What's the point of chase scenes in TV shows?

kearneybobs

This has been kind of annoying me for a while since watching copious amounts of procedurals like NCIS, CSI, Unforgettable, Alcatraz etc

What purpose do they serve? Too often the bad guy is chased around an elaborate set piece only to be caught 40 seconds later with no movement in terms of the plot.

There are three out comes in a chase scene.

• They are caught
• They get away
• They are caught/get away with something pivotal happening in the process that could move the plot forward in a meaningful way.

The third option is usually never the case with these procedural shows. And on the times when they get away they are left in the same position as before, looking for the same person.

To me, it seems like they are simply padding out an already short 42 minute TV show.
Anyone else irked by the all-too-present crutch of the chase scene in TV shows?

kevohmsford

One of my favourite chase scene. Absolutely essential.

ejmaztec

kearneybobs wrote: »

This has been kind of annoying me for a while since watching copious amounts of procedurals like NCIS, CSI, Unforgettable, Alcatraz etc

What purpose do they serve? Too often the bad guy is chased around an elaborate set piece only to be caught 40 seconds later with no movement in terms of the plot.

There are three out comes in a chase scene.

• They are caught
• They get away
• They are caught/get away with something pivotal happening in the process that could move the plot forward in a meaningful way.

The third option is usually never the case with these procedural shows. And on the times when they get away they are left in the same position as before, looking for the same person.

To me, it seems like they are simply padding out an already short 42 minute TV show.
Anyone else irked by the all-too-present crutch of the chase scene in TV shows?

It would look pretty daft if the heroes left their office in search of the bad guys, then cut to the next scene with them dragging them back through the door cuffed and covered in bruises. It would take longer for them to explain how they caught them than it would to show a car chase.

If there's nothing to show, it might as well be a radio programme.:p

guitarzero

Those CSI shows are for complete certified dumbasses bro. You're complaining about car chases but if you zoom the lens out a bit you'll see that every show is the exact same crap.

You should purchase yourself a shiny ball, now I'm talking hours of fun here.

MaceFace

Hmmm.

You could then say what the point of these cop shows as the bad guy always gets caught in the end, so cut out all the waffle, show the initial crime, and show them two mins later behind bars. Done!

MyKeyG

You might be shocked to find out OP that in real life criminals generally have to be pursued. Must be all this pesky going to jail business they find inconvenient!

stevenmu

The worst part is that all of these chases are actually done really slowly, and they just use sound effects to make it sound fast. You'll often see the cars weaving around with lots of tyre screeching and engines roaring, and then see some other normal car just casually cruise right past them.

mike65

The chase is a standard issue component of an "akshun" based show as it allows the hero to do hero stuff and wakes up the slumbering viewers in time for the climax.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

stevenmu wrote: »

The worst part is that all of these chases are actually done really slowly, and they just use sound effects to make it sound fast. You'll often see the cars weaving around with lots of tyre screeching and engines roaring, and then see some other normal car just casually cruise right past them.

thats one thing that really annoys me, the worst culprit that I can think of atm is doctor who
when they're obviously meant to be running somewhere really quickly, the camera's moving all fast and there's exciting music in the background.. then the doctor rounds the corner jogging slowly

I think it was the new sherlock I saw a while ago where there was a chase scene and the actors actually ran, I was floored.

ejmaztec

There have to be car-chases and empty cardboard boxes to be crashed into, it's a tradition.

Skinfull

Ridiculous thread is ridiculous.

What's the point in the love hate relationship between the leads? They always end up together!
What's the point in having murders? They always get solved!
What's the point in sitcoms? They always "reset" at the end of the ep!

Its there because its entertaining. If you don't find it entertaining, watch something else.

ejmaztec

In the UK where they don't have huge Hollywood budgets to throw at programmes, you can always tell which car's going to get written off in a car chase, because it's usually the car that's ten years older than the rest of the ones used in the programme.

OldeCinemaSoz

although not a tv show but made for tv i think stephen speilberg's duel
is the way a chase should be done.

unrelenting class.

:cool:

mike65

ejmaztec wrote: »

In the UK where they don't have huge Hollywood budgets to throw at programmes, you can always tell which car's going to get written off in a car chase, because it's usually the car that's ten years older than the rest of the ones used in the programme.

Not just UK telly either, watch Ronin or A View to A Kill for example and look for all the old cheap Renaults, Fiats and the like.

BlaasForRafa

mike65 wrote: »

Not just UK telly either, watch Ronin or A View to A Kill for example and look for all the old cheap Renaults, Fiats and the like.

And just ignore the BMW that they drove off an overpass and blew up.