Character Arc Problems in a Long Series and Sequels.

One of the things that make a character so interesting is that they start out with at least one character flaw. A problem that we want to see resolved at some point. This is what usually makes character interesting. For some of us, if we happen to have a similar flaw then we can relate to that character, which makes it even better. We become interested in how the character will overcome their problem. 

However, I have noticed that over a long series and even some sequels difficulties seem to come up regarding this character arc. 

For example, Michael Burnham from Star Trek Discovery. She started out as a person who would go against authority when she thought he or she was making a mistake. This landed her in prison. She went around withdrawn and angry. Now on Season four, episode one she is a captain, happy and proud of her crew. I like seeing a character at the end of a story being happily ever after, but for the beginning of season four Burnham was not all that interesting. There was a lot of action, and some characters, including Burnham that were put in danger, but the danger didn't feel real to me. Only at the end was there a statement by a federation leader that Michael would risk the lives of the many to save a few because she had to fix everything. In other words, the writers know that they are going to have to drag out this flaw if they are going to stay with the same main character. 

On Lost for example, all the main characters have tragic backstories. This makes us sympathize with them and we want to see them resolve these problems. John Locke has anger issues, and he keeps getting burned by people he trusts. Jack has to save everyone. Sawyer longs for revenge. Kate runs from her past. Charlie struggles with drug addiction. It seems they are on the island to overcome their problems, and I love seeing the moments where they really come through. However, they often fall back into their ruts. These episodes are long, so the problem here is that these character arcs feel dragged out and frustrating. Yet, the writers have no choice if these characters are going to stick around. 

Star Wars wasn't really meant to be a character arc story, but it seems because of current trends it kind of became one. I was disappointed to see that in Star Wars episode seven, Han Solo had gone back to smuggling and his relationship with Leah had fallen apart. Sure, his son had gone to the dark side, but hadn't he reached a point where he would never go back to his former life? In his case, I think he would've still been interesting without that happening. Instead, it came across as comical. Luke was also disappointing, falling from a hero to some sort of hermit in hiding. 

Jack Sparrow is similar to Han Solo. It had seemed like he had changed for the better at the end of the first movie, but in the sequel, he goes right back to being a goofy pirate. Pirates of the Caribbean had a lot of funny moments, and it seems it was meant to be part comedy. Perhaps the writers thought it would be funny for Sparrow to fall back into his weird self, but I didn't find it funny. Instead, it was corny. In the case of Jack Sparrow, his character arc really wasn't even over before he relapsed. He still could've been interesting and funny struggling to go from pirate to hero. 

All this being said, I will continue with Star Trek Discovery because I feel it will get better based on previous episodes. There is a lot I like about each season. 

As a writer, I can see these difficulties and sympathize with the challenges. Fans want that happy ending at the end of a story, but fans also want longer stories. How do we keep stories and characters interesting over the long haul? At least these shows have the advantage of several talented writers that can come together and figure out things faster than the lone writer. Yet, they are under deadlines, and they have other problems to resolve, like plot holes. It's not an easy job and perhaps sometimes, they just need to get the job done.

So far on Lost

You knew I was going to blog about this again, right? At least I have a blog post this week. 

I'm into season two and I have noticed something about the series. A lot of questions come up that, of course, make you want to keep watching. Sometimes they're answered, but usually it only leads to more questions. The full answer to anything takes a long, long time. In other words, the show is highly addicting. I can see why people binge these shows, but I don't like to do that. Rushing through it just seems to spoil things. At least for me.


They use flashbacks to answer some of those questions and to also fill in the gaps. It's pretty clever because it would be impossible to have only island scenes. The flashbacks are also a way to learn more about characters. Often times, the flashbacks don't go to the beginning of when a characters problem happened, but they are in reverse. No doubt, it's based on the best way to keep the viewer hooked.

All of the main characters have some sort of horrible past to make them sympathetic. I find most of them that way, but so far there are two that I really don't feel much sympathy. At least not yet. Sawyer is always belligerent even when there is no reason. When he was a small child, someone conned his parents, and slept with his mother. When his father realized what was going on he killed her and himself. Sawyer has been wanting to kill this con man for years. I don't hate Sawyer, but he's kinda disappointing. He never really changes. Then there is Ana Lucia who shows up in Season 2. She used to be a cop who was shot while pregnant and lost the baby. Then on the island her group from the tail section was attacked a few times by the "others" who either took them or killed them. This really put Lucia on edge. So she becomes a bully and a control freak who ends up accidentally shooting and killing an innocent person. I mean who put her in charge?

The character I like the most is John Locke. So far, for the most part, he is calm and trusting. He knows how to hunt and survive. The others depend on him, and he likes being on the island. For him, it's like a dream come true, and his past just makes me melt with sympathy. His own father "long conned" him out of a kidney. His past involves his difficulty in over coming the anger he felt. Now, he's not perfect, and he's made some mistakes. Otherwise he wouldn't be believable. I suppose he will make more mistakes.

It seems that they have been brought to the island (via fate) to heal their pasts, but only John Locke seems to get that. Most are busy trying to survive or get off the island. It's pretty clear they're not getting off any time soon. I can also see how some of them are now being pitted against each other. For example. Sawyer is a con man and Locke is a victim of a long con from his own father. 

As for the "others" these are people who have been on the island first. I don't know how long, but these people are stealthy, ruthless fighters and very adapted to the island. They seem to like to take children, but they also capture adults. The survivors of the plane crash are at their mercy...so far.

Lost and Lost in Space

I felt fine all weekend until Sunday after breakfast. I started to feel some nausea. Then throughout the day I also felt achy and tired. My daughter had what I thought was food poisoning, but now I'm thinking virus. I have similar symptoms as to what she had, but she had it worse than me. Taking Aleve helped. During the night I had more nausea. So here I am with this late blog post. I am starting to feel better. 

However, Sunday felt like a total waste. I had so many plans to get outdoor work done. Instead, I was turned into a vegetable. Sometimes I feel lonely when I'm sick because I miss when my mom would bring me things. Like soup...etc. Now I take care of other people, they don't care of me. 

I watched some more episodes of Lost. I know it's old, but it's new to me. I really like it. In case anyone doesn't know, it's about a plane that crashes on an island and a group of people survive, but there is no one coming to rescue them. All these people have to work together and they get to know each other. There are some clever things about it. For example, everyone knows one of them is a criminal and it turns out to be someone you wouldn't expect. Also, there is a lot of mystery about the island. All these things make you want to keep watching to find out more. 

I have also been thinking about Lost in Space on Netflix as it seems to be a long wait on season 3. Overall, I like it, but I thought the first season was full of plot holes. For example, the planet they end up on has a cycle of extinction where it gets too hot for life to survive. Yet, there are prehistoric creatures on it. This makes no sense to me. Also there is a moment where Maureen goes off on her own to do something with a balloon. The wind almost pulls her off a cliff. Since when do you let anyone go alone on an unpredictable and alien planet? 

Anyway, the second season was much better. I like what they've done with the robot. He is now an alien/artificial life being. The one character I could do without is Dr. Smith, who is woman now. She can be interesting at times, but I don't want her to be like the Gilligan of the group. The one that keeps them lost in space. Dr. Smith either needs to die a villain or reform. Just don't stay the same. I like it much more when the family is dealing with strange planets and aliens.

Have a great week. :)