I guess it's getting late enough in the series' run that we can start speculating as to what the future of the series will be.
Now, George Lucas said way back in 2007 that there would be at least 100 episodes produced. The man is notorious for backtracking on his own words, but given that Season 4 will end at 88 episodes (plus the four that were adapted into the movie), it's a fair bet that his statement will come true. But what does this mean in terms of production?
If you look at the show's episode production numbers (as opposed to the airing order), every season so far has been a 26 episode order of production. That is to say, everything produced under Season 1 (including 22 episodes and the 4 adapted into the movie) spanned 1.01-1.26 in production terms. But it didn't stop there. Season 2 also spanned 2.01-2.26. And the first episodes of Season 4 so far are following the same pattern, continuing up into the high 3.## area; the third part of the Mon Cal arc, "Prisoners"--airing order episode 4.03--was production number 3.24, for example. Matter of fact, none of the episodes aired so far this year have been produced under the 4.## production code.
So what does that mean for the future? Will they simply decide at some point to stop producing in 26-episode batches? The only way the 26/22s are ever going to line up at the same time is if the show runs for 14 seasons, and I think we can all agree that that just isn't in the cards. Or maybe at some point down the line, could we possibly see another feature-length production released either as DVD or theatrically?
Thinking ahead even a bit more, if the show ends with a fifth and final season--is that it? They spent five years building up this wonderful library of visual assets and advancing CGI animation, and they're just going to push it aside never to be used again? I wonder--even after the series on TV comes to an end, could we see periodic releases in TCW style. Maybe as direct-to-DVD movies, or even the odd miniseries. Could be interesting.
In terms of in-universe, I'm really hoping the show continues its trend toward darkness. I know that could make it harder to market to younger audiences, but creatively I think it's been a terrific way to take the show so far. And the war really doesn't stay pretty if you've followed any of the EU material. Some of that would be really amazing to see played out on the show.
Now, George Lucas said way back in 2007 that there would be at least 100 episodes produced. The man is notorious for backtracking on his own words, but given that Season 4 will end at 88 episodes (plus the four that were adapted into the movie), it's a fair bet that his statement will come true. But what does this mean in terms of production?
If you look at the show's episode production numbers (as opposed to the airing order), every season so far has been a 26 episode order of production. That is to say, everything produced under Season 1 (including 22 episodes and the 4 adapted into the movie) spanned 1.01-1.26 in production terms. But it didn't stop there. Season 2 also spanned 2.01-2.26. And the first episodes of Season 4 so far are following the same pattern, continuing up into the high 3.## area; the third part of the Mon Cal arc, "Prisoners"--airing order episode 4.03--was production number 3.24, for example. Matter of fact, none of the episodes aired so far this year have been produced under the 4.## production code.
So what does that mean for the future? Will they simply decide at some point to stop producing in 26-episode batches? The only way the 26/22s are ever going to line up at the same time is if the show runs for 14 seasons, and I think we can all agree that that just isn't in the cards. Or maybe at some point down the line, could we possibly see another feature-length production released either as DVD or theatrically?
Thinking ahead even a bit more, if the show ends with a fifth and final season--is that it? They spent five years building up this wonderful library of visual assets and advancing CGI animation, and they're just going to push it aside never to be used again? I wonder--even after the series on TV comes to an end, could we see periodic releases in TCW style. Maybe as direct-to-DVD movies, or even the odd miniseries. Could be interesting.
In terms of in-universe, I'm really hoping the show continues its trend toward darkness. I know that could make it harder to market to younger audiences, but creatively I think it's been a terrific way to take the show so far. And the war really doesn't stay pretty if you've followed any of the EU material. Some of that would be really amazing to see played out on the show.
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