Family drama storylines generally fall into five primary categories:
A. The Succession Crisis (Literal or Metaphorical)
B. The Unearthing of the Dark Secret
C. The Return of the Black Sheep
D. Generational Trauma and the Cycle of Abuse
E. The In-Law/Outsider Invasion
The sustained success of family dramas is rooted in several psychological factors:
Different storylines require different temporal shapes. Here are three proven structures: