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Post by Jack Malone on Apr 21, 2017 4:26:19 GMT -6
"Ceremony" is gunna kill me. I really hope Jason and Chloe become endgame at this point. I dont want her pining after Oliver. Also side note, is it wrong, i was hoping that her future husband wasnt Oliver? 'Ceremony' was a tough one to write because of so many awful things that transpire in the episode. However, even though there's a lot of tragedy that takes place in the episode, there are so many great moments, too. I wrote a really badass scene with three superhero-women teaming up against the worst male character ever, and set it to a really cool song that I just kept hearing in my head while I was writing it. So there's still some fun to be had. All I can really say about the relationships for this season (without spoiling anything) is that I'm committed to each and every one of them (and that includes Chloe and Oliver). I had no 'endgame' written down in my notes for these relationships at the end of the season, and wanted to see where the characters took me with those relationships, which is something I can talk about more in detail when the season is over. I've only just reached a point now where I know the outcome of one of the main romantic relationships of Season 4 because their dynamic over the past few episodes that I've written told me where they should end up. At the end of the day, though, I think there are going to be good and bad moments for every "ship" on the show, and not everyone is going to be happy if they get super attached to any of them because there's always a 50/50 chance that it'll end with happily ever after or heartbreak, and that's just the nature of it. And the reason I've taken this approach to writing the main dynamics of Season 4 is because I'd gotten so used to knowing each plot point for a relationship to the point where I wasn't sure if they broke up/stayed together because it worked or because I had to write it like that, you know? So it's freer this season. The characters - in a weird way - determine the direction of it all this season. All that being said, if you're a fan of Chloe/Jason, there are some really great, happy moments between them in episode 16, 'Smallville.'  As for Chloe's "future husband," it genuinely hasn't been decided yet. I have no idea who it is, ha! I know she's sporting an engagement ring and a wedding band in the flash-forward, but the more important story - to me, at least - was always " who is that little boy?" That gets answered in episode 17, 'Destiny.' I'll have to figure out who Chloe's married to by the Season 4 finale.  |
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Post by Alex Matthews on Apr 21, 2017 7:31:51 GMT -6
I'm guessing, most probably correctly, that with the way "Smallville" went in it's last year or so, that Ollie and Chloe were still together and had a child (hinting with the little toy boy and arrow), that's what we were supposed to take from that scene. But with the way that Jack has now filled in that 'missing time' by exploring Chloe's own journey, and given what both of them have suffered, lived through and had done, I think it's now fair to say the field is open for who the baby-daddy could be...  Can I also just say that I'm still reeling from Carrie's death - the fact that Jack planned to have her return, man, that just brought the hurt right back. I know she spent most of her time with Vicki and Perry, but I would have loved some scene with her and Chloe, especially after she became more pro-hero. I can't remember if they actually did have any scenes together in "WTR" at the moment - their dynamic is what really makes "Thirst" one of my favourite episodes. |
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Post by Alex Matthews on Apr 21, 2017 7:44:02 GMT -6
I wrote a really badass scene with three superhero-women teaming up against the worst male character ever, and set it to a really cool song that I just kept hearing in my head while I was writing it.  I've been on something of an "The Originals" binge-watch on Netflix the last few weeks, and for some reason this scene just popped into my head after I read that line, Jack! But on a more serious note, I am really looking forward to reading this mentioned scene! |
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Post by Jack Malone on Apr 21, 2017 8:21:05 GMT -6
