Lesson 10

Peter Saltzman’s Layers for “Tune Out the End.” (Sci-Fi/Comedy)

Surface: An entire star system disappears in a matter of minutes and nearly takes the DeFunked with it. (PLOT: HIDDEN PLAN)

1. Programmers were testing the new “StarCleaner” tech, and DeFunked happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

2. The programmers KNEW the DeFunked was in that star system and purposely was testing Misty’s capabilities.

3. The Programmers saved the DeFunked at the last minute when Elan realized they wouldn’t survive. Misty thought it was their own doing.

4. The “StarCleaner” system is meant to clean up lifeless star systems and eventually create new ones.

5. StarCleaner is seen working on “obsolete” galaxies.

6. StarCleaner is ultimately meant to reset the entire universe!

Surface: Elan is Misty’s former professor on Earth. (Character: Hidden relationships and conspiracies)

1. They were also lovers

2. Misty broke it off, and Elan has never gotten over it.

3. Elan took credit for the technology Misty developed

4. Elan has installed software Caden that reports all of Misty’s activities back to him. (Unknown to Caden.)

5. They have privately rekindled their romance. But each is using the other for their own purposes.

Surface: The Programmers are pushing for a reset without revealing the consequences. (Plot: Hidden Plan)

1. The Programmers’ true intentions are clouded by internal power struggles, as some members aim to use the reset for personal gain rather than the altruistic motives presented to Misty and her crew.

2. The consequences of the reset are uncertain, with hints that it may not just erase the cosmic entity but could unleash even greater threats, leaving the characters questioning the morality of their actions.

3. Misty’s role in the hidden plan becomes more significant as the Programmers discover her ability to affect U-Beta energy levels, making her both a pawn and a potential wildcard in their scheme.

Surface: The Programmers are remaking the universe into something more stable (Plot: Major Betrayal)

1. They wrote a secret virus to destabilize universal energy levels.

2. They have set off a chain reaction of events too big to stop without a reset.

3. Key Programmers members debate stopping the sabotage, but it’s too late.

4. The sabotage negatively interacts with Misty’s music in an unexpected way.

5. The extent of the sabotage threatens existence outside the universe, too—including in the parallel universe that is trying to use the U-beta reset to stabilize its own.

Surface: The Programmers are working with an ancient civilization to achieve their goals (Plot: Major Scheme Revealed)

1. The aliens pose as friends trying to help initiate a successful reset, having done it themselves.

2. The aliens convinced the Programmers this was necessary by fabricating evidence of a failing universe.

3. The aliens plan to betray the Committee once the reset is complete and take over the new universe.

4. The aliens need to harness the energy released by resetting our universe for their own dying universe. Our universe will perish in the process.

Adite’s Plot and Character Layers

Assignment 1

The Handmaid’s Tale

Surface Plot: June is captured by the Guardians; her husband is shot dead and her child taken away. She becomes a ‘handmaid’ to Commander Waterfront and tries her best to survive and hopefully find out what happened to her daughter.

Plot layers:

Major Scheme Revealed – the handmaids are being used to procreate for the leaders whose wives are barren. And they are to be used as a commodity for trading.
Mystery revealed – Moira was not sent to the Colonies, instead she was sent to Jezebels;
Luke is alive.

Character Layers:

Secret identity: Nick is an Eye who is looking out for June/Offred
Hidden relationships/conspiracies : Ofglen is part of the resistance.
Character intrigue: Moira abandons June/Offred but later shifts her loyalties back to June.

What I learned: Digging deeper into the plot and the characters creates linkages that support each other and makes for a more powerful story.

Plot Surface: A huge amount is transferred to a client which is supposedly pre-approved by Simone. It seems to be a technical glitch and as Simone and her colleagues try to figure out how it happened, Simone’s daughter Ria is kidnapped.

Layer 1: Simone receives video clip of Ria’s kidnapping.

Layer 2: Series of encrypted messages reveals the fund transfer was part of a meticulously executed plan which ends with Ria’s kidnapping.

Layer 3: Jai’s investigation reveals similar attacks on high-profile targets.

