Plot Pods: A New Approach to Fall TV

October is one of the better months of the year: leaves change, the weather cools, and costumes and candy are plentiful. This year, I have another reason to be excited about October – three returning television shows. During the first week of October, Veronica Mars, Lost, and Battlestar Galactica all return for what promises to be a terrific season of television.

These shows are linked by more than their supreme quality and ever-present questions, however. Each one is trying something new in the realm of scheduling: presenting their arcs in uninterrupted pods of episodes.

While each of these series can benefit from this style of programming, the one which stands to have the most to gain is critically loved Veronica Mars. While it battled for ratings at UPN, producers have designed a winning combination for new viewers: a pairing with Gilmore Girls and three mini-arcs instead of one season-long mystery. Even I, a hardcore Marsaholic, will admit that last year’s season-long arcs became overcomplicated. This year’s method of presenting mysteries should give new viewers the chance to jump in at multiple points instead of simply at the beginning of the year. With our crew going off to college this year, it will be like watching a whole new show.

On the flip side, Battlestar Galactica may stand to lose out a bit with this new method of broadcasting. The substantial gap from one episode pod to the next could accidentally lose some viewers, although most rabid fans won’t be bothered. However, as BSG plans to have a mid-season cliffhanger, it will be difficult for the series to hook newbies.

Finally, what Lostite won’t benefit from having the episodes uninterrupted for a change? This year, we might actually be able to follow the storyline on Lost instead of just bumping along for the ride.