I'm guessing, most probably correctly, that with the way "Smallville" went in it's last year or so, that Ollie and Chloe were still together and had a child (hinting with the little toy boy and arrow), that's what we were supposed to take from that scene. I'm convinced to this day that they weren't allowed to have it be established that Oliver and Chloe ended up together, because — at the time — it was such an odd thing to leave Oliver out of it. He was the only character on the show that didn't get a proper ending. And they had never really pushed the idea of Dinah and Oliver being a thing, so to leave it open ended to honour something they never explored always seemed so strange to me. But now it's worked in my favour because I'm not strapped into an ending, which feels very freeing. It's been a lot of fun. I've always loved the idea that when Chloe looks back and has her moment of reflection, she's reliving some of the good and bad times carried over into 'Watchtower.' And I like that I can shape new meaning to it, too. The scene itself asks a lot of questions that I'm excited to play into and eventually answer. You have the boy, who Chloe seems rather maternal towards, and who has this toy bow-and-arrow which links more with Oliver (Green Arrow). But Oliver isn't there — which you might explain away by saying he's Green Arrow but we don't really know — and Chloe's relationship with the kid isn't established either. To top it all off, Chloe has an engagement ring and a wedding band on, but her marriage to Oliver didn't involve the process of getting engaged, nor did it involve them wearing rings to symbolise their marriage (on 'Smallville'). So, I'm excited to actually use 'Watchtower' to answer those questions and come up with something that is hopefully satisfying. All the answers about the boy are in episode 17, 'Destiny.' And I guess we'll have to meet the husband in the Season 4 finale, titled 'Checkmate.'  I love Carrie Fisher. I don't think a day has gone by since she passed where I haven't thought of her, or seen her on my Twitter, Tumblr, or Youtube. Leia Organa is always going to be the first badass female character I was exposed to and fell in love with and continue to be inspired by, and I'm so glad we got to see a version of her grown up and still kicking ass in these new Star Wars films. The reason I didn't really want to comment on it here is that I think 'VS casting' becomes so weird at points like this and I didn't want to make some faux article explaining why Pauline Kahn won't be on the show anymore as though that's something that's real and matters. But that was a big loss. I think we all have actors or artists that impact us — my Mum is still pretty affected by David Bowie passing away — and Carrie was one of those for me. And I think we could really use her voice in this particular social/political climate that exists right now (and her emoji tweets, of course). On the topic of Pauline Kahn, she was one of my favourite characters to write in Season 3. One of my favourite scenes to write was when Perry thought she was the "Identity Thief" on their first date, and she just laughed in his face (like when Cat Grant thought Lois Lane was The Blur). I was convinced I was going to make her a series regular character for Season 4, but discovered there'd be more story to tell in having Maxwell Lord become the Editor-in-Chief for a while. Eventually, she would have claimed the throne, and would have had more to do with Chloe, too. That was the set-up in Perry's last episode — that Kahn would keep an eye on Chloe for him, and it was a bond I wanted to build on in Season 4.. But she's living it up with Perry in Metropolis, in a very uncommon "happily ever after" ending that never happens with 'Watchtower.' |
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Post by Jack Malone on Apr 21, 2017 8:27:51 GMT -6
I wrote a really badass scene with three superhero-women teaming up against the worst male character ever, and set it to a really cool song that I just kept hearing in my head while I was writing it. I've been on something of an "The Originals" binge-watch on Netflix the last few weeks, and for some reason this scene just popped into my head after I read that line, Jack! But on a more serious note, I am really looking forward to reading this mentioned scene! Haha! I haven't seen 'The Originals.' I only got through about four season of 'The Vampire Diaries' before I gave up (although I tuned in for the finale). My sister is currently binge watching both now. And there's something super satisfying about writing a character who deserves to get the crap beaten out of them, and then getting to finally deliver that with this scene. Hopefully you like it when you read it! |
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Post by charmed178 on Apr 24, 2017 14:51:28 GMT -6
Thank you Jack what you return Linda Lake) i hope on litlle intresting story for her in future Episodes and we will know why she Alive
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Post by Jack Malone on Apr 24, 2017 15:13:58 GMT -6
Thank you Jack what you return Linda Lake) i hope on litlle intresting story for her in future Episodes and we will know why she Alive It was so bizarre that you brought it up when you did because I had just finished mapping out a small arc for her and thought it was going to be a really nice surprise, but suddenly it was the topic of conversation in the speculation thread and I had to be sly about it. The truth is, I wanted a familiar face and some mystery behind how that familiar face shows back up. I think Linda Lake, being a villain on 'Smallville' and being someone we thought was dead, was a perfect candidate. Initially, of course, this would have been when Pauline Kahn returned to the story, but plans changed for obvious reasons.
