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Cliffhangers anyone?

 Cliffhanger-01

The television season finales more often than not use the cliffhanger device to end their episodes. What I really don't appreciate about this method is not just having to wait approximately five months to have the messy issue resolved, although that's irritating enough, it's the inevitable near-death experience of a major character who's not leaving the series. Everything points to them dying from the accident, kidnapping, being shot, poisoned, or knifed. Whatever ploy is used ends up looking like a harsh goodbye. Except the main character is scheduled for another year of the series. How they survive the trauma is unresolved with the other characters left shocked, sobbing, or shattered. For the next few months.

I wished Castle would've ended last week, but, no, it had to leave viewers with a tragic cliffhanger. Really didn't appreciate this one.

NCISLA watched as Sam and Callen sailed away, trapped of course, and Hetty looked as if she was bidding a final farewell, leaving Nell somewhat in charge. Although the role of Nell has increased significantly in the last year, to give her the latitude and power, regardless of her genius IQ, seems a bit forced and somewhat unlikely.  

There will be more cliffhangers before the season is over. I'm finding they're rarely satisfactory.

The same is true of novels.

 

Father, help us who write pen the stories you have for us to tell. Help us to do them well. Be in them, be their inspiration, their success. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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6 responses to “Cliffhangers anyone?”

  1. Brenda Anderson Avatar
    Brenda Anderson

    I guess with TV, I don’t mind the cliffhanger so much, maybe because every show employs that tactic now, so I’ve come to expect it.
    I do not appreciate cliffhangers in books, especially since you typically wait a year for the next novel to come out. By the time the next novel releases, you’ve forgotten the storyline from the first, and who has time to re-read?

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  2. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Indeed, who has time to re-read? If a mystery/suspense/thriller ends with a form of resolution but with a killer/bad guy not caught, I’m okay with that. However, with a main character and no resolution? No.
    Castle’s conclusion really irritated me. I do believe there is such a thing as too much conflict.

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  3. Lynnette Fellin Avatar
    Lynnette Fellin

    I knew you watch Castle before I read it…;) I agree, but I do like that show with its twists and turns. We like the Mentalist too. They do the cliffhanger thing as well.
    I just love how we are so on the same pages. Except, I do not write books…just long Facebook posts.

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  4. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Lynnette, of all the series television I watch, Castle is the least “serious”. It’s clever, when it chooses to do serious drama (as with Kate’s mom’s episodes), it does it well. But this finale bugged me big time. Just a major stall.
    I enjoy The Mentalist too, and at first I didn’t think this new gig was going to work, but they’ve regrouped and made it effective with the new cast and focus. It’ll be interesting to see how they end this season.
    Nothing wrong with long Facebook posts. 😉

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  5. BK Jackson Avatar
    BK Jackson

    I don’t watch any of the shows mentioned and I don’t mind cliffhangers as a rule. However Five-0’s ending episode left a lot to be desired. It actually turned out rather flat & uneventful. And while I like the character of Lou Grover, I don’t think that necessarily makes him a good addition to the Five-0 team. And I’m very depressed that Michelle Borth, who plays Catherine Rollins left the show.
    Matter of fact, in the last episode that featured her, I found myself automatically praying for Catherine and then was like, “Oh wait. I can’t pray for her. She’s a fictional character.” LOL!
    I hope they can coax the actress back. That character was totally awesome and has actually become one I’d model aspects of in future female characters for novels.

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  6. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    I didn’t check on her actually leaving the show, but it certainly looked like it was being set up for her exit. Her character arc changed when she started working for the old flame and he died. She wasn’t as exuberant about Steve, and he seemed oblivious. In fact her only real enthusiasm for him came after he and Danny managed to survive the collapsed building. Their final telephone conversation was a tear-jerker.
    She was tough, empathetic. Wonder what they’ll do with McGarrett. He’s one of those rare attractive characters who doesn’t seem to need attention from women. We shall see, I guess.
    And you don’t bring Chi in without giving him a clear role.

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