# Is there a database that keeps track of monster of the week vs. mythology episodes for popular shows?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-that-keeps-track-of-monster-of-the-week-vs-mythology-episodes-for-popular-shows/928291>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [December 17, 2020, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-that-keeps-track-of-monster-of-the-week-vs-mythology-episodes-for-popular-shows/928291 "2020-12-17T20:48:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2020, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-database-that-keeps-track-of-monster-of-the-week-vs-mythology-episodes-for-popular-shows/928291/1 "2020-12-17T20:48:02Z")

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The terms monster of the week episode and mythology episode started back in the late 90s with the X-files. To define the terms for those who didn’t watch X-files, the mythology episodes were more about a long arc and focused on the main characters’ stories. The monster of the week is more about that particular week’s mystery or adventure.

I tend to like the monster of the week episodes better than the long story building mythology arcs, especially when the latter involve the death of a favorite character. I’m wondering if anyone has taken the time to put together a database breaking down the episodes of popular long running shows into the two types. Any suggestions? If it helps, NCIS is the particular show I’m wondering about.