--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You used to have to make a choice. Is it…" description: "\"You used to have to make a choice. Is it a serialized television show, or is it a stand-alone or procedural? We were wildly influenced by The X-Files. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fc/alex-kurtzman-30346_character_you-used-to-have-to-make-a-choice-is-it_1345179.jpg" --- # You used to have to make a choice. Is it a serialized… ![“You used to have to make a choice. Is it a serialized television show, or is it a stand-alone or procedural? We were wildly influenced by The X-Files. Even when we created Fringe, it was the same thing. It's the gold standard of all gold standards, in genre television, and it was so wonderful…” quote by Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fc/alex-kurtzman-30346_character_you-used-to-have-to-make-a-choice-is-it_1345179.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fc/alex-kurtzman-30346_character_you-used-to-have-to-make-a-choice-is-it_1345179.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fc/alex-kurtzman-30346_character_you-used-to-have-to-make-a-choice-is-it_1345179.jpg) > “You used to have to make a choice. Is it a serialized television show, or is it a stand-alone or procedural? We were wildly influenced by The X-Files. Even when we created Fringe, it was the same thing. It's the gold standard of all gold standards, in genre television, and it was so wonderful because you felt so much for those characters.” [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing between serialized and procedural formats shapes narrative depth and audience engagement. **In simple terms:** Decide if you want a long story or a quick case. Key Takeaway Pick the format that best serves your story goals. Themes storytelling genre television Mood analytical reflective Type creative industry When to use this quote - show development - scriptwriting - network pitching Key Concepts narrative structure audience expectation creative influence Questions to Reflect On - Which format aligns with your character arcs? - How does format affect viewer loyalty? A Different Perspective Serialized formats risk alienating viewers who prefer closure each episode. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Fringe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fringe/) [Genre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genre/) [Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gold/) [Gold standard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gold-standard/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) [Television show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television-show/) [Television shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television-shows/) [Wonderful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonderful/) [X files](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/x-files/) ## Related quotes > [The genre of television that I love and watch is so vast. There's not one type of thing I love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bridget-regan/the-genre-of-television-that-i-love-and-watch-is-so-vast-there-s-not/) [Bridget Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bridget-regan/) > [I watched a lot of cooking shows when I was younger on PBS and TLC and those channels. It's a very cool genre of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thu-tran/i-watched-a-lot-of-cooking-shows-when-i-was-younger-on-pbs-and-tlc/) [Thu Tran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thu-tran/) > [The interesting thing about a lot of serialized television is that it's a blessing and curse. Smart writers really take their time in investing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-weil/the-interesting-thing-about-a-lot-of-serialized-television-is-that-it/) [Liza Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-weil/) > [Because of streaming, serialized television has become less of a dirty word when you're pitching shows. I had to fight for that for so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-katims/because-of-streaming-serialized-television-has-become-less-of-a-dirty/) [Jason Katims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-katims/) > [The interesting thing about a lot of serialized television is that it's a blessing and curse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-weil/the-interesting-thing-about-a-lot-of-serialized-television-is-that-it-2/) [Liza Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-weil/) > [I find that on serialized television it's wiser to hit the ground and look forward, and take the cues from the writers and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-roberts/i-find-that-on-serialized-television-it-s-wiser-to-hit-the-ground-and/) [Dallas Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-roberts/) > [“Mulder gave a crooked smile of welcome. 'Sorry,' he said, 'Nobody down here but the F.B.I.'s most unwanted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-martin/mulder-gave-a-crooked-smile-of-welcome-sorry-he-said-nobody-down-here/) [Les Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-martin/) > [I was a big 'X-Files' fan. I always lamented that I never got to be on 'The X-Files'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cerveris/i-was-a-big-x-files-fan-i-always-lamented-that-i-never-got-to-be-on/) [Michael Cerveris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cerveris/) > [ “Dana?' \[asked Garson\]. She nodded to show him she was listening. 'Why does he call you Scully all the time? I mean, you do… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-grant/dana-asked-garson-she-nodded-to-show-him-she-was-listening-why-does/) [Charles Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-grant/) > [I'm Jewish, but my mom's Catholic, so the guilt area is covered. I have the highest expectations, along with the lowest. I tried to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stiller/i-m-jewish-but-my-mom-s-catholic-so-the-guilt-area-is-covered-i-have/) [Ben Stiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stiller/) > [“With his bare hands Mulder dug at the loose earth. After a minute, he said, 'I've go it. I just have to pull it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-martin/with-his-bare-hands-mulder-dug-at-the-loose-earth-after-a-minute-he/) [Les Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-martin/) > [For anyone who's a fan of the X-files show - I mean, I have the ultimate role. I got to deal with Mulder, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhys-darby/for-anyone-who-s-a-fan-of-the-x-files-show-i-mean-i-have-the-ultimate/) [Rhys Darby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhys-darby/) > [“Mulder' she said gently. 