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I think Westworld is perfect example of a powerful new show with a large canvas that could struggle. The writing is delicate and nuanced, the cast a tour de for

by throw2016 10y ago

I think Westworld is perfect example of a powerful new show with a large canvas that could struggle. The writing is delicate and nuanced, the cast a tour de force and the acting sublime. However the plot development of the AI by Nolan is a bit complex and layered which in many way makes it intriguing but also I think leaves casual viewers struggling to engage. A core fan base is already engaged but the numbers show that inspite of being clearly imho some of the best television in a long time it might not be renewed because its too expensive to develop. I personally think the weekly format is not friendly to this kind of complex show, viewers are not able to hold the strings together in their head or have no desire to keep track. At least 2 episodes a week or more can help alleviate this but that changes the economics and dynamics of how these shows are written and shot and in the interim there is room for HNs favourite word 'disruption'.

izacus 10y ago
> I personally think the weekly format is not friendly to this kind of complex show, viewers are not able to hold the strings together in their head or have no desire to keep track. At least 2 episodes a week or more can help alleviate this but that changes the economics and dynamics of how these shows are written and shot and in the interim there is room for HNs favourite word 'disruption'. Eh, people aren't as stupid as you make them to be. Remember, even an average housewife could follow the utterly complex web of a 1000+ parts of Santa Barbara soap opera. Asking people to follow a < 20 part show isn't anything special.
- TeMPOraL 10y ago
  Indeed, I think most people are pretty smart when they care about something. Westworld has a tried-and-true bait for people - good cast, nudity and bloody shootouts. Seems enough to make at least some care and start saying that "it's the new Game of Thrones!", at which point they can be served a complex AI plot.
- throw2016 10y ago
  That was not my intention at all. I didn't mean people are stupid in any way. I meant we are all more distracted, and the willingness to engage over long gaps requires some commitment and it's easy to lose track.
- joncrocks 10y ago
  I think when he says "viewers are not able to hold the strings together in their head or have no desire to keep track." I heard "it's quite tricky to keep small details/nuances in ones head over time, and they don't want to have to keep re-watching episodes/take notes to remind themselves" There are some shows that hint at things, imply things, and don't outright scream "remember this it's important" which can make bringing the threads together over the course of weeks hard without continual "last time on [showname]". These stories are served better when the episodes aren't spread out over the course of half a year.
- nhebb 10y ago
  It's not a matter of being stupid. I watched The Sopranos as each episode came out on HBO, but they aired 6 seasons over the course of 8-1/2 years. That's a long time to keep story lines in your head. It's entertainment, not homework.
deadbunny 10y ago
"The proles are to stupid for this, it'll likely fail" This place.

izacus 10y ago

> I personally think the weekly format is not friendly to this kind of complex show, viewers are not able to hold the strings together in their head or have no desire to keep track. At least 2 episodes a week or more can help alleviate this but that changes the economics and dynamics of how these shows are written and shot and in the interim there is room for HNs favourite word 'disruption'. Eh, people aren't as stupid as you make them to be. Remember, even an average housewife could follow the utterly complex web of a 1000+ parts of Santa Barbara soap opera. Asking people to follow a < 20 part show isn't anything special.

TeMPOraL 10y ago
Indeed, I think most people are pretty smart when they care about something. Westworld has a tried-and-true bait for people - good cast, nudity and bloody shootouts. Seems enough to make at least some care and start saying that "it's the new Game of Thrones!", at which point they can be served a complex AI plot.
throw2016 10y ago
That was not my intention at all. I didn't mean people are stupid in any way. I meant we are all more distracted, and the willingness to engage over long gaps requires some commitment and it's easy to lose track.
joncrocks 10y ago
I think when he says "viewers are not able to hold the strings together in their head or have no desire to keep track." I heard "it's quite tricky to keep small details/nuances in ones head over time, and they don't want to have to keep re-watching episodes/take notes to remind themselves" There are some shows that hint at things, imply things, and don't outright scream "remember this it's important" which can make bringing the threads together over the course of weeks hard without continual "last time on [showname]". These stories are served better when the episodes aren't spread out over the course of half a year.
nhebb 10y ago
It's not a matter of being stupid. I watched The Sopranos as each episode came out on HBO, but they aired 6 seasons over the course of 8-1/2 years. That's a long time to keep story lines in your head. It's entertainment, not homework.

deadbunny 10y ago

"The proles are to stupid for this, it'll likely fail" This place.