Television writers must master the delicate balance between episodic resolution and ongoing conflicts. This skill is crucial for crafting engaging narratives that satisfy viewers each episode while maintaining long-term interest in the series.

Effective episodic dramas blend self-contained stories with overarching plotlines. Writers use various techniques to resolve immediate conflicts while developing character arcs and larger storylines that keep audiences invested across multiple episodes and seasons.

Types of episodic conflicts

• Episodic conflicts form the backbone of television storytelling, driving narrative progression and character development
• Understanding different types of conflicts helps writers craft engaging storylines that keep viewers invested across episodes and seasons
• Balancing various conflict types creates a rich, layered viewing experience that appeals to diverse audience preferences

Self-contained episode conflicts

• Resolved within a single episode, providing immediate closure for viewers
• Often used in procedural shows (Law & Order, CSI) where each episode presents a new case or problem
• Allows for easy entry points for new viewers without extensive backstory knowledge
• Typically involves a clear problem introduction, escalation, and resolution within 30-60 minutes
• Examples include:
  • A murder mystery solved by the end of the episode
  • A medical case diagnosed and treated within a single installment
  • A sitcom misunderstanding that gets cleared up by the final scene

Multi-episode story arcs

• Span several episodes, creating narrative threads that hook viewers across multiple installments
• Provide opportunities for deeper character exploration and more complex plotlines
• Often used in serialized dramas (Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones) to build suspense and encourage binge-watching
• Can be primary conflicts or subplots that run parallel to episodic storylines
• Examples include:
  • A character's journey to overcome addiction over several episodes
  • A multi-part mystery that unfolds across a season's mid-section
  • A romantic relationship that develops and faces challenges over multiple installments

Season-long conflicts

• Overarching storylines that span an entire season, providing a unifying theme or goal
• Often used to structure a season's narrative arc and give a sense of progression
• Can involve multiple characters and subplots that converge by the season finale
• Frequently used in both serialized and semi-serialized shows to maintain viewer engagement
• Examples include:
  • A season-long villain or antagonist that the protagonists must defeat (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
  • A central mystery that unravels throughout the season (True Detective)
  • A character's personal or professional goal that drives their actions across all episodes (The Good Place)

Episodic resolution techniques

• Episodic resolution techniques are crucial for maintaining viewer satisfaction and narrative coherence in television writing
• Effective resolution strategies balance the need for closure with the desire to keep audiences engaged for future episodes
• Understanding these techniques allows writers to craft satisfying individual episodes while building towards larger story arcs

Conflict setup and payoff

• Establish clear stakes and objectives for characters at the beginning of the episode
• Build tension and obstacles throughout the narrative to create engaging conflict
• Provide a satisfying resolution that logically follows from the setup and character actions
• Ensure the payoff feels earned and proportionate to the conflict's intensity
• Use foreshadowing and plant story seeds that pay off in unexpected ways
• Examples:
  • A character faces a moral dilemma introduced early, struggles with choices, and makes a decision by the end
  • A mystery presents clues throughout, leading to a reveal that surprises yet makes sense given the information provided

Satisfying episode conclusions

• Resolve the main conflict of the episode in a way that feels complete and logical
• Provide emotional catharsis or character growth tied to the episode's events
• Tie up loose ends and answer questions raised during the episode
• Leave room for character reflection or aftermath of the resolved conflict
• End on a note that reinforces the episode's theme or message
• Examples:
  • A sitcom episode concludes with characters learning a lesson and reconciling after a misunderstanding
  • A procedural drama wraps up a case while showing how it affected the detectives personally

Cliffhangers vs. closure

• Cliffhangers create suspense and encourage viewers to tune in for the next episode
• Use unresolved questions, shocking revelations, or immediate danger to characters
• Balance cliffhangers with enough resolution to avoid frustrating viewers
• Provide closure for some storylines while leaving others open-ended
• Consider the placement of cliffhangers (mid-season finales, season finales) for maximum impact
• Examples:
  • End an episode with a character in peril, but resolve a secondary plotline
  • Reveal a major twist that changes the status quo, while concluding the episode's main story

