Suspense and Pet Peeves

Hi all, Lynette Eason here...

I’ve started watching a new series called Zero Hour. It was cancelled after three episodes, but they filmed ten more so at least I’ll get to watch it to the conclusion. DiAnn Mills told me about the show and of course I had to check it out. There are a lot of things I like about it.

*The characters – why? Because they’re real. Maybe not great actors, but I like the characters. Their motivations are sharp and clear. I have no trouble understanding what they want. Hank wants to rescue his wife. The FBI agent (forgot her name, sorry) wants to kill the man responsible for blowing up the plane that her husband was on.  Vincent wants the 12 clocks. And so on.

*The plot – It moves. There’s never a dull moment. There is action, there’s the psychological tortures (lol) of wondering what’s going to happen next. I love the idea of a treasure hunt.

*The flashbacks are well done- They move the story along and help you understand what’s happening in the present.

*The villain – he’s truly evil and yet when his captive pulls a bullet out of his back, he thanks her.

What I don’t like about it.

*Some of the character’s actions are stupid. I don’t like stupid characters. In one of the first scenes of the show, someone is breaking into Laila’s store (Hank’s wife) and she doesn’t dial 911, she calls her husband. Dumb, dumb, dumb. But that’s not the fault of the actress, that’s poor writing. I get it, they had to get the husband to the store, but the writer should have come up with a better way. Like have them on the phone talking and THEN the intruder try to get in. He would over hear this and THEN shout at his co-workers to call the cops as he races out of the office to his wife. I mean, such a simple thing. And so much more believable.

*I don’t like that it warps scripture. But it’s not a Christian television show, so I should take that into account if I’m going to watch it.

*Everyone remembers stuff or sees something that triggers just the right clue that leads to exactly what they need it to lead to. Not necessarily predictable, but…lazy.

So, I’ve listed a few of my pet peeves as a reader/watcher and as a writer. And I've listed things I like?

What about you? Pet peeves and likes? Looking forward to hearing wheat you have to say.

Have a blessed day!