Love Story Recap: Reality Bites

"It has been widely reported that streamers - particularly Netflix - approach television as a "second screen," something to play in the background while viewers scroll on their phones. As a result, dialogue increasingly serves the function of explaining the story so the audience can know what's going on without looking up. An attendant tendency is that characters often describe exactly how they feel, eliminating subtext and the necessity for attuned, clever acting. Unfortunately, this strategy is on display in Love Story."

"Besides, the fact that the characters can articulate with clarity their own needs, desires, shortcomings, and successes creates an illusion of perfect self-awareness. For characters to read as human, they have to act against their better instincts or judgments; no one wants to watch a show about someone who makes all the right decisions. Carolyn, a better-written character than John, is a good case in point."

"John, on the other hand, goes around saying things like, "Not sure I did [so great last night]. I didn't tell Caroline I was bringing someone [to her party], and forgot to mention to Carolyn it was Caroline's birthday or that it was a dinner." When Anthony replies that's "classic [John] shit," John affirms, "I don't think it works for her, and I don't think it really works for me either, anymore." John is smitten with Carolyn in large part because she is not interested in fame,"

Streaming habits that treat television as a "second screen" encourage dialogue that explains plot and character states for viewers who may not be watching closely. This reliance on explicit speech eliminates subtext and reduces the need for subtle, behavior-driven acting. Characters who constantly articulate their needs and feelings create an illusion of perfect self-awareness and therefore feel less human. Effective characterization requires actions that contradict stated intentions or instincts; uncertainty, mistakes, and restraint produce more believable and engaging characters. Carolyn’s guarded behavior shows compelling restraint, while John’s frequent verbal self-analysis undermines depth.

Read at Vulture