In the Timeless universe, it’s never over
Sci-fi series goes on fan-powered mission for its NBC finale
SANTA CLARITA, CALIF.—On a November afternoon on the missile-silo set of “Timeless,” it’s as if no time has passed since May’s Season 2 finale.
Time-travelling heroes Lucy (Abigail Spencer) and Wyatt (Matt Lanter) are just where viewers last saw them, facing future versions of themselves as they learn there’s a chance to save their late friend and colleague Rufus. That discovery sets the show’s two-hour finale (Dec. 20, 8 p.m. on Global TV) in motion.
As the scene ends, future Lucy tosses off a “Merry Christmas,” a seasonal theme that plays out throughout the finale.
But Lucy, Wyatt and their colleagues, Flynn (Goran Visnjic), Jiya (Claudia Doumit), Agent Christopher (Sakina Jaffrey) and Connor Mason (Paterson Joseph), are hardly in a holiday mood. Christmas itself is on hold, maybe even cancelled, until the Lifeboat team can find their friend and bring him back to life.
Cancelled, unfortunately, is a familiar word for “Timeless,” a low-rated show with a supremely devout fan base of “ClockBlockers” that was cancelled and revived after its first season, cancelled again after May’s cliffhanger-heavy closer and finally resuscitated for the upcoming finale to provide closure for fans.
Even then, executive producer Shawn Ryan won’t concede “Timeless” is forever out of time even though there are no immediate prospects and the actors no longer are under contract.
“I keep terming it the NBC finale. I don’t call it a series finale. This is the definitive ending to the NBC journey of the show and it may be the end of the show,” says Ryan, who says the two onehour episodes will play like a seamless movie. “I’ve been down this road twice before, being told the show was dead only to find out the show wasn’t dead.”
Even if “Timeless” can’t find another life, much remains to be done in the upcoming episodes, which resolve those cliffhangers and connect themes that go back to the pilot.
In the first hour, the time jumping Lifeboat crew travels to 1848 California, during the Gold Rush, in pursuit of Rufus (Malcolm Barrett). Later, they materialize in the Korean War on Christmas Eve in 1950. They also contend with Rittenhouse foes Emma and Jessica and a heretofore unidentified enemy awaits.
Actors and producers won’t reveal the eventual fate of Rufus, but it’s pretty obvious the return of the beloved character will be a nice Christmas present for fans: Barrett appears in the finale and his character sure looks alive in publicity photos. As Lanter puts it: “I can’t say what happens to Rufus, but what would we be if we couldn’t get him back?”
The finale also provides new information about Lucy’s journal; the mysterious and powerful enemy, Rittenhouse; and the consequences of travelling to a time where a character has gone before.
“If you travel to a time where you already exist, there are serious side-effects,” Ryan says.
He says the finale also “brings some clarity and closure” to character relationships, including the Wyatt-Lucy-Flynn triangle.
Meanwhile, Jiya is heartbroken over the loss of Rufus, the emotional toll of a character relationship that was “a surprise” to Barrett and a sign of the show’s inclusivity.
Although the actors say they’re game for more “Timeless,” they’re happy to give fans closure.
“Returning was a bittersweet experience. It was one that we didn’t quite expect, but we were thankful for the opportunity,” Barrett says.