This weekend saw the end of two TV series. Lost (USA) and Ashes to Ashes (UK). Both were series that were iconic in both countries, surrounded with mystery, hard to predict plotlines and a moral behind the cause. I’ve followed both series closely and those who know me will testify that I love a mystery.
I don’t like predictable endings. David Lynch has mastered this down to a fine art with shows such as Twin Peaks and also David Knaufe was another master with one of the finest TV shows ever Carnivale. Yet in the last two days I’ve seen both sides of script writing.
Lost had more twists and turns than Route 66. Even I got disillusioned and confused with the plethora of clues and mysteries that were displayed on the six seasons of this show. Were they alive? Were they dead? What was the meaning of the polar bear? Why was there a hobbit there anyway (joke) yet at the end all was revealed (no spoilers here) and in my mind it was one of complete disappointment. Too many questions were left unanswered and I feel that the scriptwriters were lazy in their efforts to reward the fans with a fitting finale.
Now compare this to Ashes to Ashes. The plot was less complex than Lost as it focused on one central character that had gone back in time to a place where she could either stay or return. Yet in one hour of sheer TV brilliance the scriptwriters tore up the rule book and left us with a finale for the ages. A wonderful script, brilliant acting and a plot so simple yet so meaningful it almost brought tears to your eyes.
When writing any script the focus has to stay on your audience and not what you think will be right or wrong. Lost certainly became “lost” as a victim of its own success where as Ashes To Ashes was a simple script that ended with an unpredictable storyline. It just goes to show that when writing any script or novel that the ending is how people will judge and remember you work. In the cases above the BBC hit the nail on the head. Superb scriptwriting.