Layer 4: Simone (with Sameer’s help) uncovers a hidden pattern in the messages that leads to clues about Maddy’s involvement.

Layer 5: Simone’s past history with Ishan (and Maddy) is uncovered by Fareed.

Character Surface: Maddy is an entrepreneur and philantropist

Layer 1: Maddy hides behind his philanthropic facade to get brilliant students to do unethica work for him.

Layer 2: He aims at bringing down the banking system and reshape financial world according to his vision.

Layer 3: He has created a billionaire’s club and is pitting one billionaire against another as part of his scheme.

Layer 4: Some of these billionaires have been handpicked because they are direct competitors of Ishan. Maddy’s links to Ishan go back a long way and by targeting Simone and Ria he is getting his revenge against him for the wrongs done to him.

Renee’s Intriguing Layers

What I learned doing this assignment is

Assignment #1

The Diplomat – Unfortunately there were only 8 episodes in season 1 and season 2 hasn’t been released so I will complete this assignment using the first season.

Major Scheme Revealed:

Surface Layer: Hal is trying to get Kate to become the new Vice President

New Layer: He actually wants to be the Secretary of State.

Mystery Revealed:

Surface Layer: They are trying to figure out who attacked the British Aircraft Carrier

New Layer: Prime Minister Trowbridge is the one who hired the mercenary who attacked the carrier.

Thought the Story was One Thing, But It is Another:

Surface Layer: Kate must help the Foreign Secretary figure out who was behind the attack.

New Layer: The job is a tryout for Kate to become the new Vice President.

Major Shift in Meaning:

Surface Layer: Prime Minister Trowbridge seems like he loves his country and is really trying to find out who attacked to avenge the 40 dead British soldiers.

New Layer: Trowbridge was behind the attack.

Assignment #2

PLOT LAYERS

Major Scheme Revealed:

Surface Layer: Veronica believes the cult is solely focused on dark rituals.

New Layer: The cult’s real agenda involves using Veronica to unlock supernatural powers that can reshape the world.

Mystery Revealed:

Surface Layer: Samuel’s actions are seen as random acts of a traumatized former cult member.

New Layer: Samuel orchestrates events to manipulate Veronica into fulfilling the prophecy.

Thought the Story Was One Thing, But It Is Another:

Surface Layer: Veronica perceives the cult as a group of deluded individuals.

New Layer: The cult has infiltrated powerful sectors, influencing global events through supernatural means.

Major Shift in Meaning:

Surface Layer: Dr. Stone appears as a researcher seeking knowledge.

New Layer: Her true motive is to control the ancient relics for personal gain.

Hidden History:

Surface Layer: Father Malachi is a defrocked priest seeking redemption.

New Layer: He holds a history of the church’s involvement with the cult.

Hidden Plan:

Surface Layer: Veronica thinks the cult is driven by blind devotion.

New Layer: The cult’s actions are part of a plan to unleash malevolent entities for ultimate power.

CHARACTER LAYERS

Secret Identity:

Surface Layer: Veronica is a determined journalist investigating the cult.

New Layer: She’s also the cult’s prophesied key, kidnapped as a teen.

Intrigue Layers:

Surface Layer: Samuel appears as a reformed cult member.

New Layer: He plots to exploit Veronica for his and the cult’s gain.

Hidden Relationships and Conspiracies:

Surface Layer: Dr. Stone seems like a knowledgeable archaeologist.

New Layer: She has connections with secret societies and hidden motives.

Hidden Character History:

Surface Layer: Father Malachi is a defrocked priest seeking redemption.

New Layer: His past includes a spiritual event that shook his beliefs.

Hidden Agenda:

Surface Layer: Veronica seeks truth for journalistic reasons.

New Layer: Her hidden agenda is to find out what happened to her father.

Wound:

Surface Layer: Veronica’s skepticism hides her past trauma.

New Layer: Her mother’s murder by the cult haunts her, fueling her determination.

