Zap2it: How far back did you have this plan to let the bad guys win at the end of Season 3?
Jonathan Nolan: Greg, when did we come up with this?
Greg Plageman: Man, this one goes back a ways. We initially conceived the idea of an alternate machine. Decima was an interesting international organization, sort of without boundaries. We kind of have always known that there would be a proliferation of AIs; there would be this competing entity as early as this season, we talked about it. The only question for us was, "When would this thing finally take over?" We talked about next season, and we get to that point where we just can't help ourselves and we pull story up. We say, let's go for it, let's blow it up and let's figure it out from there. In this case, it felt like the right move. It felt like it dovetailed really nicely, too, when the idea came up that Samaritan effectively created Vigilance as a construct. That felt too juicy to pass up. It kind of all coalesced very nicely in a monster twist where Mr. Greer drank Mr. Collier's milkshake. It was a blast.
I think the bigger twist was that it seems like you guys are throwing the procedural conceit out the door at the end of this season and our heroes have now lost their identities. Have you figured out yet how you want the show to move forward in Season 4?
JN: Yeah, absolutely. We like being reckless, but always with a plan. That was our pact with the audience, was that we would be reckless with them a little bit in terms of the risks that we take with the characters and the storylines, but that this was always going somewhere. This show has always been headed towards this season's finale, and headed out of it, we know exactly where we're going. There will be some fun surprises along the way. But one of the things that we were most excited about three seasons in is we had these superhero-like figures, but for Reese and Shaw and Root and Finch, their lives have been somewhat simple until this point because they just get to do the cool part. They just get to be the heroes.
Jonathan Nolan: Greg, when did we come up with this?
Greg Plageman: Man, this one goes back a ways. We initially conceived the idea of an alternate machine. Decima was an interesting international organization, sort of without boundaries. We kind of have always known that there would be a proliferation of AIs; there would be this competing entity as early as this season, we talked about it. The only question for us was, "When would this thing finally take over?" We talked about next season, and we get to that point where we just can't help ourselves and we pull story up. We say, let's go for it, let's blow it up and let's figure it out from there. In this case, it felt like the right move. It felt like it dovetailed really nicely, too, when the idea came up that Samaritan effectively created Vigilance as a construct. That felt too juicy to pass up. It kind of all coalesced very nicely in a monster twist where Mr. Greer drank Mr. Collier's milkshake. It was a blast.
I think the bigger twist was that it seems like you guys are throwing the procedural conceit out the door at the end of this season and our heroes have now lost their identities. Have you figured out yet how you want the show to move forward in Season 4?
JN: Yeah, absolutely. We like being reckless, but always with a plan. That was our pact with the audience, was that we would be reckless with them a little bit in terms of the risks that we take with the characters and the storylines, but that this was always going somewhere. This show has always been headed towards this season's finale, and headed out of it, we know exactly where we're going. There will be some fun surprises along the way. But one of the things that we were most excited about three seasons in is we had these superhero-like figures, but for Reese and Shaw and Root and Finch, their lives have been somewhat simple until this point because they just get to do the cool part. They just get to be the heroes.
Source:
I have't seen the last two episodes yet (been having crazy weeks), but can't wait to come back and read this!!!
ReplyDeleteJust glad they got picked up for another season or it would have been a crappy ending.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. These two are the best showrunners out there. They have an amazing grasp of their creation.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for Bear flashbacks though!! That would be a sight to see!!
I hope there's new villais, also want to see Samaritan in action. It's sad that Control won't be on s4
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link. I always love their interviews. :)
ReplyDelete"We like being reckless, but always with a plan. That was our pact with the audience, was that we would be reckless with them a little bit in terms of the risks that we take with the characters and the story lines, but that this was always going somewhere."
^^^^^^ This right here. This is the reason that they are among the best show runners in the business.
"I'm all for Bear flashbacks though!! That would be a sight to see!!"
ReplyDeleteI am still mad that LOST didn't go ahead and do a Vincent one, simply because the idea got leaked! I'd love to see a Bear flashback!
I know, right?! Between Tractor getting stuck, dog getting sick and terentual down-poor that flooded my family's property and the barns and stuff, I've been a little behind on TV this past couple of weeks!
ReplyDeleteLets not forget bout that mysterious caller who forced a 911 Dispatcher to do his dirty work and telling Finch they will meet again.
ReplyDeleteI love this show and am exicted for the season 4. Only thing I don't like is how Reese appears to be taking a bck seat, and also Harold to a certain extent. When I started watching it was about these two and it was their dynamic, along with Carter and eventually Fusco, that drew me in. Now Carter's dead, usco appers to be a bit part now and Reese is getting that way. Wish the new season will put them more central.
ReplyDeleteAnd Zoe back. It was a lot of fun to see Carter, Shaw and Zoe together, and we've already lost Carter :(
ReplyDeleteNow that The 100 was renewed I don't know, but I hope to see her again.
Thanks for sharing! Good interview! These showrunners really seem to have a plan for their show. I like how they manage to give us some insight, while also imbuing some hope and some hints of storyline ideas. Despite leaving me a bit apprehensive by that depressing season finale, I'm still excited about next season. How refreshing to have showrunners actually tell you stuff in their interviews, instead of trying to be clever while saying nothing, or outright misinformation.
ReplyDeleteIs the dog okay?!
ReplyDeleteHe seems ok. Thanks for asking! :)
ReplyDeleteYesterday had ex rays and is on antibiotics, which the antibiotics seemed to improve his condition. So it seems like he had a bad bladder infection rather than what we feared, which was an obstruction.
Good :)
ReplyDeleteI am wondering how they will be able to have the characters work together at all next season when they have to live regular lives and have everything they do observed by a hostile machine now. One of the things I love best about this show is the relationships....
ReplyDeleteI think Paige's (Zoe) ability to make appearances will depend on how "The 100" goes, and on how many episodes a season that they do. She has a major character role on that show.
ReplyDelete