# Make one change to the plot of a movie or show to improve it **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 30, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359 "2012-10-30T20:46:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/21 "2012-10-31T09:17:57Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > Walter White is a chemistry teacher in a secondary school in the UK. The series follows him through 5 seasons while he gets cancer treatments fully paid for by the National Heath Services. _claps_ ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/22 "2012-10-31T09:25:12Z")
honest answer: Deep Impact: main characters/many extras run for the mountains, taking cover as meteors shower down. the sky grows dark from the doom-level rock blocking out the sun. everyone turns to face it: screams: world ends. fade to black. DEEP IMPACT. roll credits. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/23 "2012-10-31T10:02:35Z")
> [@SecretaryofEvil](#): > > Walter White turns down charitable offers to pay for his medical treatment. He’d tell the NHS to go screw\* themselves then spend five seasons using science to murder whatever the British version of Mexicans are. Australians maybe?\*\* > > \*“Screw” not “Fuck” because it’s AMC not HBO. > > \*\* I am well aware that Indians are the British version of Mexicans and that Australia would be more accurately described as Britain’s inconveniently located Canada. But I thought it was kind of racist to make that the punchline of the joke. Plus, Australia is an inherently silly place. Also, I should note that I have nothing but positive feelings for the good people of Mexico, and I strongly discourage the use of science to murder them. Since he’s been paying for the NHS with his taxes for years, however, it wouldn’t be charity. Still, the story remains the same since he started getting into the business to provide for his family after his possible death, while paying for the treatment was always a secondary goal (he even considered not even trying) And brits with indian origins are not known for their lawlessness. Maybe the Irish or, more probably, Russian gangs would be the equivalent. ---
**Author:** ![SecretaryofEvil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SecretaryofEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecretaryofEvil)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/24 "2012-10-31T10:16:16Z")
> [@Sr\_Siete](#): > > And brits with indian origins are not known for their lawlessness. Maybe the Irish or, more probably, Russian gangs would be the equivalent. Who said anything about lawlessness? I was thinking dark complected immigrant population who’s rice heavy cuisine is popular with the natives. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/25 "2012-10-31T12:19:03Z")
In the John Cusack movie Identity, simply move the Big Reveal till after the climactic shootout. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/26 "2012-10-31T13:06:26Z")
> [@SecretaryofEvil](#): > > Who said anything about lawlessness? I was thinking dark complected immigrant population who’s rice heavy cuisine is popular with the natives. Yes. The point of the Mexican characters in Breaking Bad is their connection with illegal drugs, not their cuisine, however. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/27 "2012-10-31T13:12:11Z")
> [@Sr\_Siete](#): > > Yes. The point of the Mexican characters in Breaking Bad is their connection with illegal drugs, not their cuisine, however. It looked to me like Tuco knew how to make a hell of a burrito. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/28 "2012-10-31T13:35:18Z")
> [@Kiyoshi](#): > > Why doesn’t Ross, the largest of the Friends, not simply EAT the others? > > [/futurama] Perhaps they are saving that for Sweeps. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/29 "2012-10-31T13:54:58Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > It looked to me like Tuco knew how to make a hell of a burrito. I said rice and beans, not ricin beans! ---
**Author:** ![SecretaryofEvil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SecretaryofEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecretaryofEvil)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/30 "2012-10-31T18:35:21Z")
> [@Sr\_Siete](#): > > Yes. The point of the Mexican characters in Breaking Bad is their connection with illegal drugs, not their cuisine, however. Then why is everybody always talking about “the cook?”:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/31 "2012-10-31T20:22:23Z")
Perry Mason. Hamilton Burger wins a case and Mason’s client ends up on death row. Actually there is case case where Mason’s client is found guilty but Burger is prosecuting the wrong man (who has assumed a different identity) for the wrong crime. Battlestar Galactica TNG. Forget this shit with only 12 cylon/human models and once dead, their memories get downloaded. It was at it’s best early one when people had to make tough decisions about a civilization that in a matter of minutes had been virtually wiped out. Star Trek TNG: Space Wesley Crusher. Or for that matter, have tension between Picard and quack doctor Beverly Crusher over the death of her husband (I’ll bet he was just using that as an excuse to stay away from Wesley). “Greatest mind since Mozart”, my eye! ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/32 "2012-10-31T21:26:05Z")
