MovieChat Forums > Farscape (1999) Discussion > Fundamental understanding of tension 101

Fundamental understanding of tension 101

posted 10 years ago by skay_baltimore
14 replies | jump to latest

For the most past, main characters don't die. If they did, it would signal the end of the show. So stop relying on ludicrous false tension arcs related to the main character dying. It doesn't generate tension; it only generates stupidity. And that's one of the reasons this show comes off as stupid -- nobody believes that the main character is actually going to die. And the use of such a stupid ploy simply dumbs down the show beyond even that of a cartoon.

Love isn't what you say or how you feel, it's what you do. (The Last Kiss)

[–] Xaeden 10 years ago

You're still on season 2, right? Yeah, well... main characters do die. If you keep at it you'll get to a major one soon.

[–] skay_baltimore 10 years ago

Reading and comprehension. Reading and comprehension. (It should be a requirement to post here.) I am well aware that sometimes main characters die. That's why I specifically stated THE MAIN CHARACTER. As in...Crichton. All the false drama surrounding him dying or going crazy or whatever is just plain stupid. It's NEVER going to happen. So please...work on your R&C skills. Thanks in advance.

Love isn't what you say or how you feel, it's what you do. (The Last Kiss)

[–] Xaeden 10 years ago

I know what you meant. I was trying not to provide spoilers by saying simply that "main characters" were killed off on this show so as not to be too specific. However, since you're going to act in such a manner I will tell you now that they found a creative way to make "Crichton" one of the main characters that they killed off. Although not a traditional death, it was nevertheless emotional and unexpected (for not all, but a lot of people) and done in such a way where the show was able to continue on. Not everyone is a fan of it, (and you probably wouldn't be either, I suspect - although we'll never know what your true feelings would have been now that you know to look for it) but I think it was one of the best storylines in the show. It took a classic TV trope, subverted it, and ran with it in a groundbreaking (for TV) new direction.

[–] skay_baltimore 10 years ago

Sounds like some of the other "have your cake and eat it too" crap that has ruined this show and turned it into a Road Runner/Muppet cartoon. This show has collapsed under the weight of such utter nonsense.

Love isn't what you say or how you feel, it's what you do. (The Last Kiss)

[–] RockinRickyRialto 10 years ago

...you do realize, you have the option of not watching something that infuriates you?

[–] skay_baltimore 10 years ago

Wait...what? Seriously? Wow. I had NO IDEA! Thanks so much!!! Really. How can I ever repay the debt?

Love isn't what you say or how you feel, it's what you do. (The Last Kiss)

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] PillowRock 9 years ago

That's why I specifically stated THE MAIN CHARACTER.

No you didn't. What you specifically stated was:

For the most past, main characters don't die.

"Main characters" (plural, a group) and "the main character" (singular) are two different things.

If you're going to quote yourself with particular emphasis on a specific phrase while bashing someone else's "reading and comprehension" skills, it's better if the phrase you're emphasizing had actually appeared somewhere in the original post under discussion.

But, on your original point:
That was why I thought that "Revenging Angel" would have been better if it came before "Infinite Possibilities" instead of just after it. Having the one John in a coma and near death would have felt like more of an actual threat while there was still another John alive on the other ship. (So long as there were two Johns, it was always possible that one of them could get killed off.)

[–] wdbehg17 10 years ago

skay_baltimore posted...

For the most past, main characters don't die. If they did, it would signal the end of the show. So stop relying on ludicrous false tension arcs related to the main character dying. It doesn't generate tension; it only generates stupidity. And that's one of the reasons this show comes off as stupid -- nobody believes that the main character is actually going to die. And the use of such a stupid ploy simply dumbs down the show beyond even that of a cartoon.

WTF? You do realise that every show on the planet from the beginning of time does this, don't you? If this bothers you then there is no show in the world that you would like.

[–] skay_baltimore 10 years ago

Every show from the beginning of time kills the main character? Well...NOW I understand what sort of person "loves" this show.

Love isn't what you say or how you feel, it's what you do. (The Last Kiss)

[–] David_Bro 10 years ago

I think your reading skills are a bit lacking for even your own posts.

He quoted you and you still seem confused on what his point was.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] VIsraWratS 9 years ago

A bit of an odd complaint as Farscape is one of the few shows which has killed off main and recurring characters.

[–] execproducer22 9 years ago

Let me see if I can remember this....

John dies

Aeryn dies

Zhaan dies

Crais Dies

Stark dies

Jewel Dies

Dargo Dies

Thats almost every single one of the MAIN characters listed in the shows opening credits who dies during the series run......

"What color is the boathouse at Hereford!?" 

-Sam