Ongoing conflict management

• Ongoing conflicts serve as the lifeblood of serialized television, maintaining viewer interest across episodes and seasons
• Effective management of these conflicts allows for character growth, thematic exploration, and long-term narrative arcs
• Writers must balance the progression of ongoing conflicts with episodic storytelling to create a cohesive viewing experience

Character development through conflict

• Use ongoing conflicts to reveal new facets of characters' personalities and motivations
• Challenge characters' beliefs and values to force growth and change over time
• Create internal conflicts that parallel or contrast with external plot conflicts
• Show how characters' responses to ongoing conflicts evolve as the series progresses
• Use recurring conflicts to highlight character flaws and areas for potential growth
• Examples:
  • A character's struggle with addiction affects their relationships and career choices throughout the series
  • A protagonist's moral code is repeatedly tested, leading to gradual shifts in their worldview

Subplot progression

• Develop multiple ongoing subplots that interweave with the main narrative
• Use subplots to explore secondary characters and add depth to the story world
• Advance subplots at varying paces to maintain interest and create narrative layers
• Allow subplots to occasionally take center stage in episodes to keep storytelling dynamic
• Use subplot progression to foreshadow or set up future main plot developments
• Examples:
  • A workplace comedy develops romantic subplots between various characters over several seasons
  • A fantasy series explores political machinations in different regions as a backdrop to the main quest

Overarching series themes

• Identify core themes that will run throughout the entire series
• Use ongoing conflicts to explore and reinforce these themes from different angles
• Allow themes to evolve and deepen as characters face new challenges
• Create thematic resonance between different storylines and character arcs
• Use recurring motifs or symbols to reinforce thematic elements visually or narratively
• Examples:
  • A series about family explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness across multiple storylines
  • A sci-fi show uses ongoing conflicts to examine themes of identity, humanity, and technological ethics

Balancing resolution vs. continuation

• Striking the right balance between resolving conflicts and continuing storylines is crucial for maintaining viewer engagement
• This balance affects pacing, character development, and overall series structure
• Writers must consider both short-term satisfaction and long-term narrative goals when crafting episodic and ongoing conflicts

Viewer satisfaction per episode

• Provide a sense of progress or resolution in each episode to satisfy viewers
• Resolve smaller conflicts or subplots while advancing larger storylines
• Use character moments or emotional beats to create satisfying episode conclusions
• Balance standalone episode plots with advancements in ongoing arcs
• Ensure each episode has a clear narrative focus or theme, even within larger stories
• Examples:
  • A police procedural solves a case of the week while incrementally advancing a season-long conspiracy plot
  • A sitcom resolves a comedic misunderstanding while subtly progressing character relationships

Building long-term engagement

• Create compelling ongoing mysteries or character arcs that span multiple episodes or seasons
• Plant seeds for future storylines early to reward attentive viewers
• Develop complex character relationships that evolve over time
• Use foreshadowing and callbacks to create a sense of narrative cohesion
• Gradually reveal backstory elements to deepen viewer investment in characters
• Examples:
  • A drama series slowly unravels a character's mysterious past over several seasons
  • A fantasy show builds towards an epic confrontation hinted at in the first episode

Pacing of major plot points

• Strategically place significant revelations or events throughout the season
• Avoid resolving all major conflicts too early or saving everything for the finale
• Use mid-season climaxes or turning points to maintain momentum
• Balance periods of high tension with moments of reflection or character development
• Consider the overall series arc when deciding when to resolve or escalate ongoing conflicts
• Examples:
  • A thriller series reveals the identity of a major antagonist mid-season, shifting the conflict dynamics
  • A character-driven drama paces personal revelations and life changes throughout the season

Structural considerations

• The structure of a television series significantly impacts how conflicts are introduced, developed, and resolved
• Understanding different structural approaches allows writers to craft narratives that best suit their story and genre
• Balancing various structural elements creates a dynamic viewing experience that can appeal to a wide audience

A-plot vs. B-plot resolution

• A-plots typically involve the main conflict or storyline of an episode
• B-plots (and sometimes C-plots) are secondary storylines that run parallel to the A-plot
• Balance the pacing and screen time devoted to each plot within an episode
• Consider how A and B plots thematically relate or contrast with each other
• Decide whether to resolve all plots by the episode's end or leave some ongoing
• Examples:
  • A medical drama resolves a critical patient case (A-plot) while advancing a doctor's personal struggle (B-plot)
  • A sitcom concludes a character's work crisis (A-plot) and a roommate's dating mishap (B-plot) by the episode's end

