Narration in medica dramas I:. Interpretative hypoteheses and research perspectives

This is the first paper belonging of a series of publications dedicated to the narrative ecosystem paradigm, and it particularly focuses on the study of the narrative structure of contemporary medical series by formulating hypotheses aimed at identifying three isotopies. One can be attributed to the anthology plot, while the other two to the running plot: one concerns “horizontal” relationships (sentimental relationships, friendships, etc.), while the other concerns “vertical” relationships (professional relations, hierarchies, etc.). Our aim is that of identifying shared narrative aspects in contemporary products in order to establish a first level of analysis for further research based on models and comparisons. We will intentionally proceed with a systematic approach, as it is our conviction that simplification helps the identification of qualitative and quantitative models that can be later enriched: this perspective appears to be useful to analyze the functioning and the narrative logic of serial products considered as narrative ecosystems.