‘The Flash’: What a shortened Season 6 could mean for the hit Arrowverse show?
If anything, the outbreak of Covid-19 has spelled doom. Not only has it affected lives across the globe, but it also disrupted normal life and business. As far as Hollywood goes, a slew of upcoming movies has delayed their release date while the TV business has seen production being suspended. The three Arrowverse shows on The CW, 'Batwoman', 'Supergirl' and 'The Flash', have been affected the most.
The trio are the only Arrowverse shows with a 22-episode season. While 'The Flash' has completed filming for 20 of its 22 episodes, 'Batwoman' and 'Supergirl' have wrapped up filming for 19 and 21 episodes each.
With the seriousness of the situation casting doubt on when the filming would resume again, there is definitely a possibility of looking at a shortened season. We take a look at the scenarios that could pan out if the Grant Gustin-starrer has a shortened season.
There might not be a shortened season after all
Let's not rule this out. Should the pandemic reduce by the end of April, there are chances that we might get a full season that would give a complete explanation and fully tie up all storylines of Season 6. The post-'Crisis' season has been a rather interesting one with the return of old foes and new characters, so the Greg Berlanti-led franchise may just be looking at squeezing in a full season. The fifth season's finale, 'Legacy', aired on May 14, 2019.
If this template is followed again and if there is some good news as far as the pandemic is concerned, then 'The Flash' might just roll out all 22 episodes. The other possibility is an extended air date. So assuming 'The Flash' will carry over to June, then we can expect a delayed Season 7. 'The Flash' usually sets the premiere date in October and this time, Season 7 may start off a month later.
Plus, the fact that the show is on a two-week break means the creators are looking at spacing out the episodes so as to ration the content wisely. It shouldn't come as a surprise if we get an episode after two weeks and then see a break again.
A curtailed season
Not a lot of fans would like this, but at this stage, there's only so much that can be done. While we may not really have an abrupt ending, expect a cliffhanger the could carry over to the upcoming season. This may also mean some changes to the script of Season 7, but that's something the showrunners wouldn't be too concerned at the moment. The idea is to somehow give a more sensible ending and this scenario would pose a bit of a tricky question — which plot point would you leave out?
A digital release
Five seasons of 'The Flash' are available on Netflix. Should the franchise see a major delay, then it would be an option to put out a Netflix release up to Episode 20. This can be a weekly drop schedule as well. There are still a good five episodes left to view and the Netflix release would be an option worth considering.
How will this impact the plotlines?
Looking at how the series and the showrunner play the cards close to their chest, every theory at this point in time is pure speculation. Here's a look at the synopsis of the March 31 episode, which has been pushed.
March 31 | 'So Long and Good Night'
"BLACK HOLE THREATENS JOE’S LIFE – After Black Hole hires Rag Doll (guest star Troy James) to kill Joe (Jesse L. Martin), Singh (guest star Patrick Sabongui) suggests he go into Witness Protection but Joe refuses to stop investigating Carver (guest star Eric Nenninger). While investigating Carver with Cisco (Carlos Valdes), Ralph (Hartley Sawyer) runs into Sue (guest star Natalie Dreyfuss). Iris (Candice Patton) becomes suspicious of Eva (guest star Efrat Dor). Alexandra La Roche directed the episode written by Kristen Kim & Thomas Pound," reads the synopsis.
Essentially, this means there's more of Sue Dearbon and Mirror Master. Does that mean the series may end with the results of what happens after the creation of the artificial Speed Force? It's likely since that's one storyline that may be used as a cliffhanger if there is a shortened series.
Hopefully, there's some good news coming in soon.
What are your thoughts on a shortened season?
