Recently I started to watch The O.C., a TV show from 2003. It made me think and start noticing the differences in TV shows and movies today and from the earlier 2000s. Not only do TV shows from the 2000s tend to have much longer seasons, but I also find that they are more based on following characters’ lives instead of shows today where the priority is couple big plot ideas per season. For example, a show like The Summer I Turned Pretty or Bridgerton are both shows that I love, but there is a noticeable difference between those kinds of plots and quickness of seasons compared to shows like Beverly Hills, 90210, Gilmore Girls, and One Tree Hill. Having longer seasons with the intention of following a person, friend group, or a family’s life, instead of just hitting major plot points, allows there to be more to embrace within the show.
There can also be longer slow burns for romance or a longer time for a character to develop natural character development. An example of this is One Tree Hill. Anyone who has seen the show admires Nathan Scotts’ character development and loves his romance with Haley James. He started off as the rude athlete who picked fights, but once he fell for Haley, we got to see a whole other side of him. The first season has 22 episodes and are all around 45 minutes. Even though they got together early in the show, it was still the eighth episode. Most shows made recently only have eight to ten episodes at all in the season. Instead of the show being over right when they get together, we get to see their romance for the rest of the season.
Another example is The Vampire Diaries. A show like The Vampire Diaries where seasons have 20 episodes that are all 40-50 minutes long allows you to truly immerse yourself in the show and get to know all the characters, seeing all sides of the plot. This is also a great example of a slow burn romance between Elena and Damon. They didn’t get together until halfway through the third season. That means 54 episodes passed until the endgame romance of the entire show first got together. In comparison, The Summer I Turned Pretty has seven episodes for the first season. The endgame romance first got together on the last episode of the first season. This seems like it would be a long wait, but with the season only having seven episodes, the slow burn doesn’t compare to a show with much longer seasons and episodes.
As Kirpa Chawla said in Bruin Life, “It takes time to develop a storyline and plot, yet the majority of shows today only offer a few 10-episode seasons. In the 2000s and 2010s audiences had time to immerse themselves in each TV world because shows weren’t rushed. Detailed and cohesive television universes were built throughout the length of the show. Audiences were able to understand the history and background of the setting and plot, with each episode and season enriching the narrative with twists and layers of depth, contributing to far better world-building.” I think this explanation is a good way of demonstrating the different levels of a plot that can be built if given the time. A great example of this is the TV show Pretty Little Liars. I also believe the length of episodes and seasons contribute to what makes shows from the earlier 2000s more of a comfort show and easier to get lost in.
In my opinion, shows from the 2000s also just seem to have a more comforting vibe. The styles from earlier shows seem to use brighter colors and more unique than they do today. Also, it was a different time with no phones or social media, which is noticeable and nice to see on these types of shows. It shows a different time some teenagers didn’t exactly get to experience. It shows a society away from stressors we may face today, like things that come with social media. In addition, a classic during this period in TV was people just showing up at your door or window to talk to you. Theres something so genuine and fun of this being the way someone reaches out to you, instead of just a text or call.
Moving onto movies, I really don’t think anything can beat Another Cinderella Story, The Notebook, John Tucker Must Die, Step Up, and countless more from this time. I think something that contributes to this is how the storylines are more original. Movies now may seem like they’re trying to recreate the classics of a certain genre. This could be a love triangle, enemies to lovers, or any other popular trope that was done so well. This goes hand in hand with the dramatic love confessions in these films. In A Cinderella Story when Austin confesses his feelings for Sam at the high school football game in the pouring rain, the heartfelt speech in The Notebook when Noah reveals how many letters he had written to her, and so much more.
Another factor that makes these movies so good is the soundtrack. Hearing the songs we grew up with in these movies brings nostalgia while watching. It can be comforting and heartwarming to hear these old tunes. Probably one of my favorite examples of this is from the movie John Tucker Must Die. A main song is “Dirty Little Secret” by The All-American Rejects. This older and upbeat song really adds to the whole feeling of the movie.
In conclusion, I think 2000s shows are hard to match and carry stronger plotlines, better character development, and bring more comforting energy. So, if you’re ever trying to decide what to watch, consider traveling back to the 2000s!