FlashForward explained

Based On:Flashforward
by Robert J. Sawyer
Composer:Ramin Djawadi
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:22
Location:Los Angeles, California
Runtime:41–44 minutes
Network:ABC

FlashForward is an American television series, adapted for television by Brannon Braga and David S. Goyer, which aired for one season on ABC between September 24, 2009, and May 27, 2010. It is based on the 1999 novel Flashforward by Canadian science fiction writer Robert J. Sawyer. The series revolves around the lives of several people as a mysterious event causes nearly everyone on the planet to simultaneously lose consciousness for two minutes and seventeen seconds on October 6, 2009. During this blackout, people see what appear to be visions of their lives on April 29, 2010, a global "flashforward" six months into the future.

In May 2010, ABC announced that FlashForward had been cancelled. The season finale for Season 1 was shot before it was known the show would be cancelled and showed another flashforward event happening more than 20 years in the future. This more closely followed the original book, which featured a flashforward that peered years into the future.

Premise

FlashForward is constructed around a high-concept narrative where a mysterious event has caused nearly everyone on the planet to simultaneously lose consciousness for 137 seconds, during which time people see what appears to be a vision of their own life approximately six months in the future: a global "flashforward". A team of Los Angeles FBI agents, led by Stanford Wedeck (Vance) and spearheaded by Mark Benford (Fiennes) and his partner Demetri Noh (Cho), begin the process of determining what happened, why, and whether it will happen again. Benford contributes a unique perspective on the investigation; in his flashforward, he saw the results of six months of investigation that he had done on the flashforward event, and he and his team use those clues to recreate the investigation.

The team investigates a number of events related to the flashforward, including "Suspect Zero", who did not lose consciousness during the event because of a quantum entanglement device (QED), the sinister "D. Gibbons/Dyson Frost", and a similar mass loss of consciousness in Somalia in 1991. Meanwhile, personal revelations contained within the flashforwards occupy the personal lives of the principal characters. Mark Benford sees himself relapsing into alcoholism; his wife sees herself with another man; Demetri Noh sees nothing, which could mean that he will not be alive to see the day everyone else has glimpsed or, perhaps, that his future was not set on the day of the flashforward. Other characters grapple with similarly unexpected or surprising revelations in their flashforwards.

Cast and characters

See main article: List of ''FlashForward'' characters.

Main characters

Recurring characters

Production

The pilot was written by David S. Goyer (who also directed) and Brannon Braga, from Robert J. Sawyer's novel, with Goyer and Braga executive producing alongside Jessika Borsiczky Goyer, Vince Gerardis, and Ralph Vicinanza.[1]

FlashForward was originally developed at HBO, which sold its option because it thought the show would be a better fit for a broadcast network. After purchasing the series and ordering a pilot, ABC picked up FlashForward for thirteen episodes in May 2009.[2] On October 12, 2009, ABC picked up the series for a 22-episode season. Later the same day, it was announced ABC had ordered a further three episodes for a 25-episode first season, which was later adjusted to 24.[3] [4] [5] [6]

On October 21, 2009, it was announced that executive producer Marc Guggenheim would leave ABC's FlashForward. Co-creator and executive producer David S. Goyer stepped in to replace him as showrunner.[7] On February 5, 2010, Goyer announced he would be stepping down as showrunner to focus on feature films and directing. He remained involved with the show, however. Goyer was replaced as showrunner by his wife, Jessika Goyer, along with Lisa Zwerling and Timothy J. Lea.

On May 13, 2010 (concurrent with the air date of the episode "The Negotiation", and two weeks before the season finale) it was reported that FlashForward would not be renewed for a second season because of the decline of viewers.[8]

Each episode's title sequence includes a hidden image within the FlashForward logo to show a piece of what the episode is about. These images are visible when the sequence is paused at the right time.

Season 2

In 2015, Robert J. Sawyer shared his memo that he sent to producers and staff writers on February 19, 2010 outlining his suggestion for season two.[9] [10]

Episodes

Season 1 (2009-10)

Release

Broadcast

FlashForward aired on ABC on September 24, 2009 through May 27, 2010.

