Entertainment: Less Could Truly Be More

When episodes drag on endlessly, even the best plots lose their magic

Often, a drama begins strong but quickly loses its momentum. Repetitive flashbacks, slow-motion scenes with OSTs, and dialogues dragged over several episodes have become all too common

Faiqa Khan

Pakistani dramas are known for powerful stories—but when episodes drag on endlessly, even the best plots lose their magic. Here’s why less could truly be more.

Pakistani dramas have come a long way since television first began. Our parents still fondly recall iconic shows that captured hearts with rich cultural depth and emotionally compelling storylines.

But as a regular viewer today, one recurring frustration persists: the excessive length of many dramas. While some stories do require time to unfold and leave an emotional impact, this approach has now become formulaic. Many dramas are simply stretched out, weakening their narrative and testing viewer patience.

Often, a drama begins strong but quickly loses its momentum. Repetitive flashbacks, slow-motion scenes with OSTs, and dialogues dragged over several episodes have become all too common. How many times have we seen a single misunderstanding take four or five episodes to resolve? This repetition makes viewers lose interest, skip scenes, or even stop watching altogether.

Longer episode counts often lead to filler content. The story shifts from being tightly written to simply filling airtime. The pacing falters, tone becomes inconsistent, and the overall impact is lost. Take the drama Iqtidar, for instance. It started off gripping but became repetitive as it progressed. So much was happening, but the story didn’t seem to move forward. In comment sections, people complained about the drag, and even the cast acknowledged that the show was stretched because of its popularity. But really, what’s more important—milking the hype or delivering a memorable, well-paced story?

Read: Pakistani Drama In Retrospect

Globally, storytelling is moving toward shorter seasons and mini-series. Countries like Korea, Turkey, and even India—once home to never-ending shows—are now embracing tighter narratives, gaining loyal fanbases and cultural relevance. Pakistan was once a pioneer of this format too. But with YouTube and digital viewership influencing trends, we’ve seen a shift back to longer formats.

That said, there’s hope. Hum TV recently aired short series like Tamanna, Neelo Neel, and Man Jogi—all of which were concise, thoughtful, and widely appreciated. These shows addressed serious themes in a limited number of episodes, gaining massive popularity among younger audiences. This proves that short-form storytelling can still resonate deeply when done well.

Shorter dramas also ease the burden on actors, directors, and writers. Less pressure means more room for creativity and better production quality. Plus, it allows space for newer stories to emerge more frequently. In a digital era where people consume content in seconds, long-winded dramas risk becoming irrelevant.

Importantly, reducing episode count doesn’t mean rushing the story. It means respecting viewers’ time and putting quality first. In a saturated content landscape, Pakistani dramas must evolve to stay sharp, focused, and binge-worthy.

After all, “Good stories don’t need to be long—they need to be told well.”

Read: The peril of Pakistani Cinema

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Faiqa Khan is second-year Mass Communication student at Karachi University. faiqa7532@gmail.com