The following mini-series have drawn my attention for various reasons, but they seem to share certain common elements --powerful families, surrounded by political intrigue and scandal. This could just be a trend as cable networks try to create a Sopranos-style hit, or it could just be the result of producers relying on those familiar soap-opera-ish stereotypes that never fail to lead to good drama (or, more accurately, melo-drama.)
The Borgias -- Showtime presents a no-holds-barred dramatization of one of history's most notorious families, with Rodrigo Borgia (played to chilling perfection by Jeremy Irons) as the corrupt patriarch who becomes the infamous Pope Alexander. He and his children (including daughter Lucrezia, played by Holliday Grainger), whether through real crimes or through scandalous gossip and innuendo, tainted the legacy of the Church, and their story is tempting fodder for Hollywood myth-makers attracted to tabloid-worthy storylines, whether contemporary or centuries old.
The Kennedys -- Even before it aired, this latest retelling of one of America's most legendary political family sagas attracted controversy when its original home, the History Channel, decided not to air it. It is now being broadcast on the ReelzChannel. The casting is actually quite good -- Greg Kinnear as John F. Kennedy, Barry Pepper as Robert F. Kennedy, Katie Holmes as Jackie Kennedy, and Tom Wilkinson as the head of the clan, Joe Kennedy, Sr. Critics are already claiming that the style of this newest adaptation of the historic figures' public lives takes many liberties in an attempt to be more like The Godfather than reality.
Camelot -- The story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table has been told and retold countless times, and this latest version on the Starz network tries to amp up the sex and violence amid the action and sorcery. This isn't the musical version, that's for sure. The talented Joseph Fiennes plays Merlin and the stunning Eva Green portrays Morgan le Fay. I'm always a fan of the fantasy saga, with Excaliber, Guinevere, and Lancelot, but can any rendition add anything new to the story?
Game of Thrones -- I don't know if I should really lump HBO's eagerly awaited adaptation of George R.R. Martin's epic to this list, but it does fit the mold of treacherous power plays and family drama. If it stays true to its source material, this mini-series will rise above the rest and become a classic for the ages.
Although I'm calling this a current trend, this type of storytelling is nothing new. Similar stories have captivated people since the biblical tales of King David and King Solomon, or William Shakespeare's tragedies, Macbeth, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and the rest. Needless to say, the latest crop of mini-series will not be the last, whether they succeed or fail.
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KC Redding-Gonzalez
Donna Snyder
Valerie Atherton
Jamie Hart
Mike Calahan
Tim Fox
Salon.com
Comments
What does that tell you: maybe my dissatisfaction with the TV industry and quality of product available? I watch more sports than ever and CNN more than that and more FM music as well. On the other hand, is it issues that require my involvement, the Laptop, your blog and other online items of interest or having to listen to the mindless rants of C. Sheen? Nick, when is the last time you heard the Brandon Tarticoff phrase, “Must See TV?” It ain’t what is used to be, my friend. However, have you checked out your cable bill lately? I sell pads and pens in smoky singles bars to pay for mine.
I think 12-13 episodes that a lot of great shows - Breaking Bad, Mad Men, as well as a lot of HBO/Showtime fare such as The Wire, Dexter etc - just to name a few - put together these days is kind of the optimal amount. It's more of a novel than a short story.
That's enough to get great characters, a great story that moves along, and you don't get beat to death with plot holes or retcons or continuity gaffes, and it doesn't strain the writers to come up with good stories. It's enough to maintain that and keep a good structure. I know that's what most British TV does, either a 6 ep or a 12/13 ep season. That seems to be the best.
You mentioned Lost in your comment. Good example of a show that had about 24 episodes in its first 3 seasons, and even though the 1st season was great, you could see that the writers had trouble maintaining a good plot story and arc, that it was getting away from them at times. When they committed to about 16 eps a season or so (I think the last had 18 maybe?) then they were able to focus, given the show's massive cast and deep mythology. And the last 3 seasons were amazing for it (even if you don't like the way the show wrapped up).
I don't object to episodic 20-plus hour seasons, though. Some shows, like sitcoms, etc. work best as standalone episodes, in which case the more the better for fans who can't get enough.
The good news is that I've got one seriously crowded TiVo!
And I won't be watching The Kennedy's because I am old and I lived through it and I won't be able to tolerate historical inaccuracies. I even know what really happened at Chappaquidick for heaven's sake. Nobody is ever going to tell THAT story.
was a winner. Very satisfying, but can you believe they havent managed to get us Mad Men, complete with bad Romanian translations. Taste is hard to satisfy at the end of the world. Heard
four new series were on the way--these mini series are more feature film than the old series style a la Dynasty. More!