|
|
|
|
|
Melodrama: Felcity
|
|
|
One of the greatest attributes attached to the melodramatic genre is that it holds a wide variety of styles, settings, and characters. The criteria, like every other film or television show revolves around the dramatic conflict and how the characters deal with it. The evolution of this genre is constantly being revised by those who insist on testing its limit - whether it be shifting the setting to the workplace as seen on West Wing or E.R., or having unique interaction between family members by creating a generation gap seen on Dawson’s Creek. Although the discussions of how the family melodrama differs from the family sitcom is focused on interaction with others, it has become increasingly clear that both formats have varied their family oriented structure to the interaction between coworkers and partnerships. One melodrama that exemplifies this is the hit series, Felicity. By presenting a unique coming of age story that struggles to deal with mature relationships, expanding the notion of family with a tight-knit gap of students, and creating an atmosphere that binds them together for a four year period has helped shape up within the evolution of this genre. First and foremost, what makes Felicity stand out as a melodrama is creating a lovable character that enters a foreign environment alone (with the exception of following her high school crush) and is basically forced to find connections with fellow students. Besides the initial fact that I relate on some level to the collegiate experience, the interaction with the characters is one that everybody would envy. Never has there been a series that has successfully begun and ended within that four year time period. The episode I watched that exemplified the dynamics of the interaction between college students was filmed the second to last season as the series finale. The main story that centered the episode was Noel’s (Felicity’s best guy friend) graduation from college along with the confession of his love for her. Not only was this going to be a physical transition for their friendship, but Noel’s love has also caused more distance between them because it is not reciprocated. The real drama was thrown on Felicity’s shoulders when Noel decided he “loved her too much to be friends,” the same time her boyfriend, Ben, was leaving her for the summer. But unlike most dramas, the conflicts such as these that Felicity encountered in this series was created by her - having the main character make her own decision to come out here. When it comes to the dramatic structure, writers know that the main character has to evolve dramatically throughout the story. In “Felicity,” the creators began the show with a character who really had no distinct personality. And yet, they made her lovable by using her curiosity for life and people. College can be some of the greatest memories and some regrettable moments as well - but it’s okay because its never a better time where you can make mistakes and create “a new version of you” (the theme song title). It strays away from the melodramatic structure in the sense that the main character was not simply dumped in this foreign environment, but rather distinctly chose it.
|
|
|
|
Still Can't Find What Your Looking For? Then Try a Essay Search!
|
