As a long-time fan of these shows, I must say that I’ve been left scratching my head more than once due to some questionable plot developments and continuity issues.
Consistency is often a crucial element in a TV series. Developing characters and their surroundings effectively enables the characters to interact coherently, while also ensuring viewers can predict the show’s direction more accurately, as they’ve invested in its premise.
At times, the progression of the show enables viewers to observe character growth and development. Yet, in certain instances, the series might suggest one thing only to undergo significant alterations, as creators introduce fresh ideas or strive to maintain a character’s presence despite them moving beyond their original storyline.
Numerous well-known series often face continuity challenges since, while a fresh concept may open up vast amounts of unexplored territory and provide endless entertainment, viewers might find themselves puzzled about whether the writers fully grasp their own production, considering that crucial details were never previously disclosed. This can also give the impression that the characters have forgotten significant parts of their past history.
On multiple occasions, crowd-pleasing comedies and dramas have been caught in this predicament. How often have you found yourself engrossed in a series, searching for answers to inconsistencies in the plot, only to discover that these discrepancies were contrived to accommodate a humorous scene or explain why a beloved character had not yet graduated from high school?
Occasionally, some TV series across the years have stumbled upon continuity pitfalls, yet on certain occasions, these inconsistencies have been strategically employed to enhance plot development, contributing significantly to storytelling. Conversely, other shows have opted to disregard such continuity and instead focus on fabricating a narrative as if the initial facts presented were never part of the original concept.
Friday Night Lights
On Friday nights, the fictional town of Dillon, Texas lived and breathed football, making it the heartbeat of their community. The television series, “Friday Night Lights,” centered around Coach Eric Taylor, his family, and his team. However, the show faced significant challenges in maintaining consistency, particularly during its first three seasons.
Initially, “Friday Night Lights” presents a number of characters, among them being Jason Street, Tyra Collette, Lyla Garrity, and Tim Riggins. The series subtly hints in its first season that these four individuals are all in their final year of high school, though it does not explicitly say so.
In the series, it seems like Jason and Lyla have been dating for quite some time, hinting at a long-standing relationship, while Jason and Tim appear to have been friends and teammates since their childhood years. There’s no indication in the first season that this quartet has any significant age difference. This is further emphasized when Lyla expresses her desire to attend the same university as Jason or one nearby, so they can stay together, implying a similar age range and ensuring he won’t feel lonely.
Lyla’s commitment to stay with Jason is clear, though it might be questionable given her own future prospects, and this decision makes sense if they both graduate the same year. However, as “Friday Night Lights” progresses over two more seasons, we find out that while Jason was a senior in the first season, Lyla was actually only a sophomore, still attending Dillon High School.
The disclosure seems illogical, particularly when considering Jason proposing marriage to Lyla, an action that appears unusual for a high school senior and becomes even more puzzling given that she is two years younger than him.
At the current time, disclosing that Lyla intended to join Jason at college seems illogical since, being two grades below him, it wouldn’t have affected his college choice as he would still have two years before her arrival. However, the show “Friday Night Lights” overlooked this plot development by its third season, instead portraying Lyla as harboring ambitions to attend Vanderbilt for a long time, an aspiration that was never hinted at earlier in the series.
In the premiere of Friday Night Lights, it seemed illogical that Tim was a sophomore, as he already appeared to be an established member of the team, suggesting he had been part of it for more than one year. It appears that Tim’s continued role in the series was due to his popularity among the creators rather than a logical progression for his character’s development on the show.
In the fourth season of Friday Night Lights, it seemed surprising that characters like Landry and Julie, who were thought to be around Matt’s age during the show’s first season, were suddenly held back. The series never implied that Matt was a year older than either of them, particularly Landry, who had already possessed a driver’s license by the end of season one and had been Matt’s longtime friend.
In the series “Friday Night Lights”, the choice to advance the storyline eight months with each season to concentrate on football events suits the show’s narrative, but it creates a challenge for the character development as viewers are compelled to fill in the gaps left by unexplained off-screen events like Landry and Tyra’s break-up at the start of season three. This means that we, as audience members, need to catch up on every storyline that wasn’t properly addressed on screen.
