Memories, Temporalities, Fictions: Temporal Displacement in Contemporary Television

Television scholar Jason Mittell coined the term narrative complexity to describe television shows that feature serialized plots within episodic television. In this article the author examines a specific form of narrative complexity, temporal displacement, as a salient feature of contemporary television shows. He argues that shows that rely on temporal displacement illustrate the industry’s reaction to and the audience’s resolution of post-modern schizophrenia. Furthermore, the author demonstrates how the contemporary digital media landscape not only encourages but also seemingly necessitates a complex interaction with temporality. The author concludes that temporal displacement is a palliative consequence that is beginning to inscribe people’s interaction with all media.