On the other hand, if they do depart from a joyless slog from one plot point to the next, people scream “filler” like it’s a crime against humanity. I do have some sympathy for people writing shows, but I agree that too many of these shows began life as single-movie pitches that were padded (or at least never edited down) rather than a traditional mini-series, which is what they are, or a season of TV slimmed down to the high-points.
I’m fine with diversions that play like small movies of their own and reward my attention. But, series makers lately seem to think that they’re Kubricks making another ‘Spartacus’, and make me watch platoons marching to formation until I fall asleep right in the chair.
I’m more annoyed that shows blatantly and egregiously stretch the runtime, so that what could be a two- or three-hour film takes a season or two.
On the other hand, if they do depart from a joyless slog from one plot point to the next, people scream “filler” like it’s a crime against humanity. I do have some sympathy for people writing shows, but I agree that too many of these shows began life as single-movie pitches that were padded (or at least never edited down) rather than a traditional mini-series, which is what they are, or a season of TV slimmed down to the high-points.
I’m fine with diversions that play like small movies of their own and reward my attention. But, series makers lately seem to think that they’re Kubricks making another ‘Spartacus’, and make me watch platoons marching to formation until I fall asleep right in the chair.