Villain of the week
Encyclopedia
"Villain of the week" (or, depending on genre, "monster of the week" or "freak of the week") is a term that describes the nature of one-use antagonists in episodic fiction, especially ongoing American genre-based television series
. As many shows of this type air episodes weekly at a rate of ten to twenty new episodes per year, there is often a new antagonist to forward the plot of each week's episode. The main characters usually confront and vanquish these characters, often leaving them never to be seen again (as in Scooby Doo). Some series alternate between using such antagonists and furthering the series' ongoing plotlines (as in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The X-Files
, where fandom
is often divided over preference for one type of episode versus the other), while others use these one-time foes as pawns of the recurring adversaries (as in Power Rangers
and Sailor Moon
). On other occasions, these villains return reformed, becoming invaluable allies or gaining a larger role in the story.
' s Doctor Zin made four appearances in the original series).
Another reason for using this format is that it is convenient for writers to supply a continuous and varied amount of challenges for the protagonists to overcome. One perceived "flaw" to continuity-based series is that, if the show is based upon a single dominating plot device (such as defeating a single reappearing adversary), then should that plot device ever be resolved, the series would supposedly "end". Conversely, if the plot device is not resolved eventually, the premise of the show may become stale. Therefore, a lack of major continuity is often thought to be a convenient solution.
However, in recent decades, many American series have shifted away from this style. A prominent example is the DC Animated Universe
, which is covered from Batman: The Animated Series
to Justice League Unlimited
. While the former series was mostly episodic, with only moderate continuity between episodes, Unlimited is very continuity-heavy — even making continual references to past series. Other American series (both live-action and animated) have also adopted more plot-based continuity. 24
, Lost
, Gargoyles
, and The Sopranos
are shows that placed varying levels of importance of continuity while Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Stargate SG-1
, Supernatural
, Fringe
and The X-Files
mixed villain-of-the-week stories with complex, season-long storylines. South Park
creators Trey Parker
and Matt Stone
strive for continuity in their overall story timeline, while dealing with a "villain-of-the-week" format in the form of social issues.
), and are referred to as filler
by fans wishing to distinguish them from more story arc
-relevant episodes.
Sometimes, American distributors use existing footage from Japanese shows and use it for the "villain of the week" format. An example of this is the live action series Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. Footage from this, mostly involving the monsters, was edited together with American-made footage in the production of the first season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
; a trend which continues to this day in the latter franchise. However, as Japanese animation has become more popular with the American public, and most imported Japanese shows are now shown with only minor edits or no editing at all.
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
. As many shows of this type air episodes weekly at a rate of ten to twenty new episodes per year, there is often a new antagonist to forward the plot of each week's episode. The main characters usually confront and vanquish these characters, often leaving them never to be seen again (as in Scooby Doo). Some series alternate between using such antagonists and furthering the series' ongoing plotlines (as in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The X-Files
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
, where fandom
Fandom
Fandom is a term used to refer to a subculture composed of fans characterized by a feeling of sympathy and camaraderie with others who share a common interest...
is often divided over preference for one type of episode versus the other), while others use these one-time foes as pawns of the recurring adversaries (as in Power Rangers
Power Rangers
Power Rangers is a long-running American entertainment and merchandising franchise built around a live action children's television series featuring teams of costumed heroes...
and Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon, known as , is a media franchise created by manga artist Naoko Takeuchi. Fred Patten credits Takeuchi with popularizing the concept of a team of magical girls, and Paul Gravett credits the series with "revitalizing" the magical-girl genre itself...
). On other occasions, these villains return reformed, becoming invaluable allies or gaining a larger role in the story.
American series
There are two different uses for this plot gimmick. Some American television series (especially animated cartoons) are designed to be purely episodic so that they can be "stripped", that is, after the initial broadcasting as a network series, usually one day a week, the film or tape is leased to independent stations to be shown five or six days a week in any order. Hence, there is no plot development, although interesting villains may appear several times (e.g., Jonny QuestJonny Quest
Jonny Quest is a media franchise that revolves around a boy named Jonny Quest who accompanies his father on extraordinary adventures. The franchise started with a 1964-65 television series and has come to include two subsequent television series, two television films, and a video game.-1964–1965...
Another reason for using this format is that it is convenient for writers to supply a continuous and varied amount of challenges for the protagonists to overcome. One perceived "flaw" to continuity-based series is that, if the show is based upon a single dominating plot device (such as defeating a single reappearing adversary), then should that plot device ever be resolved, the series would supposedly "end". Conversely, if the plot device is not resolved eventually, the premise of the show may become stale. Therefore, a lack of major continuity is often thought to be a convenient solution.
