Problem: Think of a dramatic TV serial or mini-series you have watched over several seasons, binge-watched, or read about - for example, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Thirteen Reasons Why, Roots, The Sopranos:
How is the narrative structure different when the story unfolds in 12-16 hours a season, and over several seasons, instead of just two-three hours in a staged play or a feature film? Is there time to introduce and develop more characters? Time for more backstories and side plots?
What are the challenges of telling a dramatic story over an extended time frame? Keeping track of all the previous plot twists, characters, backstories and relationships? What techniques do the writers of TV serials use to deal with these challenges-flashbacks? Explanations or remembrances in character dialogue?
Is it harder or easier to build tension or suspense to a peak in a TV serial or mini-series than in a play or feature film? Do some individual TV serial episodes have their own narrative arc? And what are the challenges in crafting a satisfying resolution or ending to a story that's unfolded over 50-100 hours instead of just two or three?
In your view, which TV serial has managed the best ending?