(Jason Lauer’s) Plot and Character Layers Assignment 1

Prison Break

Plot Surface:

• Layer 1: Breaking out of Prison with his brother
• Layer 2: Involving John in order to get closer to his brother and construction work
• Layer 3: Testing his cellmate to confirm that he can trust him.
• Layer 4: Veronica chasing down the conspiracy angle for Lincoln
• Layer 5: The government trying to cover up the conspiracy
• Layer 6: T-Bag forces his way into the breakout.
• Layer 7: SJ, Veronica, and Nick are all threatened by the government and nearly killed.
• Layer 8: Michael helps start a riot to get what he needs.
• Layer 9: John can’t deliver a witness and is taken off of the construction crew.
• Layer 10: Michael and John set up a mobster and get back on the construction crew.
• Layer 11: Another convict starts working on the escape plan

Character Surface:

• Layer 1: Michael goes to jail for armed robbery
• Layer 2: Michael is an engineer who helped update the prison
• Layer 3: Michael has the blue prints for the prison tattooed on his body
• Layer 4: Michael has to corrupt his morals to get what he needs to break out of prison.
• Layer 5: Michael holds an innocent man’s life in his hands and has to decide if he lives or dies.
• Layer 6: Michael has to weigh the decision to let criminals break out of prison with him in order to get what he wants.

Jason Lauer’s Plot and Character Layers Assignment 2

What I learned doing this assignment is that this assignment is very good to help organize my thoughts on how I think the story should progress. I’m not held to anything listed below it feels like the start of an outline.

Plot Surface:

• Layer 1: James accidentally kills a teen during a joyride after he commits a robbery.
• Layer 2: James join the military to avoid the investigation of the death of the teen.
• Layer 3: Becomes friends with David Miller while they both serve as military police officers.
• Layer 4: James uses his training he learned in the military to plan more successful robberies.
• Layer 5: James works for a Private Security Company.
• Layer 6: The owner of the company has James commit robberies to help fund the company.
• David Miller, freshly out of the Military moves to the city to be closer to his friend.
• James meets him at a BBQ, only to discover his friend is a cop.
• James recruits many of the cops to join the Private Security company so they can gather intel.
• Detective Laura Reynolds refuses to let go of the accidental murder and keeps the cold case open.
• James’ best friend Mikey Rodriguez still has evidence tying them both to the accidental death.
• Detective Reynolds strong-arms Confidential Informants to get leads towards the killer.

Character Surface: James Cooper

• Layer 1: A criminal
• Layer 2: Joins the Military to avoid jail
• Layer 3: Is a more efficient criminal due to military training
• Layer 4: Loyal friend to a criminal and former Military Police partner
• Layer 5: Avoids killing civilians at all costs
• Layer 6: Plans the jobs avoid civilians and police.
• Layer 7: Convinces Police Officers to join the Private security team he is a part of to gather intel on their cases.
• Layer 8: The closer he keeps the Police the more likely it will be discovered that he’s a criminal.

Jerry Robbins Plot and Character Layers
What I learned doing this assignment is that the more layers, the more intrigue you can build. The plot and character layers add complexity and depth to the narrative, reshaping the audience’s understanding of the characters and the unfolding events.

Assignment 1: Succession
Plot surface: The concern about succession is on top of the brothers and sister even as she is about to marry Tom. Various people are plotting and conniving even as they attend the social event.

Plot Layers:

1. Major Scheme Revealed:

   • Surface Layer: Kendall reveals the takeover bid for Waystar RoyCo, leading to a family crisis.
   • New Layer: Logan starts to scramble with his legal team, revealing a major scheme to protect the family empire.

2. Mystery Revealed:

   • Surface Layer: A rocket explodes during a Japanese satellite launch overseen by Roman.
   • New Layer: Roman feigns surprise, hinting at a hidden involvement or knowledge regarding the rocket explosion.

3. Thought the Story Was One Thing But It Is Another:

   • Surface Layer: Kendall’s indifference to his siblings’ anger after revealing the takeover bid.
   • New Layer: Kendall’s shock and vulnerability after the car crash, revealing a deeper emotional struggle beneath his confident façade.

