Having recovered from their EPIC anniversary episode, Tim and Nick set out to discover new realms of exploration. Along the way they realize, "Hey, it's pretty cool to keep finding new lands and creatures and characters and stuff." So they decided to discuss the art of discovery in fiction.
Joined by scholar and writer John Bahler, they delve into mysteries, gaze into unattainable vistas, and ponder the combining of two of their favorite subjects.
It's a new era for your favorite storytelling podcast, Derailed Trains of Thought.
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My blitzkrieg continues!
ReplyDelete(Mind you, I've waited so long to comment, I might have forgotten some of what I was gonna say. This might make my comments sound irrelevant. You've been warned).
The "mystery" elements of a story are interesting. I was listening to the commentary for "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," and I heard the director, Nicolas Meyer, say that he sis still asked to this day why Khan only wears one glove. To which he responds, "Why do you think he only wears one glove?" (I'd inject some Michael Jackson joke, but I digress). I agree that oftentimes those mysterious elements add richness. They make the world of the story seem larger or give readers/viewers something to ponder, thereby enriching their minds. I wonder if that's not as appreciated now. Modern audiences seem to like having things spoon-fed to them.
There's a school of thought that says the author's intentions with a story are what matters. All other interpretations are invalid. I don't quite agree with that. Those intentions are important to know in order to understand the story and the author, but I think a reader/viewer needs to be allowed to make his interpretations of the piece. Even Tolkien said that.