Three’s Not A Crowd.
The Power Of The Triumvirate.
A few weeks ago, my wife and I finally started binge-watching the classic 90s sitcom, Frasier (currently available on All4 – the Channel 4 streaming service). We’re half-way through season five and we are loving it!
One of the big strengths of the show is the writing. As with many US sitcoms of that era, it is the product of a writing room, with each 22 minute episode jam-packed with clever dialogue.
And it got me thinking.
Frasier is chock-full of examples of clever triumvirates. For those unfamiliar with the term, it is derived from Latin and originally referred to political systems centred on three individuals. In recent years its scope has been broadened somewhat to refer to any groups of three people working together. I am stretching the definition even further to encompass three characters interacting (for doubters, I’d like to point out that I haven’t invented this, it has been used this way by others).
For those unfamiliar with the premise of Frasier, the series centres primarily on five characters, with a host of supporting characters.
Dr Frasier Crane – the pompous psychiatrist first introduced in the sitcom Cheers. He has just moved back to his hometown of Seattle and now hosts a radio phone-in show.
Dr Niles Crane – Frasier’s younger brother is also a psychiatrist and is even more pompous.
The two brothers are close friends, but bicker regularly and are unabashed snobs.
Martin (Marty) Crane – Frasier and Niles’ father. A former Seattle police officer forced into early retirement by a bullet wound to his hip. Unlike his two sons, he is a straightforward, down-to-earth, stereotypical, American everyman. Despite his sons’ academic and professional success, he’d much rather the two brothers were keen on sports and drank beer, rather than expensive wines. At the beginning of the series, Marty is forced to move into Frasier’s luxurious apartment (along with his dog, Eddie), since he can’t look after himself.
Daphne Moon – she is Marty’s live-in healthcare provider and physiotherapist. Allegedly from England (the least said about Essex actress Jane Leaves’ Manchester accent the better), she is blissfully unaware of Niles’ infatuation with her.
Roz Doyle – Frasier’s radio producer. A voracious maneater, she has far more in common with Marty than the two brothers, but nevertheless becomes close friends with Frasier.
The series has multiple triumvirates, thus demonstrating that the concept is fluid. A character can be part of more than one triumvirate, sometimes switching groups within a scene.
Triumvirates lend themselves especially well to sitcoms. They allow three way conversations that can double-down on a punchline.
A good example is Frasier, Niles and Marty. A typical set up might be one of the brothers giving a feedline, to which the other replies with a punchline. In the context of Frasier, this might involve the two brothers snobbery becoming more and more outlandish, until Marty interjects and makes both of them appear foolish. Often he gets the biggest laugh. This set-up also works well with Daphne bringing the two brothers back down to Earth, rather than Marty.
Another set-up that works well is when two of the triumvirate are pitched against the third. Daphne and Marty showing Frasier to be a fool, after he has somehow got himself into a pickle is a common example.
A regular source of comic relief takes place between Frasier, Roz and Niles. Often taking place in the coffee shop they frequent, a typical setup involves Roz sharing her woes with Frasier (typically to do with her love life). Niles will then throw in a single snide remark about Roz’s promiscuity.
Triumvirates work because they often bring balance and outside perspective. And for this reason, they are equally effective in drama. Another great example from TV is the original Star Trek. Despite its ensemble cast, the centrepiece of the show typically centres around the triumvirate of Captain Kirk, First Officer Spock and Dr Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy.
Here, we see examples of two against one – Spock and McCoy trying to persuade Kirk to take a particular course of action. We also see many examples of McCoyand Spock giving Kirk conflicting advice, which he then has to weigh up to make his decision. And finally, we see Kirk acting as mediator as Spock and McCoy bicker and insult each other.
The fifth film in the franchise, The Final Frontier, is often criticised as one of the weakest entries. But if there is one aspect of the film that fans universally love, it is the triumvirate, especially in the first part of the film. Here we see Spock and McCoy aghast at Kirk’s reckless behaviour as he scales the mountain El Capitan without a safety harness. Later we see the three friends seated around a camp fire. Kirk and McCoy conspire against Spock by fooling him into thinking marshmallows are called ‘marshmelons’. Finally, we see them bonding over a rendition of row, row, row your boat.
In summary. Triumvirates are a powerful tool in a writers toolbox. They can allow a writer to balance out a scene, bring forth different aspects of a character’s personality, and also allow some exposition through the characters’ dialogue.
What good examples of triumvirates can you think of? Is there something special about three characters, rather than two or four? As always, feel free to comment here or on social media.