However, in recent decades, many American series have shifted away from this style. A prominent example is the DC Animated Universe
DC animated universe
The DC Animated Universe is a fan term that refers to a series of popular animated television series and related spin-offs produced by Warner Bros. Animation which share the same continuity. Most of these series are adapted from DC Comics properties...
, which is covered from Batman: The Animated Series
Batman: The Animated Series
Batman: The Animated Series is an American animated series based on the DC Comics character Batman. The series featured an ensemble cast of many voice-actors including Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Arleen Sorkin, and Loren Lester. The series won four Emmy Awards and was nominated...
to Justice League Unlimited
Justice League Unlimited
Justice League Unlimited is an American animated television series that was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, and specifically based on the Justice League superhero team, it is a direct sequel to the...
. While the former series was mostly episodic, with only moderate continuity between episodes, Unlimited is very continuity-heavy — even making continual references to past series. Other American series (both live-action and animated) have also adopted more plot-based continuity. 24
24 (TV series)
24 is an American television series produced for the Fox Network and syndicated worldwide, starring Kiefer Sutherland as Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer. Each 24-episode season covers 24 hours in the life of Bauer, using the real time method of narration...
, Lost
Lost (TV series)
Lost is an American television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004 to May 23, 2010, consisting of six seasons. Lost is a drama series that follows the survivors of the crash of a commercial passenger jet flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, on a mysterious tropical island...
, Gargoyles
Gargoyles (TV series)
Gargoyles is an American animated series created by Greg Weisman. It was produced by Greg Weisman and Frank Paur and aired from October 24, 1994 to February 15, 1997. Gargoyles is known for its dark tone, complex story arcs and melodrama...
, and The Sopranos
The Sopranos
The Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
are shows that placed varying levels of importance of continuity while Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1 is a Canadian-American adventure and military science fiction television series and part of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Stargate franchise. The show, created by Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner, is based on the 1994 feature film Stargate by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich...
, Supernatural
Supernatural (TV series)
Supernatural is an American supernatural and horror television series created by Eric Kripke, which debuted on September 13, 2005 on The WB, and is now part of The CW's lineup. Starring Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, the series follows the brothers as they...
, Fringe
Fringe (TV series)
Fringe is an American science fiction television series created by J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. The series follows a Federal Bureau of Investigation "Fringe Division" team based in Boston, Massachusetts under the supervision of Homeland Security...
and The X-Files
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
mixed villain-of-the-week stories with complex, season-long storylines. South Park
South Park
South Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
creators Trey Parker
Trey Parker
Trey Parker is an American animator, screenwriter, director, producer, voice artist, musician and actor, best known for being the co-creator of the television series South Park along with his creative partner and best friend Matt Stone.Parker started his film career in 1992, making a holiday short...
and Matt Stone
Matt Stone
Matthew Richard "Matt" Stone is an American screenwriter, producer, voice artist, musician and actor, best known for being the co-creator of South Park along with creative partner and best friend, Trey Parker....
strive for continuity in their overall story timeline, while dealing with a "villain-of-the-week" format in the form of social issues.
Import editing
In Japan, continuity in animated television series is used more frequently than in the United States. A significant number of series are designed to have an overall plot, even if the plot is just advanced in an initial episode and one or two concluding episodes. Sometimes most of the intervening episodes have no plot or character advancement (e.g., the early Planet Boy Popi / Prince PlanetPrince Planet
Prince Planet is the English name given to one of the earliest Japanese TV anime series, , when it was televised in America in the mid-1960s...
), and are referred to as filler
Filler (media)
In media, filler is material that is combined with material of greater relevance or quality to "fill out" a certain volume.-Early television:...
by fans wishing to distinguish them from more story arc
Story arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
-relevant episodes.
Sometimes, American distributors use existing footage from Japanese shows and use it for the "villain of the week" format. An example of this is the live action series Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. Footage from this, mostly involving the monsters, was edited together with American-made footage in the production of the first season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is an American live-action children's television series based on the 16th installment of the Japanese Super Sentai franchise, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. Both the show and its related merchandise saw unbridled overnight success, catapulting into pop culture in mere months...
; a trend which continues to this day in the latter franchise. However, as Japanese animation has become more popular with the American public, and most imported Japanese shows are now shown with only minor edits or no editing at all.