and an oft repeated story line equation like you described.
I sometimes binge watch the Lifetime channel. . . .the evil, dark side, as opposed to the mushy, sappy Hallmark flicks.
It, too, has a common theme. . . as you described appearing on Hallmark. In this case, it's generally the antagonist endearing himself or herself with a person or family for the purpose of their destruction. It's most often a revenge motive for something the 'victims' did in the antagonist's past.
At the 13 minute mark, the bad guy or girl reveals this and is close to fulfillment. . . but that's when things change and the "victims" find a way to turn on their captor or are saved. And at the two-minute mark the antagonist is either killed or arrested. You can put a stop watch to it.
And one more thing. . . The Hallmark Christmas shows, which I do watch with Vickie. Hey. . . it's Christmas. The theme here is a girl in a high-powered executive job in the big city goes home to her small town roots for Christmas. . . oftentimes to help the family out which has come under some stress.
At the same time, she meets up with an old boyfriend who remained in the town. . . and they rediscover each other. In the end, the girl finds she prefers her simpler, small-town life to the fast lane. . . falls in love with her "guy". . . and everyone lives happilly ever after. . . in "small town" USA.
What's strange is. . . we know how every movie is going to end. . . yet we still watch them.
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