Film Language Tag: plot, television
In a television episode, there is usually a hierarchy of plots with Plot A at the top and then Plots B, C, D, and so on below in terms of amount of narrative attention.
"Of Course It Was A Line!"
"The Pilot", Friends: Season 1, Episode 1
Monica (Courteney Cox) voices her frustration with Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Chandler (Matthew Perry), Joey (Matt LeBlanc), and her brother Ross (David Schwimmer), over man's unsavory tendencies. Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) cuts up her credit cards after being persuaded by her friends.
Ross and Rachel's Chance Encounter
"The Pilot", Friends: Season 1, Episode 1
The titular Friends comfort Ross (David Schwimmer) after his marriage ends. His sister Monica (Courteney Cox) gives him advice as her friend Rachel (Jennifer Anniston) suddenly appears.
The Red Wedding
"The Rains of Castamere", Game of Thrones: Season 3, Episode 9
The King in the North, Robb Stark (Richard Madden), and his family are slaughtered at Lord Edmure (Tobias Menzies)'s wedding hosted by Lord Frey ( David Bradley).
Brian Spies on His Neighbor
"Episode 3", More Tales of the City: Season 1, Episode 3
After cleaning his apartment, Brian (Whip Hubley) spies upon and exchanges charged messages with an unidentified female neighbor in a high-rise across the street.
Meeting Anna Madrigal
"Episode 3", More Tales of the City: Season 1, Episode 3
Mother Mucca (Jackie Burroughs) is pressed by Mona Ramsey (Nina Siemaszko), her granddaughter, to go meet Anna Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis), who she has only ever known as her son, before Anna's gender transition and estrangement.
Mouse Runs into Dr. Jon Fielding
"Episode 3", More Tales of the City: Season 1, Episode 3
Michael "Mouse" Tolliver (Paul Hopkins) leaves his cruise docked in Acapulco to go out. Finding a cab, he asks a driver (Miguel Guillen) for help finding a gay club, where he reunites with an old flame, Dr. Jon Fielding (Billy Campbell).
Mouse’s Prognosis
"Episode 4", More Tales of the City: Season 1, Episode 4
Dr. Jon Fielding (Billy Campbell) visits Michael "Mouse" Tolliver (Paul Hopkins) in the hospital where he works, where he receives a brief and solicitous phone call from Beauchamp Day (Thomas Gibson). After telling Beauchamp off, he offers Mouse a gift and they discuss Mouse's prognosis.
Telling Her Tenants
"Episode 4", More Tales of the City: Season 1, Episode 4
Anna Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis) invites her tenants Mary Ann (Laura Linney), Michael "Mouse" Tolliver (Paul Hopkins), and her daughter Mona Ramsey ( Nina Siemaszko) together along with Mary Ann's new partner, Burke (Colin Ferguson) to tell them about her transgender identity.
Alison's Funeral
"Pilot", Pretty Little Liars: Season 1, Episode 1
The community widely gathers to pay their last respects to Alison (Sasha Pieterse). The main four girls regroup (Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson, Lucy Hale, Shay Mitchell) and receive a text from A.
Aria Meets Ezra
"Pilot", Pretty Little Liars: Season 1, Episode 1
Aria (Lucy Hale) meets Ezra (Ian Harding) at Hollis Bar and Grill, where they bond over writing and English literature.
Opening Sequence
"Pilot", Pretty Little Liars: Season 1, Episode 1
Friends Spencer (Troian Bellisario), Hanna (Ashley Benson), Aria (Lucy Hale), Emily (Shay Mitchell), and Alison (Sasha Pieterse) enjoy a secluded getaway in a small cabin before discovering that Alison has disappeared.
Breaking the News
"Next to Nothing", Queen Sugar: Season 1, Episode 9
Charley (Dawn Lyen-Gardner) and the family have to break the news of the murdered workers to the other workers.
Not That There’s Anything Wrong with That
"The Outing", Seinfeld: Season 4, Episode 17
After Sharon (Paula Marshall) promises not to publish allegations that Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) and George (Jason Alexander are gay, a joke Jerry makes to George on a dual-line phone is overheard and leads to her doubling down on the story angle.
Shake It Up Chicago Auditions
"Start It Up", Shake It Up: Season 1, Episode 1
CeCe (Bella Thorne) and Rocky (Zendaya) audition for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be background dancers for Shake It Up Chicago.