Dune: Prophecy Is Continuing One Bad TV Trend

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  • Streaming Platforms Have Influenced Shorter TV Seasons
  • Less Isn’t Necessarily More with Some TV Shows
  • Viewers’ Patience Is Hanging by a Thread

As a dedicated fan of fantasy and science fiction series, I must say that the current trends in television storytelling have left me both elated and exasperated. On one hand, we are witnessing some truly remarkable shows being produced – ones that push the boundaries of narrative complexity, character development, and world-building (I’m looking at you, Interview with the Vampire). But on the other hand, I find myself growing increasingly impatient as I wait for my favorite series to return with new episodes.

Modern television series seem to deviate from their traditional structure. Back in the day when streaming services weren’t as prevalent, a single season of a popular show, whether a drama or a sitcom, usually comprised approximately 20 episodes. Now, shows like Dune: Prophecy are exhibiting shorter seasons. Historically, a pilot season for a TV show would have at least 10 episodes to give production studios the confidence that it was a series worth investing more resources in, so by the time a second season was greenlit, it would typically contain 20 or more episodes.

For example, the first season of Dawson’s Creek had 13 episodes, and Season 2 had an additional nine episodes for a total of 22 episodes for the sophomore season of the hit show. Another example would be Grey’s Anatomy‘s freshman season, with nine episodes, which evolved to 27 episodes by the second season. As the television industry has evolved, so has the model on which studios base their productions.

The change in television production has significantly altered the structure of TV shows, making 20-episode series uncommon. Today, a season typically consists of six to ten episodes, with a gap of approximately one and a half years between seasons for many prestigious series. One notable exception is the “Game of Thrones” spin-off, “House of the Dragon”, which debuted in 2022 with ten episodes in its first season, but was later reduced to eight episodes for its 2024 premiere. Unfortunately, the upcoming “Dune” spin-off, “Dune: Prophecy”, follows this pattern with only six episodes in its initial season. This trend presents both advantages and disadvantages, and it’s crucial for creators to ensure that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

Streaming Platforms Have Influenced Shorter TV Seasons

The rise of streaming services has transformed the television landscape significantly. Besides offering a new source of entertainment, they also fostered the consumer attitude prevalent today. Pioneers like Netflix began this transformation by producing original series such as “Orange is the New Black,” which sparked the era of binge-watching in television. Now, with a vast selection of TV shows readily available to viewers, the binge-viewing culture emerged, allowing audiences to finish one series and seamlessly move on to another. Unlike traditional broadcast networks, streaming platforms like Netflix do not follow the same release schedule for new seasons, thereby reducing waiting times for eager fans.

A fast-moving approach propels the shorter seasons’ popularity. Streaming platforms monitor trends, identify successful shows, and deduce why they attract viewers. It’s simpler for them to satisfy viewer appetite when a series comprises 8–10 episodes rather than one with 22 episodes.

Less Isn’t Necessarily More with Some TV Shows

As a movie enthusiast, I can tell you that for any streaming service or broadcaster, the success of their series is crucial in maintaining profits. The shorter season model might seem less risky compared to a long season, but it’s not entirely free from viewer reception issues.

Shorter seasons, while sharing the same risks, are often subjected to stronger scrutiny due to their perceived limitations in storytelling. However, when executed skillfully, a mini-series of eight episodes can produce captivating narratives and character development, as demonstrated by AMC’s “Interview with the Vampire,” Netflix’s “The Diplomat,” and Max’s “The Penguin.” These productions have paved the way for exemplary writing and world-building in a compact series format.

Instead of other series such as Max’s “House of the Dragon” leaving fans dissatisfied due to their inability to skillfully hide plot inconsistencies for future story development, it could be said that a shorter season leaves viewers perplexed and yearning for an additional two episodes to provide a more satisfying conclusion, thus laying the groundwork for the next season. Longer-running shows have the edge of fleshing out characters and storylines, thereby creating a deeper connection with the audience, which is lacking in a shorter season if not executed effectively.

It’s crucial for Dune: Prophecy to learn from the mistakes of House of the Dragon and maintain a high level of accuracy in its adaptation. Given that the series is less expansive than Dune, it should primarily delve into the intricate political maneuvers of the Bene Gesserit, making sure these elements are both authentic and captivating to viewers. All plot threads should be neatly concluded by the end of the season, if a second season isn’t yet confirmed.

Viewers’ Patience Is Hanging by a Thread

The most frustrating trend of all is having to wait a year and a half to 2 years for a series to return with the next season. The writer’s strike from 2023 was an understandable circumstance as to why some series were taking longer to bring back to the screens. However, showrunners are still implementing a 2-year wait plan. The third season of House of the Dragon, for example, is aiming for a 2026 release, with production starting in early 2025. Keep in mind that streaming services don’t adhere to the same schedule as broadcasting networks, so they don’t have a summer break or winter break.

Netflix’s hit series, “Stranger Things,” faced criticism when the release date for Season 5 continued to be postponed, finally revealing that fans would revisit their beloved characters in 2025, following the release of Season 4 in 2022. This response serves as a cautionary tale for “Dune: Prophecy,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining viewer engagement with timely seasons to keep them invested in the storyline. “Dune: Prophecy” can currently be streamed on Max.

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2024-11-18 03:32