The best (structured) episode...ever! Page 2

Quote: Griff @ March 5, 2008, 10:56 AM

Certainly his Dr.Who episode Blink last year was one of the most amazing pieces of convoluted yet perfectly comprehensible writing I've ever seen. (And one which makes me weep at the state of most of the other episodes.)

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I love Coupling and that was probably one of the most inspired episodes of any sci-fi series, never mind Dr Who. Sadly, though, it was marred by a few moments of continuity going all to hell, with angels freezing when the only things looking at them were us. Still, BRILLIANT idea.

OK, nothing beats Fawlty Towers in my book, but I agree that Coupling was definitely very well structured.

Looking to the very modern day I think there are a couple of episodes of Lead Balloon that get this art just right... three seemingly un-connected storylines overlapping right at the end.

I know it's not British, and it's not a sitcom, but I love the structure of Oz.

Oz!!

I love Oz too!!

Dads Army- Operation Kilt.

I love the episode of Seinfeld where it starts at the end, then keeps leaping back and back until we end right at the start, with Jerry moving in to his flat.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ March 6, 2008, 6:50 PM

I love the episode of Seinfeld where it starts at the end, then keeps leaping back and back until we end right at the start, with Jerry moving in to his flat.

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The Betrayal.

Yeah, that one is really clever.

Quote: Aaron @ March 5, 2008, 10:53 AM

Some of the stuff Moffat did with Coupling can be described as little short of amazing.

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Fact.

Quote: Charisma @ March 6, 2008, 6:54 PM

Fact.

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Yeah, the structure was immense in some of those episodes. It seemed like every week would have some incredible set up to it.

BUT I still think the fact it just wasn't FUNNY enough down-grades it somewhat.

You have become bitter and twisted in your old age (and writers' knowledge), Seefacts!

Seriously though, Coupling is one of the very few shows which can actually make me proeprly laugh out loud, no matter how many times I've seen it.

Quote: Aaron @ March 6, 2008, 8:31 PM

You have become bitter and twisted in your old age (and writers' knowledge), Seefacts!

Seriously though, Coupling is one of the very few shows which can actually make me proeprly laugh out loud, no matter how many times I've seen it.

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Hey, I quite like it no doubt - and I'd watch it if was on RIGHT NOW but I think it wasn't quite as funny as it seems.

It's got some really clever observations, and nice one liners but it's not quite there.

Yeah, I suppose you're right. There are some scenes of pure genius, and a handful of episodes which encapsulate perfection IMO, but there are a few missed opportunities and bits which don't quite hit the mark.

The Dad's Army episode 'Getting the Bird'

Nice to see Moffatt cropping up a few times, cos when I saw the thread title I thought immediately: Coupling, the "Spiderman" episode. I think it's so brilliantly done.

I agree the top episodes of Curb (like the Doll) are very well structured but a lot of episodes are all about set-up set-up set-up. The pay-off is often good but I find the set-ups too "obviously" set-up. If you know what I mean.

Back to the start of the thread, I don't think Fawlty's "Communication Problems" can easily be bettered for structure. It's genius.

Quote: Badge @ March 7, 2008, 12:32 AM

Nice to see Moffatt cropping up a few times, cos when I saw the thread title I thought immediately: Coupling, the "Spiderman" episode. I think it's so brilliantly done.

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I actually saw that being recorded. I'd forgotten till you said though!

It was a good one. Moffatt is the man!

Dan