Episodic vs. serialized formats

• Episodic formats focus on self-contained stories that resolve within each episode
• Serialized formats feature ongoing storylines that continue across multiple episodes or seasons
• Consider the advantages and limitations of each format for different genres and stories
• Episodic formats allow for easier entry points for new viewers
• Serialized formats can create deeper character arcs and more complex narratives
• Examples:
  • Episodic (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Law & Order)
  • Serialized (Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones)

Hybrid storytelling approaches

• Combine elements of both episodic and serialized storytelling
• Use "monster of the week" style episodes interspersed with arc-heavy installments
• Develop ongoing character arcs and relationships within largely self-contained episodes
• Create season-long arcs that frame more episodic storytelling
• Allow flexibility in narrative structure to best serve the story and maintain viewer interest
• Examples:
  • The X-Files alternates between standalone monster episodes and mythology-heavy arc episodes
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer features "Big Bads" each season while telling largely episodic stories

Writing strategies

• Effective writing strategies are essential for crafting compelling episodic dramas that balance resolution and ongoing conflicts
• These strategies help writers maintain narrative coherence, character development, and viewer engagement
• Implementing various techniques allows for dynamic storytelling that can sustain interest over multiple episodes and seasons

Outlining episode resolutions

• Create a clear structure for each episode with defined beginning, middle, and end
• Establish the main conflict or goal for the episode early in the script
• Plan key turning points and obstacles that escalate the conflict
• Determine how the episode's main storyline will be resolved or advanced
• Consider how the episode's resolution fits into larger season or series arcs
• Examples:
  • Outline a mystery episode with clues, red herrings, and a satisfying reveal
  • Structure a character-focused episode around a personal challenge and its resolution

Creating compelling ongoing conflicts

• Develop multi-layered conflicts that can sustain interest over extended periods
• Establish clear stakes and consequences for long-term storylines
• Create obstacles and complications that naturally arise from character decisions
• Plan for evolving dynamics and shifting alliances as conflicts progress
• Ensure ongoing conflicts have the potential for meaningful character growth or change
• Examples:
  • Craft a season-long antagonist with complex motivations and a personal connection to the protagonist
  • Develop an overarching mystery that unfolds gradually, revealing new dimensions with each discovery

Maintaining narrative tension

• Balance moments of high tension with periods of relative calm or reflection
• Use subplots and secondary conflicts to maintain engagement during lulls in main storylines
• Create deadlines or ticking clocks to add urgency to ongoing conflicts
• Introduce new complications or revelations to reinvigorate long-running storylines
• Vary the pacing of tension and release to keep viewers emotionally invested
• Examples:
  • Introduce a surprising betrayal just as characters seem close to resolving a conflict
  • Use parallel storylines with different tension levels to create a dynamic narrative rhythm

Genre-specific considerations

• Different television genres have unique expectations and conventions for handling episodic resolution and ongoing conflicts
• Understanding these genre-specific considerations helps writers craft stories that satisfy audience expectations while still innovating within the format
• Adapting conflict resolution techniques to suit different genres allows for diverse storytelling approaches across various types of shows

Procedural vs. character-driven shows

• Procedural shows focus on case-of-the-week formats with clear resolutions (Law & Order, CSI)
• Character-driven shows emphasize ongoing personal arcs and relationships (This Is Us, Grey's Anatomy)
• Procedurals typically resolve main conflicts within each episode
• Character-driven shows often use conflicts to explore long-term character development
• Hybrid approaches can blend elements of both styles for broader appeal
• Examples:
  • A police procedural solves a new crime each week while slowly revealing a detective's troubled past
  • A family drama resolves immediate conflicts while building towards long-term character growth and relationship changes

Sitcom conflict resolution

• Sitcoms often rely on self-contained episodes with clear resolutions
• Conflicts in sitcoms are typically lighter in nature and resolved through humor
• Character dynamics and relationships may evolve slowly over time
• Status quo is often maintained or quickly restored after conflicts
• Running gags and recurring themes can create a sense of continuity
• Examples:
  • Friends resolves misunderstandings or comedic situations within each episode
  • The Office balances episodic workplace hijinks with slow-burning character relationships

