March Makeovers: Should ‘Major Crimes’ continue with longer arcs?

Typically throughout this March Makeovers article series, we have focused on shows that need to make some changes. For the sake of this particular article, however, we’re shaking things up and framing a question in a different way: Should a recent change stick with “Major Crimes”? We’re talking of course about the big move to have a five-part story arc close out this season. It’s something that the show has never done quite in this form before, and it’s generated a wide range of reactions online. Some have loved it, and others have been frustrated.

Is there a definite answer as to which format is better? Ultimately, we feel like it comes down to personal preference … but there’s a case to be made for each.

The case for standalone episodes – It keeps the show firmly rooted as what it always was: A cop procedural that you don’t have to commit to every week. You can check out a story, miss an episode, and ever be too lost. Maybe that’s not as much fun for people looking for character studies, but not every show is meant to draw out a single story. This is also the format that “Major Crimes” is known for, and to completely change that for season 5 would definitely be jarring for many out there.

The case for longer stories – Well, it certainly raises the unpredictability factor, which is something that at this point in the show’s run, we’re down to see more of. There’s a great deal of entertainment that comes from guesswork, and it gives the actors more time to chew some of the scenery and dive in. We do think that this is a greater risk that you create a storyline that viewers hate and are stuck with, but if they enjoy it, isn’t the payoff so much more extreme?

Which do you prefer? Vote in the poll below!

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