Trope Talk: Detectives
Added 2021-09-10 15:05:59 +0000 UTCMysteries abound!
Comments
Now I want to seek out the Columbo series. This was, as always, fun and informative. I've learned to pause to read your on-screen notes. :)
Bill Lemmond
2021-09-16 03:59:09 +0000 UTCWas that the first uncensored f-bomb I've ever heard you drop in one of these?
Jathby Dredas
2021-09-10 22:02:10 +0000 UTCA murder turning out to actually be a bizarre accident is not an uncommon subversion. The video even has an example of it with the Sherlock boomerang episode!
HamHamJ
2021-09-10 20:51:31 +0000 UTCDo you think that shows like Buffy or Supernatural would count as mysteries? There is still often an unknown element or strange murder committed with a specialist on the case, shows like Grimm even use an actual detective learning about this supernatural world along with the audience. Any thoughts?
Jason Veevaert
2021-09-10 19:18:25 +0000 UTCI liked the video overall, especially since it focused more on the general structural elements of mystery as a story telling tool, but I do wish that Red had at least acknowledged the relationship the genre has with copaganda. If you'll allow a diversion: In the opening of the DS9 ep "Distant Voices" (s3e18), Bashir and Garak briefly talk about the difference between Human mystery novels and Cardassian enigma tales. While in mystery novels usually only one suspect is guilty, in the enigmas ALL of the suspects are always guilty, just of different crimes. The discussion is meant to highlight how much the authoritarian nature of the Cardassian empire has so warped its literature to the point that everything reinforces its penal system which presumes guilt. But it also reveals something about Human mysteries as well: There is always at least one crime which needs to be solved, always at least one criminal who needs to be caught, and therefore there must always be an Investigator who will solve it. It reinforces the same basic authoritarian narrative of the good and righteous role that Investigators (read: Cops) play in society as the enigma tales, just more with more subtlety.
Rhiannon M
2021-09-10 17:17:54 +0000 UTC
