Zombie Cliche Lookout: The Slow Reveal
Once again we’re not sticking to the zombie genre here, or even horror in general. No, stalling a bit before a big reveal has been a time tested storytelling technique since time immemorial. Back when stories were told by traveling singers? They stalled a bit before revealing some big twist, just to keep their audience nicely engaged. Of course, they couldn’t take this too far, or else they’d find themselves sleeping out in the wilderness instead of a nice cozy beer hall. Modern writers and TV producers could learn a thing or two from this.
About this Episode:
I was really, really tempted to make the description of this episode state that this was it for a while, and we’d pick up for another season next year. But that seemed like a real jerk move.
Clearly, I’m picking on The Walking Dead and their ludicrous cliffhangers here, but I do think this is a trope that can be done well. There’s nothing wrong with taking a little bit of time and building some anticipation toward something. The problem starts when you stretch the concept to – and perhaps beyond – its logical conclusion. Like Glenn and the dumpster or Negan and his damn bat.
God that pissed me off.
Discussion Question: Effective Stalling
I illustrated a few cases where setting up cliffhangers were arbitrary and frustrating, but I also pointed out that this was a technique that can – and frequently is – used to excellent effect in storytelling. Me being a big lazy jerk, I provided absolutely no examples to back up this claim. This is where you guys come in. Give me an example or two of a story that used slow pacing to build anticipation well. Bonus points if it’s a zombie story, of course.
Typo alert: “I illustrated a few cases were setting up cliffhangers were arbitrary and frustrating,” change first “were” to “where” 😀
Just one again? Man, I’m doing well lately.
Yes, although you missed the mouseover text again! 😀 I suggest, “Let’s see now, who got infected and became a zombie?” 😀 Since this is Bricks of the Dead, it fits perfectly! 😉
I’m kind of hoping Monday’s episode will be a big reveal, pr at least contain some clues. 😀 It will be interesting to see who survived, given what was obvious from the story so far. 😉
Don’t worry, we’ll be checking in with Sam on Monday.
Dangit! I was hoping we’d be checking in the back of the truck on Monday! 😀
We know Sam is with Murphy and the others sent out to gather supplies, and got as far as taking Emma along with them, so it’s a little late for an April Fool’s day joke, being it’s May! 😀
Well, will still tune in Monday, anyway! 😀
Yes. That would have been a jerk move.
And we’d all say we’d never read again!
Then we’d all read again. 😀
I liked the Terminus cliffhanger in TWD!
When they’re stuck in the train car, at the end of season 4.
Hah!
The Terminus thing was fine. The problem is they just keeping pulling out the same trick over and over again.
Effective stalling? Hmm, either my Google Fu is out today, or it’s just trying to stall for something good, because all I can find is Carl Stalling! 😀
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Stalling
His music was remarkably effective, though! 😉
Hah, interesting.
Nice job with the plants in the background. Love all the details you put in the comic! 🙂
That gets me thinking. When you get a little further into the apocalypse, will we begin to see some decaying buildings? That would be cool! Maybe some broken windows, some damaged/shot up walls, maybe some spray paint graffiti.
I think someone as creative as you, Dave, could make some really cool things!
Can’t take credit for the plants; those are part of an official set.
I suppose if the comic went on long enough we’d see some decay, but that sort of thing will take a while.
Which set is that?
I think the Olive Green one must be the Parisian Restaurant (10243), the Light Blue on the Right should be the Pet Shop (10218) – both brilliant Sets!
Right on both counts, Greg!
I can’t think of an example of a cliffhanger put to good use right now… but a TV show that totally abused of that trope is 24 – every episode had one.
I’ve never watched that show, but I know a lot of people who were addicted to it. Sounds like a Dan Brown novel (a thing I despise) turned into a TV show.
Despise?! Really? That is pretty strong Dave, I’m sure there are worse things out there than a Dan Brown novel! I would be interested to hear what you hate most.
Speaking of stalling, does anyone remember the amount of time people had to wait for a certain novel to have the last chapter published? Or something along those lines? 😀
Haha!