Evaluate the relevance of Todorov's theory of narratology to long form TV drama

Todorov’s theory of narratology is extremely useful in analysing the narrative of long form television drama. However, Todorov’s theory was drawn from fairy tales and is not designed to explain serial narratives like long form dramas with complex narratives, several different narrative strands and the segmented storylines of long form dramas. 

Todorov’s theory is useful in stranger thing. His theory is very simple and widely used though out the generations. Its possible to identify his key elements of his narrative theory in long form TV drama. Todorov’s theory is very useful in teasing out messaging and values underlying a narrative, in pointing to the significance of the transformation between the final equilibrium displayed and the new equilibrium.

However, at the same time Todorov’s theory is not useful in Stanger things. The simplicity of Todorov’s theory might limit its effectiveness in understanding complex narratives. While it works perfectly for the typical Disney animation, Todorov’s theory is not designed to explain serial narratives like long form dramas where climax and resolution are necessarily delayed and sometimes, in programmes that are designed to last many series, are never reached. Todorov’s theory does not help to understand television’s tendency towards segmentation rather than linearity, e.g. the multiple segmented storylines of some long form dramas. Todorov’s theory does not help to understand narrative strands that do not add to the narrative drive towards resolution but establish characterisation, spiral out from the main linear narrative or create cliffhangers, e.g. the Dungeons and Dragons sequence or Steve sneaking into the house. 

Overall, while Todorov’s theory is extremely useful in analysing the basic narrative structure of tv drama, long form dramas have an added complex element for which Todorov’s narratology theory is not designed.

By Lily