OLD TV. NEW AGE.

 
 
 
 

— Episodes of So Far Bound would run between 30-40 minutes. Though Bound does have larger threads and themes that might be found in modern dramas or epics, we want to first pay allegiance to the sitcom. If I (Evan) had to disclose my all-time TV viewership, the most watched shows list would read something like this:

  • Martin, MASH, I Love Lucy, Seinfeld, All in the Family, 30 Rock

Excluding MASH, Bound aspires to be more dramatic than any of those shows, but still within a more classic, sitcom framework, with trademarks such as: less serialized stories; shorter run times and a bit of irreverence.

 
 
 
 

— Ideally, a season of Bound would have more episodes than the 6-8 episode run of most modern, streaming series. The old 22-24 episode run of the shows listed above is too much TV and the 14-16 range is a nice objective for a less serialized story. It allows room to play out larger threads, while also having space for a decent amount of “adventures-of-the-week” and recurring specials in between. Things like:

  • The Travel Episode — When the group goes off to a noticeably different setting and fresh hi-jinks ensue.

  • The Holiday Episode — When the group celebrates one of their regional holidays and family members get introduced.

  • The Showcase Episode — When a supporting character takes a bigger stage and the main cast does something offbeat, to the side.

 
 
 
 

— As of now, the series is outlined at five seasons, which allows time for a neat telling of the larger ideas of settling in a new world, of starting a hotel business and of becoming a unique, family unit. It gives opportunity for all main characters to have meaningful experiences and, hopefully, it gives time to build to some cool moments and to try some things along the way. Here’s a rough outline of seasons:

  1. “Discovery” — Arrival and exploration of a new place.

  2. “Settling” — Designing a life (career, home, etc.) there.

  3. “Roots” — Community and personal milestones.

  4. “Illumination” — Shakeups; review and an altered purpose.

  5. “Consequences” — Advancing and its outcomes.