early episodes (character development)
- Mid-season finale (major cliffhanger)
- Mid-season premiere (resolution/new direction)
- Build to finale
- Season finale (major resolution + setup)

**Cable/Streaming** (8-13 episodes):
- Tighter narrative arc
- Less filler
- Each episode advances main plot
- Season as extended film

## Episode Structure

### One-Hour Drama (42-44 minutes)
**Act Structure**:

**Teaser** (2-4 pages):
- Hook/cold open
- Establish episode conflict
- Cliffhanger into main titles

**Act 1** (10-12 pages):
- Develop episode problem
- Character reactions
- Complications arise
- End on complication

**Act 2** (10-12 pages):
- Escalate conflict
- Midpoint twist
- Character decisions
- End on major setback

**Act 3** (10-12 pages):
- Lowest point
- New approach
- Building to climax
- End on cliffhanger

**Act 4** (10-12 pages):
- Climactic confrontation
- Resolution of episode plot
- Advance season arc
- Setup next episode

**Tag** (1-2 pages):
- Denouement
- Character moment
- Tease future episode
- Emotional button

### Half-Hour Comedy (22 minutes)
**Structure**:

**Cold Open** (2-3 pages):
- Standalone joke/scene
- Establish episode theme
- Character moment

**Act 1** (8-10 pages):
- Introduce episode problem
- A-plot and B-plot setup
- Complications
- End on escalation

**Act 2** (8-10 pages):
- Problems worsen
- Character attempts solutions
- Climax and resolution
- Emotional or comedic payoff

**Tag** (1-2 pages):
- Final joke
- Character button
- Running gag payoff

## Plot Structure

### A/B/C Plot System
**A-Plot** (Main Story):
- 50-60% of episode
- Primary conflict
- Drives episode forward
- Major character focus
- Significant stakes

**B-Plot** (Subplot):
- 25-35% of episode
- Secondary characters
- Thematic connection to A-plot
- Character development
- Lighter or contrasting tone

**C-Plot** (Runner):
- 10-15% of episode
- Comic relief or character moment
- Minimal screen time
- Quick scenes throughout
- Payoff at end

### Serialized Arc Integration
**Episode Level**:
- Advance season arc incrementally
- Plant seeds for future episodes
- Callback to previous episodes
- Balance standalone and serialized elements

**Season Level**:
- Establish season goal/threat (premiere)
- Develop complications (early episodes)
- Major revelation (mid-season)
- Escalate stakes (late season)
- Climactic resolution (finale)

## Character Development

### Series Regulars
**Consistency**:
- Maintain core personality
- Evolve gradually
- Respect character history
- Avoid regression without reason
- Track character growth across seasons

**Ensemble Balance**:
- Rotate character focus
- Give each regular spotlight episodes
- Develop relationships
- Create character pairings
- Explore different dynamics

### Character Arcs
**Season Arc**:
- Clear beginning state
- Incremental development
- Major turning points
- Season finale transformation
- Setup for next season

**Series Arc**:
- Long-term character journey
- Multi-season development
- Consistent through-line
- Satisfying series conclusion

## Episodic Elements

### Cold Opens
**Purpose**:
- Hook viewers immediately
- Establish tone
- Introduce episode conflict
- Standalone comedy beat
- Cliffhanger resolution

**Types**:
- Action sequence
- Mystery setup
- Character moment
- Comedy sketch
- Previous episode continuation

### Cliffhangers
**Episode Cliffhangers**:
- Unresolved conflict
- Shocking revelation
- Character in danger
- Relationship crisis
- Mystery deepens

**Season Cliffhangers**:
- Major character death/departure
- Relationship game-changer
- Villain victory
- World-altering event
- "To be continued..."

### Tags/Stingers
**Purpose**:
- Final character moment
- Running gag payoff
- Emotional button
- Setup for next episode
- Post-credits surprise

## Dialogue and Voice

### Consistent Character Voice
**Maintain**:
- Speech patterns
- Catchphrases
- Vocabulary
- Humor style
- Emotional expression

**Evolve**:
- Reflect character growth
- Respond to events
- Deepen relationships
- Mature over time

### Series-Specific Language
**Develop**:
- Show-specific terminology
- Running jokes
- Callback references
- Character catchphrases
- World-building language

## Pacing Considerations

### Episode Pacing
**Balance**:
- Action and character moments
- Humor and drama
- Plot advancement and development
- Fast and slow scenes
- Tension and release

### Season Pacing
**Structure**:
- Strong premiere
- Build momentum (episodes 2-4)
- Mid-season climax
- Sustain interest (back half)
- Accelerate to finale

## Continuity and Callbacks

### Continuity Tracking
**Maintain**:
- Character relationships
- Plot developments
- World rules
- Timeline accuracy
- Character knowledge

### Callbacks
**Usage**:
- Reward long-time viewers
- Create depth
- Running jokes
- Character history
- Thematic echoes

**Balance**:
- Don't alienate new viewers
- Make callbacks enhance, not confuse
- Provide context when needed

## Genre-Specific Guidelines

### Drama
- Character-driven conflicts
- Emotional depth
- Serialized arcs
- Complex relationships
- Thematic exploration

### Comedy
- Joke density (3-4 per page)
- Character-based humor
- Running gags
- Ensemble dynamics
- Comedic escalation

### Procedural
- Case structure
- Investigation process
- Red herrings
- Revelation and resolution
- Character moments within case

### Sci-Fi/Fantasy
- World-building consistency
- Mythology development
- Special effects considerations
- Concept-driven episodes
- Long-term planning

## Best Practices

### DO
✅ Plan season arc before writing episodes
✅ Balance episodic and serialized elements
✅ Maintain character consistency
✅ Track continuity carefully
✅ Give each regular character focus
✅ Use A/B/C plot structure
✅ End acts on cliffhangers
✅ Reward long-time viewers
✅ Make each episode satisfying
✅ Build to strong season finale

### DON'T
❌ Forget previous episode events
❌ Change character personality arbitrarily
❌ Neglect supporting characters
❌ Make every episode a cliffhanger
❌ Ignore established world rules
❌ Rush character development
❌ Overload with plot
❌ Sacrifice episode quality for arc
❌ Confuse new viewers unnecessarily
❌ Leave too many threads unresolved

## Format-Specific Considerations

### Network Television
- Commercial breaks (act structure)
- Broadcast standards (language, content)
- Broader audience appeal
- Longer seasons
- Syndication potential

### Cable
- More creative freedom
- Mature content allowed
- Shorter seasons
- Niche audiences
- Prestige storytelling

### Streaming
- No commercial breaks
- Binge-watching consideration
- Variable episode length
- Global audience
- All episodes released together

## Examples

**Successful TV Series**:
- Breaking Bad (serialized drama)
- The Office (comedy)
- The Wire (serialized ensemble)
- Stranger Things (streaming sci-fi)
- Better Call Saul (character drama)
- Atlanta (experimental comedy-drama)
- Succession (prestige drama)
- Ted Lasso (feel-good comedy)

