posted
What do you all think about B-stories? As far as I recall, TOS rarely, if ever, used B-story subplots. Instead, all scenes were in service of the main (and only) story. Howver, in TNG, they started having B stories. I always felt that B stories were a big distraction and a sign of the writing staff's not being able to fill up the entire 45 minutes with a single story. They needed to pad the episodes with half-baked, undeveloped B-story plotlines. Another reason, I guess, is to give each member of a large cast something interesting to do every week. Either way, I don't like B-stories.
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posted
Why did the vision put in the story about Homer and Lincoln's gold...- Bart I guess the spirits felt the main vision was a little thin- Indian Casino Chief
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[This message has been edited by USS Vanguard (edited May 20, 2001).]
Masao -- so, are you "for" or "against" story arcs in episodes? Just out of curiousity, because most arcs are told in "A"-plot, "B"-plot, and "C"-plot story form (look at DS9's last chapter).
While "B" plots didn't work so well on TNG, I think they worked great on DS9 -- look at "The Storyteller", for one ...
------------------ Star Trek Gamma Quadrant Average Rated 8.32 out of 10 Smileys by Fabrux (with seven eps posted) *** "Oh, yes, screw logic, let's go for a theory with no evidence!" -Omega 11:48am, Jan. 19th, 2001 *** Card-Carrying Member of the FlareAPAO *** "I think this reason why girls don't do well on multiple choice tests goes all the way back to the Bible, all the way back to Genesis, Adam and Eve. God said, 'All right, Eve, multiple choice or multiple orgasms, what's it going to be?' We all know what was chosen" - Rush Limbaugh, Feb. 23, 1994.
posted
I actually haven't seen much DS9 here in Japan, so I'm referring mainly to TNG B stories. I got no complaint with B stories serving a continuous story line. I just don't like stand-alone B stories in stand-alone episodes.
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posted
Well, the classic A-plot revolves around somethin major, but at the same time there may be a little sub-plot going on, usually revolving around character development.
Example: New Ground - A-Plot = Soliton Wave experiment; B-Plot = Alexander, Worf, Lwaxana, that Godawful Colony of Free Spirits, oh JesusfuckIhatethisepisodesoveryfuckingmuch!
Example: Message in a Bottle - A-Plot = EMH on the Prometheus, B-Plot = Tom trying to cope as medical officer; also potential C-Plot in that it introduces the Hirogen.
posted
Ok, the standard format. One issue that is presented before the opening credits (is there a term for that 1-5 minute opening tidbit?) and then one or two subplots.
I'm ready for B and C now. In fact, can't wait!
------------------ "Babies haven't any hair; old men's heads are just as bare; between the cradle and the grave lies a haircut and a shave."
Shik
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posted
A teaser.
The Parallax Colony was from "Cost Of Living," not "New Ground."
DS9 example is "Progress." A-plot: Kira tries to get Brian Keith to leave the moon of Jerrado within enlisting the help of Mr. French. B-plot: Nog & Jake become greedy motherfuckers as the huge-eared little troll takes his first steps towards a glorious career in the Quartermaster Corps.
------------------ "Boinky ensued, and a great time was had by all." --Book of Nigel, Chapter 4, verse 32
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Whatever. But such shite eps really paved the way for DS9; after all the endless schmaltz we really all just wanted to see a lot of shit getting blown up.
A-story: Picard reunites with brother on Earth and considers new career move while finally putting the Borgification behind him.
B-story: Worf's human parents visit him on the Enterprise: they're concerned because he has isolated himself from them, and he doesn't want them to feel burdened by his discomendation.
C-story: Wesley "meets" his father via a message Jack recorded shortly before he died. Beverly isn't sure she wants Wesley to get the message.
------------------ Star Trek Gamma Quadrant Average Rated 8.32 out of 10 Smileys by Fabrux (with seven eps posted) *** "Oh, yes, screw logic, let's go for a theory with no evidence!" -Omega 11:48am, Jan. 19th, 2001 *** Card-Carrying Member of the FlareAPAO *** "I think this reason why girls don't do well on multiple choice tests goes all the way back to the Bible, all the way back to Genesis, Adam and Eve. God said, 'All right, Eve, multiple choice or multiple orgasms, what's it going to be?' We all know what was chosen" - Rush Limbaugh, Feb. 23, 1994.
Conclusion: By amazing coincidence, the personal problem is solved and in some way helps to solve Plot A as well.
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posted
Oh, the other dispositions made me think that the whole episode is either A, B or C. But they can be baked into one?
How's this?
Noname Voy-ep.
A-plot: Ship is stalked by entity B-plot: Janeway has trouble with Chakotay taking her orders and killing entity C-plot: Neelix bugs Tuvok with corny entity-jokes.
In the end, Chakotay finds a way to pacify entity and makes up with Janeway, A and B is solved. Then Tuvok does some practical joke on Neelix in some pseudo-revenge way and whole senior staff starts laughing really blandly and false juust before end credits. C is done too!
------------------ "Babies haven't any hair; old men's heads are just as bare; between the cradle and the grave lies a haircut and a shave."
posted
Some Trek episodes were entirely B-plots however I right now I'm trying to remember a couple of example's titles.
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posted
Nimrod: Yes. Within a single episode, the A-plot is the main plot. What the episode is about. The sort of thing that you'd read as the synopsis in the weekly television listings. The B-plot another story that's also happening, but it isn't the main thing. As mentioned, it's usually character development and such. Really, C-, D-, E-, F-, &c. plots are just multiple sub-plots. More than one B-plot, as it were...
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