mytharc

English

Etymology

Blend of mythology +‎ story arc, used originally and most commonly in reference to The X-Files.

Noun

mytharc (plural mytharcs)

1. (fandom slang) The ongoing story arc that underpins all episodes of a television series.
   • 1999, Heath Smith, “TAN: Neon Genesis and how to do the mytharc properly”, in aus.tv.x-files (Usenet):

     This [Neon Genesis Evangelion] is one show that -really- has me sucked in. And yes, their mytharc has to be the most perfectly constructed thing I've ever seen. :)

   • 2000, Allronix, “An open letter to Ms. Roddenberry”, in alt.tv.earth-final-conflict (Usenet):

     I think this is what you seek to avoid in mytharcs - a plot that drowns out the character-based drama and morality plays that are still Gene's finest legacy.

   • 2008, J. P. Telotte, The essential science fiction television reader, page 234:

     The mytharc is a continuous story line about the government's involvement in a plot to cover up the presence of extraterrestrials on Earth.