TV Series or Mini-Series (Lost vs. The Lost Room)

Perhaps it's just me but I cannot watch most of the TV series after some episodes or else a season, while I almost always watch every mini-series that interests me, to the end. Of course, TV series demand much more time unless they are untimely cancelled, but I think the key point is not that. The thing is, most (perhaps all) of the mini-series are initiated with a full comprehension (possibly coupled with the decision) about how they are going to end; on the other hand, I assume, regarding almost all the TV series, it is "decided" to continue or not, due to some obvious (hey, we don't make much money) or unknown (unknown to "us", of course) reasons. 

The "Lost vs. The Lost Room" part of the poll's subject is just an example. But it pretty much represents what is/can be exciting and what can be boring for me. (I lost my interest and stopped watching Lost after a season and a couple of further episodes from its 2nd season; whereas, I watched The Lost Room till the end, 3 times or so.)

I also would love to see "mini-series seasons" of some productions; even if there are years of gaps between. (Please, no rush!) Is there such a thing? If no, there should be!

Any thoughts?






Edited by Shadowyzard - October 09 2020 at 17:51

The Lost Room over Lost, Lost lost me,, and TV miniseries/ limited series generally over long running running multi season series for me. I also am in agreement. There are various series where each season did not llast very long where I enjoyed multiple seasons. I do like to have an end in sight, and so many feel really padded, or plot elements are added just to prolong it. Generally I like to think that the story arc has been worked out in advance, there is an economy to the storytelling, and it is moving to some kind of resolution with an end in sight. So many just go on and on, and end up fizzling out. They don’t end at a planned date, but instead when the audience lost enough interest that the show gets cancelled or not renewed. This can lead to a really unsatisfactory end for a show too. Especially when it comes to serials, this can be very important, some anthology shows could go on and on and I would be very happy. Fargo, since each season works as its own serial series, and so becomes a kind of anthology series (not like Twilight Zone, Inside No. 9, The Outer Limits, or Black Mirror where episodes work as standalones). I would love more from.

I can think of some which I really would have loved another season/ series of, such as Utopia, which where each series was only six episodes, and there were two series (or seasons), so 12 each. I would have liked another limited run of at least three more. Twin Peaks is one that ran long with many episodes over three seasons (plus a movie) and a 25 year hiatus, and I would love to see another season, but not so much as a continuation, but exploring a different aspect. A show like Les Revenants kept me hooked over both series, but some would have liked it to stop at season one ( eight episodes per season).

A show like Blake’s 7 kept me mostlty interested throughout, and it had a proper end.   And generally I have liked Doctor Who’s long running approach (it has lost me now and back in the 80s it lost my interest). It depends, but generally I do prefer miniseries, series that may last over several seasons but have not many episodes, and I really like serial forms of drama as well as anthology series.

I find that the American TV I have been into has been more likely to over extend itself with very long seasons and many seasons than the British and French shows that I have been into. And speaking if shorter, I have been very into short films. I love a serial that has been well plotted out with a proper beginning, middle and end, and has a creative vision that is consistent. Often the problem can be that too many writers get involved over too long a time. It lacks cohesion. I often prefer those which have just one or two creators or writers who are involved throughout and can maintain creative control. So much of TV is not auteur driven. Most of my writing heroes in tv comedy and drama are English, someone like Dennis Potter.

Edited by Logan - October 10 2020 at 14:12

Edited by JD - November 20 2020 at 12:44