Whether you think all this works is entirely up to you.
But that isn't the subject of my ramble.
As I watched the first episode I think I counted at least three different story lines all concluded within the first half hour. It was as if the makers thought that they had to keep their target audience looking at the screen as anything too long winded may have sent them quickly back to the mobile device of their choice. Children will never watch a programme that has story or a plot lasting longer than 15 minutes will they?
Well actually, yes, they will, when given the chance, as will adults, because this kind of story telling isn't confined to just children's television and isn't just confined to shorter stories, what about the really annoying plot explanations that seem to be the norm these days.
We know why that happened!! We have just watched it! seen it unfold in front of our own eyes...guessed it was going to happen about 10 minutes ago...we don't need an explanation!! We know!!
The only time I can remember this happening in a programme was Scooby Doo! Every episode had the pesky kids explain to the sheriff or relevant equivalent why the guy tied up dressed as an Egyptian Mummy was the notorious bank robber all along...that worked it was part of the story.
You want a modern example? Well what about the good Doctor? Hands up who can remember the classic six part stories? Yes, the same plot being told, expanded upon, unfolding in front of our eyes or in some cases in front of the hands which were covering our eyes!
Who can remember being on the edge of their seat or rather peeping from the back of their seat as the Doctor or one of his companions looked to be doomed and then...the music boomed out and the credits rolled and we children and adults had to think about the story, the plot and try to,guess what next Saturday tea time would bring. Not now.
As with much new television these days we now have one story episodes of the Doctor except for the miraculously timed end of series which magically transforms into a two parter. Is it true then that we cannot follow a plot for more than 40-45 minutes now? No, it isn't.
The issue came to light internationally a few years ago with the film Inception.
Complaints emerged about how it could never work as no one would understand it, the audience would get bored.
Well one massive box office smash later proved them wrong again.
I wish the new look International Rescue well in its return though if I need a fix of Tracy Island I will revert back to the original no the tense one story episodes and hope that TV and film makers realise that if challenged we can keep our concentration for longer than the gap between advertisements.
