Plot break down of "Avengers Assemble" S01E05: Blood Feud
A Wise Sloth fan E-mailed me recently and asked if I could break down the plot to the fifth episode of the cartoon TV show, "Avengers Assemble." So I did. You can download a Word document copy of the break down by clicking the link below:
Avengers Assemble S01E05 Blood Feud
It took me about 4-5 hours to break this plot down. It would have been quicker if I had the script. I'm willing to break down an episode or two of a show you're interested in by E-mailing me through my About/Contact page, but understand what a commitment of time that is for me, and please consider supporting me on Patreon. The more patrons I get, the more time I'll have to analyze plot structures for the public.
The Avengers Assemble
S01E05 Blood Feud
BEAT: 1
TIME: .01-.022
SUMMARY:
Antagonist’s minions attack the Avenger compound
QUEST CHAINS:
1: Introduction: Antagonist’s minions attack
Step 1: Get into the compound
BEAT TYPES:
Introduction
Antagonist’s minions attack
BEAT STEPS:
Black Widow approaches the Avenger’s compound in disguise with a group of vampires.
Black Widow uses a grappling hook to reach an unguarded balcony on the Avengers compound
Black Widows unlocks a door by entering the entrance code on a keypad
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Black Widow
Group of vampires
Locations:
Ext. Avenger’s compound
Resources:
Grappling rope
BEAT: 2
TIME: .22-1.07
SUMMARY:
Vampires sneak past Avengers
QUEST CHAINS:
1: Introduction- Antagonist’s minions attack
Step 2: Get past the Avengers
BEAT TYPES:
Action sequence
Humor
Multi-scene beat
Antagonist closes in
BEAT STEPS:
Sneak past Iron Man and Falcon
Sneak past Hulk and Thor
Note: These two steps could also be interpreted as their own beats.
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Black Widow
Group of vampires
Iron Man
Falcon
Thor
Hulk
Locations:
Int. Avengers compound- kitchen
Resources:
None
BEAT: 3
TIME: 1.07-1.28
SUMMARY:
Vampires attack Captain America and Hawkeye
QUEST CHAINS:
1: Introduction- Antagonist’s minions attack
Step 3: Vampires attack
BEAT TYPES:
Antagonist attacks
Fight scene
BEAT STEPS:
Vampires attack Captain America
Hawkeye fights back
Vampires counter attack
Hawkeye sounds the alarm
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Captain America
Hawkeye
Black Widow
Group of vampires
Locations:
Int. Avengers compound- training room
Resources:
Hawkeye’s bow and arrows
BEAT: 4
TIME: 1.28-2.14
SUMMARY:
Avengers fight back
QUEST CHAINS:
1: Introduction- Antagonist’s minions attack
Step 4: Avengers counter-attack
BEAT TYPES:
Fight scene
Avengers counter-attack
BEAT STEPS:
Humor segment between Iron Man and Hulk
Iron Man analyzes the enemy
Hulk punches enemies
Captain America tells Iron Man to use UV lights
Iron Man uses UV lights
Group of vampires die
Black Widow is in pain
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Iron man
Captain America
Hulk
Hawkeye
Falcon
Group of vampires
Black Widow
Locations:
Avengers compound- training room
Resources:
Iron Man suit
UV lights
BEAT: 5
TIME: 2.14-2.46
SUMMARY:
Captain America unmasks Black Widow and learns Dracula is the antagonist behind the attack.
QUEST CHAINS:
1: Introduction: Antagonist’s minions attack
Step 5: Avengers unmask defeated Black Widow
End: Quest Chain 1
4: Dracula and Red Skull’s Alliance
Step 1: Introduce conflict between protagonist and antagonist. Protagonist has something the antagonist wants (Captain America’s blood), and antagonist has something protagonist wants(cure to Black Widow’s blood infection/possession).
