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“I want to watch stories about good people trying to be good in a bad world more than I want to watch stories about bad people relishing being bad in a bad world.”
Me, just now, explaining why I don’t like watching most prestige dramas and one prestige drama in particular.
Me, just now, explaining why I don’t like watching most prestige dramas and one prestige drama in particular.
The untortunate reality is writers, execs and Emmy voters REALLY seem to ADORE the latter even though the former is far more compelling.
And hey, I’m all for the good person having to do bad things in the pursuit of doing good. That’s, in fact, even MORE compelling.
And hey, I’m all for the good person having to do bad things in the pursuit of doing good. That’s, in fact, even MORE compelling.
Proof:
Breaking Bad
Mr. Robot
The Walking Dead
Breaking Bad
Mr. Robot
The Walking Dead
In stories about bad people being bad in a bad world, the payoff is watching them get their comeuppance or getting away with it. It’s an active rooting for downfall.
In stories about good people trying to be good in a bad world, you’re actively rooting for their success.
In stories about good people trying to be good in a bad world, you’re actively rooting for their success.
I’d rather root for success.
And then there’s the ultimate tightrope:
The good person that succumbs to the bad world and has to fight to get the good back but has still done wrong and must pay for it.
This is Breaking Bad but also The Shield and House.
The good person that succumbs to the bad world and has to fight to get the good back but has still done wrong and must pay for it.
This is Breaking Bad but also The Shield and House.
