A Major Shock
Last night I watched my favorite show, House.
And about had a stroke.
The writers killed off a major character in a way that made no sense. I've read the interviews and I understand that they took artistic license by not foreshadowing this event. They were doing what they felt was best for the story and most challenging for the character of House. I can understand this. But what they did was very risky because it had the potential to alienate the audience.
This is where the art of foreshadowing comes in. Done right, this technique won't five away the future of the story, but when a twist comes, it will give the past scenes sense and will keep the twist from completely shocking the reader.
I really wish the writers would have foreshadowed this death, even if only to the audience.
Do you use foreshadowing? Or do you prefer to shock your reader?
And about had a stroke.
The writers killed off a major character in a way that made no sense. I've read the interviews and I understand that they took artistic license by not foreshadowing this event. They were doing what they felt was best for the story and most challenging for the character of House. I can understand this. But what they did was very risky because it had the potential to alienate the audience.
This is where the art of foreshadowing comes in. Done right, this technique won't five away the future of the story, but when a twist comes, it will give the past scenes sense and will keep the twist from completely shocking the reader.
I really wish the writers would have foreshadowed this death, even if only to the audience.
Do you use foreshadowing? Or do you prefer to shock your reader?
Comments
Yes, I like to shock my readers, but I don't think I've ever pulled off anything that big.
So is this going to alienate you from the show?
I don't have TV shows, so I watch it on the internet. I just saw it, though at least I was prepared because I saw an article about it like a week ago. I'm still annoyed though.
I can't wait to read one of your books!
Makes the reader feel smarter for at least catching the hints, even if they didn't link them together right. And then they have a whole new respect for the writer, instead of being mad at the writer and feeling cheated.
So yeah, foreshadowing all the way here.
Are you going to keep watching House? I used to LOVE to watch Ghost Whisperer with my daughter then they pulled this REALLY LAME twist to wrap up last season, and it tasted so bitter to me as a writer (lack of foreshadowing and an obvious ruse to instill some conflict and tension into a loving relationship that didn't need it), that me and my daughter both were furious and DONE. We never watch it anymore. It's risky when writers pull stunts like that. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
I think it was necessary too, even if only a hint of Kutner's frame of mind.
No, it won't keep me from watching. :-) I have faith that the writers will be using this event in future shows. I'll bet the truth will come out sooner or later.
I don't mind being shocked, so long as I can look back and see where I missed subtle clues. Oh well.
Without foreshadowing you rob the reader of a comfort zone of "knowing."
Great insight and yeah, I hated that episode.
Wow, so you actually stopped. That's interesting to me. No, I probably won't stop with House. This wasn't so much contrived as it was a shock. I do hope the show doesn't end up like Grey's though with all the relationship stuff going on.
I'm exactly with you on the pulling the foreshadowing off right. You do want the twist to be a surprise, but then after thought you want the reader to say, This makes sense.
I love twists. Nothing is more boring than a predictable story.
:-)
I like surprises too. I think if the foreshadowing is done right, you don't even know it's there until the big surprise, and then looking back things begin to stand out.
But you write literary, right? I know absolutely nothing about that genre, except it produces a lot of tearjerkers. :-)
I like some indication that a major change is coming. When I get invested in a character, and the author/screenwriter axes them without warning, I want to bail out.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I love to foreshadow. If there wasn't a good reason for this character's TV show death on HOUSE in RL, this one would not have gone over well with fans IMO because he was well liked and this was so completely unexpected.
That's my 2 very tired cents worth.
P.S. I nominated your for an award. Come visit the post at www.cindyrwilson.blogspot.com/2009/04/lemonade-stand-award.html
You're probably right. Since I knew the actor was leaving, I knew he probably had to die. But they could've made it an accident. I think the writers did what was best for the story and for House, just not what was best for the audience. I guess it's a fine line.
I'm glad I didn't mention the character. I think you'll be shocked.
Had a busy weekend? :-) I'm a very faithful follower, so it would have to take a lot for me to stop watching. But look what happened with Anita. Also, my grandma watched a soap for over twenty years but stopped when the soap crossed one of her definite moral boundaries.
I just wanted a tiny hint. Anything so I could look back and say it made sense. Grrrrr...
Alright, I'm hopping over. Thank you for the award! :-)
Nice way of putting it. I love that last line and think you should put it in quotes and copyright it. :-)
I like the reader to start to wonder some--that is the building part!
Yeah, I watched it when I posted on the internet. GRrrr..! Then I read in the interviews that the writers/directors didn't want foreshadowing. They wanted House to not have any answers. I get that, but it stinks for us.
And from what I know of the episode (I stopped watching House awhile ago; I lost interest...) it seems like there were no signs that that was going to happen. It just seems a little, well, random. But I understand why the writers had to do it.
It definitely was random but I'm hoping they'll straighten things out in the future.
You lost interest??? Eek!
LOL
I'm trying to think of a book that this has happened with, but I usually stick to "safe" literature so I haven't been shocked very often. I think if a book did it, I'd be like you with having to put it down for a bit.
I try to use foreshadowing before major events, but not so much as to give it away. It's a thin line, I think, between something working and just feel like a gimmick meant to be shocking.
I've never seen 24 but I have seen Sutherland at my dad's bar. :-)
It's a good episode. Very sad. It's not really a gimmick, because this was the best possible move to challenge House and really throw him on his head. Let me know what you think!
I think they could've foreshadowed something to the audience without involving House. Sigh. Let's just hope they make the whole thing worth it. :-)