Theorists

Applying Todorov's Theory to a whole season

Easy Formula 

Intro

• one or two sentences explain the theory 
• state central arguments 
• Demonstrating you own argument relating to be the theory can be applied in the case studies 
• say what case studies you'll be referring to

Paragraph 1

• Discuss how equilibrium can be applied to TV Drama 
• Use lots of references 
• counter arguments. could be a disruption or a new equilibrium for each episode 
• link back to question, it is useful to compare it 

Paragraph 2

• Discuss Todorov's theory of disruption 
• Discuss how Tod's theory could be applied in episode one then compare disruption over the rest of the season 
• Conclude this linking to the question and how it is different to applying it to a film 
• own opinion does this make box sets better than film 

Paragraph 3 

• Resolution-what are they 
• How does this differ from film 
• No resolution= no equilibrium 

Conclusion 

• Showing which main types of theory can be applied and which can't 
• Links back to the question, how theory can be applied 

Applying Todorov's Theory to a whole season 

Todorov's Narrative theory is originally designed to applied to film. Todorov's theory consists of the main elements of film to ensure and audience enjoys it as much as possible this theory states "All narrative follows a three part structure starting with the equilibrium followed by at some point a disruption ending in a resolution." A key difference between Film and TV however is that Film contains one equilibrium where as TV and showcase more. I am applying Todorov's theory to season 1  of the show Homelands.

Multiple Equilibrium's throughout to keep an audience interested but Homelands,being a crime drama, starts with a disruption followed by the equilibrium 8 years later. The creators most probably went against Todorov's theory to capture the audience in Baghdad on the hunt for a lost "hero" as it throws us straight into the drama then taking us down to the equilibrium 8 years in the future when Carrie (The lead character) who was in Baghdad is seen in America back with the CIA after getting word of sergeant Brodie's rescue. The disruption starts fairly early as when Carrie first hears of Brodies return she's convinced somethings up this is the second disruption in the show and were barley half way through the first episode i a way this goes against Todorov's theory as there are multiple examples of each stage. This is similar through the rest of the series as every so often a new sub plot arises with minor characters coming and going breaking the theory more as it states one of each equilibrium, disruption and resolution. Trapped's key equilibrium was a distant stereotypical police officer attempting to get over his ex wife in a fairly peaceful town that was impacted by a huge fire just a few months prior. As a body washes up with no limbs this peaceful town was put in a state of confusion and panic leaving Andri, Hanrika and Ásgeir to track dow the murderer with the added challenge of having the boat stuck with the town. A second disruption was caused in the form of Trausti turning up and taking over the case seemingly coming in and shutting it down instantly but he was wrong. Trapped used one Equilibrium or two including the fire multiple disruptions all leading to one resolution unlike homelands with its many new sub plots.  

Throughout Homeland season one there is a lot of disruption from the start to carrie catching onto something about brodie all the way down to episode 11 when all of Carrie's research is taken by the CIA the show is full of twists and turns and extended versions of Todorov's theory. In general this makes sense as it was originally intended for film with a common running time of 2 hours where as this is a season of a TV series with an average running time of 9 hours so following the theory and not being short, repetitive and boring is impossible. In my opinion the series allows us to get to know the characters more with lots of sub plots by expanding on the theory this tends to make the outcome of the show more interesting as it is like nothing we have seen before as by this point we have followed the structure through most movies for years. Compared to Homelands Trapped seems like it was designed for a smarter audience with its plot twists and almost impossible cases where as in Homelands the answers where pretty much served on a plate. In my opinion Trapped follows Todorov's theory pretty closely possibly closer than Homelands did it was made better possibly showing that there formulas potentially work when creating a show. 

There are multiple resolutions throughout this show which differs from multiple movies but non of these resolutions were the end of the first season as it ends on a cliff hanger this is most probably because it was intended to carry on through multiple seasons. through Todorov's theory the resolution would be at the end which is why this strays from the theory's normative structure. TV itself isn't like movies its supposed to go on for longer its supposed to make you connect with characters and keep the audience wanting more the final resolution can't be met until the definitive end of the show which is a major way for it to stray from Todorov's Theory.