The big problem with long-form tv like this (and even long movie series like the MCU) is that good, satisfying stories have structure, and that structure includes an ending.
The narrative imperative to call a story ‘done’ and bring it to a natural conclusion always gets steamrolled by the desire to get more cash out of the franchise, so stuff hangs around long past its use by date, deteriorating inevitably into a soap opera where the stakes must be continually raise to keep viewer interest, but simultaneously there are no stakes at all because there’s no actual story happening, just … events. You end up in daytime soapie territory.
nah Essendon end is only 2 weeks 3 weeks max. blink and you miss it . I want to be put into an induced coma for the rest of this year . I only have one simple wish now for the remainder of the 2024 season . anyone except carlton. that’s not too much to ask is it?
I see SBS On Demand is starting next week a series on Rebus, the Edinburgh Inspector Detective, not someone who did things by the book.Based on Ian Rankin’s popular novels I will be interested on how it’s adapted to the TV screen. A couple of series were shown about 20+ years ago that I don’t believe were successful.
For those who have been followers of the dozen or more Rebus books it should be one to lookout for.
The Serpent Queen is a pretty solid romp in a similar vein to The Great but much less over the top and not nearly as irritating. Decent court intrigues (France, Catherine of the Medicis), good cast that make more of the dialogue than it often deserves. If these things have to exist, and I don’t mind them when they work, this one is entertaining and good looking.
