Sta Hungry Stay Foolish

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

A blog by Leon Oudejans

The need for a subplot

Last Wednesday, I viewed Se1Ep1 of Matlock (2024), featuring Kathy Bates. Initially, I failed to understand its high IMDb rating. Afterwards, I gave it an 8. The difference was its last scene, which revealed a very intriguing subplot.

I suppose the excellent subplot of The Mentalist (2008-2015) explains the above. Nearly all of its episodes are independent crime stories, though some episodes contain vital information on the progress of the hunt for Red John.

The funny crime TV show Elsbeth (2024 – ; IMDb rating #7.6) is a spin-off of The Good Wife (2009-2016; rated #8.4), and its successor The Good Fight (2017-2022; #8.3). Their IMDb ratings (also) explain the quality of their subplots.

I suppose TV series often lack an interesting subplot. My interest in Death in Paradise (2011-onwards) is still declining. Its 2023 UK spin-off Beyond Paradise is mediocre. Its 2024 Australian spin-off Return to Paradise is promising.

Sometimes, a subplot is (almost) nonexistent while the TV series is excellent. Example: the UK crime series Vera (2011-2025) that has a well-deserved IMDb rating of 8.2. Also see my March 2024 blog on Vera.

Following the need for a subplot, I would not be able to write a novel. It also explains my admiration for J.K. Rowling (b.1965). Her Cormoran Strike crime novels, and her Harry Potter fantasy books have excellent subplots.

About ten years ago, someone asked me about the common thread in my writings. It took me quite a while to digest that question and finding an answer. To some extent, a common thread is like a subplot.

Ultimately, I realised that my common thread were these recurring themes: Money, Politics, Religion, as well as Philosophy, Science, and the Truth. Later, I added Love. I labelled my subplots as the 7 Belief Systems.

Subplots (2017) by Jack Johnson
artist, lyrics, video, Wiki-artist, Wiki-album+song

Note: all markings (bolditalicunderlining) by LO unless in quotes or stated otherwise.

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