Lesson 4

[Lenore]

BWTV Module 2, Lesson 4

Lenore Bechtel’s Episode List Rough Draft

What I learned from this assignment is methods to brainstorm episodes between the beginning and the end of a series.

THE CHEAT SHEET

1. Beginning…Timothy starts with Joshua same day Lilly receives word that Quinten is coming to write expose on Joshua. …………Season End/Cliffhanger—Joshua hypnotizes Quinten and tells him what to write, but we don’t know what he told him.

• Question A: What is the Beginning of the season and the End of the season? Timothy starts with Joshua same day Lilly receives word that Quinten is coming to write expose on Joshua.
• Question B: What possible cliffhanger could be in that last scene of the season, thus demanding that we watch the next season?Joshua hypnotizes Quinten and tells him what to write, but we don’t know what he told him.

2. Season 1 Mystery Set up…………………………………..………………Season 1 Mystery Solved

• Question A: What is the mystery? Will Lilly succeed in keeping Quinten from discovering Joshua’s zany schemes?
• Question B: How could the mystery be set up? What parts will be left out that must be solved?
• Question C: What it the ultimate solution that the characters must work to discover?

3. Journey begins…when Lilly arranges fake bank robbery…………………………………………………….Journey peaks, but continues.

• Question A: Where does the Lead Character journey begin and end for this season? Lilly thinks making Joshua famous as a hypnotist will make her famous as his ghostwriter.
• Question B: Think about where this character goes in future seasons. That might give you an idea also.
• Lilly puts up with the girlfriends Joshua hires, but secretly yearns to be his girlfriend herself.

4. Secrets: Joshua’s spending time in jail. Lilly’s giving up son for adoption. Sally being undercover for a publisher. .and……Layer….…Layer………Layer………Layer………Layer………Layer………Layer……Layer

• Question A: What layers have you already discovered in your BW Framework?Client Shay being Lilly’s son spying on her. Tyrell being Joshua’s prison cellmate. Maudie being slim, not her fat disguise.
• Question B: Are there any other layers that you could think of? Bernadine and Timothy being connected in a previous life.

5. Make a list of the Major Story Lines.

• Question A: What main characters have story lines that affect everyone else? Timothy, Maudie, Sally, Bernadine, Tyrell, Shay, Kathy
• Question B: What are the most important story lines of this show? Timothy will have problems coping with visibility.
• Sally will make a name for herself and also be responsible for getting Lilly’s book published.
• Maudie will come out of her shell and help Timothy adjust.
• Joshua will keep ex-convict happy without doing anything illegal himself.
• Lilly will form two new relationships: with Shay, the son she gave out for adoption and with Kathy, the woman formerly her gay ex-husband Keith
• Quinten will discern everything Lilly tries to keep from him, but he won’t realize he’s a somnabulist—one who can be put into a hypnotic trance very easily.

It is important to know that you don’t need all of these answered perfectly. If you have 60% of the questions answered, you can create an amazing show.

Concept = Hypnotist Joshua’s girl friday Lilly—ghostwriting his book about unusual clients—must protect his reputation for the sake of the book, keeping scandal writers from exposing his zany methods, going undercover with protesting activists, coping with ex-cons who know his illegal past which she didn’t know—all while dealing with her own regretful history.

Episode 1:

Lilly finds out scandal reporter Quinten plans to write a story about Joshua.

Timothy, a schizo who thinks he’s invisible, comes to Joshua to get turned visible.

Dr. Dan briefs Joshua and agrees to be involved with Timothy’s treatments.

Joshua sees Tyrell, who has no appointment, and tells Vicki not to charge him.

Vicki flirts with Tyrell and agrees to meet him for a date, infuriating Joshua.

Lilly pleads with Joshua to fire Sally, who’s inept at everything she tries to do.

Joshua hypotizes Timothy to believe he and Dr. Dan can both be invisible.

Bernadine’s breakthrough is interrupted by Sally, who’s Joshua’s master cassettes.

Timothy gets scared and runs out of the office.

Episode 2:

Joshua dismays Lilly by asking Sally to teach an exercise class.

