I had an idea for a TV show, and asked ChatGPT to write a 500 word treatment for it. Here it is. It needs some tweaking and a lot of character work, but not a bad start. Of course, this is beyond my experience and resources, but I'm putting it out there. I would watch it.
One of the best things about this treatment is the introduction of the Zen-like trillionaire who is the richest of them all. That's 100% ChatGPT's idea.
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Title: The Last Cul de Sac (**needs work)
Genre: Black Comedy, Mockumentary
Format: Hour-long Episodic TV Series
Logline:
After an unspecified apocalypse wipes out the world as we know it, the last bastion of human civilization is a secluded cul de sac in the mountains of New Zealand, where the world's richest trillionaires have retreated to their sprawling, opulent underground bunkers. Now, they must navigate the challenges of coexisting as neighbors—complete with massive egos, entitlement, and eccentricities—while the remnants of humanity lie in ruins outside.
Setting:
The series is set in a remote mountain cul de sac in New Zealand, surrounded by desolation and silence. Ten concealed access points dot the landscape, each leading to an immense, multi-level underground bunker. These bunkers reflect the personalities of their owners—one is a tech mogul’s sterile, AI-run paradise; another is an oil tycoon’s opulent, gilded palace; a third is an influencer’s neon-lit labyrinth of selfie rooms and social media studios. The architectural quirks of each bunker serve as a window into the peculiarities of their inhabitants.
Style and Tone:
Inspired by the black comedic satire of Dr. Strangelove and the mockumentary style of The Office and What We Do in the Shadows, The Last Cul de Sac employs fourth-wall-breaking interviews, deadpan humor, and absurdist scenarios. The contrast between the characters' trivial concerns and the catastrophic backdrop creates a darkly comedic tension. B-roll footage intercuts scenes, juxtaposing the extravagance of the bunkers with the haunting desolation of the outside world.
Main Characters (**These need a lot of work):
Magnus Thornfield – A tech billionaire who micromanages everything through his neurotic AI assistant, ARGUS, which has developed passive-aggressive tendencies.
Clarissa Van Pelt – An influencer-turned-"survivalist" who live-streams her life in the bunker despite there being no audience left to watch.
Alaric Blackwell – An oil tycoon with a bunker styled like a Victorian manor, complete with animatronic servants. He refuses to acknowledge the apocalypse, pretending it’s the 19th century.
Tatiana Zaitsev – A ruthless pharma mogul who controls the cul de sac’s medicine supply, trading prescriptions for favors and power.
Hugo and Mabel Fitzroy – Aging luxury real estate magnates struggling to maintain relevance, whose bunker is a series of decadent showrooms nobody visits.
Supporting Characters:
Spouses and Family Members – Loyal, rebellious, or clueless partners and heirs who complicate each trillionaire's life.
Support Staff and Security – A mix of fiercely loyal retainers, disillusioned employees, and clueless mercenaries who navigate the power dynamics of the ultra-rich.
Pilot Episode: “Welcome to the Neighborhood”
The episode opens with B-roll of the desolate, ashen landscape before cutting to Magnus Thornfield nervously calibrating his bunker’s air filtration system. Through mockumentary interviews, viewers learn that tensions are high as a new neighbor moves into the last available bunker. Clarissa throws a “housewarming party” and attempts to broadcast it to her defunct social media following. Alaric refuses to attend, citing Victorian etiquette.
The new neighbor, rumored to be the richest trillionaire of them all, turns out to be an eccentric minimalist who arrives with only a backpack. His bunker is a zen-inspired void, infuriating Magnus, who becomes obsessed with figuring out his secret. Meanwhile, Tatiana subtly manipulates the situation, leveraging her medical supplies to gain favors.
The episode climaxes with a farcical confrontation over a malfunctioning water filtration system, which they all rely on. Paranoia and accusations fly, revealing their mutual distrust and fragile alliances. As tensions peak, the episode cuts to footage of crumbling cities and abandoned landmarks, highlighting the absurdity of their petty squabbles amidst global ruin.
Season Arc:
Each episode explores the social dynamics of the trillionaire enclave—power plays, petty feuds, and bizarre alliances—as they attempt to establish a new social order. Themes of isolation, legacy, and the absurdity of wealth are interwoven with dark humor. Flashbacks to the pre-apocalypse world reveal the causes of the disaster, hinting at the residents’ involvement. The season culminates in the arrival of an unexpected visitor, challenging the residents’ notions of survival and humanity.
Themes:
The Absurdity of Wealth and Power: Highlighting the trivial pursuits and ego clashes of the ultra-rich, even when the world has ended.
Isolation and Humanity: Examining how extreme privilege isolates them, both physically and emotionally, questioning what it means to be human.
Denial and Legacy: Characters grapple with denial of the apocalypse and obsessive control over their legacies, reflecting modern anxieties.
Conclusion:
The Last Cul de Sac satirizes wealth, privilege, and humanity's refusal to change, even in the face of total annihilation. Through dark humor and poignant absurdity, the show explores how the richest survive—not just the apocalypse, but each other.
All images made by me with the use of Midjourney, the AI image engine.