West Wing or… West Awesome?
By Bethany Maines
I think we all know my resolution a few weeks ago to stop
watching West Wing marathons was merely so much hot air, and in fact the
obsession continues. I admit I watched a few episodes when it was originally
aired, but at the time I wasn’t paying attention to the writing. (Yes, I admit,
I was paying attention to Rob Lowe, but really, weren’t we all?) This time
around I find myself envious, yes, absolutely envious, as the writer’s get away
with things that I have always told not to do. The “errors” these writers
commit would be egregious in the book world. They bring introduce and dismiss
characters at the drop of a hat. They start new plot lines without any warning.
And the characters frequently don’t explain themselves to each other, let alone
to the audience. Basically, the writing hews closer to real life. Is it because
they’re on TV? Is it because they’re better than me? Is it because they’ve got
156 episodes to practice with?
watching West Wing marathons was merely so much hot air, and in fact the
obsession continues. I admit I watched a few episodes when it was originally
aired, but at the time I wasn’t paying attention to the writing. (Yes, I admit,
I was paying attention to Rob Lowe, but really, weren’t we all?) This time
around I find myself envious, yes, absolutely envious, as the writer’s get away
with things that I have always told not to do. The “errors” these writers
commit would be egregious in the book world. They bring introduce and dismiss
characters at the drop of a hat. They start new plot lines without any warning.
And the characters frequently don’t explain themselves to each other, let alone
to the audience. Basically, the writing hews closer to real life. Is it because
they’re on TV? Is it because they’re better than me? Is it because they’ve got
156 episodes to practice with?
For instance, during one episode Sam Seaborn (did I mention
Rob Lowe’s dreaminess) is upset and off-balance because he recently found out
that his father has been keeping a mistress for decades. Up until that episode,
the audience had never heard mention of his parents, and after that we don’t
hear of them again. But in a real life work place frequently co-workers are
thrown for a loop by family issues. And you do what these characters did, which
is express sympathy and try to prevent them from letting home issues become
work issues.
Rob Lowe’s dreaminess) is upset and off-balance because he recently found out
that his father has been keeping a mistress for decades. Up until that episode,
the audience had never heard mention of his parents, and after that we don’t
hear of them again. But in a real life work place frequently co-workers are
thrown for a loop by family issues. And you do what these characters did, which
is express sympathy and try to prevent them from letting home issues become
work issues.
So the question remains – do the writer’s of West Wing get
away with their realism because they are so good at it? Or do we allow this kind of realism
because it isn’t on the printed page? Is there something about being in a book
that makes us want storylines and characters wrapped up in a neat little bow?
Admittedly, the very format of a printed page makes things like overlapping
dialogue a little out of reach. However, isn’t there something annoyingly
formulaic about a sequel that inserts a little synopsis of the previous book?
What do you think? Should we challenge readers more than we do?
away with their realism because they are so good at it? Or do we allow this kind of realism
because it isn’t on the printed page? Is there something about being in a book
that makes us want storylines and characters wrapped up in a neat little bow?
Admittedly, the very format of a printed page makes things like overlapping
dialogue a little out of reach. However, isn’t there something annoyingly
formulaic about a sequel that inserts a little synopsis of the previous book?
What do you think? Should we challenge readers more than we do?
Update: For those who are keeping track I have released my
first new story of the year! You can find The Dragon Incident at Amazon now for
$.99. It will be available for Kobo and Nook in April. You can learn more about
this new series at www.cityofdestinystories.com.
first new story of the year! You can find The Dragon Incident at Amazon now for
$.99. It will be available for Kobo and Nook in April. You can learn more about
this new series at www.cityofdestinystories.com.