International distribution

FlashForward has sold in over 100 territories worldwide. Overseas air-dates are typically close to the original U.S. broadcasts, in an attempt to limit piracy.[11] The series airs on AXN in Mexico,[12] Argentina,[13] Chile,[14] Brazil,[15] Bulgaria,[16] Colombia,[17] the Czech Republic,[18] Hungary,[19] Japan,[20] AXN in Poland,[21] Portugal,[22] Romania,[23] Serbia,[24] Venezuela,[25] and Uruguay.[26] It airs in Australia on the Seven Network,[27] in Austria on ORF1,[28] in Canada on /A\,[29] and in Estonia on Fox Life.[30] In Greece it is broadcast on FX,[31] in Hong Kong on TVB Pearl,[32] in New Zealand on TV2, and in Russia on Channel One. In Singapore it is shown on MediaCorp Channel 5 and Starhub Fox Channel – Channel 505, in Slovakia on TV JOJ,[33] in Slovenia on TV3 Slovenia,[34] in South Africa on M-Net,[35] in Taiwan on Public Television Service,[36] and in Turkey on Dizimax[37] and ATV. In Western Europe, FlashForward airs on Kanal 5 in Denmark,[38] Nelonen in Finland,[39] Canal +[40] and TF1 in France, ProSieben in Germany by [41] RTÉ Two, in Ireland,[42] TV 2 in Norway, Cuatro in Spain,[43] TV4 in Sweden,[44] TSR1, La 2 & SF zwei in Switzerland,[45] ORF1 in Austria, Five in the United Kingdom,[46] Fox in Italy,[47] Veronica in the Netherlands,[48] BeTV in Belgium,[49] and SIC in Portugal.[50] It is also aired in the Philippines on Studio 23.[51] In Israel it airs on Satellite TV yes stars Action as well as Cable TV HOT3.,[52] in Indonesia by RCTI.

Home media

Season 1, Part 1 of the series was released on DVD on February 23, 2010. This DVD has the first ten episodes, plus bonus material. The full series was released on DVD on August 31, 2010 (including more bonus material). The full series was also supposed to be released on Blu-ray on the same date, but the Blu-ray release was indefinitely delayed and later cancelled.[53] The first 2 discs of the 5-disc full series set are the same as the 2-disc set of episodes 1-10.

It is available for digital purchase through Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, and Vudu. On February 23, 2021, the show was added to the steaming platform, Disney+ in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.[54]

Reception

Ratings and viewership

Although launching to large audiences of 12.47 million viewers in the US, the show's ratings rapidly declined to ratings about one-third that figure.[55] The show's scheduling in the US was held to blame by some people; an unexpected extended hiatus may have contributed to the deteriorating fanbase.[56] However, in other countries such as the UK, where the show was given prime time scheduling on terrestrial television, ratings also dwindled. In the UK, the show was screened on Channel Five, a channel which receives fairly poor viewing figures in comparison to its peers.[57]

The show was watched by an average of 8.5 million viewers per episode, ranking it 44th most watched show of the season.[58]

Critical reception

FlashForward received generally positive reviews, with a Metacritic score of 71 out of 100, based on 26 critic reviews.[59] Rotten Tomatoes reported a 80% approval rating with an average rating of 8.1/10, based on 35 critic reviews; the website's critics consensus reads, "FlashForward robustly entertains with an addictive concept, top-notch production, and an exciting apocalyptic setting."[60]