BEAT TYPES:
Receive the prize for winning previous conflict (False victory)
Introduce the antagonist
Primary catalyst
State the incentives
State the stakes
State the conditions
State the mission
Primary story conflict catalyst
Introduce the antagonist
Begin new quest
State conditions of quest
BEAT STEPS:
Captain America deduces the enemies are vampires
Captain America unmasks Black Widow
Dracula speaks through Black Widow and offers her life in exchange for Captain America’s.
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Iron man
Captain America
Hulk
Hawkeye
Falcon
Dracula
Black Widow
Locations:
Avengers compound- training room
Resources:
none
BEAT: 6
TIME: 3.00-3.54
SUMMARY:
The Avengers discuss their plan for saving Black Widow
QUEST CHAINS:
2: Create a plan
Step 1: Analyze the variables at hand
BEAT TYPES:
Planning
State the mission
BEAT STEPS:
Captain America says Black Widow isn’t completely turned
Hawkeye resists the notion of vampires existing
Thor and Iron Man insist there’s a scientific explanation for vampires
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Iron man
Captain America
Hulk
Hawkeye
Falcon
Black Widow
Locations:
Avengers compound- Training room
Resources:
None
Note: Beat 6 and 7 could be interpreted as a single beat with a lead-in segment.
BEAT: 7
TIME: 3.54-4:30
SUMMARY:
Black Widow attacks
QUEST CHAINS:
2: Create a plan
Step 2: Complication
BEAT TYPES:
Complication
Antagonist minion strikes
BEAT STEPS:
Black widow wakes up and attacks the Avengers
Avengers fight back
Black Widow escapes
Black Widow knocks herself out running into a mirror
Avengers analyze the fact that Black widow couldn’t see her reflection.
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Iron man
Captain America
Hulk
Hawkeye
Falcon
BLACK WIDOW
Locations:
Avengers compound- training room
Resources:
Thor’s hammer
Mirror
BEAT: 8
TIME: 4:30-5:20
SUMMARY:
Avengers analyze Black Widow and determine they need to go to Transylvania to locate the source of her vampirism.
QUEST CHAINS:
2: Create a plan
Step 2: Investigate known variable (Black Widow)
BEAT TYPES:
Investigation
Reveal backstory
Planning
State the mission (find the vampire who turned Black Widow and force him to release her)
BEAT STEPS:
Analyze Black Widow using biometric scanning machine
Learn Black Widow was investigating Red Skull in Transylvania
Captain America wants to go to Transylvania to find the vampire
Iron Man wants a scientific solution
Jarvis malfunctions
Avengers agree to go to Transylvania
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Iron man
Captain America
Hulk
Hawkeye
Falcon
BLACK WIDOW
Locations:
Avengers compound- Biometric scanning machine room
Resources:
Biometric scanning machine
BEAT: 9
TIME: 5:20-6:20
SUMMARY:
The Avengers approach Dracula's castle.
QUEST CHAINS:
3: Approach the antagonist’s gates
Step 1: Travel to Transylvania
BEAT TYPES:
Travelling
Preparation
Reveal backstory
State mission info (Dracula wants something from Captain America)
BEAT STEPS:
Establishing shot (airplane flying)
Falcon asks Captain America about his silver attack disks
Hawkeye is skeptical about vampires
Captain America tells about America’s alliance with Dracula in WWII
Iron Man insists “Dracula” is using something scientific on Black Widow
Hawkeye prepares wooden stake arrows
Thor warns they’re walking into a trap
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Iron man
Captain America
Hawkeye
Falcon
Black Widow
Locations:
Int. Avengers airplane
Resources:
Avengers airplane
Silver attack disks
Wooden spike arrows
BEAT: 10
TIME: 6:20-6:50
SUMMARY:
Dracula and Red Skull discuss their progress and plan.
QUEST CHAINS:
4: Dracula and Red Skull’s alliance
Step 2: Backstory introduction
BEAT TYPES:
Introduce antagonist’s plan
BEAT STEPS:
Dracula calls Red Skull
Dracula tells Red Skull the Avengers are approaching
Red Skull tells Dracula to “stick to the plan” and he’ll get something he wants
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Dracula
Red Skull
Locations:
Int. Dracula’s throne room
Resources:
Communication device
BEAT: 11
TIME: 6:50-8:13
SUMMARY:
The Avengers confront Dracula at his door.
