Flare Sci-fi Forums
Flare Sci-Fi Forums Post New Topic  Post A Reply
my profile | directory login | search | faq | forum home

  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Flare Sci-Fi Forums » Star Trek » General Trek » B-stories: welcome diversion or annoying distraction? (Page 1)

  This topic comprises 2 pages: 1  2   
Author Topic: B-stories: welcome diversion or annoying distraction?
Masao
doesn't like you either
Member # 232

 - posted      Profile for Masao     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
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.

------------------
When you're in the Sol system, come visit the Starfleet Museum


Registered: Oct 1999  |  IP: Logged
USS Vanguard
i hate clowns
Member # 130

 - posted      Profile for USS Vanguard     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
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


Ahh, simpsons, will there ever be a situation where a relevant quote can't be acquired?
------------------
Signatures are for losers

[This message has been edited by USS Vanguard (edited May 20, 2001).]


Registered: May 1999  |  IP: Logged
Malnurtured Snay
Blogger
Member # 411

 - posted      Profile for Malnurtured Snay     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
Doubtful.

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 Flare APAO
***
"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.


Registered: Sep 2000  |  IP: Logged
Masao
doesn't like you either
Member # 232

 - posted      Profile for Masao     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
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.

------------------
When you're in the Sol system, come visit the Starfleet Museum


Registered: Oct 1999  |  IP: Logged
Nim
The Aardvark asked for a dagger
Member # 205

 - posted      Profile for Nim     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
At first I thought you meant B-plot meant "budget" as in bad quality as in Ed Wood.

So what is the difference btw A-, B-, and C-plot forms, pray tell.

------------------
"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."

Samuel Hoffenstein


Registered: Aug 1999  |  IP: Logged
Lee
I'm a spy now. Spies are cool.
Member # 393

 - posted      Profile for Lee     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
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.

*tries to think of good DS9 example*

------------------
Phasers


Registered: Jul 2000  |  IP: Logged
Nim
The Aardvark asked for a dagger
Member # 205

 - posted      Profile for Nim     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
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."

Samuel Hoffenstein


Registered: Aug 1999  |  IP: Logged
Shik
Starship database: completed; History of Starfleet: done; website: probably never
Member # 343

 - posted      Profile for Shik     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
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


Registered: Jun 2000  |  IP: Logged
Lee
I'm a spy now. Spies are cool.
Member # 393

 - posted      Profile for Lee     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
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.

------------------
Phasers


Registered: Jul 2000  |  IP: Logged
Nim
The Aardvark asked for a dagger
Member # 205

 - posted      Profile for Nim     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
What's a B and C plot again???

------------------
"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."

Samuel Hoffenstein


Registered: Aug 1999  |  IP: Logged
Malnurtured Snay
Blogger
Member # 411

 - posted      Profile for Malnurtured Snay     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
Better example: "Family"

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 Flare APAO
***
"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.


Registered: Sep 2000  |  IP: Logged
Harry
Stormwind City Guard
Member # 265

 - posted      Profile for Harry     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
A-plot: Entire crew is in trouble

B-plot: single character has personal trouble

Conclusion: By amazing coincidence, the personal problem is solved and in some way helps to solve Plot A as well.

------------------
"You know, putting up a tent is like making love to a beautiful woman. You undo the zip, pop in your pole and slip into the old bag."
- Swiss Toni, The Fast Show (British comedy show)
---
Titan Fleet Yards - Harry Doddema's Star Trek Site


Registered: Dec 1999  |  IP: Logged
Nim
The Aardvark asked for a dagger
Member # 205

 - posted      Profile for Nim     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
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."

Samuel Hoffenstein


Registered: Aug 1999  |  IP: Logged
Matrix
AMEAN McAvoy
Member # 376

 - posted      Profile for Matrix     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
Some Trek episodes were entirely B-plots however I right now I'm trying to remember a couple of example's titles.

------------------
The whole concept of Survivor is get your average Joe and put him/her on the show and see how they react. Afterwards even though they did not win they make money by appearing on shows. There is no point in having to win a million dollars! They will make that amount in 2 months after appearing on 100 different shows!


Registered: Jul 2000  |  IP: Logged
TSN
I'm... from Earth.
Member # 31

 - posted      Profile for TSN     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
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...

------------------
"Even the colors are pompous!"
-a friend of mine, looking at a Lexus brochure


Registered: Mar 1999  |  IP: Logged
  This topic comprises 2 pages: 1  2   

Quick Reply
Message:

HTML is enabled.
UBB Code™ is enabled.

Instant Graemlins
   


Post New Topic  Post A Reply Close Topic   Feature Topic   Move Topic   Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
 - Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:


© 1999-2024 Charles Capps

Powered by UBB.classic™ 6.7.3