Story arc

From Smurfology

A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. In a television series, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story arc is much more common in dramas than in comedies, especially in soap operas. Webcomics are more likely to use story arcs than newspaper comics, as most web comics have readable archives online that a newcomer to the strip can read in order to understand what's going on.

In the Smurfs cartoon show, there are at least a few story arcs, as follows:

The Smurfette

• "The Smurfette"
• "Smurfette Unmade"

The Astro Smurf

• "The Astro Smurf"
• "Dreamy's Pen Pals

Prehistoric Smurfs

• "The Smurfs That Time Forgot"
• "Lost In The Ages"
• "Cave Smurfs"

In fact, all of Season 9's episodes could be referred to as a story arc.