QUEST CHAINS:
3: Approach the antagonist’s gates
Step 2: Approach antagonist’s lair
BEAT TYPES:
Good guys close in
Good guys approach antagonist’s lair
Good guys first attack (failure)
BEAT STEPS:
Establishing shot (Avengers airplane approaches Dracula’s castle)
Establishing shot (Avengers exit airplane)
Avengers approach Dracula’s castle on foot
Hawkeye asks if it’s always night at Dracula’s castle
Dracula appears and restates his deal (Captain America’s life for Black Widow’s)
Hawkeye attacks Dracula
Dracula dodges attack using teleportation power
Dracula steals Black Widow
Dracula summons minions to attack Avengers
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Iron man
Captain America
Hawkeye
Falcon
Black Widow
Hulk
Dracula’s minions
Locations:
Ext. Avengers airplane
Ext. Dracula’s castle
Resources:
Avenger’s airplane
Wooden spike arrows
Dracula’s teleportation power
BEAT: 12
TIME: 8:13-10:30
SUMMARY:
Avengers fight Dracula’s minions.
QUEST CHAINS:
3: Approach the antagonist’s gates
Step 3: Fight antagonist’s minions
BEAT TYPES:
Minion fight
Repercussion of failing previous beat conflict
Learn secret to defeating enemy from analyzing enemy
BEAT STEPS:
Jarvis analyzes Dracula’s minions and says they’re unknowable
Iron man says to attack
Everyone fights
Iron man learns the enemies have unique blood properties
Captain America makes/states a plan: Iron Man and Hulk stay outside as backup. Captain America, Hawk Eye and Falcon go inside to find Black Widow.
Hulk breaks through the wall of Dracula’s castle.
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Iron man
Captain America
Hawkeye
Falcon
Hulk
Dracula’s minions
Locations:
Ext. Dracula’s castle
Resources:
Jarvis
Falcon wings
Silver attack disks
Wooden spike arrows
Thor’s hammer
Iron man blasters
Hulk smash
BEAT: 13
TIME: 10:30-10:50
SUMMARY:
Captain America states his plan and Falcon strays from the path.
QUEST CHAINS:
5: Find the Antagonist
Step 1: State the plan
6: Falcon strays from the path and into a trap
Step 1: Introduction/Catalyst
BEAT TYPES:
State the plan
Team member strays from the path
Antagonist’s team strikes back
BEAT STEPS:
Captain America deduces where Dracula’s lair would most likely be.
Hawkeye says something witty.
Captain and America go towards Dracula’s lair.
Falcon hears Black Widow’s voice calling for him.
Falcon goes in a different direction following the voice.
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Captain America
Hawkeye
Falcon
Black Widow
Locations:
Int. Dracula’s castle- corridor
Resources:
Vampire telepathy
BEAT: 14
TIME: 10:50-11:44
SUMMARY:
Black widow fights Falcon. Hawkeye shows up to save the day but is defeated by Dracula.
QUEST CHAINS:
6: Falcon strays from the path and walks into a trap
Step 2: Fight scene (quest completed)
BEAT TYPES:
Fight scene
Antagonist closes in
State the hero’s weakness
BEAT STEPS:
Establishing shot- Ext. Dracula’s castle with lightening
Falcon finds Black Widow
Black widow uses noise to disable Falcon by exploiting his armor’s weakness
Hawkeye intercedes
Dracula intercedes
Dracula wins the fight
Dracula states the hero’s weakness (compassion)
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Falcon
Black Widow
Hawkeye
Dracula
Locations:
Ext. Dracula’s castle- Arial shot with lightening
Int. Bell tower
Resources:
Falcon’s armor
BEAT: 15
TIME: 11:44-12:00
SUMMARY:
Captain America surrenders to Dracula
QUEST CHAINS:
5: Find the Antagonist
Step 2: Completed
BEAT TYPES:
Hero and antagonist fight
Antagonist defeats hero
BEAT STEPS:
Dracula tells Captain America he’ll spare his friends life in exchange for his.