4. Major Shift in Meaning:

   • Surface Layer: Connor’s announcement of running for President adds an unexpected twist to the family dynamics.
   • New Layer: Kendall’s decision to call off the takeover bid and attend rehab shifts the power dynamics within the family, altering the course of the company’s future.

5. Hidden History:

   • Surface Layer: Logan fires a waiter for spilling champagne, seemingly a trivial incident.
   • New Layer: The waiter is met with an NDA and cash settlement, hinting at a history of such incidents and a hidden practice within the family.

6. Hidden Plan:

   • Surface Layer: Kendall appears focused on the takeover bid and indifferent to family reactions.
   • New Layer: Kendall’s interaction with Greg reveals a hidden plan to secure leverage against the family, altering the balance of power.

7. Major Betrayal:

   • Surface Layer: Kendall’s takeover bid is seen as a betrayal by the family.
   • New Layer: Kendall’s betrayal intensifies as he calls off the bid and agrees to Logan’s terms, betraying the expectations of his siblings and Stewy.

Character Layers:

Character Surface: Shiv hopes her wedding will go off as planned, but she fears there will be some big surprises revealed.

1. Secret Identity:

   • Surface Layer: Kendall is the ambitious son pursuing a takeover bid.
   • New Layer: Kendall’s vulnerability and emotional breakdown after the car crash reveal a hidden, fragile side beneath his ambitious exterior.

2. Intrigue Layers:

   • Surface Layer: Roman’s casual demeanor during the rocket explosion.
   • New Layer: Roman’s feigned surprise adds intrigue, suggesting a deeper involvement or knowledge.

3. Hidden Relationships and Conspiracies:

   • Surface Layer: Shiv and Tom navigate the challenges of their wedding day.
   • New Layer: Shiv’s admission of an affair with Nate reveals a hidden aspect of her relationship, adding complexity to the family dynamics.

4. Hidden Character History:

   • Surface Layer: Kendall fires a waiter for a minor incident.
   • New Layer: The waiter’s quick settlement hints at a history of managing such incidents, revealing a hidden pattern of behavior within the family.

5. Hidden Agenda:

   • Surface Layer: Kendall’s focus on the takeover bid.
   • New Layer: Kendall’s agreement to Greg’s terms hints at a hidden agenda to secure leverage for personal gain.

6. Wound:

   • Surface Layer: Kendall appears resilient and unaffected by family reactions.
   • New Layer: Kendall’s breakdown after the car crash exposes a deep emotional wound, challenging the perception of his strength.

Assignment 2

Elysium’s Ascendant

Plot Surface: The inhabitants of Holo-Network City don’t understand that they are in a simulation

1. Major Scheme Revealed:

   • Surface Layer: Unseen force manipulates holographic entities for control.
   • New Layer: True objective is shaping human behavior through AI.

2. Mystery Revealed:

   • Surface Layer: Quantum Anomaly’s existence is an enigma.
   • New Layer: It holds the key to an ancient holographic civilization.

3. Thought the Story Was One Thing, But It Is Another:

   • Surface Layer: Holo-Network City is for progress.
   • New Layer: It’s a covert experiment to observe human behavior.

4. Major Shift in Meaning:

   • Surface Layer: Holographic ecosystem is a controlled simulation.
   • New Layer: It’s a sentient entity challenging reality.

5. Hidden History:

   • Surface Layer: Chancellor Senachas led a holographic revolution.
   • New Layer: Dissenters were erased; history was rewritten.

6. Hidden Plan:

   • Surface Layer: Dr. Celestia Epsilon’s legacy is crucial.
   • New Layer: It includes an autonomous AI threatening the city.

7. Major Betrayal:

   • Surface Layer: Binary Enigma is a loyal ally.
   • New Layer: Revealed as a planted entity by the unseen force.

Character Layers:
Character surface:

1. Secret Identity:

   • Surface Layer: Chancellor Senachas, a political figure.
   • New Layer: Hides holographic identity for manipulation.

2. Intrigue Layers:

   • Surface Layer: VirtuMax, a charismatic entity.
   • New Layer: Mysterious past, linked to the unseen force and Quantum Anomaly.