In September 2009, Tim Goodman of the San Francisco Chronicle deemed the series "enormously entertaining" with a "tantalizing premise",[61] while Ginia Bellafante of The New York Times wrote that it "begins in such a spirit of bracing suspense that [she was] challenged to recall another pilot that lured [her] so quickly into addiction."[62] Variety Brian Lowry gave a more measured review, opining, "It's an intriguing, mind-bending concept that's mostly well executed [...] there's a solid desire to see more but not such wonderment as to proclaim unwavering fealty until the show peers a little farther down the road."[63] Entertainment Weeklys Ken Tucker graded the series "B+", stating, "FF isn't perfect. Much thought has been given to plot and character but not enough to the visuals: This is one of the most drab-looking of intelligent shows. Thematically, FF makes major philosophical points— living in the moment, etc.—but instead of dramatizing them, it often just has its characters speak them." Tucker described the show as " sci-fi-ish conspiracy suspense with excellent prime-time-soap drama".[64]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations for FlashForward! Year !! Presenter !! Award !! Result
2009People's Choice AwardsFavorite New Television Drama
Image AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: (Gabrielle Union for the role of Zoey Andata)
American Society of Cinematographers Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Episodic/Pilot Television for Jeffrey Jur for the episode "The Gift"[65]
2010Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Cinematography for a One-Hour Series
Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)
Outstanding Stunt Coordination
Hugo AwardBest Dramatic Presentation (Short Form) – Brannon Braga, David S. Goyer, and Robert J. Sawyer for the episode "No More Good Days"
Constellation AwardsBest Television Series
Best Overall Science Fiction Film or Television Script - Brannon Braga and David S. Goyer for the episode "No More Good Days"
Visual Effects Society AwardsOutstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Broadcast Program - Kevin Blank, Andrew Orloff, Steve Meyer, Jonathan Spencer Levy for the episode "No More Good Days"[66]
Outstanding Created Environment in a Broadcast Program or Commercial - Kevin Blank, Andrew Orloff, Steve Meyer, Jonathan Spencer Levy for the freeway overpass sequence in the episode "No More Good Days"
2011Constellation AwardsBest Television Series[67]
Best Overall Science Fiction Film or Television Script - Robert J. Sawyer for the episode "Course Correction"[68]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Flash Forward New Companion for Lost. comingsoon.net. 2008-08-09.
  2. Web site: The Hollywood Reporter . . 2009-05-08 . 2009-09-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090514024120/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i4b5caa365ad73b3a562218379433fee4 . May 14, 2009 .
  3. Web site: ABC Confirms Episode Orders . The Futon Critic . 2009-12-08. 2009-12-04.
  4. Web site: ABC picks up more 'FlashForward' . . Stuart . Levine . 2009-10-12 . 2009-10-14 .
  5. This just in: 'FlashForward' gets full season . . Michael Ausiello . Ausiello . Michael . 2009-10-12 . 2009-10-12.
  6. Web site: ABC Orders Full Season of 'FlashForward' . The New York Times blog . Itzkoff . Dave . 2009-10-12 . 2009-10-12.
  7. News: Joyce . Eng . FlashForward Changes Showrunners. TVGuide.com.
  8. THIS JUST IN: ABC cancels 'Romantically Challenged,' 'Scrubs,' 'Better Off Ted,' and 'FlashForward'. Entertainment Weekly . October 29, 2018.
  9. Web site: Robert J. Sawyer » Blog Archive » My suggestion for FlashForward's second season . 2022-06-19.
  10. Web site: Robert J. Sawyer . 2022-06-20 . www.facebook.com . en.
  11. Web site: Hopewell . John . Keslassy . Elsa . October 5, 2009 . Disney sells 'FlashForward' worldwide . 2009-10-08 . . Reed Business Information.
