Cable vs Premium
As someone who enjoys a good review, or podcast discussion, on film I'm equally interested in that of television because in the last decade televised programming has exploded like the big bang and not enough people, and critics, seem to be talking about the same thing which can be incredibly interesting. Sure there's the stereotypical Game of Thrones think pieces on who lives and who dies, maybe another in a long line of articles discussing when The Walking Dead should have ended, but it's the niche shows like The Americans, Black Sails, heck even Breaking Bad's successor Better Call Saul that seem to be talked about less and less with each year, and yet it only gets better and better, that have the deep conversations many are missing. The mass discussion around television is nigh infinite at this point and there isn't enough spotlights on shows from non-premium networks as apposed to HBO, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. Even Disney's streaming service that isn't even out yet is getting more discussion than networks on cable, and sadly I don't believe critics give those types of shows the respect or attention that they deserve.
Critics, and especially film critics, love to promote streaming services and premium networks when talking off the cuff. They can't be bothered with cable television because the seasons are too long, or it's the villain of the week, or some other reason that feels like an excuse. Now that doesn't mean these reasons are bad, in fact they're reasonable when you don't have the time and are reviewing so many movies, but it's the lack of respect that really grinds my gears. That lack of respect where they'll acknowledge a show and dismiss it based on the network it's broadcast on.
The number one reason why people, especially critics, will dismiss a show is because of its length. Take the CW shows. The Flash is massively popular and yet one thing you'll most likely hear is "Oh it's from the CW so I already know what I'm getting," or "But it's X seasons in and there's over twenty episodes per season, nobody has that kind of time." And yet, and yet, they say this as if these kinds of shows are premiering on an HBO or Netflix where it's one long story for ten episodes now stretched over twenty four. That is not the case. Sure there is the over arching plot, but it's nothing like Game of Thrones that focuses on plot. Instead, these twenty four episode seasons allow a lot of creative freedom and viewing ease that premium shows can't offer.
Continuing with The Flash, let's break down it's essence. A CSI guy is struck by lightning and given the power of super speed. Simple enough. Season 1 takes the villain of the week approach right off the bat, and that will turn some critics away because it's either resetting characters every episode or no overall plot. This is, in fact, wrong. The beauty of villain of the week episodes are the world building. You're quickly establishing villains that could come back while also showcasing the Flash's learnt growth of his own powers. What can he do with his speed, what can he learn, what does he have to work on, and that's all balanced out with what really makes the CW shows shine, characters. Yes, some viewers will tune in for the zoom zooms, but the show is about so much more in relation to their characters. From Barry overcoming his grief of his murdered mother, his tireless dedication to prove his framed father's innocence, to his growing confidence and realization of who he is in this world is what makes you stay. Each villain of the week episode can spotlight each of these characteristics and delve deeper into them than a premium show could.
Not only that, but when dealing with a twenty four episode season the network obviously wouldn't be treating it the same way a premium one would. They make sure that every episode can be somebody's first, eerily similar to how comic books are written, so you don't have to watch the first four seasons before the fifth premieres like many will be doing for Game of Thrones' upcoming final season. You'll have a better grasp of the nuance and characters if you do watch from the beginning, but apart from that the show easily catches you up on who these people are and what their relation to one another is whether through a three minute recap or through dialogue.
But then somebody would undoubtedly say "Well it's not serious enough," or "impacting the medium." Yes, Game of Thrones is massive, but it's not the only game changer on television with influence. Breaking Bad did that three years earlier and it was on AMC a cable network. A cable network. With shorter season episodes it was allowed to have modern storytelling (i.e. one long story) while also pursuing the standard format that we've known for decades. Sure there are some great cliff hangers, but most of the time episodes themselves felt almost self contained while pushing the overall narrative. Then after huge life changing scenes we usually have a smaller episode, like "Fly," that would have been called a filler episode if this were The Flash. That particular episode focuses on the inward turmoil of Walter White and his relation to everybody, essentially, as it takes place in his lab and the whole episode revolves around him and Jesse trying to kill a fly. On the surface it's meh, in context it's huge. Conversely shows made for streaming won't have these nuances. They're all about plot, pacing, and trying to finish a ten hour story rather than completing another chapter in a character's life.
AMC and SYFY are great networks that try and push the boundaries. AMC had Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead, both of which drastically changed how we view televised programming. Even recently with smaller shows like Hell on Wheels, Halt and Catch Fire, Mad Men, and Turn: Washington's Spies the network has tried different and incredible avenues. SYFY blasted onto the scene with the Battlestar Galactica remake, The Expanse (though now on Amazon), Haven, Helix, and the audacious Blood Drive. Have you seen Blood Drive? A show that has monster cars being fueled by butchering people, a contest to race across the country as if it were Death Race 2000, and a heavy sex scene in order to save the main character's life...and that all happens in the first episode let alone on cable. Again, that was on cable and it's making sex and death interesting and part of the plot!
Let's not forget FX who is most widely known for Sons of Anarchy along with Nip/Tuck, Justified, The Americans, American Crime Story, and The Strain. USA network housed Monk, Psych, Royal Pains, Burn Notice, and the critical darling Mr. Robot. And let's not forget The CW has it's own superhero universe, not just shows, but universe with annual crossovers and will attempt to adapt one of comics most iconic crossovers later this year. Not to mention 90210, The Vampire Diaries, Smallville, and Gilmore Girls. Each network has its unique taste. You know the difference between an AMC show compared to an FX show. Whether they're ten episodes or twenty four the vast differences that these shows offer is astounding and pretty damn impressive.
Not every show is made for everyone, but since streaming services and Game of Thrones were born there seems to be a divide between cable and premium content. As the years pass there seems to be more and more people, and critics, who look down on cable programming for the most ridiculous of reasons, not giving them a chance and judging them based on where they air. Every network has had their missteps and game changers. What's important is to differentiate "Oh that's not for me," and "That probably sucks because it's airing on _____." For those who are willing to devote twenty four episodes a season they're going to be hit with some lows, and be frustrated with some pacing, but when the show puts all its effort into that one episode or story arc, it'll make all the difference to them. Just because a show belongs to Netflix, or HBO, doesn't mean it's the next big thing nor will it automatically revolutionize television. So, I ask, there are many television shows out there that have helped shape television and are important, there are those that are fun and juvenile, crass and gritty, and yet all of them are important to their own fan bases, so please can't we all get along? Cable isn't dead yet and it's putting out some fantastic shows that will never be recognized, even if they're only one season long.