Lilly send Sally to a spa to learn exercises.

Timothy creeps in and Joshua posts him konk out when Joshua says hocus-pocus.

Libby withdraws $500 of Joshua’s money and arranges for a fake bank robbery.

Joshua, Dr. Dan, and Timothy rob the bank, and get chased when Timothy turns visible

Joshua introduces Timothy to Bernadine, who insists on taking Timothy out for a meal.

Tyrell have a free session with Joshua, wanting to get back his safecracking skill.

Kathy arrives unexpectedly and begs Libby to be her best friend.

Episode 3:

Joshua and Lilly review this week’s TV show and realize Maudie is not fat.

Lilly arranges for the show to be held and another filmed the next day to replace it.

Vicki calls Maudie to come for a free private, during which she removes her fat layers.

Joshua gives Maudie self-esteem suggestions encouraging boldness and pride.

Quinten arrives and Lilly entices him into her office so he won’t see Timothy arrive.

Timothy creeps in, Joshua gives him a cassette and suggests Maudie take him out.

Shay reveals his identity to Joshua, who immediately hires him to work in the office.

Sally shows Quinten Maudie’s TV cassette and asks if he’d like to see it.

Episode 4:

Sally conducts her first exercise class, and Joshua decides to put her on the TV show.

Timothy is having a crisis so Dr. Dan brings him to Joshua for another treatment.

Lilly quickly arranges another bank escapade so Timothy can return money and get over his guilt.

Bernadine’s breakthrough stops when she recognizes as a guard in a past life.

Joshua introduces Timothy to Bernadine, who drags him away with her.

Quinten examines the appointment book and calculates the money Joshua makes.

Quinten takes furious notes every time Joshua compliments Sally.

Tyrell is distraught when he can’t open Dr. Dan’s safe in an attempt arranged by Joshua

Lilly has lunch with Kathy who asks her to move back into the house they once shared.

Episode 5:

Dr. Dan scolds Joshua for Timothy’s two dates too soon, getting him another cassette.

Bernadine insists the whole office come to tonight’s opening of her new show.

Dr. Dan and Joshua sit close to the stage with Vicki, Shay, and Sally. Lilly and Kathy watch from a dark corner booth as Bernadine sings and taps her frame drum.

Dr. Dan confesses his lust for Joshua, who reminds him he’s a married man.

At the same time as the show, Tyrell breaks into Dr. Dan’s office and again tries to open his safe, not knowing Joshua supplied this inoperable safe to use in Tyrell’s treatment.

Police catch Tyrell, who persuades them that Joshua put him up to this theft.

Police drag Tyrell into the nightclub and to Joshua’s table. Bernadine’s immediate breakthrough gets the hand-cuffed Tyrell and his captors on stage.

Tyrell takes the microphone and makes Joshua sound like a monster who hypnotized him to become proficient at safecracking and expected fifty percent of his loot.

Quinten gleefully films it all.

Episode 6:

Sally helps Quinten find the files he needs to complete his story. Shay tries to sidetrack Sally to lessen her damage to Joshua’s reputation.

Lilly tells Shay he’s the first Joshua-hire who actually was helpful to her.

Maudie tells Quinten how she once wanted to be around Joshua all the time.

Timothy tells Quinten how he and invisible Joshua and Dr. Dan robbed a bank.

Bernadine tells him Joshua thinks she lost weight with his group, but she really got in touch with her slim self in a past life.

A delighted Quinten gives Joshua a chance to defend himself, but Joshua hypnotizes him.

Dr. Dan and Lilly argue about what suggestions he should give Quinten, knowing he’s a somnabulist who will write whatever Joshua says.

Episode 7:

Phones ring off the wall with people wanting to sign up for Sally’s exercise class.

Quinten wrote only good things about Joshua, just as he had suggested.

His story made Sally famous, and Lilly couldn’t be less diatraught.

His story also featured Maudie and Timothy, who are now getting multiple job offers.

Sally accepts an offer of her own TV show: Six with Sally

Sally confides to Lilly that her simpleton act was to hide her undercover identity. She was sent by her uncle, a publisher, to find out if Joshua was really legit. He is, and the publisher wants Lilly’s book.