Drama series ongoing conflicts

• Drama series often feature complex, long-running conflicts that span multiple episodes or seasons
• Character arcs and relationships evolve significantly over time
• Major plot points and revelations are strategically paced throughout the series
• Subplots and secondary conflicts interweave with main storylines
• Resolutions often lead to new complications or conflicts
• Examples:
  • The Sopranos explores ongoing family and criminal conflicts with far-reaching consequences
  • Mad Men uses the changing landscape of 1960s America as a backdrop for ongoing personal and professional conflicts

Audience expectations

• Understanding and managing audience expectations is crucial for successful episodic drama writing
• Viewers bring genre-specific assumptions and preferences to their viewing experience
• Balancing familiarity with innovation helps keep audiences engaged while still providing satisfying storytelling

Genre conventions for resolution

• Different genres have established patterns for conflict resolution that audiences expect
• Crime dramas typically solve the main case by the episode's end
• Soap operas often leave multiple storylines unresolved to encourage continued viewing
• Sci-fi and fantasy shows may resolve immediate threats while building larger mythologies
• Consider how to meet or subvert these expectations in ways that serve the story
• Examples:
  • A detective show might occasionally leave a case unsolved to set up a multi-episode arc
  • A sitcom could introduce a more serious, ongoing storyline to add depth to characters

Viewer investment in ongoing plots

• Develop compelling long-term storylines that encourage viewer loyalty
• Create multi-dimensional characters that audiences want to follow over time
• Use cliffhangers and unresolved questions to maintain interest between episodes
• Provide payoffs for dedicated viewers through callbacks and long-term plot resolutions
• Balance the needs of casual and invested viewers by making episodes accessible yet rewarding
• Examples:
  • Lost created intricate mysteries and character backstories to keep viewers theorizing and engaged
  • The Good Place rewarded attentive viewers with callbacks and plot twists that built on earlier episodes

Balancing predictability vs. surprise

• Meet some audience expectations to provide a satisfying viewing experience
• Introduce unexpected elements or twists to keep the narrative fresh and exciting
• Subvert tropes or genre conventions in thoughtful ways that enhance the story
• Use foreshadowing to make surprises feel earned rather than arbitrary
• Balance comforting familiarity with novel storytelling approaches
• Examples:
  • Breaking Bad often resolved conflicts in unexpected ways that still felt true to the characters
  • Westworld played with audience expectations about reality and identity to create surprising revelations

Series longevity

• Maintaining a television series over multiple seasons requires careful planning and execution of ongoing conflicts
• Writers must balance the need for narrative progression with the desire to sustain the core elements that made the show successful
• Considering series longevity helps create a framework for sustainable storytelling that can evolve over time

Sustaining conflicts over seasons

• Develop multi-layered conflicts that can unfold gradually across seasons
• Create overarching themes or goals that can be explored from different angles
• Introduce new dimensions to existing conflicts to keep them fresh and engaging
• Allow for resolution of some conflicts while introducing new challenges
• Use backstory revelations to deepen ongoing conflicts or create new ones
• Examples:
  • Game of Thrones sustained the conflict for the Iron Throne while introducing new threats and alliances
  • The Wire explored systemic issues in Baltimore through different institutions each season

Evolving character dynamics

• Allow characters to grow and change in response to ongoing conflicts and experiences
• Develop relationships that can shift and evolve over time
• Create opportunities for characters to form new alliances or face new adversaries
• Use character evolution to drive plot developments and create new conflicts
• Balance character growth with maintaining core traits that audiences connect with
• Examples:
  • Walter White's transformation in Breaking Bad drove the series' ongoing conflicts
  • The ensemble cast of Parks and Recreation showed significant growth while retaining their essential characteristics

Introducing new conflicts organically

• Plant seeds for future conflicts early in the series
• Use world-building elements to create potential sources of new conflicts
• Allow resolved conflicts to have consequences that lead to new challenges
• Introduce new characters or situations that naturally create friction with established elements
• Expand the scope of the story world to encompass new types of conflicts
• Examples:
  • Better Call Saul gradually introduced elements from Breaking Bad while developing its own conflicts
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer introduced new supernatural threats and personal challenges each season