5.3 Character development

Character development is a crucial element in TV storytelling. It explores how characters evolve, change, or remain constant throughout a narrative, affecting audience engagement and empathy. Different types of character development, such as static vs dynamic and flat vs round, shape the story's progression.

Key elements of character development include backstory, motivation, personality traits, flaws, and goals. These components create depth and authenticity, allowing viewers to connect with characters on a deeper level. Techniques like dialogue, actions, and internal monologue reveal characters' true nature and growth throughout the series.

Types of character development

• Character development is a crucial element in Critical TV Studies, as it explores how characters evolve, change, or remain constant throughout a narrative
• Different types of character development can affect the audience's engagement, empathy, and understanding of the characters and their roles in the story

Static vs dynamic characters

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• Static characters remain largely unchanged throughout the narrative, maintaining their core traits, beliefs, and behaviors (e.g., Sheldon Cooper in "The Big Bang Theory")
• Dynamic characters undergo significant changes in their personality, outlook, or circumstances as the story progresses (e.g., Walter White in "Breaking Bad")
  • These changes can be positive or negative, depending on the character's arc and the story's themes
  • Dynamic characters often drive the plot forward and create a sense of growth or transformation

Flat vs round characters

• Flat characters are one-dimensional, possessing few distinguishing traits and lacking complexity (e.g., comic relief characters like Gunther in "Friends")
  • They often serve a specific purpose in the narrative, such as providing humor or advancing the plot
• Round characters are multi-dimensional, with complex personalities, motivations, and inner conflicts (e.g., Tony Soprano in "The Sopranos")
  • They have depth and nuance, allowing the audience to relate to them on a deeper level
  • Round characters often undergo significant development throughout the story, revealing different facets of their personalities

Positive vs negative arcs

• Positive character arcs involve a character's growth, learning, or redemption, leading to a better understanding of themselves or the world around them (e.g., Jaime Lannister in "Game of Thrones")
  • These arcs often involve overcoming personal flaws, making sacrifices, or learning valuable lessons
• Negative character arcs depict a character's descent, corruption, or downfall, often as a result of their own actions or external circumstances (e.g., Daenerys Targaryen in "Game of Thrones")
  • These arcs can serve as cautionary tales or explore the consequences of certain choices and behaviors

Elements of character development

• Character development in Critical TV Studies involves crafting well-rounded, believable characters that the audience can relate to and invest in emotionally
• Several key elements contribute to effective character development, helping to create depth, complexity, and authenticity

Backstory and motivation

• A character's backstory provides context for their current actions, beliefs, and relationships (e.g., Don Draper's past in "Mad Men")
  • It can reveal formative experiences, traumas, or influences that shape their personality and worldview
• Motivation refers to the underlying reasons behind a character's actions and decisions (e.g., Dexter Morgan's code in "Dexter")
  • Clear and compelling motivations help the audience understand and empathize with a character, even if they don't always agree with their choices

Personality traits and quirks

• Distinctive personality traits make characters memorable and relatable (e.g., Lorelai Gilmore's wit and pop culture references in "Gilmore Girls")
  • These traits can include humor, intelligence, kindness, or any other qualities that define the character
• Quirks are unique, often endearing characteristics that set a character apart (e.g., Abed Nadir's meta-commentary in "Community")
  • They add depth and authenticity to a character, making them feel more like real people

Flaws and vulnerabilities

• Flaws are a character's weaknesses or negative traits that create internal conflicts and challenges (e.g., Carrie Mathison's mental health struggles in "Homeland")
  • They make characters more relatable and human, as the audience can see their own imperfections reflected in the characters
• Vulnerabilities are the emotional or psychological weak points that can be exploited by other characters or circumstances (e.g., Tyrion Lannister's desire for love and acceptance in "Game of Thrones")
  • They create tension and stakes in the narrative, as characters must confront and overcome their vulnerabilities

Goals and desires

• A character's goals are the objectives they strive to achieve throughout the story (e.g., Rachel Green's pursuit of a fashion career in "Friends")
  • These goals can be personal, professional, or relational, and they often drive the character's actions and decisions
• Desires are the deeper, often unconscious longings that motivate a character (e.g., Don Draper's desire for identity and belonging in "Mad Men")
  • They can be more abstract than goals and may not always be explicitly stated, but they inform the character's behavior and choices

Techniques for revealing character

• In Critical TV Studies, characters are revealed through various techniques that allow the audience to understand their thoughts, feelings, and motivations
• These techniques help to create a sense of authenticity and depth, making characters feel like fully realized individuals

