Monday, January 30, 2006

Invasion of the Plot Snatchers

Lost lost me after three episodes and Invasion almost did after five, but last night's installment promised something of a mini-recovery. The ETs have splashed down to help solve the Everglades' in-breeding problem.

My enthusiasm for Rome was more or less bell-curve shaped. Only the writers and directors charged with the mid-section episodes seemed relaxed enough with the characters and key events to give the story proper shape.

These limited run not-so-mini series pose particular challenges to screenwriters...and to viewers. It's being reported that several US networks are experimenting with English-language telenovelas which, south of the border, tend to run five days a week for around six months.

Eddie Cibrian knows a thing or two about distended plotting from Sunset Beach.The trick is to set in motion a set of nested negative feedback loops. Every time a storyline moves forward towards its expected resolution, an equal and opposite force has to kick-in, returning the characters to their default location: the edge of absurdity.

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