Let’s talk about one of the most important ingredients in storytelling – the link between the crisis and the climax. The climax of your story is the moment everything has been leading up to, but without a well-crafted crisis, that climax might fall flat, ruining your story. In this article, we’ll explore four characteristics that will help you write the crisis and climax of your story as a unit. To illustrate, we’ll be using a popular episode from The Umbrella Academy.

1. The Ultimate Challenge

The first principle is that the crisis ought to be the ultimate challenge that your characters face. It’s the moment when they’re backed into a corner, forced to confront their deepest fears or greatest obstacles. In The Umbrella Academy, Season 2, Episode 10, The End of Something, the crisis occurs when the Hargreeves siblings face off against The Handler and the agents of the Commission. Vanya, who has struggled with controlling her powers throughout the series, is now the key to stopping the apocalypse. The crisis here is not just about fighting external enemies but also about Vanya overcoming her own inner turmoil. The ultimate challenge is clear: Can they stop the apocalypse, and can Vanya control her powers without losing herself? This crisis sets the stage for the explosive climax that follows.

2. Escalate the Stakes

The second principle is that the crisis should escalate the stakes to their highest level. Everything in the story has been building toward this moment, and the crisis is where the full weight of those stakes comes crashing down. In the same episode of The Umbrella Academy, the stakes are high indeed—if the siblings fail, the world ends. But it’s not just about saving the world; it’s also about saving each other. The crisis forces siblings to confront their own personal stakes—whether it’s Klaus grappling with his fear of leadership, or Five dealing with the consequences of his time travelling escapades. The escalation of stakes manifest in the crisis makes the subsequent climax not only necessary, but also deeply satisfying for the audience.

3. Reveal Character(s)

The third principle is that the crisis ought to reveal who your characters truly are. In moments of extreme pressure, true character is revealed. The crisis, therefore, should force your characters to make choices that show their growth—or lack of it. In The Umbrella Academy, Vanya’s decision to embrace her powers and trust her siblings is a pivotal moment of character revelation. Throughout the series, Vanya has struggled with feelings of alienation and fear of her abilities. The crisis forces her to choose: Will she continue to fear herself, or will she accept who she is and use her powers to help save the world? Her decision not only drives the climax but also completes her character arc, making the climax more impactful.

4. The Crisis and Climax should be Inseparable

The final principle ensures that the crisis and climax are so interdependent that they cannot exist without each other. The crisis catapults the story directly into the climax, with no room or time for the tension to dissipate. In The End of Something, the struggle against The Handler and the Commission flows seamlessly into the climax—Vanya’s unleashing of her full power to stop the apocalypse. The crisis and climax are inseparable; the crisis arising from whether Vanya can control her power leads directly into the climax of her having to use that power to save the world. This connection between crisis and climax keeps the audience on the edge of their seats and ensures that the climax delivers maximum emotional impact.

Summary

A good crisis leads to a great climax. Write a crisis that challenges your characters, escalates the stakes, reveals their true selves, and flows seamlessly into the climax to create a story that resonates with your audience. The Umbrella Academy shows mastery of this dynamic, with a crisis that leads to an unforgettable climax.

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