Lilly is ecstatic, but Joshua is not. If he’s on a national book tour, convicts are sure to recognize him and expose his imprisonment for impersonaing a doctor without a license—a crime he commited when too young to realize the repercussions.

When Lilly reprimands him for this secret, he reveals hers. She is Shay’s birth mother.

Episode 8:

With Joshua on a TV book tour, phone calls from everywhere keep the office busy.

Lilly keeps busy rebooking him at every new city and setting up stop smoking and weight control session in every city.

Six with Sally is doing well enough that syndication is expected.

Bernadine now sees Dr. Dan regularly, using her ample medical insurance.

Tyrell—determined to avoid crime—uses his nimble fingers playing piano on sing-a-long nights at Berrnadine’s nightclub.

Lilly’s book makes the bestseller list in every city Joshua hits on his tour.

From afar, Joshua hires a nightclub coat check girl to help with the phones, turning Lilly’s glee into gloom.

She now has a relationships with her son Shay and has decided to quit being everything to Joshua except girlfriend. Kathy no longer harasses her, having a boyfriend who’s living with her in the home she and Libby once shared.

Libby’s plan is to accept one of many ghostwriting offers and work from home.

That is, until Joshua tells her he missed her and how he’s full of new stories for their next book.

[Phyllis Strong]

Phyllis Strong’s Episode List Rough Draft

I learned that if I plugged my events into AI, I got some interesting results on Episodes.

My Bullet Points:

Episode 1

· In a lab, four test-subjects’ brains are connected to brain-dead hosts.

· Peter publicizes the successful procedure, to dismay of others.

· Diana returns to work on the project and clashes with Lily Tileston.

· Mark launches his Senate campaign, hires campaign manager.

· Suzanne discovers her board has made her son CEO of her empire.

· The Pentagon has its own lab and is following experiment closely.

Episode 2

· Host family members want to meet test subjects for closure.

· The husband of Diana’s host was about to file for divorce.

· The wife of Peter’s host took the money but is having regrets.

· The parents of Mark’s host want to be his family.

· The sister of Suzanne’s host is star-struck.

Episode 3

· Mark’s bitter ex-wife from his political marriage makes trouble.

· The husband of Diana’s host, Josh, hangs with her, learning the science.

· Suzanne finds the grandson of her first love and offers him a job.

· The Board calls Peter to task on his rosy financial projections.

Episode 4

· Suzanne insinuates herself into Nick the grandson’s life.

· Peter is in sales mode with the 1% to reserve fountain of youth slots.

· Diana discovers Peter accelerated the project and cut corners.

· A reporter starts to profile the test subjects.

Episode 5

· Peter tries to reconcile with estranged daughter and fails miserably.

· Suzanne confronts her son about his lack of leadership skills.

· Mark’s Congresswoman daughter is furious he’s running for her spot.

· Diana confronts Peter, stunned when he explodes and nearly hits her.

Episode 6

· Suzanne plans a corporate coup with managers to depose her son.

· Peter goes to Suzanne for a loan, but she’s obsessed with the coup.

· Josh is falling for Diana, and she’s in love for the first time ever.

· Mark discovers he’s attracted to men, but fears political fallout.

Episode 7

· The coup succeeds, but is Suzanne falling into same work trap?

· Suzanne’s obsessed with Nick and jealous of perceived rivals.

· Mark starts a clandestine affair with his campaign manager.

· All four realize they’re succumbing to side-effects.

Episode 8

· All four want to know how hosts were selected.

· Interviewing host family members—all were consultants.

· Digging deeper, find companies are p.o. boxes.

· Were hosts connected, working for same company or agency?

Episode 9

· Peter blackmails Diana with exposure of her research theft.

· Diana agrees to stay quiet on side-effects.

· Mark’s campaign manager thinks Mark should come out.

· Nick’s father threatens to expose Suzanne’s motives to Nick.

Episode 10

· Peter declares the experiment a success and starts signing up clients.

