David Charpentier’s essay Story or Spectacle? Why Television Is Better Than the Movies discusses Charpentier’s preference for watching television over film. Charpentier strongly supports his opinion throughout the essay with multiple reasons why by comparing popular television shows and movies. Television shows have better character development, are able to have multiple sub plots and leave room for space and time between each episode.
Charpentier argues that television shows allow you to better get to know the characters, rather than if you were watching a two hour film. Television shows have multiple seasons, which allows the viewer time to learn different characteristics about each character. The viewer develops a connection with the characters, “we become invested in the characters rooting for and against them…” (Charpentier 310). In a movie you have a time limit and in that time only important characteristics about each character are revealed. Charpentier supported his opinion stating “… If I’m not invested in the characters, I don’t care about the story” (Charpentier 310). Which is generally true for many viewers. When watching a television show we have the possibility to spend years
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Charpentier strongly supports his opinion on why television shows are better than movies with multiple reasons why. Television shows have better character development, are able to have multiple sub plots and leave room for space and time between each episode. In the end Charpentier believes “… television will likely fade away far earlier than movies.” (Charpentier 313). Although he prefers television over film, the way we watch television is changing. On the bright side new visual art forms are on the rise, and hopefully one day television shows and movies will find their selves working together. Until then, it is the viewer’s decision which art form they prefer to enjoy based on their