Do you think TV writers know how a series will end?

[crazylady]

I just finished watching ER and I think the series finale wrapped up thing well. But it got me thinking, do you think the end is planned from the beginning? It doesn't seem plausible when you have shows like kind of drag on for years and have stars move on. And what about the shows that get cancelled but still attempt to wrap things up. Do they try to squeeze everything in "the plan" into the last episode?

 

[sam_gordon]

I just finished watching ER and I think the series finale wrapped up thing well. But it got me thinking, do you think the end is planned from the beginning? It doesn't seem plausible when you have shows like kind of drag on for years and have stars move on. And what about the shows that get cancelled but still attempt to wrap things up. Do they try to squeeze everything in "the plan" into the last episode?

I do not think they know how they want to end things, especially for a long lasting show.
I do think if they know they're going to be cancelled that they try to wrap things up if at all possible.

 

[Searc]

I know the creator/writer of This Is Us has said he has all 5 seasons mapped out, maybe even written and he knows how the series will end.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Depends on the series. Chris Carter had no idea how to end X-Files once he got talked into renewing for season 6 (originally the first movie was going to be the end of the show). I believe Supernatural was also supposed to originally be done with season 5 as well. I believe Lost was always going to end the way they intended.

 

[crazylady]

I know the creator/writer of This Is Us has said he has all 5 seasons mapped out, maybe even written and he knows how the series will end.

I have read this and it kind of makes me sad!

 

[crazylady]

With friends, I believe the plan was always for Ross and Rachel to end up together but Chandler and Monica was an extra storyline.

 

[JaxDad]

I think the writers from Lost are still trying to figure it out, 10 years later.

I thought Breaking Bad had a very tight story line from beginning to end, although I have read that they did make some pretty big changes along the way, particularly with Jesse.

 

[3threebabies]

Yes and no. I think many show creators know how they wish the series to end in the pilot process, but the series is cancelled before they can complete the story. ER is at the opposite extreme as no one could reasonably expect the show to last as long as it did. There ended up being a lot of storylines added over the years.

As @Searc says, there has been no secret that This is Us has been planned in detail since day 1. In fact, some scenes are filmed far in advance of their run date.

James Spader was given all pertinent backstory for Red on The Blacklist as prep for the pilot. There are still twists unknown to his costars much less the audience. The Blacklist is also unique in that the network and production company have strongly implied the show will continue as long as James Spader wishes. Most shows who end by choice are team decisions, or at least multiple members of production and/or talent.

There are also a lot of shows that move organically throughout. Strict procedurals like Dick Wolf created with the Law and Order franchises are a good example. The shows stayed popular even while transitioning main characters numerous times. Mariska Hargitay was no more vital to SVU for many seasons than Christopher Meloni and other stars until many years passed. While that is no longer true, Olivia’s personal story lines are still not the premier focus.

 

[BrianL]

It depends on the show, bet even when plans are laid out they can change based on what is being received well and what isn't. Most writers probalby have some ideas in their head of how they'd like to end things for individual characters, but due to the nature of television those things may or may not ever actually show up.

 

[spiders]

I think the overwhelming majority do not know how it will end because as someone else stated, they don't really know exactly how long the show will last.

I do think the ones that do know how it will end prove that they knew it from the beginning because they always end up being the best shows. I know Game of Thrones may not be the chosen cup of tea for many around here and I know that the final season was a disappointment to many, but that show was well written. I think the very fact that Hodor was there from the beginning to then have his final moment 6 seasons later explaining his story was planned from the very moment George RR Martin began writing the first book.

Breaking Bad was also well written and I also really like This is Us and that doesn't surprise me that they have planned for 5 seasons.

Seinfeld really knew what he was doing when he ended the show. You either bow out or get thrown out. I am definitely part of the crowd that found the final episode to be very disappointing but I also thought that Season 8 & 9 just weren't the same without Larry David so I think Seinfeld knew it was time to go as well. He went out on a bang.

Also, while not a show, I think JK Rowling knew her entire story from the beginning.

 

[kimblebee]

I think the creator of Gilmore Girls knew how she wanted the series to end right from the start..the famous last three words.

 

[BillSears]

I think the good ones know how it'll end. The best example of this is Babylon 5, plus an example of plans don't always work out. J. Michael Straczynski had everything planned out. He wrote 92 of the 110 episodes and for anything he didn't write he had tight control. Lines were not to be changed by actors without permission. He had lines in one season that seemed to be a throwaway but then came back in later seasons. I wish every show could be written like that. But then his 5 season plan had to be put into 4 seasons when the show was cancelled. Then another network picked them up for season 5. It was too late to change some things so he had to just work around it and to me season 5 is the weakest season.

 

[Nox]

As a writer myself, I think it depends, and it can also evolve.

I find that my best stories start with an idea, then I have a very basic, bare bones outline of where I want it to end up, then the rest is just written as it goes. Without ANY conclusion in mind, it's easy to lose the way.

There are certainly shows that were carefully penned from start to finish, usually with fewer seasons. But I think it's usually more with a basic ending in mind, and everything else is filled in.

 

[Kittyblue]

I think some do, some don't. It must be difficult not knowing if or when your series will be canceled. That said I love it when the writers are able to complete the story. I hate when a show I love is canceled and I'm left hanging.

 

[amcnj]

I have always wondered this about the Sopranos. More specifically, how the death of Nancy Marchand affected the storyline, and what plans might have existed for her character on the show.

Some shows end sooner than writers may have hoped, and some shows keep getting extended due to popularity, and offers of more and more money. So any initial storyline plans may have to be modified.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Sometimes. But it’s very rare. Especially when seasons are added or dropped due to ratings, talent and budgets.

 

[tvguy]

I guess it is possible, but for a show that has a several year run, I wonder how many of the original writers are even still with the show when it ends.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

I think the writers from Lost are still trying to figure it out, 10 years later.

I thought Breaking Bad had a very tight story line from beginning to end, although I have read that they did make some pretty big changes along the way, particularly with Jesse.

I was a huge fan of LOST and always thought to myself that there wasn't any way to have a good ending ( as in making the fans happy). It was a flop so to speak.

 

[low-key]

a few do, you got t really have a great concept in your head, to know the ending before the first one aired

 

[bcla]

Depends on the series. However, you never know sometimes. Writers may have to improvise many times, such as when an actor dies or quits.

I thought maybe the series Alias had a final outcome that was the intent all along. It could have been done that was regardless of how long the series ran.