Dialogue and interactions

• Dialogue is a powerful tool for revealing character, as it allows characters to express their thoughts, opinions, and emotions directly (e.g., the witty banter between Lorelai and Rory Gilmore in "Gilmore Girls")
  • The way characters speak, the words they choose, and the topics they discuss can provide insight into their personalities and relationships
• Interactions with other characters can also reveal a character's traits, values, and dynamics (e.g., the power struggles between Walter White and Gustavo Fring in "Breaking Bad")
  • These interactions can showcase a character's strengths, weaknesses, and how they navigate interpersonal relationships

Actions and decisions

• A character's actions and decisions can speak louder than words, revealing their true nature and priorities (e.g., Ned Stark's unwavering sense of honor in "Game of Thrones")
  • These actions can be heroic, villainous, or morally ambiguous, depending on the character and the context
• The consequences of a character's actions can also provide insight into their development and growth (e.g., Jesse Pinkman's struggle with guilt and redemption in "Breaking Bad")
  • How a character deals with the fallout of their choices can reveal their inner strength, resilience, or capacity for change

Reactions to conflict

• Conflict is a crucial element of storytelling, and how characters react to it can reveal their true nature and development (e.g., Buffy Summers' resilience in the face of supernatural threats in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer")
  • Characters may respond to conflict with courage, fear, anger, or any other authentic emotion that aligns with their personality and experiences
• Internal conflicts can also reveal a character's inner struggles and moral dilemmas (e.g., Dexter Morgan's battle between his dark urges and his code in "Dexter")
  • These conflicts can create tension and showcase a character's growth or regression as they navigate complex emotional landscapes

Internal monologue and thoughts

• Internal monologue allows the audience to access a character's inner world, revealing their unspoken thoughts, feelings, and motivations (e.g., Carrie Bradshaw's narration in "Sex and the City")
  • This technique can provide a deeper understanding of a character's psyche and create a sense of intimacy between the character and the audience
• Thoughts can also be revealed through visual cues, such as facial expressions or body language (e.g., Don Draper's pensive looks in "Mad Men")
  • These nonverbal cues can convey a character's emotional state and inner turmoil, even when they are not explicitly expressing their thoughts

Character relationships

• Character relationships are a fundamental aspect of Critical TV Studies, as they explore the complex dynamics between characters and how these relationships shape their development and the overall narrative
• Different types of relationships can serve various purposes, from creating conflict and tension to providing support and growth opportunities

Protagonist vs antagonist

• The relationship between the protagonist and antagonist is often the central conflict of a story, driving the plot and character development (e.g., the rivalry between Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty in "Sherlock")
  • This relationship can be one of direct opposition, with the antagonist actively working against the protagonist's goals
  • It can also be more complex, with the antagonist representing a dark mirror or temptation for the protagonist (e.g., the Joker's influence on Batman in "The Dark Knight")

Allies and enemies

• Allies are characters who support and aid the protagonist in their journey, often providing emotional support, advice, or practical assistance (e.g., the Scooby Gang in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer")
  • These relationships can help the protagonist grow, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals
• Enemies are characters who oppose or hinder the protagonist, creating obstacles and challenges (e.g., the various villains in "The Flash")
  • These relationships can test the protagonist's skills, resolve, and moral compass, forcing them to adapt and grow

Romantic interests

• Romantic relationships can add depth, complexity, and emotional stakes to a character's journey (e.g., the love story between Jim and Pam in "The Office")
  • These relationships can provide motivation, support, or conflict for the characters involved
  • They can also explore themes of love, commitment, and personal growth, as characters navigate the challenges of intimacy and partnership

Mentor and mentee dynamics

• Mentor characters serve as guides, teachers, or role models for the protagonist, helping them develop skills, knowledge, or personal growth (e.g., Mr. Miyagi in "The Karate Kid")
  • These relationships can provide wisdom, encouragement, and guidance, helping the mentee character navigate challenges and reach their potential
• Mentee characters are the recipients of the mentor's guidance, often learning valuable lessons and growing as a result of the relationship (e.g., Luke Skywalker and Yoda in "Star Wars")
  • These relationships can showcase the importance of learning, humility, and personal development, as the mentee character evolves under the mentor's tutelage

Character growth and transformation

• Character growth and transformation are essential elements of Critical TV Studies, as they explore how characters evolve and change over the course of a narrative
• This growth can be positive or negative, depending on the character's arc and the story's themes, but it always involves a significant shift in the character's perspective, behavior, or circumstances