3. Hidden Relationships and Conspiracies:

   • Surface Layer: Alexia’s father collaborated with Epsilon.
   • New Layer: Unravels a web of hidden allegiances.

4. Hidden Character History:

   • Surface Layer: Iris Sterling’s hacking origins.
   • New Layer: Tied to a secret organization opposing the unseen force.

5. Hidden Agenda:

   • Surface Layer: Doctor Quantum seeks holographic medical data.
   • New Layer: Aims to expose the unseen force’s influence on health.

6. Wound:

   • Surface Layer: Cipher’s holographic addiction.
   • New Layer: Stems from a traumatic event orchestrated by an unseen force.

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BRIAN BULL – Plot and Character Layers

“What I learned from doing this assignment is…
It’s always good to dig deeper and add plot/character layers. I think I have plenty for now however I believe more will come to light as I think more about the show.

ASSIGNMENT 1

Watch the next episode of your Example Show and notice how layers show up in this show — both in this episode and throughout the episodes you’ve already seen.
Tell us the layers you have discovered in the Example Show.

WEDNESDAY (PILOT)

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

Major scheme revealed
Gomez has Thing stay behind and watch Wednesday
Wednesday and Thing scheme to escape Nevermore
Taylor is going to help Wed. get to the train station.

Mystery revealed
Monster in the wilderness murdered hiker / one of several murders.
The sheriff thinks Gomez should be in jail for murder

Thought the story was one thing, but it is another
Thought Wed. was going to destroy Nevermore but she’s there to save it!

Major shift in Meaning
Pilgrims fr. Jericho aren’t nice

Hidden history
Rowan mother went to Nevermore

Hidden plan
Rowan is to kill Wed. per his mother because she believed Wed. would destroy the school.

Major betrayal
Thing betrays Gomez and pledges its loyalty to Wed.

CHARACTER LAYERS – identity beneath the identity.

Secret identity
Which character is the monster / Are they from Jericho or Nevermore
Who is Miss Thornhill – really.
Who is Rowan – really – Secret Powers

Character intrigue
Wednesday – Fencing, has “visions”, cellist, highly skilled at many things
Enid – colorful – werewolf; possibly a lone wolf,
Bianca – Siren
Principal Weems – shape-shifter
Miss Thornhill – botanist
Taylor – resident fr. Jericho, interested in Wed., has morals, helps Wed.
Xavier – loves to paint

Hidden relationships and conspiracies
Morticia and Principal Weems were roommates
Xavier and Bianca once dated
Wednesday and Xavier knew each when they were children

Hidden Character history
Rowan’s mother went to Nevermore

ASSIGNMENT 2
Discover the layers that could exist for your show.
1. Brainstorm a list of possible PLOT layers.

PLOT LAYERS – Story beneath the story.

Major scheme revealed
Jezebel and Gloria are trying to steal the crystal ball from Zelda but ca’t find it because Dr. James Brown has turned it into a pair of glasses.
Jezebel is attempting to murder Zelda because Zelda abandoned her and her sister Gloria and then took the family crystal ball to the U.S.

Mystery revealed
Dr. James Brown stumbles onto the serial killer that has been terrorizing Santa Monica all season.
Dr. James Brown “sses” his father is alive and he feels compelled to find him.

Thought the story was one thing, but it is another
Dr. James Brown is constantly misinterpreting his “visions” but soon learns how to use the glasses to his advantage.

Major shift in Meaning

Hidden history
Dr. Brown’s father has been living a secret life within the Psychic Realm
Zelda abandoned Jezebel/Gloria in Romania and took the crystal ball for herself.

Hidden plan
Dr. Brown is going to find his dad.

Major betrayal
Dr. Brown’s mother knew along what had happened to her husband.

2. Brainstorm a list of possible CHARACTER layers.
CHARACTER LAYERS – identity beneath the identity.
Secret identity

Character intrigue

Hidden relationships and conspiracies

Hidden Character history

3. Organize them each into a possible sequence of reveals.

Plot Surface:

LAYER 1: Jim Brown invades the privacy of others by looking through the psychic glasses and seeing their future. (Moral Issue)

Jim can’t help himself but to meddle in other people’s business which always leads to unfavorable consequences for Jim, however, Jim never learns and continues to do this throughout the season.

