View Poll Results: Do you enjoy self contained, plot of the week, procedural type shows?
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll
Do you like self contained procedural-type episodes? (Yes/No)
#1
DVD Talk God
Thread Starter
Do you like self contained procedural-type episodes? (Yes/No)
There seems to be a general dislike or disinterest in this forum for self contained, plot of the week, crime of the week, mystery of the week, monster of the week, procedural episodes in this forum.
I know in general there are way too many fucking shows on TV and most of you simply don't have a lot of time to watch most of them.
But, I would really like to know why you just don't like this type of format? Because it's just too predictable and not smart enough TV for you? Do you just have to weave out this type of show because there is too many of them? Or do you simply prefer serialized type shows that are grittier and darker?
Or have you simply grown bored and tired of it and they never add anything new to the format that makes it fresh or interesting enough for you?
I thought The Rookie on ABC and FBI on CBS were some of the best new shows last season and yes they were procedurals. But, I'm guessing a lot here never bothered with them.
I know in general there are way too many fucking shows on TV and most of you simply don't have a lot of time to watch most of them.
But, I would really like to know why you just don't like this type of format? Because it's just too predictable and not smart enough TV for you? Do you just have to weave out this type of show because there is too many of them? Or do you simply prefer serialized type shows that are grittier and darker?
Or have you simply grown bored and tired of it and they never add anything new to the format that makes it fresh or interesting enough for you?
I thought The Rookie on ABC and FBI on CBS were some of the best new shows last season and yes they were procedurals. But, I'm guessing a lot here never bothered with them.
#2
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Do you like self contained procedural-type episodes? (Yes/No)
I grew up reading comics, I like serialized continuity. I remember how Fringe started out vs how it was at the end of the 1st season and going forward and the show was like night and day to me.
#3
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Do you like self contained procedural-type episodes? (Yes/No)
I guess I'd have to say sometimes, as some of my favorite sci-fi shows, Star Trek and the X-Files, were mostly procedural. I much prefer the monster-of-the-week X-Files episodes to the ongoing alien abduction plot, which grew to be way too convoluted and tedious.
#4
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Do you like self contained procedural-type episodes? (Yes/No)
I like some procedural type shows. I like things like the various Law & Order shows once in a while and am a big fan of the various Star Trek shows.
#5
DVD Talk God
Re: Do you like self contained procedural-type episodes? (Yes/No)
I have zero problem with them. I've watched many of them. Currently FBI, The Rookie, in the past, stuff like L&O, Numbers and many others. What I do have a problem with, is taking a source material that is better suited to a shorter season, and serial seasons.
#6
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Do you like self contained procedural-type episodes? (Yes/No)
I don't watch shows like that and haven't in years (last one I watched was CSI in the early 2000's). I won't go as far as saying that I never would, but as of now I don't watch them so I have to answer "No"
#7
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Do you like self contained procedural-type episodes? (Yes/No)
Always prefer serialized shows. If it's a procedural, I prefer it to have some sort of overall arc as well, i.e. iZombie. Even Elementary tends to have a somewhat loose arc every season. But those are both ending. Blacklist and Blindspot are also examples of a procedural/serialized mix I can enjoy. But just straight up L&O/CSI-type stuff isn't for me. I watched Castle for maybe 3 seasons but got bored with it.
Even with X-Files, I know I'm in the minority, but the conspiracy plot always intrigued me more than the case of the week.
Even with X-Files, I know I'm in the minority, but the conspiracy plot always intrigued me more than the case of the week.
#8
Re: Do you like self contained procedural-type episodes? (Yes/No)
I’ve never been into them. The last one I had any connection to was Lethal Weapon, but I dropped it early in the second season. And that was before all the drama with the show. They just getting boring and repetitive.
They’re disposable fluff. In this day and age of peak TV, stuff like that is not something I want to waste my time on. This also ties into me essentially cutting out most network TV in general.
I’ve never seen a single episode of L&O, CSI, NCIS, etc. No desire whatsoever.
They’re disposable fluff. In this day and age of peak TV, stuff like that is not something I want to waste my time on. This also ties into me essentially cutting out most network TV in general.
I’ve never seen a single episode of L&O, CSI, NCIS, etc. No desire whatsoever.
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Do you like self contained procedural-type episodes? (Yes/No)
Sometimes I like a procedural show for the fact that they don’t require a commitment to necessarily watch in a certain order or keep up with them.
Serialized shows are either great or can get to be a chore. I’ve actually found myself dropping a lot of serialized shows for the fact that if I drop off for a while and they stack up I don’t find the time to go back.
Serialized shows are either great or can get to be a chore. I’ve actually found myself dropping a lot of serialized shows for the fact that if I drop off for a while and they stack up I don’t find the time to go back.
#12
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Do you like self contained procedural-type episodes? (Yes/No)
I don't have a problem with procedural shows as a concept, only the fact that most of them are really bland and boring, doing the same things over and over again, with only a tiny amount of character growth/development and/or consequences, if any at all.
FBI, The Rookie, L&O, Hawaii Five-O, NCIS, Bones, Blue Bloods, etc, etc.: Fucking yawn.
FBI, The Rookie, L&O, Hawaii Five-O, NCIS, Bones, Blue Bloods, etc, etc.: Fucking yawn.
#13
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Do you like self contained procedural-type episodes? (Yes/No)
Thing is, the majority of procedurals on TV these days STILL have serialization to them, so I don't have a problem with the ones I like...as long as the characters grow over time and things that happen in episodes don't conflict with character traits that have been established in earlier episodes. I'm hard pressed to think of any TV series now that isn't somewhat serialized (other than anthology shows)...even half hour sitcoms seem to have some sort of callbacks to earlier shows/character arcs. Compare that to some of the shows in the 70s and 80s, where there was zero connection to plots from episode to episode.
#14
DVD Talk Godfather
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Re: Do you like self contained procedural-type episodes? (Yes/No)
Depends on the show. I liked Castle and Scorpion when they were on, but didn’t mind missing an episode because it was rarely critical. Even The Good Wife had a bit of a Case of the Week feel.
When I’m choosing an older show to catch up on, however, I never pick an episodic procedural.
ETA: I just reread the OP and remembered that I need to finish off The Rookie.
When I’m choosing an older show to catch up on, however, I never pick an episodic procedural.
ETA: I just reread the OP and remembered that I need to finish off The Rookie.
#15
Re: Do you like self contained procedural-type episodes? (Yes/No)
I tend to enjoy more serialized shows with an overarching story rather than episodic procedurals.
I don't think I'm watching anything not serialized at the moment.
I don't think I'm watching anything not serialized at the moment.