Zero Blogs: Spectacle or Story? · 9:24pm Jan 15th, 2016
TV Tropes defines Serial Escalation as when a series continually raises the scale that it keeps setting for itself. With each installment, the stories, conflicts, and characters get bigger and badder.
Season 1: Hero fights a supercharged schoolyard bully
Season 2: Hero fights the Mafia of his entire city.
Season 3: Hero fights a terrorist organization bent on destroying the world.
Season 4: Hero fights alien menace that wants to destroy the galaxy.
You get the idea. Now personally, I'm not a big fan of the concept; because while it may work for a time, you'll eventually hit the ceiling. Awesome becomes the standard and amazing inflates. I'd much rather prefer sliding the scale back and forth than trying to keep going higher and higher.
When you compare Spark to Shine, the stakes are a bit of a step down between them. Human!Twilight's conflict is much more personal compared to Adagio's desire to control the world. And even Searing's current role is centered around Pony!Twilight. Does that make the story inferior? Well, much like Friendship Games and Rainbow Rocks, I wouldn't say the former is inferior so much as it's DIFFERENT.
For prove, one need look no further than the finale to Legend of Korra.
The last episode of The Last Airbender was Sozin's Comet: A four-part movie with the entire Earth Kingdom at stake. The final battle pits Avatar Aang against Firelord Ozai. Two of the strongest benders in the world in a no-holds barred fight to the finish. From start to finish, it's a massive spectacle that's well-regarded among the fans. Well, except for the controversial ending anyway. The bending display is pushed to its limits especially when Aang uses the Avatar State and energybending to remove Ozai's powers and lock him up in jail.
By contrast, the last episode of Korra limits the playing field to one city, albeit the world's capital. Sure, the villain has a giant robot; but over the course of the episode, she gets knocked out of it. The final battle takes place on foot and Korra doesn't even go into the Avatar State until the end. The last part of the fight is lower too. Korra, after saving the Big Bad's life, talks her down from her rampage instead of hurting her. And it ends with a peaceful surrender.
Which is better? That's subjective. I certainly find one better than the other but I'm not going to say which.
What does this have to do with me? When it comes to the conflict in Spark, I had two resolutions in mind. One of which emphasizes "epicness." Without spoiling too much, it puts more emphasis on Searing than Twilight. The other one was more of a character focus. Significantly reducing the scale in favor of Twilight's character-based conflict. Neither one is "better" than the other. Both have merit for the story and myself. And yet, I have to wonder.
Rose: It's kind of like after Season finales like A Canterlot Wedding, Magical Mystery Cure, and Twilight's Kingdom, they go along the route of the Best Night Ever instead.
Huh, I never thought of that.
3689000 A lot of writers and producers fall into the trap of "must be more epic," only to find themselves completely burnt out. That's why I try to put as much character in my conflicts as possible.
3690409
More power to you then.