Is it possible to write a TV show that truly surprises audiences in the internet era?

[Huellz Santana]

I've been thinking about this. Whether it's Thrones, True Detective, Mr. Robot, Lost, etc. people are drawn into shows with surprise and intrigue... but it's pretty fukking hard to fool millions of people working to figure out the surprises/twists when you're a writer.

im not saying that it excuses bad writing.... but I'm curious if it can be done at this point.

what was the last show to really catch everyone off guard and "subvert expectations" in a good way?​

 

[Knowledge]

Cobra kai

 

[MN Fats]

HBO's The Leftovers did it I think. Never knew where that was going. I thought that ended brillantly. Show is so underrated.

Lost's "We have to go back" is up there too...althiugh they ruined that shyt.

And now that I type this out I realize both were shows run by Damon Lindelof. Makes me hyped for Watchmen.

 

[mastermind]

Barry is doing it right now

 

[Dwolf]

You can but people always gonna be mad that the story didn't end how they wanted it to
Ex: GoT

 

[Sauce Dab]

Barry is doing it right now

I was about to post this. With each episode you never know how it’s gone turn out

 

[HHR]

This is only a problem for the most MASSIVE of shows and shows that actively seek to fool you. If you're clearly setting up twists or being deliberately vague about something, the internet is going to come for you.

 

[MidniteJay]

Tropes can ruin your life.

 

[steadyrighteous]

Barry is doing it right now

Little Kung Fu Kid came outta nowhere

And even though it was wild it didn't feel corny, just surreal.

 

[dora_da_destroyer]

someone will always figure it out, from tv, to film, to the most carefully crafted novels, people have always cracked the code before the reveal, now we're just connected enough that the few who crack it can then spread it to millions.

now if you're asking can you keep what you're filming/writing a secret or from leaking, that's still possible (altho in some cases, it would take a lot of effort)

 

[hex]

You can but people always gonna be mad that the story didn't end how they wanted it to
Ex: GoT

If people were simply mad at things not turning out the way they wanted to on "GOT" nobody would've watched past Ned's death.

There's two ways to surprise viewers....with great writing, and with terrible writing.

Fred.

 

[hex]

HBO's The Leftovers did it I think. Never knew where that was going. I thought that ended brillantly. Show is so underrated.

Lost's "We have to go back" is up there too...althiugh they ruined that shyt.

And now that I type this out I realize both were shows run by Damon Lindelof. Makes me hyped for Watchmen.

Nobody ruined "Lost", the shyt never made any sense to begin with. They were just able to hide it better in early seasons.

David Fury was a writer on season 1 and towards the end of the series he was warning people the shyt would end poorly because from day 1 they had no idea what they were doing. It was just "come up with crazy shyt and worry about story later, or never".

Fred.

 

[Phillyrider807]

Lost "We have to go back" is still the goat twist ending EVER.

Nothing has topped it yet.

But that one moment doesn't save the show as a whole.

HTGAWM isn't nearly as big as some of the other shows mentioned in this thread but the writing on that show in seasons 1-2 were next level and they had numerous "twists"

Genuinely surprising the audience will always be something that can be done. Ending a show in a accepting way to the audience is something totally different.

 

[Spliff]

Yes.

It's what got me into Westworld.

Keep in mind that when you go looking for explanations and theories online, you're likely to spoil your viewing experience preparing yourself for every outcome.

 

[Sad Bunny]

People want spoilers and leaks so it's kind of hard to do that I never understood why people want that shyt instead of just watching the show