Here's a script I see every year: The lead is cynical. The world then validates the lead's view by treating him like crap. Things get worse.
The end.
While you may not realize it, what this script says is "MY LEAD IS ALWAYS RIGHT." Complete with caps locks.
There are a lot of things drama is. What's it's not is a predictable journey from one character letting people down to another. My nickname for this is 'Disappointment Drama.' It is not a remarkable insight into the human condition. It's a livejournal rant that runs for over 90 pages.
If you want to showcase the worst in human behavior you need to contrast it with something. It doesn't have to be the best of humanity, just something other than ceaseless, pulse-less ennui. Perhaps it brings a good man down, results in war, destroys an empire...
Change is the key. People don't pay to watch the grass grow but if your lead is always right they might as well have. At least then they'd see some growth.
Perhaps the title for this post should be 'Disappointment Drama is Dull.' Because it is.
Good writing shouldn't be.
This also goes for everyone writing passive heroines (yes, they're mostly heroines), the kind who stare listlessly out kitchen windows while their men sleep with their friends and their children sneak money from their purse. The kind that spend whole scripts waiting for someone else (usually a man) to step in and fix their life for them.
Remember: If people consider someone doing nothing for hours on end grand entertainment they'll buy a statue.
