FlashForwardpresented an alluring premise that drewimmediate comparisons toLost. When a mysterious event causes nearly everyone on Earth to lose consciousness for 137 seconds, only to awaken with visions of their lives six months in the future, the world is left reeling. This global"flashforward"sets the scene for an investigation into the cause and consequences. It’s agreat TV show that re-writes time and reality.
FlashFowardwas initially planned for fives seasons. However, a variety of factors including a long hiatusstalled the show’s momentumand its viewership declined, resulting in it getting canceled before its time. The premise of the show, adapted from the novel of the same name, had real promise – it is disappointing it didn’t get a second season, and a sad reality of network television at the time. It joined a host ofTV shows that were canceled before answering their biggest question.
FlashForward Was Billed As “The New Lost” & It’s Easy To See Why
The Mind-Bending Plots Have A Similar Appeal
FlashForwardpresented a gripping premise that draws comparisons to the time-and-mind-bendingLost. A mysterious event causesnearly everyone on Earth to lose consciousness for 137 seconds, only to awaken with visions of their lives six months in the future. This global"flashforward"leaves the world in a state of shock and confusion, prompting a team of FBI agents to investigate the cause and potential consequences. The team looks into"Suspect Zero,“who was unaffected by the event. They also investigate a similar event in Somalia in 1991.
The show’s appeal lies in its ability to balance a mystery with the exploration of characters.
Beyond the overarching mystery,FlashForwardexplores the personal impact of the flashforwardson its characters. Mark Benford grapples with the prospect of relapsing into alcoholism, while his wife confronts a vision of herself with another man. Demetri Noh’s blank flashforward raises questions about his fate, leaving viewers uncertain whether he will survive the event or if his future has already been determined. The show’s appeal lies in its ability to balance a mystery with the exploration of characters. This blend of elements, reminiscent of the popular seriesLost,madeFlashForwarda compelling watch, albeitcanceled too quickly.
Why FlashForward Was Canceled After Only One Season
The Author Of The Original Novel Pitched A Second Season To No Avail
In a 2015 blog post fromsfwriter.com, Robert J. Sawyer – the writer of the novelFlashForwardwas based on – reflected on the glaring flaws in comparison toLost.WhileFlashForwardgarnered strong ratings for its pilot, the audience quickly dwindled, suggesting thatthe show failed to live up to the hype. According to Sawyer,Lostcentered around a catastrophic event – the crash of Oceanic Airlines flight 815 – and the ensuing struggle for survival. This survivalist theme resonated with viewers for years.FlashForwardsimilarly depicted a global blackout, but quickly brushed it aside, continuing as if nothing had happened.
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Sawyer also pointed out thatLostfocused on a small group of characters forced to rely on each other, whileFlashForwardstruggled to maintain focus. The show often delved into storylines of characters who hadn’t experienced flashforwards, which felt like a missed opportunity to explore the broader impact of the event. To makeFlashForwarda true successor toLost, Sawyer suggested several key changes for season two, including a focus on the disaster’s aftermath and the characters’ survival, and incorporating flashbacks to expand the narrative. Sadly, this would never come to pass andFlashForwardnever got a season 2.
FlashForward Deserved A Second Season (To Truly Become Lost’s Replacement)
The Age Of Streaming Could Turn The Tide For FlashForward
Besides the storyline, other factors led toFlashFoward’s tanked ratings. Scheduling was an issue in the US, while in the UK, it aired on Channel 5, which did not have a great viewership despite it being aired at prime-time. Its hiatus also put a stopper in the momentum of the show, reducing the buzz around it. Now,in the age of streaming, the show could have another lease of life. Many viewers were, despite its flaws, disappointed when it got canceled – this shows it had real potential. It’s aTV show that deserves to be rebooted.
On streaming platforms, there is alsomore freedom in the number of episodesshow seasons can have, rather than the events being dragged out too much. While it is unlikely there would ever be a season 2 picking up where season 1 left off, a fresh attempt at adapting Sawyer’s novel – no, notthatSawyer – would need to have a fresh start and address the flaws the author pointed out about the original series. A resurgence of interest inLostwhich is now on Netflixcould be just whatFlashForwardneeds to get off the ground again.
