MovieChat Forums > The Handmaid's Tale (2017) Discussion > Another flashback show...

Another flashback show...

posted 4 years ago by LetoAtreides (576)
2 replies | jump to latest

Every time I get sucked in the story, the show takes 2 steps backwards with a 10 minutes flashback. This way of making TV shows is so lazy and tired by now. I think it started with Lost (?) and now too many series abuse this.

With good writing, you can tell the background of a character without showing it.

Some good shows that featured next to no flashbacks: Breaking Bad, Stranger Things, The Sopranos and Game of Thrones (even if the last seasons sucked).

We didn't need to see Walter White at his prom or wedding to understand who he was. Everything was communicated to us via his actions in the first few episodes.

[–] cv1cv (530) 4 years ago

Actually there were flashbacks in Breaking Bad, Stranger Things, and The Sopranos; I haven't watched Game of Thrones. I'd guess that you don't remember them because they were seamlessly integrated into the plot and not overdone. If flashbacks are done reasonably they add a depth to the characters and can enhance the plot rather than detract from it.

[–] LetoAtreides (576) 4 years ago

You are right, those were carefully selected and integrated flashbacks to show Eleven and Gus' past, not routine flashback that occur every 15 minute or so like in the first 2 seasons of handmaid.