Monday, October 6, 2014

The Flash Episode Guide - Format Key


For The Flash Episode Guide, I'll be using a slightly modified version of the same key I use for The Arrow Episode Guide, which in turn is based off of 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.  No pun intended.


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.

Flash Facts:
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.

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 Central City.

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

The Fridge Factor:
How badly the female characters on the show are manipulated by the story in order to make the male characters look better.

The Boomerang Factor:
How badly are the heroes manipulated to look incompetent and badly trained compared to whatever villain they are facing off against. Named in honor of Captain Boomerang, who - honestly - The Flash shouldn't ever have any trouble fighting.

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

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