FlashForward: The Complete Series

The following continues on from where the first half of the season left off.

FlashForward continued to move forward toward its climax, adding more characters, plot points and dead ends. It was more like Fast Forward as the season finale ended up having to become a series finale. Ideas and situations that were so carefully laid out in the beginning became after thoughts with little consequence. It’s one of those awkward things where the show needed to offer some sort of closure for those that did commit to the complex story.

Like Lost, FlashForward offered just enough to provide a logical and somewhat satisfying conclusion but it all felt somewhat hollow. The paths were more plentiful than the breadcrumbs so lots is left unresolved and further questions are raised. It was somewhat frustrating during the final few episodes knowing that much of the time I’d invested in the show was for nothing as certain storylines were going to go no further than the strings posted on the show’s bulletin board. But that’s the nature of the beast knowing that the plot needs to conclude in a defined amount of time.

So while my head wasn’t spinning when the twenty-second show closed, I was certainly game for some more. Instead I’ll have to settle for the mini-resolutions I set forth in my head and, maybe if I’m really bored during a cold-medicine haze during a rare sick day, seeking out some fan fiction online.

The legacy of FlashForward may very well be that the serialized drama is ready for a break. As shows like Lost and Heroes went on, audiences continued to shrink. For Lost, they were still big enough to continue. But fewer shows following such complex storylines where you can’t afford to miss an episode are coming hitting the air. Even with an intriguing premise, interesting characters and a clear direction, FlashForward wasn’t able to draw a big enough audience to continue on to an obviously bigger story than 22 episodes could allow.

FlashForward: The Complete Series DVD Review

The complete series release of FlashForward spreads 22 episodes over five discs. The picture is done in enhanced widescreen while audio is Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround. The collection also includes an impressive mix of bonus features. “Architects of Destiny” is a 20-minute piece on how the show went from a novel and evolved into a series. Although very much promotional in tone, the sheer number of cast and crew interviewed for the piece is excellent. “FlashForward on Set” is broken down into five sections, one each for five key locations. “Meet Yuko” is nearly six minutes dedicated to Japanese actress Yuko Takeuchi and how she adjusted to working in America in the supporting role of Keiko. “Interviews From the Mosaic Collective” is a collection of four fictional shorts that were originally used online to promote the series. Lost had its polar bear, FastForward had a kangaroo inexplicably hopping around. Despite a short little featurette, the marsupial’s role in the show will ultimately be left unanswered. Finally, the DVD also has a collection of bloopers and deleted scenes.

Buy the Blu-ray.