In this post we looked at Acts 2 + 3

Now let’s check Act 4.

This act takes a different shape to the previous act as we build towards the climax of the episode.

First of all, we meet Ann, the main victim, for the first time since mid way through act 1 (scene 8). And it is the first time we spend time with her alone.

The next 3 scenes cut between the antagonists and the victim in short bursts, as we lead up to their showdown in Act 5.

Finally, before we propel into Act 5, we have by far the longest scene of the act (2.05) between the protagonist and the episode’s main antagonist – Lockwood and Weatherill.

Finally, Act 5.

What can we notice?

• Scenes weigh heavily in favour of  antagonist & victims at 5 with a total time of 9.32
• There are 3 protagonist scenes but with a total time of only 1 minute 57.
• There is only 1 scene with antagonists alone with a time of 0.53.
• There is only 1 scene between protag and antag at 0.46. (NB This is where Lockwood sees Lee Royce in the street. They don’t actually meet.)

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In the previous post we looked at Act 1.

In this post we look at Acts 2 + 3.

As we can see in Act 2, the balance of scenes are fairly equal between protag and antags.

The victim only appears in the final scene, together with the main episode’s antag.

The balance of time between protag / antag / victim is very well balanced: 2.21 / 2.20 / 2.58.

Now let’s look at Act 3.

What do we notice here?

The balance is heavily weighted in favour of the protagonist and dedicated to the episode’s B story – which in fact is the A story of the season – the son of the main antagonist being the grandson of the protagonist (extremely complicated and intricate story telling).

We can also notice that none of the victims appear in Act 3. The entire act is dedicated to protag and antags.

Acts 4 + 5 to follow.