· Suzanne’s company invests in Peter’s, keeping him from financial ruin.

· Diana allows herself to find comfort and belonging with Josh.

· Reveal Mark as the liaison to the Pentagon, supplying them with data.

·CHATGPT

Episode 1: “Genesis”

· Teaser: In a high-tech lab, the consciousness transfer procedure begins as the brains of Diana, Mark, Peter, and Suzanne connect to brain-dead hosts. The experiment’s success is publicized by Peter, unveiling the four wealthy individuals now inhabiting youthful bodies.

· Main Character journey: Diana, rejuvenated in a young body, grapples with the emotional turmoil of her host’s relationships and faces tension with Lily Tileston, her new lab partner. Mark, now a charismatic political contender, navigates the challenges of a revived political career. Peter, focused on financial gain, encounters resistance from Diana, who advocates for transparency. Suzanne, in her new form, seeks to regain control of her cosmetics empire and forge a new family.

· Major Challenge/Conflict: Peter’s decision to publicize the experiment sparks public fascination and media scrutiny. Diana and Lily clash over the direction of the project. Mark faces political adversaries, while Suzanne’s son takes control of her company.

· Midpoint: Diana becomes increasingly distracted by emotions from her host body, complicating her focus on perfecting the procedure. Mark grapples with the realization of his evolving sexuality, while Peter’s financial struggles escalate.

· Action/Reaction: Suzanne’s romantic pursuits with her first love’s grandson attract media attention and threaten her empire. Mark’s campaign manager faces the challenge of managing a candidate with a secret. Diana confronts Lily about the direction of the project.

· Cliffhanger: The Pentagon, aware of the experiment, intensifies its efforts, secretly running a parallel project with potential consequences for the unsuspecting test subjects.

·

· Episode 2: “Family Ties”

· Teaser: Host family members demand to meet the test subjects, seeking closure. The husband of Diana’s host, unaware of the consciousness transfer, contemplates divorce. The wife of Peter’s host grapples with guilt over accepting money for the procedure. Mark faces the desire of his host family to become his new family. Suzanne’s host sister is star-struck by her.

· Main Character Journey: Diana navigates the emotional complexities of her host’s fractured marriage, questioning her own role. Mark, uneasy with his host family’s expectations, grapples with the facade of familial ties. Peter wrestles with the consequences of the procedure on his host family. Suzanne finds herself emotionally entangled with her host’s family dynamics.

· Major Challenge/Conflict: The test subjects confront the growing ethical dilemmas as host families seek connections. Diana must manage the impending divorce in her host’s life. Peter grapples with the wife’s second thoughts, threatening the project’s secrecy. Mark faces pressure from his host family to embrace a new identity. Suzanne’s romantic involvement with her host’s grandson creates tension.

· Midpoint: Diana’s host husband learns about the consciousness transfer, causing emotional chaos. Peter discovers the wife of his host has become an unexpected obstacle. Mark’s attempt to bond with his host family takes an unexpected turn. Suzanne’s romantic involvement sparks family tensions.

· Action/Reaction: Diana grapples with the fallout of her host family discovering the truth, endangering the experiment. Peter tries to salvage his relationship with his host’s wife, facing threats of exposure. Mark’s attempt to integrate with his host family results in political complications. Suzanne’s newfound romance with her host’s grandson jeopardizes her plans.

· Cliffhanger: As host families demand answers, a mysterious figure appears, claiming to have insider knowledge about the experiment and threatening to expose the truth, putting the entire project at risk.

·

· Episode 3: “Family Affairs”

· Teaser: Mark’s ex-wife, bitter about his rejuvenation, starts causing political trouble. Diana spends more time with Josh, her host’s husband, explaining the intricacies of the scientific process. Suzanne, trying to build a new family, offers a job to the grandson of her first love. The Board challenges Peter on the overly optimistic financial projections for the project.

· Main Character Journey: Mark must navigate the political storm caused by his vengeful ex-wife, questioning the toll his rejuvenation takes on his personal life. Diana faces conflicting emotions as she spends time with Josh, torn between scientific pursuit and personal connection. Suzanne juggles building a new family while managing her business empire. Peter grapples with the Board’s skepticism and the pressure to deliver on financial promises.

