This 14-Year-Old Mystery Series Was The "New Lost" But Got Unfairly Canceled After Season 1

FlashForward presented an alluring premise that drew immediate comparisons to Lost. 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 a great TV show that re-writes time and reality.

FlashFoward was initially planned for fives seasons. However, a variety of factors including a long hiatus stalled the show’s momentum and 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 of TV 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

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FlashForward presented a gripping premise that draws comparisons to the time-and-mind-bending Lost. 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. 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, FlashForward explores the personal impact of the flashforwards on 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 series Lost, made FlashForward a compelling watch, albeit canceled too quickly.

Why FlashForward Was Canceled After Only One Season

The Author Of The Original Novel Pitched A Second Season To No Avail

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In a 2015 blog post from sfwriter.com, Robert J. Sawyer – the writer of the novel FlashForward was based on – reflected on the glaring flaws in comparison to Lost. While FlashForward garnered strong ratings for its pilot, the audience quickly dwindled, suggesting that the show failed to live up to the hype. According to Sawyer, Lost centered 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. FlashForward similarly depicted a global blackout, but quickly brushed it aside, continuing as if nothing had happened.

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Sawyer also pointed out that Lost focused on a small group of characters forced to rely on each other, while FlashForward struggled 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 make FlashForward a true successor to Lost, 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 and FlashForward never 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

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Besides the storyline, other factors led to FlashFoward’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 a TV show that deserves to be rebooted.

On streaming platforms, there is also more freedom in the number of episodes show 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, not that Sawyer – would need to have a fresh start and address the flaws the author pointed out about the original series. A resurgence of interest in Lost which is now on Netflix could be just what FlashForward needs to get off the ground again.

Source: sfwriter.com