Until next time,
Paul.
If you are a writer with a tip to share, or fancy writing a fictional interview between you and one of your characters, please feel free to email me.
One of the big strengths of the show is the writing. As with many US sitcoms of that era, it is the product of a writing room, with each 22 minute episode jam-packed with clever dialogue.
And it got me thinking.
Frasier is chock-full of examples of clever triumvirates. For those unfamiliar with the term, it is derived from Latin and originally referred to political systems centred on three individuals. In recent years its scope has been broadened somewhat to refer to any groups of three people working together. I am stretching the definition even further to encompass three characters interacting (for doubters, I’d like to point out that I haven’t invented this, it has been used this way by others).
For those unfamiliar with the premise of Frasier, the series centres primarily on five characters, with a host of supporting characters.
Dr Frasier Crane – the pompous psychiatrist first introduced in the sitcom Cheers. He has just moved back to his hometown of Seattle and now hosts a radio phone-in show.
Dr Niles Crane – Frasier’s younger brother is also a psychiatrist and is even more pompous.
The two brothers are close friends, but bicker regularly and are unabashed snobs.
Martin (Marty) Crane – Frasier and Niles’ father. A former Seattle police officer forced into early retirement by a bullet wound to his hip. Unlike his two sons, he is a straightforward, down-to-earth, stereotypical, American everyman. Despite his sons’ academic and professional success, he’d much rather the two brothers were keen on sports and drank beer, rather than expensive wines. At the beginning of the series, Marty is forced to move into Frasier’s luxurious apartment (along with his dog, Eddie), since he can’t look after himself.
Daphne Moon – she is Marty’s live-in healthcare provider and physiotherapist. Allegedly from England (the least said about Essex actress Jane Leaves’ Manchester accent the better), she is blissfully unaware of Niles’ infatuation with her.
Roz Doyle – Frasier’s radio producer. A voracious maneater, she has far more in common with Marty than the two brothers, but nevertheless becomes close friends with Frasier.
The series has multiple triumvirates, thus demonstrating that the concept is fluid. A character can be part of more than one triumvirate, sometimes switching groups within a scene.
Triumvirates lend themselves especially well to sitcoms. They allow three way conversations that can double-down on a punchline.
A good example is Frasier, Niles and Marty. A typical set up might be one of the brothers giving a feedline, to which the other replies with a punchline. In the context of Frasier, this might involve the two brothers snobbery becoming more and more outlandish, until Marty interjects and makes both of them appear foolish. Often he gets the biggest laugh. This set-up also works well with Daphne bringing the two brothers back down to Earth, rather than Marty.
Another set-up that works well is when two of the triumvirate are pitched against the third. Daphne and Marty showing Frasier to be a fool, after he has somehow got himself into a pickle is a common example.
A regular source of comic relief takes place between Frasier, Roz and Niles. Often taking place in the coffee shop they frequent, a typical setup involves Roz sharing her woes with Frasier (typically to do with her love life). Niles will then throw in a single snide remark about Roz’s promiscuity.
Triumvirates work because they often bring balance and outside perspective. And for this reason, they are equally effective in drama. Another great example from TV is the original Star Trek. Despite its ensemble cast, the centrepiece of the show typically centres around the triumvirate of Captain Kirk, First Officer Spock and Dr Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy.
Here, we see examples of two against one – Spock and McCoy trying to persuade Kirk to take a particular course of action. We also see many examples of McCoyand Spock giving Kirk conflicting advice, which he then has to weigh up to make his decision. And finally, we see Kirk acting as mediator as Spock and McCoy bicker and insult each other.
The fifth film in the franchise, The Final Frontier, is often criticised as one of the weakest entries. But if there is one aspect of the film that fans universally love, it is the triumvirate, especially in the first part of the film. Here we see Spock and McCoy aghast at Kirk’s reckless behaviour as he scales the mountain El Capitan without a safety harness. Later we see the three friends seated around a camp fire. Kirk and McCoy conspire against Spock by fooling him into thinking marshmallows are called ‘marshmelons’. Finally, we see them bonding over a rendition of row, row, row your boat.
In summary. Triumvirates are a powerful tool in a writers toolbox. They can allow a writer to balance out a scene, bring forth different aspects of a character’s personality, and also allow some exposition through the characters’ dialogue.
What good examples of triumvirates can you think of? Is there something special about three characters, rather than two or four? As always, feel free to comment here or on social media.
Until next time,
Paul.
If you are a writer with a tip to share, or fancy writing a fictional interview between you and one of your characters, please feel free to email me.