Captain America surrenders.
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Captain America
Dracula
Hawkeye
Falcon
Locations:
Int. Bell tower
Resources:
none
BEAT: 16
TIME: 12:00-12:33
SUMMARY:
Hulk and Thor fight Dracula’s minions
QUEST CHAINS:
7: Hulk and Thor’s mission
Step 1: Fight antagonist’s minions
BEAT TYPES:
Fight scene
Planning
BEAT STEPS:
Hulk and Thor discuss strategies to fight the vampires
Hulk and Thor attack
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Thor
Hulk
Antagonist’s minions
Locations:
Ext. Dracula’s castle
Resources:
Hulk smash
Thor’s hammer
BEAT: 17
TIME: 12:33-12:55
SUMMARY:
Jarvis tells Iron Man he found some info on Captain America while Iron man fights vampires.
QUEST CHAINS:
8: Iron Man investigates unknown variables
Step 1: Prologue/introduction
BEAT TYPES:
Fight scene
Investigation
Foreshadowing
Plot teaser
BEAT STEPS:
Iron man fights vampires
Jarvis tells Iron Man he’s discovered something about Captain America
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Iron Man
Jarvis
Antagonist’s minions
Locations:
Ext. Dracula’s castle- Arial
Resources:
Iron Man suit
BEAT: 18
TIME: 12:55-15:57
SUMMARY:
Dracula and the Avengers fight in the major midpoint battle
QUEST CHAINS:
9: Midpoint Showdown
Step 1: Antagonist attacks
BEAT TYPES:
Antagonist states his motives (survival)
Antagonist states his incentive (Captain America’s blood)
Fight scene
BEAT STEPS:
Dracula tells Captain America what he wants and why (kill humanity because humanity is encroaching on his domain and threatening him)
Dracula attacks Captain America
Captain America fights back (Note, the next 5 steps could be interpreted as their own beat because the fight takes a distinct turn, introduces new characters and the tension/stakes/danger are raised dramatically.)
Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, Falcon and Hawkeye intercede
Dracula turns Hulk into a vampire
Hulk attacks the Avengers
The Avengers fight back
Black Widow gets knocked out in the brawl
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Captain America
Dracula
Hawkeye
Thor
Iron Man
Falcon
Black Widow
Locations:
Int. Dracula’s lair
Resources:
All Avenger powers
All Dracula powers
BEAT: 19
TIME: 15:57-17:00
SUMMARY:
Dracula gets the upper hand but then loses it.
QUEST CHAINS:
9: Midpoint showdown
Step 2: Good guys get the upper hand
BEAT TYPES:
False victory for the antagonist
Good guys strike back
Fight scene
BEAT STEPS:
Captain America holds Black Widow and says she’s dying
Dracula reveals he absorbed Hulk’s power when he drank his blood
Dracula attacks Captain America
Captain America fights back
Dracula falls over in pain
Iron Man states that Hulk’s gamma-radiated blood is poisoning Dracula
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Captain America
Black Widow
Dracula
Iron Man
Locations:
Int. Dracula’s lair
Resources:
Hulk’s blood
Dracula’s blood/power sucking ability
BEAT: 20
TIME: 17:00-18:32
SUMMARY:
The Avengers plan on how to cure Hulk of vampirism.
QUEST CHAINS:
9: Midpoint showdown
Step 3: Reverse the antagonist’s curse
BEAT TYPES:
Planning
State the condition of success
Fight scene
BEAT STEPS:
Iron man says Hulk’s blood will counteract the vampire blood in him if he gets mad enough.
Avengers attack the Hulk to anger him
Hulk’s rage kills the vampirism in his blood
VARIABLES:
Characters:
All Avengers
Locations:
Int. Dracula’s lair
Resources:
All Avenger resources
Vampire blood
Hulk’s blood
BEAT: 21
TIME: 18:32-19:24
SUMMARY:
Dracula loses his Hulk power but gets away.
