TV taught me how to feel (now real life has no appeal).

[rogueslayer452]

++ As a fan of the Saw franchise I wasn't aware that there had been another movie in the works, not until the trailer for Saw X dropped not too long ago. I'm so out of the loop on these things that this caught me completely off caught, but I was still pleasantly surprised nonetheless.

While I know nothing aside from just seeing the trailer, this appears to be another prequel similar to that of Jigsaw where John Kramer is alive, not only that but Shawnee Smith is reprising her role as Amanda Young! I know that having original actors of a franchise returning later for the reboots have become a more common trend especially with horror movies, but the way the Saw movies are constructed original characters have actually been present throughout via flashbacks even long after their deaths as a means of piecing together the ongoing mythos of the story. So, it fits.

++ And a question from the television meme:

Do you prefer 22 episode seasons, or 13?

This was clearly written before streaming services started shortening their seasons.

Honestly, it depends on the show and the story that is being told. For some shows it's beneficial to have longer seasons, while for others shorter. The main outcome should be how the season is written regardless of its episode order. Ideally, seasons should be outlined and structured to accommodate the number of episodes they're given so the narrative can flow easier. Of course, that isn't always the case, and there's definitely many factors that go into that (some which are the reasons why the WGA are currently striking). I also know that network television had a very particular way of working and operating with their schedules, which is why seasons were the way they were to accommodate that. Of course now with streaming services significantly reducing episode orders of their shows, there seems to be this demand from frustrated audiences for there to be more episodes. It's kind of a pendulum swing, since before I've seen people rant about seasons being too long, and now they're complaining about seasons being too short.

This also goes for Asian dramas, as well, since the majority of them are one-and-dones they vary in number of episodes, ranging from having only 20 something episodes to 70 episodes, and sometimes those dramas either deserved more episodes while others needed less depending on how the story was handled. And the likelihood of there being more than one seasons is quite small if completely nonexistent, so what you see is what you get.

So, for me there is no one size fits all since every show is built differently, and my personal preference are shows that work with what they can while knowing their limit and planning accordingly. Again, in an ideal world since we know the industry doesn't play nice.

Comments

[author_by_night]

I agree that it's about what best serves the show. I do think twelve or thirteen episodes is a happy medium between 6-9 and 22-24, but I still think some 12-13 episode shows could get away with a few more. I will say that I think longer seasons allow you to flesh things out in a way that's harder with shorter seasons, especially really short ones.

Where do you find Asian dramas?

[rogueslayer452]

I will say that I think longer seasons allow you to flesh things out in a way that's harder with shorter seasons, especially really short ones.

Yeah, like sometimes certain stories don't need to go into those kinds of depths, but when you have, say, an ensemble cast sometimes having enough episodes to explore those characters and their interconnecting relationships with one another is good. In fact, it strengths the story, imho. Tightening the episode order does a disservice to that kind of development, both of the characters and the story.

Where do you find Asian dramas?

YouTube, Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu are the biggest places most can find them. There are also specific apps (ex: Viki and iQIYI) which also feature Asian dramas, as well.

[elizalavelle]

I haven't been able to watch the Saw movies, that kind of tension in a film just makes me too anxious. But I did read the description of the original trilogy some time ago and liked the story in there. There was something neat to it.

Agreed on the episodes per season question. There isn't a one size fits all. I'd prefer a tighter 10 episode season vs a 22 episode season where half of the episodes are filler. However, I've also watched shows where the traditional full length season is well crafted and I enjoy those a lot too.

[rogueslayer452]

I really love the story of Saw. Some overlook it because they feel like the movies are just "torture porn" and have no meaning to them, but there is. In its own twisted way, the message of appreciating one's life and not being horrible and paying penance by going through trials to atone for those wrongdoings to "cleanse" yourself is fascinating, and it really makes you think about the things that you do in your own life. I also think that the story of John Kramer is utterly tragic.

However, I've also watched shows where the traditional full length season is well crafted and I enjoy those a lot too.

Yeah, I think it's all about how a show is structured, though sadly not all the people involved in making of a show is in control of that, which is frustrating for everyone. But if the story is structured nicely, it doesn't (and shouldn't) matter how many episode it has, as long as it conveys the story that it wants to tell.

[pianogurl330]

I agree it depends on the show- some shows needs a longer season to tell the story arch where some other shows don't need as many. And depends on the show if I don't mind the fluffy filler episodes where as some shows don't need it/takes away from the overall story.

[rogueslayer452]

I also know that sometimes shows would get either their seasons extended midway through if they were popular enough (the "back nine" episodes, essentially), and sometimes shows would get their seasons cut, either due to budget issues or a network was cutting things down (it was usually a bad sign, in general). So it makes me wonder how much of the story gets affected when this happens for a season, because sometimes they will have to adjust even if that was never quite the initial plan.

[facethestrange]

"the way the Saw movies are constructed original characters have actually been present throughout via flashbacks even long after their deaths as a means of piecing together the ongoing mythos of the story
Oh, this sounds very cool, I didn't know that! (And sometimes it's really fun to be out of the loop on your favorite fandoms because you get surprised with a new installment without having to wait for it. :D)

I'm the person who would watch my favs eat breakfast every day, so to me more episodes = literally always better. xD As far as I'm concerned (as the viewer - not considering the perspective of the actors and crew) nothing can ever be too long, it can only be too short, and tbh even 10 seasons x 22 episodes would be too short if it happens to be my favorite show. And yep, I remember people complaining about seasons being too long and about fillers, and I was always like 'wtf, I would be soooo excited about 200-episode seasons if it was only possible', lol. (Same reason why when someone says 'this is a short book' my brain automatically goes 'oh, I'm far less interested than before', even though the person meant is a positive trait, not a negative one. xD)

[rogueslayer452]

It makes watching the movies back-to-back very interesting, as well, because while the first three were the standard kind of trilogy, the movies that followed after were connecting and adding more to the already established story of how they continue John Kramer's legacy.

And sometimes it's really fun to be out of the loop on your favorite fandoms because you get surprised with a new installment without having to wait for it. :D

This is true. It's like how I can be surprised that a music artist I like has come out with a new song or album. Some fans will wait, counting down the days, for me it'll be a shock to learn that they released something new months ago! lol