Todorov's Theory

The Narrative Theory

Todorov in 1969 produced a theory which he believed to be able to be applied to any film. He believed that all films followed the same narrative pattern. They all went through stages called the equilibrium, disequilibrium, acknowledgement, solving and again equilibrium. Todorov also suggested that the characters in the narrative would be changed in some way through the course of the story and that this would be evident by the resolution. Todorov studied classic fairy tales and stories.

There are five stages the narrative can progress through:

• A state of equilibrium (All is as it should be.)
• A disruption of that order by an event.
• A recognition that the disorder has occurred.
• An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption.
• A return or restoration of a new equilibrium

Most episodes of Sherlock follow this traditional narrative structure-

1. Sherlock and Watson are relaxing at the start of the episode, then an action or character will do something that creates a case for them to solve.
2. They begin their quest to find a solution and apprehend the villain.
3. The narrative continues until they confront the villain at the climax.
4. Once the disruption is resolved and the equilibrium is restored, Sherlock and Watson can relax again.

Our trailer does not follow this theory because a trailer is not meant to show the equilibrium.