The Annoying Plotlines That Make You Cringe in TV Shows
Every now and then, a particular plotline in TV shows can really make you roll your eyes or even wince. From wedding dresses gone wrong to unrealistic romance storylines, there are many elements that can ruin a show's credibility and enjoyment. Let's dive into some of the most cringe-worthy plotlines and why they are so frustrating.
Wedding Dresses: A Memorable Annoyer
One recurring plotline that often gets on my nerves is the marriage-related mishaps involving characters' wedding dresses. Over 99% of the time, when someone is getting married to a main character but isn’t one themselves, they are still going to "try on" the bride's wedding dress. And 90% of the time, the dress is going to get ripped, stained, or altogether ruined. This recurring trope can be incredibly frustrating, as it paints a picture of characters who are either overly jealous or simply too incompetent to do basic tasks.
Another common cringe moment involving a main character bride is when they go dress shopping with someone they like. Inevitably, they find their perfect dress, sit in something unbecoming in front of mirrors, and then discover they can't afford it. From there, many high jinx ensue, all revolving around the idea of how to fix their ruined dress and the financial burden that comes with trying to purchase the perfect garment. The absurdity of these scenarios is truly mind-boggling.
Romance Storylines: The Ultimate Cliché
When it comes to romance storylines, the clichés are plentiful. One of the most common is the version where two characters start off hating each other and then end up in each other's arms. This trope is so overused that it often feels like a throwback to the past and is rarely believable. In reality, people usually meet via mutual friends, chat, and then decide to go out because they have common interests or simply enjoy each other's company. The idea of love at first sight, or even antipathy that magically transforms into love, is often too convenient and unrealistic for the modern viewer.
Add to this the cringe factor of "bad exposition." Verbal exposition in TV shows often feels like a contrived way to share backstories and memories. For instance, two characters might reminisce about a shared past, and the dialogue is a list of trivial details that don't add much value to the story. Instead of delving into these trivial details, it would be more realistic to hint at the backstory and let the context unfold naturally.
Realism in TV Shows: A Heavily Questioned Concept
Another area where TV shows fall short is in their portrayal of real-world environments and procedures. For example, medical dramas and police shows often get detailed facts right, but their depiction of science labs and computer use is highly exaggerated. Letters appearing one by one on screens is a prime example of this. While this could have occurred in the 1980s using modems, it is incredibly outdated and unrealistic. Why do top research facilities and intelligence agencies have pre-web internet speeds in TV shows? Additionally, admin systems are often portrayed with flashy interfaces, which is totally unnecessary since these systems are primarily used for functionality rather than aesthetics.
Lastly, when writing about criminals, the portrayal is often comical or unrealistic. A person who has experienced the criminal world firsthand would know that a character from a public school background has a very limited understanding of how the criminal underworld works and what it means to be part of it. Portrayals that rely on stereotypes and misconceptions only serve to cheapen the narrative and fail to respect the complexities of real-life scenarios.
In conclusion, these cringe-worthy plotlines are not only frustrating but also detract from the overall quality of a show's storytelling. By addressing these issues and striving for more nuanced, realistic, and well-written narratives, TV shows can greatly enhance the viewing experience for their audience.