Narrative strategies of temporal distortion in contemporary TV series

Abstract

The serial narrative mode, regularly used in episodic productions with a repetitive plot structure, is now rarely used. As for contemporary series, researchers agree that filmmakers adhere to a new paradigm of television storytelling which Jason Mittell termed “narrative complexity.” One of its distinguishing features are temporal disturbances in which the creators use various narrative strategies that destabilize the temporal order, ranging from flashbacks that fill in the plot gaps to “mind game” strategies. In this article I analyze narrative strategies disrupting the linear plot in quality TV dramas and the characteristics of formal procedures used by artists.