So Bev and I were watching our latest sinful pleasure last night, Poldark, and we got into conversation about what makes a show a great show.
Certainly the writing plays a big part in it. Without great scripts I’m afraid any movie or tv series is not long for this world.
And the other thing we mentioned is the fact that we have to become invested in the characters. If I can’t relate to the characters in some way, I lose interest very quickly. I was reminded of the show Madmen, which aired for seven seasons a few years back. I don’t think there was a single character in that show I would like as a real human being, but I found them all fascinating and so I watched that show religiously.
I try to remember that when I write a short story or a novel. My characters don’t necessarily have to be believable, but they do have to be interesting and captivating. Their personalities must demand your attention or I have not done my job as a writer. In my Shadow series, the main characters are not people you would want over for a cup of tea, but damn I’d love to meet Striker. LOL
Just something to think about!
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
For sure, the movie has to have characters that catch your attention and keep you captivated. There’s one show I watch, “The Resident”, and the first season I absolutely despised one of the doctors. Then they turned his character around and now I really like him.
Toby King is one character I’ll always remember.
Have a good day, Bill!
Thanks so much,Susan. I’ll have to check out “The Resident.” Thanks for the suggestion and Happy Tuesday to you. I hope it warms up there soon.
I agree. I think the big thing is that characters make us feel a certain way. Some characters remind us of ourselves, other characters make us want to be like them, other characters we love to hate. The most developed characters are the ones who show us their vulnerabilities and strengths and defy any stereotypes.
I totally agree with you. I can think of a handful of characters over the years which were so memorable I wanted them to be real people so I could meet them. Now that’s quality writing!
You are so right and I agree the characters pretty much can make or break it for me. So they definitely have to be memorable and couldn’t agree more. Happy Tuesday now, Bill and hoping you have a great one now! 😉
Happy Tuesday Janine, and thanks for your thoughts. Is it spring yet???? 28 degrees here. I don’t think so!
Totally agree with you, Bill.
A plot ought to be good but its the characters that carry the plot ahead….
Thank you Ruchira! Much appreciated!
Whatever movie or TV show I watch if I can relate to the characters and for some moments step into their world then it works for me. Otherwise, they are just images on a screen and I need to be able to be a part of them. I hope you’re having a great start to the new week.
I’m with you on that, Rasma. Case in point Downton Abbey. I never dreamed I would like that series, but the characters hooked me immediately.
Hi Bill, I don’t know if you have read Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight. Some literary buffs don’t like it. But, many girls and women identified with the character of Bella, the protagonist. I guess you don’t have to be a great writer, but somehow get your readers to connect emotionally with your main characters. This was an interesting post.
I have not read that series, but thanks for your thoughts. I just might pick it up and try it. Expand my horizons in some sort of way, yes?
Yes! I would like to know what makes his mind ticks. Thanks Bro.
I’ll let you know when I figure it all out buddy!
Poldark was one of my favourite Series here in the UK too Bill… I always found it well written and well acted.. When I was younger my favourite TV series would be Little House on the Prairie… 🙂 Good night John Boy… I mean good afternoon Bill… 😉
Good night, Sue! lol Little House on the Prairie was a guilty pleasure experienced by many of us in search of nostalgia. I just might have to watch an episode of that today, thanks to you.
Haha… Glad I jogged your memory cells Bill… Take care my friend… ❤
Bill
This one caused me to sit and think for a few minutes. I agree with you about a character needing to be memorable, I just think that they also have to have some qualities about them that makes us like them, even if we don’t always like what they do.
I tried to watch Madmen once, it didn’t go down well and I think I lasted ten minutes (probably more like two) and never went back to the series.
Poldark was always good though, and I can remember as a kid every Sunday afternoon the original series would be on at our house, the new remake was pretty good too.
For me, there’s got to be a bit of the ‘lovable rogue’ in there, something that makes us like the character, even when they’re doing things we might not agree with, but then again, if we all wrote the same stuff how boring would that be?
Great post here and thank you for making me think about it.
Thanks for your thoughts, Lawrence. I almost quit Madmen, but our daughter told me to hang in for awhile and the characters would grow on me. They did. It was like J.R. Ewing on Dallas, but about ten of them. lol