In Disney’s animated _Beauty and the Beast_, do away with the Gaston character entirely and eliminate the stock violent ending. The internal conflict of the original story was good enough; if they wanted a comically vain character (or a few of them), they could have restored the siblings from the original and let them fill the bill. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/33 "2012-10-31T21:28:38Z")
Wizard of Oz…Dorothy stays in Oz…For Og’s sake people…She chose to go back to Western _KANSAS!!!_ Have you ever seen Western Kansas? ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/34 "2012-10-31T21:39:59Z")
In \*\*Charly, \*\*drop the time passing-Charly out of control scene on the Honda 150 or whatever it was…It made no sense at all other than embarrassing an otherwise very good movie. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/35 "2012-10-31T21:58:22Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > In _Independence Day_, explain that the alien OS has long since been analyzed (which is why a human computer can interface with it) Dr. Okun does mention that humanity has been reverse-engineering the alien technology for years. ---
**Author:** ![Namkcalb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c89c15/32.png) [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/36 "2012-10-31T23:49:04Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Go with the original idea in _The Matrix_ and have the Machines be using people 's brains as information processors, not batteries. I came into the thread to post the very same thing > [@Ethilrist](#): > > Star Wars: Episode I > > Obi-wan examines a body of a native, crushed by a tank. > “Who’s this,” he wonders. > “Never mind, let’s see if we can find that Gungan city on our own,” says Qui-Gon. _dons flameproof suit_ I liked Jar-Jar… seriously though, replacing the Ewoks with Wookies would have made EpVI far better. _edit And remove any mention of mitohlorians._ > [@Hampshire](#): > > (Blasphemous maybe) but I still think the end of **Return of the King** should have had a last minute surge of dwarves from the north rather than an army of ghosts. Or like in the book, a few dozen of Aragorn’s superhuman ranger buddies. The army of ghosts should have just scared away Saurons reinforcement ships, them rubbing out all the attackers makes the sacrifices of the battle meaningless You’ll get your dwarf action in the Hobbit film I assume. ---
**Author:** ![Cato\_Major](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Cato\_Major](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cato_Major)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2012, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/37 "2012-11-01T04:53:23Z")
Hitler and the German High Command escape the theater at the last minute in _Inglourius Basterds._ Landa is delievered to the Allies who then reveal that Hitler is still alive. The deal is off. Look of horror on Landa’s face as he realizes he is totally undone. The hunter is captured by his own cunning. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2012, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/38 "2012-11-01T06:41:49Z")
**Keeping Up Appearances** Richard grows a pair, buys a tin-plated replica of the Queen’s silver tea service, and beats Hyacinth to death with it. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2012, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/39 "2012-11-01T13:36:59Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > **Keeping Up Appearances** > > Richard grows a pair, buys a tin-plated replica of the Queen’s silver tea service, and beats Hyacinth to death with it. The police are baffled, as dozens of people confess to the crime… ---
**Author:** ![vislor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vislor/32/5933_2.png) [@vislor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vislor)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359/40 "2012-11-01T14:58:39Z")
Many thoughts: BSG: Give us the Starbuck ending I think they led us up to and then did a Deus Ex Machina at the last minute that made no sense. Lost: I don’t mind the mysticism but, again, it seemed out of place with most everything else we had seen up until then. However, the bigger problem seems to be that I don’t think the writers made it clear enough what they meant. There comes a point when the writer is too vague, not that the reader/viewer needs to think about it more. Matrix: Yes to computational processors instead of batteries. Have another area of cows for batteries. And if we have to keep the second and third movie, explain it that the computer had done a (pre) Inception like layering and they had never left the matrix. Star Wars prequels: Essentially, listen to Red Letter Media. Show don’t tell. Don’t have so many Jedi. Don’t try and explain the Force and who has it or not. etc. ST:TNG: I think the problem with this was more Roddenberry wanting all humans to get along and so conflict had to be external. I think tension between humans could be better but having said that Voyager didn’t do it very well. They were more consistent with stardates but not travel times. ST:Enterprise: Start with season four and go from there. No temporal war. Actually, a lot of shows could be improved with “have a cohesive plan, stick to it.” X-Files, BSG, ST:TNG, DS9 (although this got one later but still limited), and probably more. The other part of that is give a show at least a season to develop itself and if it does make it don’t let TV execs mess with it or draw it out if it’s popular! Love the idea of Keeping Up Appearances! Funny! vislor [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-one-change-to-the-plot-of-a-movie-or-show-to-improve-it/639359.md?page=3)