How to end the season of a formulaic series. A comparative analysis of the seriesHOUSE MD and VERONICA MARS about the recurring conflict in the narrative lines of television series’ season finales: resolution versus continuity

Abstract

This thesis, written in English, is a comparative analysis of the series HOUSE MD and VERNICA MARS about the recurring conflict in the narrative lines of television series’ season finales: resolution versus continuity. The WOW-method, the Ruven & Batavier story step schedule and characteristics found in series and soap operas are used to analyze the narrative strategies used at the end of the season. Conclusion: the procedural HOUSE MD doesn’t use cliffhangers, but does introduce new problems at the end of the season, or shows moments of temporary resolution. VERONICA MARS with its focus on the mystery of the season, the plot serialization level, uses cliffhangers to end the last episode of the season. Not to introduce new mysteries on the plot serialization level though, but on a character serialization level. Both series are more like soap operas then the author of the thesis presumed.