Cold Opens and ‘In Medias Res’: The Secret to Grabbing TV Audiences’ Attention in 60 Seconds
In the age of streaming and short attention spans, TV shows have seconds to convince you not to scroll away. Enter: the cold open—a bold, unannounced jump into the middle of the action. Often structured using the classic literary technique In Medias Res, it’s become one of the most effective tools for grabbing viewers by the collar.
Let’s break down how this works, why it’s so powerful, and how iconic shows like ‘Breaking Bad’, ‘Lost’, and ‘Barry’ master the art of the mid-action open.
What is a Cold Open?
A cold open is the scene or sequence that plays before the show’s title card or theme music. No intro, no explanation—just action, drama, or confusion that demands your attention.
Cold opens often:
- Start in medias res (Latin for “in the middle of things”)
- Raise immediate questions
- Set the tone or stakes
- Introduce mystery, conflict, or danger
They’re a writer’s high-wire act: create tension, hint at a story, and hook the audience—all within a minute or two.
Why ‘In Medias Res’ Works So Well for Cold Opens
Starting ‘in medias res’ means you skip the setup and plunge the audience directly into something urgent, strange, or explosive. It’s the storytelling version of “don’t bore us, get to the chorus.”
Why it works:
- Instant curiosity: Viewers want to know what’s happening and why.
- Built-in momentum: No exposition dragging things down.
- Emotional engagement: Characters under pressure = high-stakes storytelling.
Classic Examples from TV
‘Breaking Bad’
Episode: Pilot
The series famously opens with pants flying in the desert, an RV crashing, and a man in tighty-whities with a gun. We know nothing, but we have to know what led to this.
Within 60 seconds, Vince Gilligan has given us chaos, mystery, and a desperate protagonist—and we’re in.
‘Lost’
Episode: Pilot
Boom. A man wakes up in a jungle. There’s smoke, blood, a dog. He stumbles onto a beach and we realize—we’re mid plane crash aftermath. Screams, fire, destruction.
No background, no names. Just raw survival. It sets the tone for the entire series: questions first, answers later.
‘Barry’
Episode: ‘Pilot’
A dead body. A man with a gun. Quick, silent, clinical. The hitman doesn’t flinch. But the kicker? This guy wants to be an actor.
The contrast hooks us: we’re watching a killer who wants out, and the cold open sets that tension before we even know his name.
Cold Opens in Comedy
It’s not just for drama. Comedies like ‘The Office’ and ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ use cold opens to land absurd, standalone gags that become viral moments. The “fire drill” scene from ‘The Office’ is iconic because it drops us straight into Dwight’s unhinged chaos without warning.
In comedy, the cold open doesn’t have to advance plot—it just has to deliver a punchline or a vibe, fast.
Writing a Cold Open That Starts ‘In Medias Res’
If you’re a screenwriter, here’s what to keep in mind:
- Start at the peak of tension: Show something wild, tragic, or hilarious—before explaining it.
- Raise a key question: Not just “what’s happening?” but “how did we get here?” or “what happens next?”
- Withhold just enough info: Don’t confuse the viewer—give emotional clarity, but keep the context hidden.
- Circle back: The best cold opens feel chaotic but are eventually explained. That retroactive clarity is satisfying.
Final Thought
The cold open is the modern TV version of a first impression. And ‘In Medias Res’ is the trick behind its magic. By cutting the fluff and diving straight into the heat, great shows don’t just grab your attention—they earn your curiosity.
So next time you’re watching a show that opens mid-disaster, mid-heist, or mid-cringe, ask yourself:
Did they just hook me in under 60 seconds?
Chances are, they did—and you’re not clicking away.
Also Read: Laurel Canyon vs. The Sunset Strip: The Two Faces of 1960s Los Angeles
—Silviya.Y
