Title
As a title for the series, I think it could be something like “Twins.” The series will be about two investigators who, despite their opposing characters, will have to work together. As the characters investigate the cases, they will become more and more aware of the similarities between them and become closer and closer to each other. Since in Twins, a lot of time will be devoted to the characters’ inner world, it should be limited to a brief title, the meaning of which will become clear as people watch the show.
Concept
The key idea of the series is that even people with fundamentally different views of the world can find something in common between them. Viewers who start watching the show will realize that a different worldview should not be a reason to refuse contact with another person. Thus, the scenario will be built on the principle of what if forcing two antipodes to work together on criminal cases. In addition, the script will include unexpected plot twists and ambiguous secondary storylines. At the same time, viewers will witness mysterious crimes that, at first glance, will seem completely unsolvable. All this will make them keep watching the show episode by episode.
Surely, the idea of a series in which the main characters will be two investigators is not new. For example, the couple Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson is known to all crime show lovers. The Private Eyes series also comes to mind – a Canadian detective TV series that is a comedy-drama. The series Killing Eve also became popular, but its plot is not about two investigators but about a killer and a British intelligence officer. After researching recent TV shows, I could not find one where the main characters did not want to cooperate with each other at first. This is the originality of the project – as a result of forced circumstances, the characters gradually become closer to each other.
Logline
The plot logline: two smart, crime-fighting but terribly different investigators team up to fight crime in Vancouver. This logline demonstrates which characters will be involved in the TV show. It also indicates in which city the show’s events will take place and the main motivation of the characters. Moreover, the keywords in the logline may attract viewers who were originally looking for a different series.
Synopsis
Although Canada is considered one of the friendliest countries in the world, there are also cities there that can feel unsafe. Vancouver is a dangerous area in Canada, but certainly crime occurs there as well (Lynch, 2021). This city has a problem with organized crime – the presence of criminal gangs. These crews are involved in drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and prostitution. The characters of the TV show will have to investigate crimes in this very city.
In Canada, a criminal investigation is a search for witnesses and evidence to support the prosecution in court. Investigators have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime has been committed and that it was committed by the accused. There have been great advances in forensic science, pathology, and other technological discoveries in Canada in recent years. These discoveries will be used by the show’s characters in solving crimes. In Canada, the view is gradually becoming more prevalent that solving cases is much more effective when the work is done together. Working alone, investigators are relatively powerless in preventing or solving crimes. It is this fact that will serve as the basis for bringing the characters together.
The offer to take on an intern is seen by many long-time employees as a mockery. This explains why Justin Hale, an experienced investigator, is reluctant to accept Peter Martin as his assistant. However, in this situation, Justin has no choice – such an order was given to him by his superiors. An experienced investigator accustomed to working alone and he cannot imagine himself as a guide to the criminal world of Vancouver. He is irritated by Peter’s self-confidence, although he admits that he recognizes himself in him in many ways. Enthusiasm for the job is where the characters’ similarities are revealed and what ultimately contributes to the beginning of their friendship. However, many events must occur before the characters can finally trust each other.
The genre of the planned TV show is crime drama. This genre is characterized by a focus on criminals’ lives, actions, and moral dilemmas. The TV show will not ignore the issues of why criminals commit crimes and how investigators relate to the Canadian criminal system. About eight episodes of the first season are planned, each lasting about fifty minutes. Depending on how viewers perceive the series, a decision will be made as to whether a sequel should be filmed.
Characters
One of the heroes of the show is the experienced investigator, Justin Hale. He is called the best inspector in town for a reason, as he takes on any investigation and brings it to an end. In addition, he is incorruptible but has one peculiarity, which is to work exclusively alone. The main character does not recognize partners and therefore continues to find criminals, trusting only himself. But his superiors understand that it should no longer be so. Thus, Justin is given a partner who is extremely unusual in terms of character.
Peter Martin is the son of a big Vancouver businessman who is tired of being his father’s shadow and wants to gain enough experience to become a skilled detective. Despite the fact that he only recently graduated, he has already managed to take part in catching criminals. However, his experience is primarily unrelated to criminal activity – he has successfully studied psychology for many years. He believes that he can see people’s secrets by how and what they say, as well as by their facial expressions and gestures. Peter Martin is trying to prove to his boss that he can work in law enforcement.
Justin Hale is annoyed because he is essentially being given a rookie to fiddle with. The man is used to working alone, but he cannot go against his superiors. For this reason, he decides to take on the trainee and make him leave on his own. Gradually, however, a warmer relationship develops between the heroes. On several occasions, Hale himself saves his colleague from various unpleasant situations and also begins to trust him with many investigations of crimes.
The difference in their views is largely due to the fact that Justin Hale is considerably older than his partner. He does not believe in the ability of criminals to get better – his bitter experience tells him that this rarely happens. In addition, he is suspicious of rookies and is not prepared to spend time explaining the basic principles of the investigator’s job. The confrontation of his conservatism against Peter’s maximalism causes strong disagreements between the heroes. There is another important detail that affects the course of the plot. At the time of the beginning of the collaboration, Justin was experiencing bereavement – his wife passed away just recently. The official version is an accident, but some details suggest to the experienced investigator that it is not so simple.
Important secondary characters are Peter’s father and his girlfriend. The father-businessman, Stewart Martin, insists that Peter finally do something more serious than study psychology because he does not take that science seriously. He is also unaware of the fact that Peter has already been involved in several investigations – the hero has not told his father about it because it was not legal. As it turns out, Stewart himself does not run his business honestly, which the son begins to realize soon after he begins working with Justin Hale. Peter’s girlfriend worries that her job will negatively affect her relationship with her young man. They are going through a difficult period, largely because Peter’s excessive narcissism has made it difficult for him to communicate with others, particularly with her, Trix Simmons.
Pilot Outline
In the first episode, Justin Hale receives a phone call from his supervisor informing him that Justin will need to take on a partner. The experienced investigator tries to refuse the offer, but the chief is adamant. The meeting with his young partner, Peter Martin, in a restaurant ends with a quarrel between the heroes – they have radically different views on what justice is in the context of the criminal system. However, the work must go on, so the heroes meet again a few days later. They have to investigate a case related to a criminal group’s importation and sale of drugs. The conflict between the heroes heats up, but the conversation in the course of which the men share their concerns somewhat disposes them to each other.
They find out the name and place where one of the gang members sells drugs. Peter challenges himself to play the role of the buyer and gain the seller’s trust. Despite the dubiousness of the venture, Justin Hale eventually agrees, and the characters agree to conduct the operation. When Peter returns home after a day’s work, he learns from his girlfriend that she is pregnant.
Future episodes will focus in more detail on how the death of Justin’s wife has affected the hero. Peter Martin will see his father’s name among the documents related to the corruption scam. The relationship between the hero and his girlfriend will become even more complicated, while the investigators will begin to trust each other more. Justin discovers that one of the gang members is a former classmate of his.
Things to Keep in Mind
As I noted, the plot of the TV show is different from what has been on television before, and therefore the premise is not too familiar. The uniqueness of my characters is in their keen sense of justice and prior experience with the criminal world. The persuasiveness of the characters lies in the drama of their lives, in which there is room for suffering, difficulty, and a sense of insecurity. This genuineness of emotion is what makes the audience empathize. This story tells of the importance of understanding between people, something so often forgotten by many, which is why I feel the need to share this one. I think if viewers feel that they have become less critical of others around them, I would consider my mission accomplished. The overall tone of the show remains neutral, but humane sentiments will often be felt.
Reference
Lynch, D. (2021). Is it safe in Vancouver?TripSavvy. Web.