User blog:EpsilonMk46/The Value of Continuity

This is actually something that's been on my mind for quite a while. Left and right, I've heard praise coming from the general audience in regards to a certain aspect of this show: continuity. On the flip side, I've heard just as many criticisms that stem from another aspect of this show: the lack of continuity. Therefore, I feel it's only natural that I step in and put my two cents into the ring. With that said, allow me to give my answer to the question of the day: How important is continuity in The Loud House?

The short answer? It isn't. Like, it 0% isn't. Zero. Zilch. Nada. None.

Now that I have your attention and/or laugh tracks at the ready, time for the long answer.

I have multiple reasons for why I consider continuity, or lack thereof, an absolute non-issue in the show, but they all stem from one key point: continuity overcomplicates the show in ways that it never intended the audience to get out of it. On top of which, it also defeats the purpose of certain potential plot lines without even so much as giving them a chance to work as their own individual stories.

As a pertinent example, let us take a look at one of the main points of contention in regards to this topic: Ties That Bind (specifically the joke where Lola reveals she can read) and Read Aloud (the episode surrounding the assumption that she in fact can't read). Now, let's assume for the sake of argument that these two episodes do indeed contain an explicit contradiction between each other. Does this in any way affect their respective aspect's impact and role in their respective episodes? Well, in Ties That Bind, this aspect of Lola's character was simply used as the fuel for a quick and humurous gag, whereas Lola's apparently evanescent dyslexia in Read Aloud was a major plot point that lead to a heartwarming climax in its story. And now, do you want to know what the best part is?

They both work individually. The former episode's joke is funny. The latter episode's ending is very heartwarming. So what more could you ask for? When one brings continuity into the equation here, all that really ensues is nothing but debate upon debate upon debate, and the episodes end up paying the price as a result. Because of this, I believe that bringing in continuity to TLH does as much harm as it does good. Maybe more.

But where does that leave us, then? Without continuity, how would this show function as an overarcing storyline in the hijinx of our evergrowing group of 11 siblings? Well, this leads to yet another point as to why continuity isn't a necessity: each individual episode gives the viewer exactly what it requires to follow along with the plot. Making the Case introduces the trophy case, No Place Like Homeschool introduces Lola's need for homeschooling, The Sweet Spot introduces...well, the sweet spot, and so on and so forth. And with almost each plot point that is introduced, they are just as quickly done away with once they have filled their role. But the reason behind this is simply because they become nonessential tools for any further stories The Loud House has to offer once they've fulfilled their tasks in their respective episodes. And the reason for that is because the show is a series of one-shot, slice of life, singular, three act plotlines. The purpose of each of these aspects is to provide the audience with just the precise amount of context and background in order to make each and every plot possible.

In fact, even in White Hare, the only episode to make an explicit reference to a past episode, it made it certain that one didn't have to watch Heavy Meddle in order to properly watch it. This is because it made a specific flashback to the scene it required to supplement Lincoln's trepidation in accepting his sisters' help. And in that one flashback, it provided the viewer with everything they needed for the episode to continue on, turbulence free. And if it so happened that someone watched White Hare before Heavy Meddle, nothing would be lost because the flashback still provided all the information needed for the story to progress, regardless of whether or not it was ripped from a past episode. What this shows is that the show can function with its own individual episodes perfectly fine, and that it doesn't need to resort to any form of continuity in order to achieve its ultimate goal: to entertain. As such, this is how I choose to view the show, continuity wise, because this is the tactic it uses to make memorable, hilarious, and heartwarming episodes that almost always stand in their own right.

Of course, this is all my perspective on the matter. Do you see the merits in applying continuity to the Loud House universe? Let me know what you think in the comments below. Until then, this has been EpsilonMk46, and I'll see you all next time!