Inciting incidents and catalysts

• Inciting incidents are the events that set a character's growth or transformation in motion, often by disrupting their status quo or presenting them with a new challenge (e.g., Walter White's cancer diagnosis in "Breaking Bad")
  • These incidents can be external, such as a life-changing event or encounter, or internal, such as a realization or epiphany
• Catalysts are the characters, events, or circumstances that accelerate or intensify a character's growth or transformation (e.g., the arrival of Mary Poppins in the Banks household in "Mary Poppins")
  • These catalysts can serve as mentors, allies, or antagonists, pushing the character to confront their flaws, fears, or limitations

Overcoming obstacles and challenges

• As characters grow and transform, they often face obstacles and challenges that test their resolve, skills, and values (e.g., the various trials faced by the characters in "Stranger Things")
  • These obstacles can be physical, emotional, or psychological, and they can come from external sources or the character's own inner conflicts
• Overcoming these challenges is a crucial part of a character's growth, as it demonstrates their resilience, adaptability, and determination (e.g., Daenerys Targaryen's journey from exile to queen in "Game of Thrones")
  • This process can involve setbacks, failures, and moments of doubt, but ultimately, it showcases the character's strength and development

Moments of realization and epiphany

• Moments of realization are the pivotal points in a character's growth when they gain a new understanding of themselves, others, or the world around them (e.g., Don Draper's realization of his true identity in "Mad Men")
  • These moments can be triggered by external events, interactions with other characters, or internal reflections
• Epiphanies are the sudden, profound insights that fundamentally change a character's perspective or worldview (e.g., Ebenezer Scrooge's transformation in "A Christmas Carol")
  • These epiphanies can be positive or negative, leading to redemption or downfall, but they always mark a significant turning point in the character's arc

Resolution and new status quo

• Resolution is the point in a character's growth where they have overcome their obstacles, learned their lessons, and reached a new stage in their development (e.g., the final scene of "The Office" showing the characters' new lives and relationships)
  • This resolution can be a happy ending, a bittersweet conclusion, or a tragic outcome, depending on the character's arc and the story's themes
• The new status quo is the state of the character's life and relationships after their growth and transformation (e.g., the characters' new roles and dynamics in the final season of "Parks and Recreation")
  • This new status quo can reflect the character's growth, showcase the consequences of their actions, and set the stage for future developments

Evaluating character development

• Evaluating character development is a critical aspect of Critical TV Studies, as it involves assessing the effectiveness, impact, and artistic merit of a character's arc and growth
• Several factors can be considered when evaluating character development, including consistency, depth, emotional resonance, and contribution to the overall narrative

Consistency and believability

• Consistency refers to the coherence and continuity of a character's traits, motivations, and actions throughout the narrative (e.g., the consistent portrayal of Sheldon Cooper's quirks and routines in "The Big Bang Theory")
  • Inconsistencies in character development can undermine the audience's suspension of disbelief and engagement with the story
• Believability is the degree to which a character's development feels authentic, relatable, and grounded in human experience (e.g., the realistic portrayal of grief and loss in "Six Feet Under")
  • Believable character development allows the audience to empathize with the characters and invest emotionally in their journeys

Depth and complexity

• Depth refers to the richness and nuance of a character's inner life, backstory, and motivations (e.g., the exploration of Don Draper's past and identity in "Mad Men")
  • Characters with depth feel like fully realized individuals, with their own histories, desires, and conflicts
• Complexity is the degree to which a character's development involves multiple layers, themes, and dimensions (e.g., the moral ambiguity and psychological depth of Tony Soprano in "The Sopranos")
  • Complex characters often defy simple categorization and invite multiple interpretations, making them compelling and thought-provoking

Emotional resonance and impact

• Emotional resonance is the degree to which a character's development evokes a strong emotional response in the audience (e.g., the heartwarming growth and relationships in "Parks and Recreation")
  • Characters with strong emotional resonance can inspire empathy, joy, sadness, or any other authentic emotion that connects the audience to the story
• Impact refers to the lasting effect that a character's development has on the audience, the narrative, and the larger cultural conversation (e.g., the influential portrayal of female empowerment in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer")
  • Characters with significant impact can challenge stereotypes, spark discussions, and inspire real-world change

Contribution to overall narrative

• Character development should not exist in a vacuum but should be integral to the larger narrative and themes of the story (e.g., the way each character's arc contributes to the exploration of power and politics in "Game of Thrones")
  • Effective character development should advance the plot, reveal new insights, and raise the stakes of the conflict
• The interplay between character development and narrative structure can create a dynamic, engaging story that keeps the audience invested (e.g., the way character backstories are gradually revealed in "Lost," adding depth and mystery to the plot)
  • When character development and narrative are well-integrated, they can create a cohesive, satisfying story that resonates long after the final credits roll