Shadow And Bone: The Problem With B-Plots

gamerant.com:

When a TV show divides its runtime between multiple narratives, typically the main story is referred to as the A-plot, while the less focused on stories are the B-plot, C-plot, and so on. This is a pretty common method of serialized storytelling, tons of long-running shows use it, but the problem arises when the A-plot is the worst part of a series. Netflix's Shadow and Bone released to substantial success and tons of new fans. The young adult novels that spawned the series, one which shares its title and Six of Crows, were huge hits with dedicated audiences thrilled to see it reach the screen.

Shadow and Bone is primarily the tale of Alina Starkov, an orphan with hidden magical powers that mark her as predestined to save the world. Along the way, she explores new sides of the fantastical setting, finds ancient secrets of mystical proportions, and spends a tremendous amount of time on a good old-fashioned love triangle.

Shadow And Bone: Who Are The Crows?

Alina's story is the one inspired by the novel that shares the series' name, and it holds the lion's share of the series' focus. It is peak young adult fiction. Absolutely buried in tropes; from the classic chosen one protagonist to the power fantasy conflict to the bad guy versus childhood friend love triangle. It's well-executed if a little wordy with its glossary of fantasy terms. When people heard that Netflix was putting out an adaptation of a hit young adult fantasy novel, this storyline was probably the obvious example of what they imagined. However, it wasn't the only thing the series offered.

In an interesting move for the franchise, the showrunners crafted an original storyline alongside the established ones. To helm that storyline, they borrowed Six of Crows, an