QUEST CHAINS:
9: Midpoint showdown
Step 4: The Antagonist loses
BEAT TYPES:
Final blow to the antagonist
BEAT STEPS:
Hulk’s blood continues attacking Dracula’s blood.
Dracula reverts from Hulkish vampire to regular vampire
Captain America demands Dracula release Black Widow from her vampirism
A portal opens in the ground, and vampires drag Dracula to safety.
Dracula says Black Widow’s vampirism is permanent
VARIABLES:
Characters:
All Avengers
Dracula
Locations:
Int. Dracula’s lair
Resources:
Hulk’s blood
Dracula’s blood
BEAT: 22
TIME: 19:24-19:46
SUMMARY:
The Avengers escape from Dracula’s imploding castle.
QUEST CHAINS:
10: Avenger’s denoument
Step 1: Escape the self-destructing antagonist’s lair
BEAT TYPES:
False victory
Prize
Escape
BEAT STEPS:
The building starts to collapse
Avengers say they need to get out and save Black Widow somehow
The avengers escape the building and fly away in their airplane
VARIABLES:
Characters:
All the Avengers
Locations:
Int. Dracula’s lair
Ext. Dracula’s imploding castle
Resources:
Avenger’s airplane
BEAT: 23
TIME: 19:45-20:05
SUMMARY:
Avengers try to save Black Widow by injecting her with Hulk blood on the Avenger’s airplane.
QUEST CHAINS:
10: Avenger’s denouement
Step 2: Create/enact plan to save Black Widow
BEAT TYPES:
Regroup
Planning
Enact plan
Teaser
BEAT STEPS:
Falcon asks if injecting Hulk blood in Black Widow will save her
Iron Man says they’re going to try
Iron Man injects Hulk blood in Black Widow.
VARIABLES:
Characters:
All Avengers
Locations:
Int. Avenger’s airplane
Resources:
Avenger’s airplane
Hulk’s blood
Vampire blood
BEAT: 24
TIME: 20:05-21:04
SUMMARY:
Red Skull meets with Dracula.
QUEST CHAINS:
11: Dracula’s denouement
Step 1: Repercussion and prize
12: Dracula’s new job
Step 1: Introduction (Recruitment)
BEAT TYPES:
Antagonist’s repercussion
Antagonist’s prize (second chance)
End quest chain
Janus beat- Begin new trans-episode quest chain (Quest chain 12: Dracula’s new job)
BEAT STEPS:
Red skull approaches Dracula’s mausoleum as Dracula’s minions surround him.
Dracula tells the minions to let Red Skull pass. (Note: The rest of the steps could be considered a separate beat from Red Skull approaching the mausoleum.)
Dracula hooks himself to a blood tranfuser and talks to Red Skull. Dracula is feeling humiliated.
Red Skull offers Dracula a job on his council of evil
Dracula says he’s interested.
VARIABLES:
Characters:
Red Skull
Dracula
Dracula’s minions
Locations:
Ext. Dracula’s mausoleum
Int. Dracula’s mausoleum
Resources:
Dracula's blood transfuser
BEAT: 25
TIME: 21:04-21:36
SUMMARY:
Black Widow wakes up cured from vampirism
QUEST CHAINS:
10: Avenger’s denouement
Step 2: Happy sunset
BEAT TYPES:
Final prize
Final beat
Happy sunset
Humor
BEAT STEPS:
Black Widow wakes up surrounded by the Avengers
They confirm she’s human and make jokes.
VARIABLES:
Characters:
All the Avengers
Locations:
Int. Avenger’s compound- Infirmary
Resources:
None
This break down was originally posted on my main site, thewisesloth.com on March 5, 2017.
Great analysis of the episode!
I'm betting the Marvel films have very similar structures - it's gratingly formulaic at this point. Would love to see you do a breakdown for the feature films.