Since the Downton Abbey Season 4 premier was this weekend, I thought I’d post some thoughts on what I’ve learned from the show. Writerly things, that is.
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1. Character arc, character arc.
- This is something Downton does really well.
Even minor characters show growth. Evil O’Brien
grew just a tad last season. Mary's and Matthew's character growth is what made their story so compelling.
Lesson: Don't make your main character all good so he/she has nothing to grow into.
- 2. Subplots. This is another area where Downton shines. I love how the stories below stairs and above stairs
intersect. No character is too minor to have a story.
- Lesson:
Don’t be afraid of adding subplots. They can add a lot of interest to your
story and give the reader someone besides the main character to root for.
- 3. Pull the rug out from
under your characters—again and again and again. This is something I love and hate about this
show. Surprise is good—you always want to keep your readers or viewers on their
toes--but often the surprises on Downton come out of nowhere.
- Lesson:
If you’re going to surprise your readers, make sure it’s organic to the story,
believable, and consistent.
- 4. Just because something could really happen, if it's not believable in the world of your story, it’s not believable. There are so many plot points that been too easy: Matthew's recovery, Lavinia's sickness, Matthew's letter in Season 4.
- Lesson:
If you are going to include an extraordinary event in your story, make sure
you set it up earlier in the story, otherwise it just seems convenient.
Thanks for the follow! I love Downton Abbey, but I feel this season doesn't live up to the previous ones. Maybe the novelty has worn off? Or I just haven't forgiven Julian Fellowes yet for getting rid of main characters in such a terrible way. :)
ReplyDeleteI have to agree about Matthew's letter this season being a tad too convenient. But his miraculous recovery in Season 2 was the most ridiculous. TV shows seem to be able to get away with this stuff (witness Lost), but as long as the characters are memorable and likable, I stick with them.
Glad you stopped by, Joanne! I am feeling the same way about Downton, although I really enjoyed the first two seasons. I think I'm growing tired of the sledgehammer-like plot twists. Perhaps that's a TV thing as you said. I don't see authors getting away with that in novels. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is similar to Lost in that way. Lost was great for the first two seasons, but then its storylines pushed the limits of plausibility.