Topic: TV show: one long movie or a number of sequels?

[DJ Doena]

addicted here

In your opinion a series is mainly just one film... that depends on how you look at it. I personally see a TV Series to be more like a series of sequels more then I do one long movie.

This isn't meant as serious discussion but I didn't want to open a side issue in that thread.

But IMHO it's rather dependent on the show, isn't it? For me a sequel tells a story of its own but it's based on an existing foundation, it may even use previous events. So a series like "House M.D." could be considered as a movie serial with sequels.

On the other hand shows like "Heroes" tell one big story - at least for one season. So I'd consider one season of "Heroes" more like one big movie than a number of sequels. The sequel would be the second season, but not the second episode of the first season.

[RossRoy]

I agree with you Karsten. It all depends on the series. Some series (The Simpsons, Futurama, Star Trek) are basically a series of sequel. Each episode telling a single story while still acknowledging the back story.

On the other hand, things like Smallville, Lost, Heroes, 24, etc are all one long story.

There's even example of series where the type changes. Lexx is basically a series of episode in seasons 1 and 2, then the third season becomes 1 long movie, then season 4 is b ack to sequel format.

Same thing with Enterprise. Seasons 1 and 2 are sequels, season 3 is a single long movie (the Xindi arc), and season 4 is back to sequel format.

Nothing is ever easy in the land of motion images entertainment

[addicted2dvd]

Oh sure there is some shows that can be like one continuing arc. But then again... so can movie sequels. I have seen part 2 (and sometimes on further) of movies take over at the exact moment that the one before it left off and just continue the story. 

BTW... I never meant that to be definitive for all series... just providing a point.

[Achim]

Full agreement from me, that it's possible either way, depending on the show.

I just finished watching Dexter Season 2 and it's a fine example of "one long movie". This time they didn't even bother with the "victim of the week" (which had a particular reason, which shall not be spoiled).

[Najemikon]

I think your thinking of over-thinking about thinking too much...

It's not really possible to drill down that far because it depends too much on the producers intentions, which can change from season to season or even halfway through a run; Buffy and X-Files could both be "Monster of the Week" and then commit fully to one story.

The term 'Sequel' is entirely inappropriate because it implies something that wasn't necessary. A TV series by its very existence will be one of many. A new season can be considered a sequel, regardless of how important it is to the overall arc, but not episodes.

That thread at Invelos is also quite annoying because they now seem to be using the word "Series" to specify the difference. Again, inappropriate. "Series" in a non-American dictionary reads "On the telly periodically". That simple!