'They don't want you involved. They don't want to hear your theories. That's why Section Chief Blevins has you hidden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-steiber/mulder-she-said-gently-they-don-t-want-you-involved-they-don-t-want/) [Ellen Steiber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-steiber/) > [ I missed the whole thing \[X-files series\]. And I know it went for nine seasons, and I think I saw bits and pieces of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhys-darby/i-missed-the-whole-thing-x-files-series-and-i-know-it-went-for-nine/) [Rhys Darby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhys-darby/) > [“So you and the lovely Agent Scully are going down to investigate?' Frohike said, sounding hopeful. 'Yeah, we leave for Cancun tomorrow.' 'Our tax…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-j-anderson/so-you-and-the-lovely-agent-scully-are-going-down-to-investigate/) [Kevin J. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-j-anderson/) ## More by Alex Kurtzman > [When you're working on a scene, both in the script phase and also in the moment, you look around and you wait for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kurtzman/when-you-re-working-on-a-scene-both-in-the-script-phase-and-also-in/) [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) > [As a director you have to be at 30,000 ft objectively looking at everything, wondering if you're making the right objective, emotional, story, character…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kurtzman/as-a-director-you-have-to-be-at-30-000-ft-objectively-looking-at/) [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) > [I think our goal and intention is to make sure that, when you watch each episode, you don't have to make that choice, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kurtzman/i-think-our-goal-and-intention-is-to-make-sure-that-when-you-watch/) [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) > [I think what all the Universal monster movies are defined by, and what makes them very special, is that it's really the only genre…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kurtzman/i-think-what-all-the-universal-monster-movies-are-defined-by-and-what/) [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) > [The thing for me, and I can only really judge this by what I respond to myself as an audience member, I really only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kurtzman/the-thing-for-me-and-i-can-only-really-judge-this-by-what-i-respond/) [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) > [I think what people watch television for is the emotional continuity, from episode to episode, and feeling that the experience that they had, four…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kurtzman/i-think-what-people-watch-television-for-is-the-emotional-continuity/) [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) > [In fact, we actually listen to fans all the time. It's helpful because you want to get a sense of what people are looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kurtzman/in-fact-we-actually-listen-to-fans-all-the-time-it-s-helpful-because/) [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) > [By actually taking Sleepy Hollow and the Rip Van Winkle story, and finding the spirit of what was great about both of them and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kurtzman/by-actually-taking-sleepy-hollow-and-the-rip-van-winkle-story-and/) [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) > [When you start a script you aim to hit a note you know you want to end in general.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kurtzman/when-you-start-a-script-you-aim-to-hit-a-note-you-know-you-want-to/) [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) > [I asked a director once what the secret of it all was, and he said you have to be so prepared that you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kurtzman/i-asked-a-director-once-what-the-secret-of-it-all-was-and-he-said-you/) [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) > [I love the opportunity to tell the story about the characters through the music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kurtzman/i-love-the-opportunity-to-tell-the-story-about-the-characters-through/) [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) > [An emotional story is an emotional story no matter how big or small it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kurtzman/an-emotional-story-is-an-emotional-story-no-matter-how-big-or-small/) [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) > [You always go by your gut. That's the best you can do. You go by what you feel, and you say yes or no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kurtzman/you-always-go-by-your-gut-that-s-the-best-you-can-do-you-go-by-what/) [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) > [We were such fans of Sleepy Hollow, in all of its iterations - growing up with the Disney show, and then Tim Burton's and,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kurtzman/we-were-such-fans-of-sleepy-hollow-in-all-of-its-iterations-growing/) [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) > [I do believe that people go to the movies - for one reason or another - they go to the movies to have an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kurtzman/i-do-believe-that-people-go-to-the-movies-for-one-reason-or-another/) [Alex Kurtzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) [Explore all 17 Alex Kurtzman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kurtzman/) ## More Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) David Hudgins > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. 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And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) [Browse all 32,707 Character quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You used to have to make a choice. 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