· Major Challenge/Conflict: Mark’s political aspirations are jeopardized by the meddling of his ex-wife, who threatens to expose the experiment to the public. Diana and Josh’s growing bond raises ethical concerns and suspicions among their peers. Suzanne’s attempt to integrate her newfound family into her business is met with resistance. Peter struggles to maintain the facade of financial success while facing increasing scrutiny.

· Midpoint: Mark’s ex-wife intensifies her efforts to expose the experiment, putting Mark’s political future in jeopardy. Diana’s connection with Josh deepens, leading to an emotional confrontation. Suzanne’s attempt to blend her personal and professional life faces unexpected challenges. Peter’s financial projections unravel, causing a rift with the Board.

· Action/Reaction: Mark confronts his ex-wife, attempting to contain the political fallout and salvage his campaign. Diana and Josh’s growing intimacy forces them to confront the ethical implications of their relationship. Suzanne faces resistance from her son and the Board as she tries to merge her family with her business. Peter scrambles to find a solution to the financial crisis, resorting to questionable tactics.

· Cliffhanger: In a dramatic turn, Mark’s ex-wife leaks incriminating evidence to the media, exposing the experiment and threatening the lives of all test subjects. The public learns about the controversial project, putting immense pressure on the subjects and the company.

·

· Episode 4: “Pandora’s Box”

· Teaser: A reporter begins delving into the lives of the test subjects, uncovering the experiment’s secrecy and raising public interest. Suzanne weaves herself further into Nick’s life, blurring personal and professional boundaries. Peter aggressively pitches the experimental procedure to the wealthy elite. Diana, suspicious of Peter’s actions, discovers he accelerated the project, compromising its integrity.

· Main Character Journey: Suzanne’s pursuit of a new family intensifies as she navigates the complexities of her relationship with Nick. Peter enters the realm of salesmanship, struggling with the ethical implications of commodifying the experimental procedure. Diana faces the shock of Peter’s accelerated timeline, questioning his motives and the impact on the project’s success.

· Major Challenge/Conflict: The reporter’s investigation poses a significant threat to the secrecy of the experiment, putting the test subjects and the company in the public eye. Suzanne’s involvement with Nick raises questions about the blurred lines between her personal life and the experiment’s objectives. Peter grapples with the ethical dilemma of selling rejuvenation to the wealthy, risking the project’s exposure. Diana confronts Peter about the compromised integrity of the experiment due to his shortcuts.

· Midpoint: The reporter’s probing intensifies, putting immense pressure on the test subjects and the company. Suzanne’s romantic involvement with Nick becomes a focal point of public interest. Peter faces backlash from the Board as they question the risks he took to speed up the project. Diana confronts Peter about his actions, sparking a heated confrontation.

· Action/Reaction: Mark, concerned about the potential exposure, seeks political damage control as the reporter’s investigation threatens his political aspirations. Suzanne, caught in the media storm, grapples with the consequences of her romantic involvement with Nick. Peter attempts to salvage his reputation and secure financial backing amid growing skepticism. Diana, driven by her dedication to the project, begins exploring ways to mitigate the damage caused by Peter’s shortcuts.

· Cliffhanger: The reporter publishes a scathing exposé, revealing the details of the experiment, the compromised process, and the lives of the test subjects. The public is in an uproar, and the company’s future is in jeopardy. Mark faces political fallout, Suzanne’s personal life is exposed, Peter’s financial prospects crumble, and Diana struggles to maintain control amidst the chaos. The Defense Dept, now with public support, intensifies their efforts to take control of the project.

Episode 5: “Fractured Reflections”

Teaser: The episode opens with Peter’s failed attempt to reconcile with his estranged daughter, leaving him emotionally shattered. Suzanne confronts her son about his inability to lead the company, leading to a heated argument. Mark faces his furious daughter, who is appalled by his political ambitions. Diana, concerned about the project’s integrity, confronts Peter about his actions, leading to a shocking confrontation.

Main Character Journey:

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