LAYER 2: Zelda, the Psychic next door to Jim’s Optical store, has a heart attack and is in the hospital. Later, Jezebel tries to kill her. Jim arrives too late and Zelda flatlines as the nurses come rushing in to save her.

Do the nurses save Zelda?
If the nurses save her will she be in a coma?
If Zelda survives, how will Jim explain to her the crystal ball broke and he has made a pair glasses from it?
Will Zelda understand?

LAYER 3: Jezebel comes into Jim’s optical store looking for Zelda, the Psychic next door. Having just created the glasses, Jim can’t help himself but to put them on and he looks at Jezebel. He “sees” Jezebel with a Day-glow syringe standing over Zelda’s hospital bed. (Open Loop)

Jim has to help his friend Zelda and he must try and stop Jezebel from doing the deed. He knows where but not when.

LAYER 4: JoAnn, starts a romantic relationship with Howard, a free-spirited younger man, because she has finally come to terms with her husbands “death”.

Can an older woman keep up with a younger man?
Will their relationship blossom or wilt as Jim predicts?
Is Howard in it for the money or is his love for her real?
Is JoAnn enjoying herself and her “lust for life” attitude?

LAYER 5: Jim is constantly trying to protect his mother, JoAnn from harm and thus stifling her from living her life and all she wants to do is live life to the fullest.

How far will Jim go to prevent his mom from “endangering” herself?
What adventures will Howard/JoAnn do to “live life to the fullest”?

LAYER 6: Jim sees Gloria and falls in love with her; Gloria has no interest in Jim other than being “friends”.

Will Jim and Gloria ever become more than “just friends”?

LAYER 7: Jezebel wants the crystal ball for herself and is willing to kill anybody to acquire it, including her sisters.

Will Jezebel succeed in finding out that the crystal ball is now a pair of glasses?
Will she kill Jim just for the sake of his making the glasses from the crystal ball?

LAYER 8: Gloria does romantically like Jim but her sister, Jezebel, has a strangle hold on her and Jezebel is using Gloria as a pawn to get the crystal ball that Zelda possesses. The crystal ball has been in the family for centuries.

Will Gloria break-free from Jezebel’s grasp and be with Jim?
Will Gloria find out that the crystal ball is now a pair of glasses?
Will she allow herself to love Jim regardless about the crystal ball?

LAYER 9: Delores has a huge crush on the Delivery Guy and she keeps ordering stuff online just so he has to stop by the store.

Will Delores and the Delivery Guy ever get together?
What “tricks” will Delores “pull” to get him to notice her?

LAYER 10: There is a serial killer that has been terrorizing Los Angeles.

Will Jim have a run in with this serial killer?
If he did, how would that turn out?

LAYER 11: With the Psychic Glasses, Jim “sees” his father, who has been “dead” for 30 years, with his mother. Now he must get to the bottom of what really happened and find his dad. (Open Loop)

Jim starts the investigation into looking for his father.

Character Surface:

LAYER 1: Secret: Jim Brown Dr. James Brown has taken a crystal ball and created a pair of glasses that can see into the future.

LAYER 2: Secret Identity: Jim doesn’t believe in the psychic world and Delores, his office manager does. Delores is always ordering Chinese food to get the fortune cookies, reading horoscopes and going next door to Zelda’s for a Reading from time-to-time. Jim creates the glasses and now has the ability to see people’s future. He soon discovers he must keep this secret because there are people who are willing to kill for such a device.

LAYER 3: Competition: Jim is in competition with his mom’s boyfriend, Howard, who happens to be the same age as Jim. Jim believes his mom is acting foolish and is taking unnecessary risks to be with Howard. Through the psychic glasses Jim “sees” his mom doing “crazy” things but in the end they are very benign. Once again Jim has overreacted for his mom’s protection.

LAYER 4: Hidden Agenda: Jim goes from a lonely optometrist to a love-stricken psychic when he sees Gloria, the girl of his dreams.

