When did detective shows start using story arcs and continuing character elements? I remember the shows from the 70s, where everything was a standalone, except for recurring characters like Wo Fat on Hawaii 50 (loved Wo Fat) and such.

The ongoing character interaction has raised the level of soap opera, but I like the way previous events inform later ones.

When did detective shows start using story arcs and continuing character elements?

The Fugitive had some of that. An overall arc that actually got resolved!

I think it really picked up with Hill Street Blues.

Yeah, I think Hill St Blues revolutionised the form.

I read Beverly to mean she wouldn't get DVDs. They are being made.

serial:

Did anyone watch NCIS last night? I caught a rare current episode and the end confused me. Did Tyler having had eye surgery mean that Vance was lying about his?

Did Tyler having had eye surgery mean that Vance was lying about his?

I don't know, I thought it was confirmation that the story about the detached retina making him leave the Marines was true. But I don't buy the "there's no record of him ever being a Marine". Still, Vance's annoyance at his wife telling Gibbs everything Vance didn't want Gibbs to know was funny.

When did detective shows start using story arcs and continuing character elements? I remember the shows from the 70s, where everything was a standalone, except for recurring characters like Wo Fat on Hawaii 50 (loved Wo Fat) and such.

Didn't Magnum PI have a few arcing elements? Or did they just do occasional multi-parters?

Wasn't Wiseguy the first to do it?

I think HSB was up an running prior to Wiseguy.

HSB was definitely on-air before Wiseguy. I know I watched it (HSB) in my college dorm around 1985, and I think Wiseguy dates from the late '80s/early '90s.

I read Beverly to mean she wouldn't get DVDs. They are being made.

Woo! No, if they're made I will definitely have them, if I have to sell a kidney.

It was just that as far as I knew, TNT didn't dvd its original shows.