An explanation as to how Linda survived can be found in 415 (which I believe is the next time we see her). I know there were concerns that an appearance from her would seem convoluted, but personally and with complete bias, I'd disagree. She fits really well into this ongoing storyline developing with the City Leadership, and her back-story to explain such an appearance isn't super-messy or forced -- it's not some wacky "Lazarus Pit" resurrection, but rather something grounded in reality that adds a lot to a character who has only really been a one-off villain. And she's been a personal favourite of mine to introduce since I started 'Watchtower' and I'm excited to write for her. So far, I think she's been in three episodes (I'm currently breaking episode 19). While her story will have some mystery surrounding her in regards to whether or not she's still a threat, and whether or not she's involved in this corruption scheme, she's a character that's going to bridge Chloe's arc with Summer Gleeson into somewhat of a resolution as the season winds down to a close. So hopefully what feels and looks like a wishlist moment being ticked off (which it totally is), it'll be a meaningful role in Season 4. I'm excited to see people's thoughts about it as the story unfolds |
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Post by Jack Malone on Apr 24, 2017 16:34:16 GMT -6
Okay, so next week's episode is a big one. Here are ten dialogue 'extracts' from the episode, with a set of scrambled names of who says each line. Anyone guesses them right and I'll release something special. If not, it's at least a teaser for next week's episode which is quite a big one for the season. Here are the quotes:
LIST OF NAMES:
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Post by Alex Matthews on Apr 24, 2017 17:06:46 GMT -6
Okay, here's attempt 1... 1—"A man who dare strike down a woman unfit to protect herself from the deep cut of a blade is no man worth the honour of carrying one in the first place." - TALIA 2—"I was supposed to protect you." - AUNT NELL 3—"I call it Brother Eye." - MAXWELL 4—"There was talk of a saviour. A hero that was travelling the world and protecting those that needed it most. Prometheus." - BRUCE WAYNE 5—"If Lana dies, I can't bring her back. I can't fix it." - STEVE TREVOR 6—"What would Maxwell Lord want with someone who sits behind a computer all day?" - LUCIUS FOX 7—"She was like a daughter to me. You all were." - MARTHA KENT 8—"I'm truly sad to see it end this way." - LANA LANG 9—"You can take the girl out of Odyssey but not the Odyssey out of the girl." - CHLOE SULLIVAN 10—"Gotham City hates me almost as much as you used to." - OLIVER QUEEN |
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Post by Jack Malone on Apr 24, 2017 17:14:38 GMT -6
Okay, here's attempt 1... 1—"A man who dare strike down a woman unfit to protect herself from the deep cut of a blade is no man worth the honour of carrying one in the first place." - TALIA2—"I was supposed to protect you." - AUNT NELL3—"I call it Brother Eye." - MAXWELL 4—"There was talk of a saviour. A hero that was travelling the world and protecting those that needed it most. Prometheus." - BRUCE WAYNE 5—"If Lana dies, I can't bring her back. I can't fix it." - STEVE TREVOR 6—"What would Maxwell Lord want with someone who sits behind a computer all day?" - LUCIUS FOX 7—"She was like a daughter to me. You all were." - MARTHA KENT8—"I'm truly sad to see it end this way." - LANA LANG 9—"You can take the girl out of Odyssey but not the Odyssey out of the girl." - CHLOE SULLIVAN 10—"Gotham City hates me almost as much as you used to." - OLIVER QUEEN Thanks for playing! I've bolded all the ones that are correct |
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Post by Alex Matthews on Apr 24, 2017 17:50:49 GMT -6
Only 3?! I'm disappointed in myself! Attempt 2, incoming... 1—"A man who dare strike down a woman unfit to protect herself from the deep cut of a blade is no man worth the honour of carrying one in the first place." - TALIA2—"I was supposed to protect you." - AUNT NELL3—"I call it Brother Eye." - LUCIUS FOX 4—"There was talk of a saviour. A hero that was travelling the world and protecting those that needed it most. Prometheus." - STEVE TREVOR 5—"If Lana dies, I can't bring her back. I can't fix it." - CHLOE SULLIVAN 6—"What would Maxwell Lord want with someone who sits behind a computer all day?" - OLIVER QUEEN 7—"She was like a daughter to me. You all were." - MARTHA KENT8—"I'm truly sad to see it end this way." - MAXWELL LORD 9—"You can take the girl out of Odyssey but not the Odyssey out of the girl." - LANA LANG 10—"Gotham City hates me almost as much as you used to." - BRUCE WAYNE |
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Post by Jack Malone on Apr 24, 2017 17:55:05 GMT -6
Only 3?! I'm disappointed in myself! Attempt 2, incoming... 1—"A man who dare strike down a woman unfit to protect herself from the deep cut of a blade is no man worth the honour of carrying one in the first place." - TALIA2—"I was supposed to protect you." - AUNT NELL3—"I call it Brother Eye." - LUCIUS FOX4—"There was talk of a saviour. A hero that was travelling the world and protecting those that needed it most. Prometheus." - STEVE TREVOR5—"If Lana dies, I can't bring her back. I can't fix it." - CHLOE SULLIVAN6—"What would Maxwell Lord want with someone who sits behind a computer all day?" - OLIVER QUEEN7—"She was like a daughter to me. You all were." - MARTHA KENT8—"I'm truly sad to see it end this way." - MAXWELL LORD9—"You can take the girl out of Odyssey but not the Odyssey out of the girl." - LANA LANG
