Shallow Foundations
Note: Although this blog references The Rise of Skywalker, at this point I still haven’t seen it. When you sit down to write a story, you create characters who’ll serve that story. They each have a unique function. Once that function is complete, the character is done. They exit the story. James Bond movies illustrate how characters function in self-contained stories. Bond’s boss, M, briefs Bond about his mission. Q will provide Bond with weapons and gadgets. Once M and Q have fulfilled their roles, their jobs are complete. In a few Bonds, M and Q might reappear, but usually never with any great depth, necessity, or regularity. There’ll be…
Spartacus
The television series Spartacus is an underrated gem. It didn’t get the acclaim or fandom it deserved. Perhaps it was overshadowed by similar shows, such as the seemingly sexier and grander Game of Thrones. But if you give Spartacus a chance, you’ll find it superior storytelling. I understand the financial realities of making television. Usually, a series will run as long as possible – or at least until ratings decline. But surely many people switch off – if not physically, then at least mentally – well before that happens. Characters grow stagnant. The same things keep happening. Look at The Walking Dead. Although the show was engaging early as the…