British Comedy Guide

Plot points.

For example: "Van Gogh draws a painting that survives through the ages and that turns out to be a message for Doctor Who."
Would you guys say that's a plot point or an inciting incident (it occurs at the very beginning of the episode but it seems like a plot point)?

Thanks.

I think its a MacGuffin.

Quote: Gavin @ June 23 2010, 2:54 PM BST

I think its a MacGuffin.

The painting turns out to be very important so it's not really a MacGuffin.

Quote: Marooned @ June 23 2010, 2:56 PM BST

The painting turns out to be very important.

Not really. It's a kick start to the plots and after a point isn't referenced again. Hence I think it's a MacGuffin. I could be wrong.

Quote: Gavin @ June 23 2010, 2:57 PM BST

Not really. It's a kick start to the plots and after a point isn't referenced again. Hence I think it's a MacGuffin. I could be wrong.

I think you are right. Thanks for your help.

Quote: Marooned @ June 23 2010, 3:42 PM BST

I think you are right. Thanks for your help.

No problem at all.

WTF is a MacGuffin?

Quote: Nil Putters @ June 23 2010, 3:44 PM BST

WTF is a MacGuffin?

Isn't she one of the 'Loose Women'?

Urgh, are these creative writing references?

Quote: Mikey Jackson @ June 23 2010, 3:47 PM BST

Urgh, are these creative writing references?

Gavin started it, not me!

Quote: Nil Putters @ June 23 2010, 3:44 PM BST

WTF is a MacGuffin?

To quote Wiki:

A MacGuffin (sometimes McGuffin or maguffin) is "a plot element that catches the viewers' attention or drives the plot of a work of fiction".

Quote: Marooned @ June 23 2010, 2:51 PM BST

Would you guys say that's a plot point or an inciting incident (it occurs at the very beginning of the episode but it seems like a plot point)?

Thanks.

Why??

Quote: Gavin @ June 23 2010, 3:55 PM BST

To quote Wiki:

A MacGuffin (sometimes McGuffin or maguffin) is "a plot element that catches the viewers' attention or drives the plot of a work of fiction".

Ah, cheers.

Ah, actually a MacGuffin isn't just anything that drives the plot - it's a bit more specific. It's something that the characters are striving for although the thing itself is not necessarily important to the plot.

Like that statue thing at the start of Indiana Jones.

Quote: Afinkawan @ June 23 2010, 4:06 PM BST

Ah, actually a MacGuffin isn't just anything that drives the plot - it's a bit more specific. It's something that the characters are striving for although the thing itself is not necessarily important to the plot.

Like that statue thing at the start of Indiana Jones.

But Th statue in Indy introduced the rivalry between Indy and the French guy, and introduced the character. In Doctor Who we know all the characters so it's not really a fair comparison.

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