In the narrative I’ve been following, the reason behind the duo’s separation remained unexplored. However, they surprisingly reconciled in the third season’s finale, leading me to anticipate a deep exploration of their rekindled bond. Yet, surprisingly, from the fourth season onwards, it seemed as if their profound connection never existed at all – like they had simply skipped over the emotional journey that bound them together earlier.
As a devoted fan of Friday Night Lights, I can’t help but feel that Tyra and Landry’s story could have been handled more thoughtfully. Their relationship didn’t need to last until the very end, but it would have been more satisfying if their history and friendship were given a more meaningful resolution. Instead, they seemed to fade away without so much as a goodbye, which felt disappointing considering the emotional depth their bond brought to the show. It’s almost like the powerful connection they shared in seasons two and three was erased entirely.
The Big Bang Theory
For over a dozen years, this popular sitcom maintained its position as a favorite among fans, even leading to the creation of a spinoff titled “Young Sheldon.” The show centered around a group of brilliant scientists and their culturally-inclined friend. However, despite being both intellectually sharp and cleverly written, consistency was not always its strongest suit.
Some aspects of the show became regular features, like Sheldon claiming certain places as “his spots.” However, other details, originally associated with Amy’s character, were modified or phased out over time to accommodate a different storyline.
Initially, Amy Farrah-Fowler was created as a female counterpart to the character Sheldon, displaying similarities such as a distinct speaking style, an intense dedication to her scientific research, and a lack of desire for romantic or sexual relationships, much like Sheldon.
Over the course of time, and as The Big Bang Theory characters possibly grasped the extent of their capabilities, Amy’s character underwent a transformation. To some extent, this shift can be traced back to “The Alien Parasite Hypothesis” in season four, when Amy showed signs of attraction toward Penny’s former boyfriend Zack.
In the fourth season’s tenth episode, Amy’s introduction may have been earlier than expected because the writers were looking to diversify her character from Penny, who she resembled in earlier seasons. This change was likely intended to facilitate character growth for Amy and provide a deeper insight into Sheldon’s relationship with her, as well as adding richness to her own character development.
The plan proves effective, as “The Big Bang Theory” depicts an intriguing and intimate perspective on how a romantic relationship unfolds for Sheldon Cooper. Notably, the series portrays Sheldon and Amy’s relationship as robust enough for Amy to choose being with Sheldon without physical intimacy over having a physical relationship with another man. Concurrently, Sheldon’s relationship with Amy brings about change in him, helping him understand the importance of a life partner and the essence of falling in love.
As a devoted fan, I noticed that modifying Amy’s character also enhanced her social acumen, an area where Sheldon, my favorite character on the show, often stumbled. It seems plausible that this development in Amy’s character was necessary to distinguish her from Sheldon, as their differences played a crucial role in the dynamics of their relationship and made it so captivating.
Inconsistencies within the series are apparent, such as the consistent portrayal of Sheldon’s father descriptions across The Big Bang Theory, but a significant change occurs in Young Sheldon. Additionally, there is confusion regarding the sequence and timing of the elevator malfunction in the apartment building depicted in the show.
Gossip Girl
The popular TV show “Gossip Girl” left viewers intrigued as they sought to decipher the enigma surrounding the influential blogger. Over a span of six seasons, the show gradually unveiled the juicy secrets of the affluent residents of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, New York City. However, the climactic disclosure in the final episode not only left fans perplexed and annoyed, but also created a multitude of inconsistencies throughout the series.
It seems rather implausible that Dan Humphrey is indeed Gossip Girl, given six seasons of portrayal where Dan consistently reacts with shock to the posts on the blog. If Dan were the author of those posts, why would he show such surprise when he was alone if he had written them in the first place?
As an ardent fan, I can’t help but ponder over the intriguing behavior of Gossip Girl, who had a peculiar knack for disclosing highly personal aspects of people’s romantic lives. This extended to Dan’s younger sister, Jenny, which leaves me wondering, how many brothers would be comfortable broadcasting such private details about their sisters on the internet?
Even Dan’s reason for being Gossip Girl messes with the history of the show. Dan’s claim is that he created the alter ego as a way to insert himself into Serena’s life and feel connected to her because of his feelings for her. For one thing, that is a very creepy way to try and go about a romantic relationship with someone, and manages to turn Dan and Serena’s popular romantic dynamic into an unhealthy toxic couple. Secondly, once Dan and Serena begin to bond and form their own relationship, technically, Dan could have dropped Gossip Girl at that point. He had gotten what he wanted, so why continue?
