Episoden

Episoden is the plural form of the German noun Episode and is commonly used to refer to individual installments of a larger narrative. The term appears in contexts such as television series, films released in parts, radio programs, podcasts, and web series. An episode can present a self-contained story or contribute to an overarching plot that unfolds across multiple episodes. In discussions of media, episodes are often grouped into seasons or arcs.

In terms of structure, episodes may be standalone or serial. Standalone episodes tell complete stories within their runtime, while serial episodes advance ongoing storylines and character development. Some series mix these approaches, offering both self-contained entries and episodes that require watching others to fully understand the progression. The concept of episodic storytelling contrasts with serialized formats that emphasize a continuous narrative without clear breakpoints.

Etymology and related uses: The word derives from the French épisode, itself from Greek epeisodion, meaning a part of a sequence or a recounted incident. Beyond media, the term Episoden is used in medical and cognitive contexts to describe distinct occurrences, such as an epileptic episode, or episodic memory, which concerns personal experiences and events.

See also: Episode, episodic, serialized storytelling, season, arc, and related concepts in media studies.