Let's Backtrack

Continuing on with last week's theme of debatable decisions for TV and movies this week we'll be taking a look at a device used in many. It's that thing a lot of people hate, when they know the end from the beginning. Ever watch a show or movie and it starts with a lot of stuff going on and you have no idea what happening. Then suddenly it cuts to black says something like "12 hours earlier". The audience now knows what will be happening later or in the end of the episode.

But is this a good idea? For instance I've noticed that this has been done in a lot of crime or investigation shows. When I'm watching one of those I'd rather try to figure out what's going to happen myself, I don't want something like that spoiling my fun. The worst is when they have an opening like that who reveals who the antagonist is in the show or movie because when you're watching it and the character is acting like a good guy still (because obviously he isn't going to give himself away) it just annoys me and takes away what's generally a good reveal and plot point of the plot. So once again this is an open ended thought provoking post to see what you think about this type of thing that is done in TV and movies.