Here is a breakdown of the engines that drive the best family drama storylines, and how writers weaponize complex relationships to keep us riveted. No storyline is more primal than the fight over the throne. In modern drama, the throne is a media empire ( Succession ), a restaurant ( The Bear ), or a criminal enterprise ( The Sopranos ).
Ozark (Wendy’s brother Ben), Yellowstone (Kayce’s return from the military), or August: Osage County . Incesti.italiani.22.Non.Dirlo.a.Papa.2011
This Is Us (Kevin and Randall). The "successful" brother resents the "failure" for getting all the attention; the failure resents the success for making him feel small. Here is a breakdown of the engines that
That tension—between the blood you are born with and the person you choose to become—is infinite fuel for storytelling. So go ahead. Invite the family over for dinner. Just make sure the knives are within reach. That tension—between the blood you are born with
The Passive-Aggressive Alliance. One parent subtly undermines the other at the dinner table. A look. A sarcastic "Thank you for finally joining us."