  12. Web site: FlashForward | Latin America AXN . 2010-05-17 . Mx.axn.com.
  13. Web site: FlashForward | Latin America AXN . 2010-05-03 . Ar.axn.com.
  14. Web site: FlashForward | Chile AXN . 2010-05-26 . cl.axn.com . 2010-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100601161051/http://cl.axn.com/shows/flashforward . dead .
  15. Web site: FlashForward | Brasil AXN . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100430051802/http://br.axn.com/shows/flashforward . 2010-04-30 . 2010-05-03 . Br.axn.com.
  16. Web site: Flash Forward trailer BG | Видео | Bulgaria AXN . 2010-05-03 . Axn-bulgaria.com.
  17. Web site: FlashForward | Latin America AXN . 2010-05-03 . Ar.axn.com . 2010-04-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100429091759/http://ar.axn.com/shows/flashforward . dead .
  18. Web site: Flash Forward . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718164735/http://www.axn.cz/shows/flash-forward-vzpominka-na-budoucnost . 2011-07-18 . 2009-11-27 . AXN.cz.
  19. Web site: 2009-11-16 . Műsorbeosztás | Hungary Axn . 2010-05-03 . Axn.hu.
  20. Web site: 2010-04-15 . AXN - 海外ドラマチャンネル|フラッシュフォワード . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130702003452/http://axn.co.jp/program/flashforward/ . 2013-07-02 . 2013-06-25.
  21. Web site: FlashForward | AXN . 2010-06-12 . www.axn.pl.
  22. Web site: AXN.pt – FlashForward mini-site . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090927175846/http://www.axn.pt/flashforward . 2009-09-27 . 2009-10-01 . axn.pt.
  23. Web site: Acasă | Romania AXN . 2010-05-03 . Axn.ro.
  24. Web site: Početna strana | Serbia AXN . 2010-05-03 . Axn.rs.
  25. Web site: AXN estrena, FlashForward . 2010-02-28 . 2012-07-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120729022713/http://ve.axn.com/news/axn-estrena-flashforward . dead .
  26. Web site: FlashForward: Latin America AXN . June 5, 2010 . uy.axn.com . AXN Latin America Inc.
  27. Web site: Guider . Elizabeth . September 21, 2009 . FlashForward inks Asia Pacific deals . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091102092620/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/asia/nz-australia/e3i87c96b4228796e1d3b7a1e6c92afdd1d . November 2, 2009 . 2009-10-08 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  28. Web site: tv.ORF.at . 2010-05-03 . tv.ORF.at .
  29. Web site: 2009-09-23 . Canadian author Robert J. Sawyer to debut TV series with literary fans . The Canadian Press.
  30. Web site: Raud . Kersti . October 5, 2009 . Flashforwardi tutvustus . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091017082052/http://flashforward.elu24.ee/?id=171547 . October 17, 2009 . October 10, 2009 . elu24.ee.
  31. Web site: 2010-01-20 . FX – Σειρές – Flash Forward | Home . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100222091140/http://www.fxtv.gr/Flash-Forward . 2010-02-22 . 2010-05-03 . Fxtv.gr.
  32. Web site: 2009-07-21 . Pearl 明珠台 - tvb.com . 2010-05-03 . Pearl.tvb.com.
  33. Web site: FlashForward - seriálová bomba na JOJ-ke! . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110307133348/http://televizia.joj.sk/tv-clanky/3-1-2011/clanok/flashforward---serialova-bomba-na-joj-ke.html . 2011-03-07 . 2011-04-03.
  34. Web site: Zabec.net (www.zabec.net) . PO SLEDEH PRIHODNOSTI – Serije – TV3 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100227215735/http://www.tv3.si/serije/po_sledeh_prihodnosti . 2010-02-27 . 2010-05-03 . Tv3.si.
  35. Web site: Flash Forward . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100115001530/http://beta.mnet.co.za/fanclub/?clubId=1412 . 2010-01-15 . 2010-01-19.
  36. Web site: 2009-07-01 . Taiwan Public Television Service 公共電視台 . 2010-08-03 . pts.org.tw.
  37. Web site: Digiturk . 2010-05-03 . Digiturk.
  38. Web site: Kanal 5 – programmer [serier ] |url=http://kanal5.dk/programmerserier/ |access-date=2010-05-03 |publisher=Kanal5.dk].
