🥹TV Genres Unit 5 – Drama Case Studies: Key Series Analysis

What's This Unit About?

• Focuses on analyzing key drama series that have significantly influenced the television landscape
• Examines the narrative structures, character development, visual style, and thematic elements that define these influential series
• Explores how these series have shaped the conventions and expectations of the drama genre on television
• Investigates the social, cultural, and industrial contexts in which these series were produced and received
• Considers the lasting impact and legacy of these series on the medium of television and popular culture at large

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Narrative arc: The overarching storyline that spans across multiple episodes or seasons, often involving character growth and development
• Episodic structure: The self-contained nature of individual episodes within a series, each with its own plot and resolution
• Ensemble cast: A show that features multiple main characters with interconnected storylines and relationships (The West Wing, Game of Thrones)
• Antihero protagonist: A central character who lacks traditional heroic qualities and may engage in morally ambiguous or questionable actions (Tony Soprano in The Sopranos, Walter White in Breaking Bad)
• Cinematic aesthetics: The use of high-quality visuals, complex camera work, and stylized lighting to create a distinctive visual style that rivals feature films
• Narrative complexity: The use of intricate plotlines, multiple character perspectives, and non-linear storytelling techniques to create a layered and engaging viewing experience
• Social commentary: The way in which a series addresses and critiques contemporary social issues, often through the lens of its characters and their experiences (The Wire's examination of urban decay and institutional failure)
• Water cooler moment: A significant or shocking plot development that generates widespread discussion and buzz among viewers, often becoming a cultural touchstone (the Red Wedding in Game of Thrones)

Major Drama Series Explored

• The Sopranos (1999-2007): Groundbreaking series that redefined the crime drama genre and introduced the concept of the antihero protagonist
• The Wire (2002-2008): Critically acclaimed series that offered a complex, multi-faceted portrayal of urban life in Baltimore, exploring themes of institutional failure and social inequality
• Mad Men (2007-2015): Period drama that examined the changing social and cultural landscape of the 1960s through the lens of an advertising agency and its employees
• Breaking Bad (2008-2013): Intense character study that chronicled the transformation of a mild-mannered chemistry teacher into a ruthless drug kingpin
• Game of Thrones (2011-2019): Epic fantasy series that captivated audiences with its intricate plotting, large ensemble cast, and high-stakes political intrigue
• The Crown (2016-present): Historical drama that offers a fictionalized portrayal of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, exploring the personal and political challenges faced by the British monarchy

Narrative Techniques in TV Drama

• Non-linear storytelling: The use of flashbacks, flash-forwards, and other time-shifting devices to create a fragmented or disjointed narrative structure (Lost, Westworld)
• Multiple character perspectives: Telling a story through the eyes of various characters, allowing for a more nuanced and complex understanding of events and relationships (The Leftovers, This Is Us)
• Slow-burn pacing: Gradually building tension and revealing plot points over an extended period, often leading to a climactic payoff (Better Call Saul, The Americans)
• Cliffhangers: Ending an episode or season on a suspenseful or unresolved note, leaving viewers eager to tune in for the next installment (The Walking Dead, Stranger Things)
• Unreliable narrators: Presenting a story through the perspective of a character whose account of events may be biased, incomplete, or deliberately misleading (Mr. Robot, The Affair)
• Symbolism and motifs: Using recurring visual elements, objects, or themes to convey deeper meaning or foreshadow future developments (the color red in The Handmaid's Tale, the black hat in Westworld)

Character Development and Arcs

• Tragic flaw: A character's inherent weakness or shortcoming that ultimately leads to their downfall or demise (Ned Stark's honor in Game of Thrones, Marty Byrde's ambition in Ozark)
• Redemption arc: A character's journey from moral corruption or wrongdoing to seeking forgiveness and making amends (Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones, Bosch in Bosch)
• Ensemble dynamics: The complex web of relationships and interactions between multiple characters, often driving conflict and character growth (Grey's Anatomy, Orange Is the New Black)
• Character evolution: The gradual change and development of a character over the course of a series, often in response to the events and challenges they face (Peggy Olson in Mad Men, Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad)
• Moral ambiguity: Characters who operate in the gray areas between right and wrong, forcing viewers to grapple with complex ethical questions (Dexter Morgan in Dexter, Annalise Keating in How to Get Away with Murder)

Visual Style and Cinematography

• Cinematic quality: The use of high-end production values, sophisticated camera work, and visual effects to create a look and feel that rivals feature films (Game of Thrones, Westworld)
• Distinctive color palettes: Employing specific color schemes to create a unique visual atmosphere and convey mood or theme (the muted tones of Better Call Saul, the vibrant hues of Hannibal)
• Stylized lighting: Using light and shadow to create a specific ambiance or emphasize certain elements within a scene (the low-key lighting of The Sopranos, the neon-infused nightscapes of Blade Runner 2049)
• Unconventional framing: Employing unusual camera angles, compositions, or aspect ratios to create a distinct visual style or convey a character's psychological state (Mr. Robot, Legion)
• Long takes and tracking shots: Using extended, uninterrupted shots to create a sense of immersion or heighten tension (the single-take raid in True Detective, the tracking shot through the club in The Deuce)
• Symbolic imagery: Incorporating visual elements that carry deeper meaning or thematic significance (the crown in The Crown, the maze in Westworld)

Themes and Social Commentary

• Institutional corruption: Examining the ways in which social, political, and economic systems can be compromised or subverted by those in power (The Wire, House of Cards)
• Identity and self-discovery: Exploring characters' journeys to understand and define themselves in the face of personal and societal challenges (Mad Men, Transparent)
• Power dynamics: Investigating the ways in which power is acquired, wielded, and challenged within various social structures and relationships (Game of Thrones, Succession)
• Social inequality: Addressing issues of race, class, and gender disparities and their impact on individuals and communities (Orange Is the New Black, When They See Us)
• Moral relativism: Questioning traditional notions of right and wrong, and exploring the gray areas in between (The Americans, The Shield)
• Trauma and resilience: Depicting characters' struggles to overcome personal and collective traumas, and the strength they find in the process (The Leftovers, Big Little Lies)

Impact and Legacy

• Critical acclaim: Many of these series have garnered widespread praise from critics, earning numerous accolades and awards for their writing, acting, and production values
• Cultural influence: These series have often sparked broader conversations about social issues, influencing public discourse and shaping cultural attitudes (The Handmaid's Tale and the #MeToo movement, 13 Reasons Why and discussions about mental health)
• Raising the bar: The success and innovation of these series have pushed the boundaries of what is possible in television storytelling, encouraging networks and creators to take more risks and experiment with new forms and styles
• Binge-watching culture: The serialized nature and narrative complexity of many of these series have fueled the rise of binge-watching, changing the way audiences consume and engage with television content
• Franchise potential: The popularity and richness of these series have often led to spin-offs, prequels, or adaptations in other media, extending their reach and longevity (Better Call Saul, House of the Dragon)
• Shaping the future: The impact of these series can be seen in the work of subsequent creators and showrunners, who have built upon and expanded the narrative and stylistic techniques pioneered by these groundbreaking shows