10—"Gotham City hates me almost as much as you used to." - BRUCE WAYNEDING! DING! DING! YOU GOT 'EM ALL  |
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Post by Alex Matthews on Apr 24, 2017 18:39:57 GMT -6
Only 3?! I'm disappointed in myself! Attempt 2, incoming... 1—"A man who dare strike down a woman unfit to protect herself from the deep cut of a blade is no man worth the honour of carrying one in the first place." - TALIA2—"I was supposed to protect you." - AUNT NELL3—"I call it Brother Eye." - LUCIUS FOX4—"There was talk of a saviour. A hero that was travelling the world and protecting those that needed it most. Prometheus." - STEVE TREVOR5—"If Lana dies, I can't bring her back. I can't fix it." - CHLOE SULLIVAN6—"What would Maxwell Lord want with someone who sits behind a computer all day?" - OLIVER QUEEN7—"She was like a daughter to me. You all were." - MARTHA KENT8—"I'm truly sad to see it end this way." - MAXWELL LORD9—"You can take the girl out of Odyssey but not the Odyssey out of the girl." - LANA LANG
10—"Gotham City hates me almost as much as you used to." - BRUCE WAYNEDING! DING! DING! YOU GOT 'EM ALL DANG!! Way to go, me!! SIDE NOTE: That gif of poor Oprah is damn scary - it makes her look possessed!! |
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Post by charmed178 on Apr 24, 2017 19:17:36 GMT -6
She was like a daughter to me. You all were- Martha Kent
still i hopewhat Lana not dies
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Post by Jack Malone on Apr 24, 2017 19:48:16 GMT -6
She was like a daughter to me. You all were- Martha Kent still i hopewhat Lana not dies If you're a fan of Lana Lang, you don't want to miss 413. It's a big episode for her. That's all I can really say about it. |
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Post by Jack Malone on Apr 24, 2017 21:53:53 GMT -6
DANG!! Way to go, me!! SIDE NOTE: That gif of poor Oprah is damn scary - it makes her look possessed!! Maybe that's the secret to all her success, haha! So, I can release something specific for you — whether it's a written trailer, preview scene or spoilers (character/ship specific). You choose! |
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Post by Alex Matthews on Apr 24, 2017 22:19:33 GMT -6
OOHH!! This is a tough one, because I haven't read any of the new episodes yet, so I have no idea what's actually happened so far! I was planning on waiting for all of this batch to be complete before diving into them... When it comes to shipping, I have to admit, it's nothing against your characters/writing, but I haven't found myself emotionally invested in any of the relationships in this season, bar "DOllie", and I have a feeling a lot of that will come to a head in "Ceremony", so I'm willing to wait... Of course, I could be completely wrong, but never mind! That said, I am grateful for the emotional healing that Chloe's relationship with Jason, and Helena's relationship with Katherine are doing for them. I do have a couple of questions about the next few episodes after "Smallville", so I might as well pose them now while you're in a sharing mood... Q1: Given what's been discussed between you and Charmed178, I'm guessing a certain LL has replaced Lord as E-i-C at the Gazette? How much of the storyline had to change due to Carrie's passing, and if our favourite water-bitch is back in that role, what made you keep an antagonist in the role? Q2: Can you reveal any hints/namedrops about who will be forming up this new and improved Suicide Squad? Q3: When will we see Dinah Meyer/Kate Spencer again? I'm so happy with the way you developed that character, I hope she survives out in Gotham, because I have the germ of an idea for an appearance in "M:SCU", in a later season.. |
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Post by Jack Malone on Apr 24, 2017 23:27:24 GMT -6
OOHH!! This is a tough one, because I haven't read any of the new episodes yet, so I have no idea what's actually happened so far! I was planning on waiting for all of this batch to be complete before diving into them... All good. There's going to be another hiatus between episodes #15 and #16 before the season is complete I've been on the slow-build with these dynamics this season because I've always felt like I've run out of time when it's come to juggling a dynamic I'm interested in developing, and plot calling for it to either wrap up, or be hit with some fresh conflict, or whatever tends to shake things up. I think one of the criticisms over the past three seasons has been a tendency to rush certain relationships, and coming into Season 4, I wanted to narrow in on more romantic relationships as it's something the show hasn't had a great deal of, and I wanted to do it early so I had a full season to explore them. Oliver and Dinah have been the only main couple that existed at the very beginning of the season, and so they've had