what is a parallel episode? what is an example of one?
In addition to the episodes mentioned in these search results -- http://www.google.com/search?q=%22parallel+episode%22+literature&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7SUNA -- I think there are also many parallel episodes throughout Shakespeare' plays. For example, at the beginning of King Lear, there is the setting-up of the conflicts between (and among) Lear and his daughters, as well as the conflicts between (and among) Gloucester and his sons.
http://www.online-literature.com/shakespeare/kinglear/
All you have to do is read Act I Scene i, and it'll be clear. These parallel plots run throughout the play.
A parallel episode refers to a narrative structure or storytelling technique where an episode within a larger story mirrors or parallels another episode. It involves presenting similar events, themes, or situations that occur separately but run parallel to each other in terms of plot progression or character development.
An example of a parallel episode can be seen in the TV show "Breaking Bad." In the fifth season episode titled "Say My Name," there are two parallel storylines. One follows Walter White, the show's protagonist, as he becomes more ruthless and begins to assert his dominance in the drug trade. The other storyline focuses on Jesse Pinkman, Walter's former partner, who starts questioning his involvement in the criminal activities and seeks a way out. The parallel episodes show the contrasting paths taken by the two characters, highlighting their diverging motivations and beliefs, all while exploring the themes of power, morality, and consequences.
To identify a parallel episode, you can look for similarities in events, character arcs, or thematic elements between different storylines within a larger narrative. Pay attention to patterns and connections that emerge between various subplots and characters. Analyzing the plot, character development, and thematic motifs can help uncover instances of parallel episodes in books, TV shows, movies, or other forms of storytelling.