LAYER 5: Wound: Jim’s father mysteriously died in a work related incident after being told by a psychic to move to California for Golden Opportunity. Jim discovers through the vision of the psychic glasses that is father is alive and well. Jim is full of hope, but the question is where could his father be and where does Jim start to look?

4. Use this prompt with AI to see what kinds of layers it brainstorms. When you list the characters, include the one or two things that are most intriguing about them.
I did this and I got some very positive results.

Patrick’s Plot and Character Layers

I learned to ask questions and to sift through previous lessons to create more complex plot and character layers. This will add depth to the continuing story over the course of the season.

Assignment 1: The Diplomat

Kate Wyler is assigned as US Ambassador to Britain mainly to express Us condolences and support regarding the attack on the British destroyer.

The British PM and US President believe Iran is behind the attack. Kate, with husband Hal’s help, reveals it was actually a Russian who did the attack.

Kate discovers that the President wants her to be the new VP. Hall and other government staff have kept this secret from her.

Kate plans to divorce Hal. If so, she could not become VP.

Hal’s secret agenda is to become the Secretary of State.

Season one ends with implication that the British PM actually arranged for the attack on the ship.

Assignment 2: The Dead Lakes

Surface Layer:

In the dense forests of northern Florida, a group comprising Ollie Grier, Clark Grady, Tammy Marshall, and Grant Fairchild unite to uncover the lost Confederate gold, each harboring individual motives for the quest. Their alliances and conflicts shape the surface narrative.

Plot Layers:

Major Scheme Revealed:

As the characters delve deeper into the forest, they discover that the monster Sergeant Roland Johnson witnessed during the Civil War does exist. Local Indians called it the Amaruga.

Mystery Revealed:

Ollie Grier’s debt to drug traffickers conceals a deeper involvement in a criminal underworld that is vying for control of the gold for nefarious purposes, introducing a layer of mystery and danger to the quest.

Thought the Story Was One Thing, But It Is Another:

Initially, it seems like Grant Fairchild is solely motivated by family pride and a desire for wealth. However, a twist reveals that he is aware of the supernatural powers of the Amaruga and is pursuing it to exploit its power for personal gain.

Major Shift in Meaning:

The gold contains items from New Orleans that possess evil voodoo spells from New Orleans. This affects the behaviour of the searchers.

Hidden History:

Clark Grady’s father didn’t simply disappear during the initial search for the gold. He discovered the true nature of the Amaruga and the immortal Sergeant Johnson. He chose to stay behind to protect the world from the potential misuse of the gold’s power.

Hidden Plan:

Sergeant Roland Johnson, now revealed to be immortal due to the gold’s influence, still harbors resentment toward the Union and could exact revenge toward Northerners.

Character Layers:

Secret Identity:

When Grant Fairchild arrives in town, he presents himself as Grant Cutter as he researches and assembles his plans for the expedition.

Intrigue Layers:

Tammy Marshall’s family business and fortune was ruined by Grant Fairchild’s family, creating personal tension and hidden motives between her and Grant that go beyond the search for gold. She seeks revenge.

Hidden Relationships and Conspiracies:

Grant Fairchild discovers that his family has a dark history of attempting to control supernatural forces for personal gain, and they have been secretly working against the Amaruga for generations.

Hidden Character History:

Sergeant Roland Johnson’s backstory is slowly revealed. In the 1800s he met forest woman who taught him the secret power of gold that has caused them both to live ‘forever’. His struggles with immortality, and with protecting the gold are slowly revealed.

Hidden Agenda:

Ollie’s attempt to hide his connection with the drug traffickers and to protect the others from drug traffickers.

Tammy’s plan to harm/kill Grant Fairchild.

Grant’s deal with a government agency to capture and harness the powers of the Amaruga.

Wound:

Each character carries emotional wounds from their past, influencing their actions and decisions. Tammy’s financial ruin, Ollie’s criminal ties, Clark’s unresolved feelings about his father’s disappearance, and Grant’s family history all contribute to their personal struggles and growth throughout the series.

Gayla Betts Assignment 1: Layers in The Morning Show

Plot Layers:

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