Thursday, October 4, 2012

Arrow Episode Guide - Format Key


I'll be using a form for reviewing the show, similar to what I've used in the past for movie reviews as well as some new additions from the form used in what I think is the finest episode guide ever written - Doctor Who: The Discontinuity Guide by Paul Cornell, Martin Day & Keith Topping.  Here is the quick rundown.


Plot: A quick summary of the main story.

Influences: Specific media which may have inspired or otherwise influenced a particular episode.

Goofs: Holes in the plot, visible wires during the stunts and other things that don't work the way they should.

Performances: The actors and their craft - how well the characters are played, ignoring how that character may have been differently portrayed in another story.

Artistry: Anything on the technical side of things that is notably well-handled, such as set-design, lighting, sound effects, cinematography, etc.

Trivia: Random things of interest and references to the comics.

Technobabble: Pseudoscience terminology used to justify the unlikely.and/or impossible things that sometimes happen in superhero shows.  I'm not expecting to get much use out of this one but am including it just in case some of the dodgier trick arrows are brought into play.

Dialogue Triumphs: Anything the characters say that make you want to put on a cape and fight for justice!

Dialogue Disasters: Anything the characters say that make you roll your eyes or snort in disbelief.

Continuity: Direct references to previous episodes.

Location: If the story is set someplace other than Starling City or The Island.

Untelevised Adventures: Stories that take place off camera, but are referred to.

The Fridge Factor: How badly Laurel, The Huntress or any other female character on the show is manipulated by the story in order to build up Ollie as a hero.

The Winick Factor: How badly Ollie and the other heroes are manipulated to look incompetent and badly trained compared to whatever villain they're facing off against.

The Bottom Line: Is it good or bad?  Why is it good or bad?  How can they make it better/not make it worse?


Got any suggestions on a category to add?  Let me know in the replies.

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