richlayers

I had to write to one of my favorite sci fi writers about an issue that was really bugging me. I didn't know if I would get an answer at all, but I figured it was worth a shot.

Dear Mr. Sawyer,

I greatly enjoyed your novel Flashforward, as well as all your other
books that I have read. So I anticipated the TV version of
Flashforward with excitement. However, I've noticed a paradox in the
TV version that wasn't present in the novel, and it, by itself, is
almost enough to make me stop watching the show, as much as I want to
enjoy a new good sci fi show.

In the novel, the characters eventually do determine that their
visions are not of the only possible future, and that they do have
free will to make and change decisions. Some visions come true, and
some do not. The visions are based on what people would have done
without the foreknowledge granted by the visions.

However, in the show, the main character has a vision of himself
trying to understand the cause of the Flashforward. Because of his
vision, he ends up working on the case of the cause of the
Flashforward. But if the Flashforward gives the viewer knowledge of
what they would have been doing in the future without the benefit of
the Flashforward, how could he have seen a vision of himself doing
something that was dependent on the Flashforward having happened? It
seems that either the TV show wants to set the premise that the future
is immutable (which seems contradictory to the main character burning
the bracelet he saw in the vision), or that it's just a giant paradox
that the TV writers missed.

I've been following your blog commentary as the show was developed and
I saw in the credits that you are listed as consultant. I'm not
looking for spoilers or a ... peek into the future of the show, but is
there any chance that you can reassure me about this paradox? Or
should I just... suspend my disbelief and pretend that I didn't notice
it?

In either case, I will continue to enjoy your excellent novels.
Sincerely,
Rachel


Well, in much shorter order than I would have expected, I got an answer (for what it was worth!) so I guess I'll just watch a little longer and hope...:

Thank you for your kind words, Rachel. You shouldn't read anything into the following except the face value of the statement: I am not at liberty to discuss what will or will not happen in future episodes.

All best wishes!

Rob Sawyer


Hmmm, and my conclusion? Writing a nice letter to an author and getting something back is a lot more gentle than writing to a publisher in hopes of publication....

Anyway, if you are a Sci Fi fan and you haven't read anything by Robert J. Sawyer, you are missing out on some brilliant and wonderful fiction!