Divide the plot by seasons
Here I come again to make a post about my unsolicited opinion, but the possible plot of Oblivio brought back to me something I’ve been thinking for a while.
Several people have complained that the plot is basically the same it was in the first season. And they’re right.
Some defend it’s because of what Austruc said: the show has to be able to be enjoyed in whichever order the episodes are released.
As a content creator, saying that you’re limited by your media, is... well, it sounds like an excuse. If you have to work inside some parameters... then you adapt to them?
If you can only have development within seasons and the order of the episodes have to remain changeable, then fine. But work with it.
For example. You know you have material for six seasons. Perhaps you still don’t know if they’re gonna be approved, but your story is six seasons long. Well, then. Divide your plot in those six seasons. It’s not that hard. If they get approved later, then perfect. If not, you at least told the beginning of it.
Not that I want to tell another content creator how to tell their story, but now that I’m giving said unsolicited opinion, here is how I would have resolved it:
First season is to introduce your main characters and the dynamics of the plot. They actually did it. So check.
Second season is to evolve your characters. Marinette and Adrien didn’t know each other very well, then make them know each other. Give them plenty of interactions. Let the viewers see their interactions and make them clear on where they stand with each other. It doesn’t have to have an order, just make plenty of concise interactions so nobody doubts where they stand. They are friends. They are falling for the other side of the square. They have conflicted feelings. They’re partners. I don’t care, just make their interactions clear.
Third season is the middle of your storyline. Make the reveal. Do a twist. Reveal some secret relevant to the plot. But for everything that’s holy, don’t take it away because then you’re not advancing the plot. Make it at the end of the season, but advance something. You’re literally at the middle, you should be starting your climax, not stuck exactly where you were at the beginning.
You have two conflicts: the love square and the actual villain. Resolve one.
The villain is not the best option to take away from the equation right at the middle. So let’s go with the love square.
If you can only achieve actual development at a season finale, then, once again, fine. But give the rest of the season something solid. Make them conflicted for whom they really love. Make them ponder in several, different episodes about who they think the other is or why it hurts them or annoys them that they can’t reveal themselves or that their feelings can not reach the other. Just... tease for the plot point that is about to come.
Make the fourth season the aftermath. Show how they deal with this situation. Now, you have been giving hints of lore and general plot (that in any other series could have been explained in the first season, or maybe a season and a half tbh), well then make a twist. Or reveal some sort of information that can change the game for the better or worst. And actually, you can make that either season four or season five.
Season four could have a twist and season five could have a secret revealed that can change the game for better or worst. Or you can have a secret revealed for plot purposes at the end of season four and then make a twist out of it for season five. See? There goes your excuse of “it should be watchable in whatever order”.
Season six is to resolve your story. The series finale. That’s it.
This way, you can have an organic relationship between your main characters, and show us that the happy ever after is not when you get the love of your life and that’s it. This way we get to see them work together as a team and a couple. You can give them other conflicts and we could watch them resolve them. Heavens know we need more animation where this happens.
And by that, I’m not meaning adding a secondary love interest because if you can’t solve your main conflict, then why the hell are you adding secondary problems to it?
The story is not over, emotionally speaking, when the love square gets together. You have plenty of emotional plot points. The villain is the father of one of the main characters, for goodness’ sake! You can have a whole series about that only. Or a character arc, for that matter. But oh, don’t get me started on how Adrien is getting zero development when the opportunity is just right there, just take it!
Granted, they have added more heroes and another villain, but again. It has done very little to the plot. It’s almost as if they’re making a show to just sell merchandise, but I have seen better shows that have been made for the sole purpose of selling merchandise that are way better, so...
If Oblivio happens and there’s a reveal and then it gets erased... No, I don’t think I would scream. I would just majorly siiiiiiiigh.
