Tell, don't show?

[shivver]

My husband told me something really interesting today. He was chatting with a colleague and the topic of Firefly came up, and she said that she didn't like it (which elicited a surprised pikachu face from my husband). He asked her why, and she said it's because she never found out anything about the characters - their histories, their motivations, etc.

That was strange, because Firefly, to both of us, is a shining example of developing the characters through showing. Mal doesn't talk about religion or his personal beliefs, but you know that he is contemptuous of religion and faith through the way he treats Shepherd Book. However, you also learn that he was once very religious from the scene where he kisses the cross around his neck during the Battle of Serenity Valley, and that the events of the battle cause his loss of faith and eventual contempt.

My husband mentioned this, and the colleague responded that she didn't learn any of that (or any of the other characters' histories) because he never talked about it. In contrast, she loves ST:TNG because the characters are always talking and providing exposition. You know Riker and Deanna had had a previous relationship and that they still love each other but have moved on because they talk about it and they tell other people about it, not because their actions now reveal that history.

It never occurred to me that some people prefer to be told, not shown. Interestingly, she added that she knew about "show, don't tell" in novels, but didn't think it applied to movies/TV. Maybe there's a difference there, but I still prefer to be shown in all media.

Comments

[a_phoenixdragon]

That...is odd, but then, I'm of the persuasion of 'if you beat me over the head with the plot/idea/point/etc', I am OUT. I don't like being treated as stupid by the media I consume, and I prefer shows that allow me room to think/speculate/imagine and explore. I loved TNG, but they had quite a few episodes where obvious stuff was obvious and was rather annoying to me. I like to be 'treated' like I already know what is going on and gently be guided to any explanation I need on something I may be confused about - but also left an opening for later, for things to be resolved. Firefly hit all my buttons just right. I sympathize with this woman, but...I hope she never sees any other Whedon shows or movies if Firefly is not enjoyable for her. She will not like those others AT ALL.

TLDR; there is way too much out there that tells and annoys me - I too prefer to be shown and left to figure it out myself. You know...engage instead of just consume.

*HUGS*

[shivver]

"Engage instead of consume" - exactly! There's certainly a certain amount of telling that must happen, and sometimes it's a lot, depending on the situation. But I just don't get preferring that over drawing your own conclusions about the characters and the story.

Serenity is a coincidentally relevant event in my life. When it came out, my company took us all to see it. I'd never heard of it or Firefly - when I sat down in the theater seat, I didn't even know it was science fiction. Then the first scene, with the teacher talking about "Earth that was", came on - a twenty seconds of exposition that set the scene and history as part of the story, not a "Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away" text scroll - and the girl in the back asked a question, then snapped to a torture session of that girl, and that told me everything I needed to know about the 'verse and River Tam. That's excellent storytelling.

And when we exited the theater into the shopping mall, my husband and I walked right to Suncoast and bought the DVD set.

[a_phoenixdragon]

I don't mind a little of telling...as long as it launches into fascination - something utilized to pull me in, keep me riveted for that one little moment - so you can show-show-show...and let the rest fall to me, my brain and imagination. :D

That is...that is so awesome! You are not the first who was introduced into Firefly this way that I've known...and I must say, I never knew anyone who saw the movie - and walked away without wanting to know more. Hubby and I were lucky to see FF as it launched - and then were promptly mad when the ratings started to go up and Fox was Fox and pulled the plug before they had to invest more time, resources and attention to it. So Serenity was bittersweet to us. If only because we knew there was so much MORE that could have happened and been shared - and the movie pretty much concluded what should have been five more years of plot, shenanigans and character building. But...that is what fanfic is for, yes? :D

I am so, so glad that you saw the movie, then got the DVD set and fell in love with it all. Hubby and I miss Mal, Kaylee, Wash, Zoe, Shepard, River, Simon, Inara, Serenity herself...even Jayne. We rewatch often and I know there is a fanfic 'series' out there that continued their adventures. They deserved better than a Fox related rights grab, but we are so, so grateful for what we got. The actors still show their love for it all, too, which only makes it that much...MORE.

And ye gods, I am blithering! It was just one of THOSE shows. The damned writer and director may have been problematic in the end - but everything from the music, to the set, to the very IDEA was iconic. And Serenity will always be alive to me, just like the TARDIS and even like Moya. She was just that special.

*HUGS*

[glory_jean]

I've never considered the 'show don't tell' aspect in visual media either, but of course it applies once you consider it. Not to sound like a fandom old, but (lol) to me The Phantom Menace and parts of Attack of the Clone are just the pinnacle of tell don't show and beating you over the head with exposition.

Meanwhile LJ and Tumblr were built on being able to meta a film or TV series to death. And of course, fanfic.