I recently watched the pilot episode for a new series on AMC (home of 'Mad Men') called 'Hell on Wheels'. It looks great -- the sets, props, scenery -- but the writing is quite weak. Is it that hard to write a good story?
In the first scene, we see a Civil War soldier stumbling into a church. Cut to that soldier in the confessional booth, heavily burdened by what he saw and did during the war, especially the wickedness perpetrated against the civilians in the South, he having fought for the Union. Surprise! The 'priest' hearing his confession is a Southerner out to seek revenge for those injustices visited upon his kin. He shoots the Union soldier through the screen, then coolly walks out of the church, with scared parishioners scampering about.
What self-respecting writers can begin a story like that? Sadly, it gets no better as the hour goes on.
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