In Gossip Girl posts, Dan comes across as someone well-versed in the high society of New York City’s elite. Contrastingly, Dan seems uneasy in affluent settings, while Serena appears to appreciate his company without showing the same level of discomfort.
Over six captivating seasons of “Gossip Girl,” I find myself struggling to see Dan as anything but a manipulator who progressively tarnishes both his own image and Serena’s, making me question if he truly cared for her at all. When the show attempts to persuade us that Dan held genuine feelings for Serena, it’s difficult not to view him as a controlling sociopath instead of a caring boyfriend, given the private and intimate details about her he so casually shares with the public.
As a die-hard fan, I must admit that Penn Badgley’s portrayal of Joe Goldberg in “You” is captivatingly chilling, but it’s a stark contrast to how Dan Humphrey from “Gossip Girl” should have been played. Unlike Joe, Dan’s character wasn’t meant to be a sociopath, and the series finale with Dan and Serena tying the knot leaves Dan’s actions as Gossip Girl without any significant repercussions, which is quite different from the more complex consequences we often see in storytelling.
As someone who has been an avid fan of Gossip Girl for years, I must admit that the final season left me feeling quite disappointed. The plot twist was not only unexpected but also poorly executed, leaving several continuity issues unresolved. Moreover, it seemed as though the show was romanticizing a toxic relationship, which is something I strongly disagree with. As someone who values healthy and positive relationships in my own life, I found it disheartening to see such behavior glamorized on screen. Overall, while Gossip Girl had its moments, the final season didn’t live up to expectations.
Stranger Things
In the series Stranger Things, Joyce uses Will’s birthday as a significant point of connection. Specifically, it’s established as March 22nd. Yet, when March 22nd arrives in season four, it seems that Will’s friends and family overlook his special day. Although this might not have been the deliberate intention of the writers, the omission of the birthday event could be seen as a substantial inconsistency, hinting at a lack of concern for Will’s birthday from those closest to him.
A significant challenge with the continuity of Stranger Things lies in understanding the roots of the Upside Down. In the fourth season, it is proposed that the Upside Down was born when Eleven sent Vecna into nothingness. Nancy observes inconsistencies between her home timeline and how the Upside Down depicts it, with her 1983 bedroom being shown compared to the storyline unfolding in 1986 in the fourth season.
In Season Four’s flashbacks, Eleven appears to speak more than she did in Season One. This might be explained by the intense trauma of the flashback events causing her to become quieter in later seasons, or it could simply mean that the storyline required her character to have more dialogue during those specific scenes compared to what was originally implied in Season One.
Eleven’s reserved demeanor during the first season served to heighten the enigma surrounding her past, deepening the sense of peril regarding the nature of these children’s circumstances, and providing a rationale for her powerful bond with Mike, as he became her primary link to the outside world.
Riverdale
If Jason is the same age as Polly, who is Betty’s older sister, and Cheryl is the same age as Betty, then it’s impossible for Cheryl and Jason to be twins. The TV show Riverdale initially hinted that Cheryl might be older than Betty due to her role as cheerleading captain often being held by upperclassmen, but this idea was later disregarded to keep Cheryl in the series longer.
If Riverdale had chosen to simply portray Jason as Cheryl’s brother instead of twins, it wouldn’t have been a glaring inconsistency. However, by repeatedly emphasizing they were twins, the only viable explanation for their age difference became that Cheryl was held back in school. Yet, there’s no indication of this happening, and it’s particularly unusual considering Cheryl, despite her eccentricities, seems to be quite intelligent academically.
At FP’s birthday party in the show, some viewers found themselves questioning the timeline. Since flashbacks reveal FP as a teenager from the ’90s, it seems unlikely that he could have turned fifty during the series. Similarly, “The Midnight Club” episode hints at Fred abandoning music during his junior year, which conflicts with earlier references in Riverdale where Fred and FP were depicted as being in a band together during their senior year.
In the storyline of Riverdale, there are inconsistencies regarding continuity. For instance, when Jughead pretends to die during high school, the show claims it’s the year 2020. However, in the subsequent season, a seven-year time leap occurs, taking the characters into the future year of 2021, or so Veronica mentions.
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2024-08-14 19:16