more exposure as a couple than say Chloe and Jason, or Helena and Katherine. These next few episodes have a strong focus on Helena and Katherine's dynamic. It is one of my personal favourites to write, and hopefully it's something you'll enjoy when you read the development between them. And Chloe and Jason are... complicated. Chloe's past really shackles them in a way that makes it difficult to "ship" them — and navigating through those issues to even see if they can be in a relationship is something they have to figure out. And Jason has some doubts because he sees that history between Chloe and Oliver, and feels like he's on the outs of it all. So in terms of what's been released, I don't think I could board the particular train Karl is on for those two. I feel like they don't really start to shine as a couple until the latter half of this run, and episode 16, 'Smallville.' But I love all the different perspectives. It makes things interesting. A little daunting (because you can't please everyone) but mostly interesting. Oliver and Dinah are a lot of fun to write because I'm a huge Green Arrow / Black Canary fan. I never thought I'd get to a point on 'Watchtower' where they could be a couple, and so reaching an episode titled 'Ceremony' is quite exciting. But I'm just as conflicted because I love Chloe and Oliver just as much. So far, I feel like I've found a way to honour both relationships. And I never had an "endgame" in place when I started the season. I wanted the characters and the journey as I wrote episode-to-episode to inform all outcomes of these relationships, and so far that's worked out really well for me in the writing process because it's not about hitting that plot point or this one— it's doing what feels earned. And I think that's the only way I'm going to be satisfied with which relationships end in the land of happy and which ones don't, and I'm sure that'll be mirrored with you guys, too. Hopefully. 409/410 kind of explain why Lord is no longer Editor-in-Chief. In terms of the storyline, I would say that there's definitely been some changes but nothing too major. I wanted someone to fill the role of Editor in Chief who we recognised but might not be able to necessarily trust — and in the case of Pauline Kahn, her absence for most of the season, and sudden return, would have called her into question (but obviously, I wasn't going to be pushing her down a villainous road but rather one of her own heroics for the season to show a level of growth from the scared woman who left Gotham, to someone who did her own little part to save it). Instead, it's Linda Lake who tells this part of the story now, and she has a history of being a "water-bitch" (as you so appropriately put it) that allows you to hold some distrust towards her, and you get to follow along with Chloe who is suspicious of her sudden appearance. The story has had to wrap around this new character, but it works just as well in a completely different way. I don't want to give too much away, but it really tightens the story, especially for the character of Summer Gleeson, and her dynamic with Chloe at the paper (which was set-up as early as the fourth episode). The other reason I chose to bring Linda Lake on board - and have her be the Editor in Chief - was because she's been on my personal wishlist of characters to bring onto 'Watchtower' and so much time has passed that I was able to carve out some interesting back-story for her that allowed for her to appear. As I said before, it's not a convoluted resurrection or something ridiculous to tick this appearance off the wishlist. I had to find the right way to execute it, and I feel like that's what I've achieved. It is a minor role. So far, she's in three episodes. And it makes a lot of sense once you're familiar with the storyline she's going to be involved in. But her being an already established antagonist kind of made her the perfect candidate for the story I can tell you the full line-up: There's RICK FLAGG JR, CUPID, DEADSHOT, KILLER FROST, BANE, POISON IVY, HARLEY QUINN, and ARKHAM KNIGHT, all lead by AMANDA WALLER, of course. Basically, the "C-Plot" of the season has been Waller recruiting these villains— Cupid, Deadshot and Bane were all featured in episode 5 ('Debt'), Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn were featured in episode 6 ('Sirens'), Killer Frost was a reoccurring character for the season but became Killer Frost in episode 8 ('Frost'), and Rick Flagg Jr is introduced in the Suicide Squad episode ('Cavalry'). He's obviously the son of "Rick Flagg" who was killed in Season 3 by the hands of Hope Sullivan (from an aborted timeline). So he's not the greatest fan of Chloe. And as for Arkham Knight, he's a cool little addition I wanted to bring in from the video game (and he's someone readers of Season 4 will be familiar with when he's unmasked). She's a pretty consistent reoccurring character for this season. So far she's been in six out of the twelve episodes released ('Restoration,' 'Batwoman,' 'Debt,' 'Frost,' 'ARGUS' and 'Partnership'). If my memory serves correct, next week's episode is her last appearance of this current run, and you'll have to wait and see if she'll be in any more |
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