I have discovered a fundamental truth about TV shows and plots
- by Steve Loethen
For years, we have all known (okay, maybe I give people too much credit) that there is a very small finite number of plots. I propose a project. Let’s use the blogosphere to catalog those plotlines, and then find and document the episodes of shows that use them, including the show title. As evidence, how many shows have used the following plot line:? The standard “evil twin” plotline? Once relegated to soaps, it has show up in crime shows, with the twist of DNA. Step one, concentrate one this one. Tell me about every show you recall that has used this plot. I will collect and document the shows on my website (www.loethen.net) and we can build a database of the plots. Step two, what other common themes should I offer up? How about the bigamist plot line? The “bad guy was dead” plot line (revenge from the dead"? The “vast government conspiracy” plotline? Let the games begin….