  39. Web site: Mitä sinä näit? . FlashForward . 2010-05-03 . Nelonen.fi . 2009-11-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091104092902/http://www.nelonen.fi/ohjelmat/flashforward/etusivu . dead .
  40. Web site: Speedu . Cet été sur Canal +: Flash Forward, The Tudors, Skins, The Office... . 2010-06-03 . Serieslive.com.
  41. Web site: 2010-01-18 . Frühlingsoffensive: ProSieben ab März mit 7 neuen Serienstaffeln . 2010-05-03 . Serienjunkies.de.
  42. Web site: 2009-12-23 . FlashForward . 2010-05-03 . Rte.ie.
  43. Web site: 2008-12-31 . Flashforward En . 2010-05-03 . Cuatro.com . 2010-05-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100514150154/http://www.cuatro.com/flash-forward/ . dead .
  44. Web site: Premiärdatum för FlashForward i TV4 . 2009-10-13 . TVplanetens tv-blogg.
  45. Web site: Was läuft im Fernsehen – TV-Programm von SF . 2010-05-03 . Tvprogramm.sf.tv.
  46. Web site: FlashForward . dead . https://archive.today/20091001043708/http://www.five.tv/programmes/drama/flashforward . 2009-10-01 . 2009-10-08 . Five.
  47. Web site: FlashForward . 2018-07-09 . MondoFox.
  48. Web site: Flash Forward . 2010-06-21 . Veronica TV.
  49. Web site: FlashForward . dead . https://archive.today/20120720080720/http://www.betv.be/v1/fr/minisite/flashforward/ . 2012-07-20 . 2010-06-25. BeTV mini site. Retrieved 2010-06-25
  50. Web site: FlashForward . SIC site. Retrieved 2010-06-28
  51. Web site: Flash Forward :: Studio 23 .
  52. Web site: FlashForward .
  53. Web site: FlashForward – Buy the DVD . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100723005429/http://abc.go.com/shows/flash-forward/blu-ray-dvd . July 23, 2010 . June 5, 2010 . abc.go.com . ABC.
  54. Web site: Keane . Sean . Disney Plus just got a major upgrade in some countries . 2021-11-30 . CNET . en.
  55. Web site: Updated: "FlashForward's"; Ratings: Blame the Show, Not the Scheduling . Seidman . Robert . March 28, 2010 . tvbythenumbers.com . TVbytheNumbers . June 5, 2010 . April 1, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100401062529/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/03/28/flashforwards-ratings-blame-the-show-not-the-scheduling/46408 . dead .
  56. Web site: Exclusive: 'FlashForward' creator David S. Goyer on the show's three-month hiatus and future . Jensen . Jeff . Dec 4, 2009 . Inside TV . EW.com . Oct 27, 2011.
  57. Web site: FlashForward makes poor ratings return. March 24, 2010. Digital Spy. May 5, 2010.
  58. Web site: Full Series Rankings For The 2009–10 Broadcast Season . Andreeva . Nellie . May 27, 2010 . deadline.com . Mail.com Media Corporation . June 5, 2010.
  59. Web site: FlashForward . . May 3, 2010.
  60. flashforward. FlashForward. tv. 1. December 4, 2023.
  61. Web site: Tim Goodman: The future looks very promising . Goodman. Tim. September 24, 2009. San Francisco Chronicle. May 3, 2010.
  62. Web site: Fearing a Future They've Seen . Bellafante. Ginia. September 23, 2009. The New York Times. May 3, 2010.
  63. Web site: FlashFoorward. Lowry. Brian. September 23, 2009. Variety. Reed Business Information. May 3, 2010.
  64. FlashForward. Tucker. Ken. October 23, 2009. Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc.. May 3, 2010.
  65. Web site: American Society of Cinematographers Reveals Nominees in Annual TV Competition. theasc.com. 2010-05-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20100307071716/http://www.theasc.com/asc_news/News_Articles/News_269.php. 2010-03-07. dead.
  66. Web site: 8th Annual VES Awards. visual effects society. December 22, 2017.
  67. Web site: Constellation Awards: And The Nominees are ... [2011]]. constellations.tcon.ca. 2011-05-01. 2012-02-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20120217211300/http://constellations.tcon.ca/v.shtml. dead.
  68. Web site: Constellation Awards: And the Nominees Are ... [2011]]. constellations.tcon.ca. 2011-05-01. 2012-02-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20120217211300/http://constellations.tcon.ca/v.shtml. dead.