PROIZVODI

Storylines are populated by archetypes. In the last decade, critics have noticed a shift in these archetypes, reflecting changing social mores.

Ensemble Dramedy / Contemporary Romance

Before we discuss "storylines," we must look at the hardware. Psychologists and neuroscientists have found that the human brain is a "prediction machine." We crave patterns, tension, and resolution.

When we watch a romantic storyline—say, two enemies forced into a truce who slowly realize they are soulmates—our brains release a cocktail of dopamine (anticipation), oxytocin (bonding), and serotonin (satisfaction). A good romance arc mimics the chemical highs of falling in love without the risk of heartbreak. This is why romantic storylines are the scaffolding of most genres, from action films (the hero rescuing the damsel) to horror (the couple surviving the night).

But a storyline requires three distinct phases to work. These phases, in turn, mirror the psychological stages of real relationships.