Adolescence Episode 2: Dialectical Screenwriting
In this episode, Jacob Krueger explores how the second installment of Adolescence deepens the series’ thematic complexity by introducing a dialectical structure. Rather than following a single protagonist’s journey, Adolescence Episode 2 sets up a debate between opposing worldviews—embodied by DI Bascombe and his partner DS Frank—around the central question of whether we can ever truly understand why acts of violence happen. This conflict not only drives the drama but also mirrors the viewer’s own uncertainty, creating a compelling emotional and intellectual experience.
Listeners will learn:
What dialectical storytelling is—and how to use it in your own screenwriting and TV writing
The structure and series engine of Adolescence
How Adolescence turns a whodunit into a more profound question of “why”
Why great theme comes from opposing characters who both believe they’re right
How to use structure to embody debate, not just plot
What it means to “save the best for first” in serialized storytelling
How to deepen theme without sacrificing character or genre conventions
Why even action-free scenes can be shaped by tension and conflict
How to build variation into your series engine while still honoring the format
Whether you’re writing episodic television, a limited series, or a feature screenplay, this episode will show you how to turn your theme into the backbone of your story—and how to explore your most challenging ideas without needing to have all the answers.
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