Something missing from this "Timeless" article

[dbskyler]

I am really, really enjoying "Timeless." But I just read this interview with the show's creators, and was struck by how something big was missing, just sitting out there, unacknowledged. Here's a quote:

So when I was toying with the idea of doing a network show again, I said to myself, "If I’m going to do this, it needs to have a humming story engine that I know I can sit in the writers’ room and get 22 episodes out of." And so then as Shawn and I were talking, we landed on this idea of you have a different historical period every week, with a different mystery in that historical period and meeting fascinating characters within that time, in a very genre way.

22 episodes? Yeah, I'm pretty sure you can get around 50 years' worth of episodes out of that formula . . .

Comments

[thisbluespirit]

Heh. I'm being slow this morning. It took me a while to get it too. Sounds familiar? (Only no aliens, I suppose! Which may hinder them a bit, also if you can't randomly change your lead whenever you feel like it.)

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Yes, no aliens and no space travel, and you can't change the lead whenever you like, so only 10 years, then? ;) Truthfully, it's a great show, and it's different because it's set in the present just as much as in the past, but the basic "engine" of a new historical setting every week is very, very familiar, and from the beginning I was noting the similarities to Doctor Who. What amazes me is that in this interview, the show creators talk as if they've hit on a completely new idea. Is it possible they're that ignorant?

[thisbluespirit]

I suppose if they think that being detective-y and time travel instead of all space and aliens and time travel is different enough? Or they just haven't. I think Networks sometimes lock show creators up in dark rooms a lot. It's the only way to explain how they think major cliches that happen in every show ever are somehow brilliant and original.

Clearly, I shall have to look out for Timeless, if it ever wends its way over here, though. :-)

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

It's a great show. What I particularly love is that the 3 leads are a white (soldier) guy, a white historian woman, and a black (engineer) guy - and whenever Lucy, the historian, complains about the inherent sexism she'll face, Rufus gently points out the inherent racism he'll face. This week's was very, very good - it was practically a precursor to the upcoming (I really wanna see!) movie 'Hidden Figures' about the black women involved in NASA's space race.

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Yes, I love that, too. And I love how they don't brush any of the past's racism or sexism aside. Nor is everything rosy for these characters in the present, either, although at least Rufus doesn't get introduced as Lucy's slave.

My favorite thing about it is how they've established that history can be changed. It means you really don't know what's going to happen. Maybe that historical figure they just met is going to get killed off!

I totally thought the same thing about this week's episode. So looking forward to that movie!

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm so glad Rufus doesn't get introduced as the slave. And I loved the fact that, a couple of episodes ago, HE got to be the one leaving the white girl outside while he went in and talked to the PoC that were essential to the plot.

Yeah, that's seriously good - and kinda freaky for me as history student.

I'm very excited to see that movie, though in all likelihood I'll have to wait for the DVD as cinema seats seriously don't agree with my knee (as in, sitting in one for 2+ hours is just too painful).

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

And I loved the fact that, a couple of episodes ago, HE got to be the one leaving the white girl outside while he went in and talked to the PoC that were essential to the plot.

Yes! The writing for Rufus is really good. He's not just the token black guy who's there but doesn't get to do or say much. I love how he was fanboying over all the NASA stuff this week. I think he's becoming my favorite character on the show.

in all likelihood I'll have to wait for the DVD as cinema seats seriously don't agree with my knee

Ugh, that sucks. I'm sorry the pain still interferes with your life so much on a daily basis.

[persiflage-1.livejournal.com]

Rufus is great! I love him. He's definitely my favourite of the trio - I like Lucy and Wyatt fine, but Rufus' struggles and challenges interest me vastly more.

Yeah, it's the worst. Most days I just want to chop my leg off.