Last November, ABC opted not to order any additional episodes of Eli Stone’s second season, effectively cancelling the drama. The series’ co-creator, Marc Guggenheim, held out hope that the network might still order a third round.
The chances of that happening were very remote and they were finally put to rest in May when ABC announced its new schedule and Eli Stone wasn’t on it. In April, the network announced plans to air the final four installments. They start running tonight.
Guggenheim recently told SCI FI Wire, “I have to say these four are among my favorite of the whole series run, quite frankly. I just feel like, ironically, we ended up getting cancelled right around the time we were really hitting on all cylinders.”
So, will the fans finally get some closure?
The series finale, titled “Flight Path,” is set to air on July 11th and will bring the series full circle. Guggenheim said, “For those people familiar with the pilot and fans of the show, we return to the Himalayas. That was in the very first episode. So there’s a sense of closure with that last episode. We returned to the scene of the crime, as it were.”
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The co-creator promises that the last episode will give an ending of sorts to the series. He noted, “We wrote it knowing that we were on the bubble, so we wrote it to work like it could be a mid-season finale or it could be a series finale. It has a real satisfying sense of closure.”
After all this time, Guggenheim is very happy that the final episodes of Eli Stone are finally being aired. He related, “I have to say the worst part about being canceled was the possibility that these episodes wouldn’t get aired. Because, first and foremost, a lot of very talented, hardworking people gave their all to write, produce and film these episodes.”
“Especially episode 13, ‘Flight Path,’ because that was produced when we knew we were canceled. We had written it beforehand, but it was actually filmed around the time we learned of our cancellation, and yet no one phoned anything in. You see the episode, and you see the level of ambition from the plane crash to the Himalayas to everything in between, and you go, ‘Wow! That was everyone trying to leave on the best note possible.’ I’m just really glad that everyone’s hard work is going to get a chance to shine.”
Though Guggenheim has moved on and is working on a new ABC series, FlashForward, he’s very grateful to Eli Stone’s loyal audience. To them, he wanted to say, “Just thank you for all your support. Thanks for watching. Thank you for posting. Thank you for creating Web sites. I’ve always said that I would rather have the number of viewers that we had — even though it wasn’t enough to keep us on the air — I would rather have the number of viewers that we had with all of them loving the show as they did, than three times the number of viewers — while that number might have kept us on the air — that didn’t care about the show as much as all the people who watched.”
Image courtesy ABC.
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I really liked this show as well. It was a really good break from life to watch this show every episode that just seemed to really touch the right nerve in me. It’s too bad that shows like this have to be cancelled, and I dont see why stations like TNT or USA would pick it up. These are the shows that people would love to see and go there to see them. Instead, we have NBC putting “The Tonight Show” on with Jay Leno 5 nights a week starting an hour earlier than it was before. WHO CARES? Put a real show on. If Jay was so great, then why put Conan on there? Geesh. This is just stupid as hell
What happened to Eli Stone??????????????????? Finally something besides cop and ER shows. You gotta be crazy to take it off the air. Eli Stone was a breath of fresh air.
“Eli Stone” was such a high quality show on so many levels. Excellently written and with a wonderful cast to boot, the show delivered great courtroom stories with many fun, entertaining moments. For those of us who thought that “Eli Stone” was that rare kind of show that you just knew was too intelligent, too entertaining and too heart warming to last, the network, unfortunately, proved us right.
Finally got around to watching the final episode today. I just couldn’t come to grips with seeing the last episode, and that being the end, and so it sat on my dvr for several months. It was such an amazing show that transcended everything else on tv. I am a huge tv fan and watch all the cop shows, etc. but this really felt like it was something different, and actually touched my heart in a way that no show has ever been able to. I will sorely miss it.
On a side note, http://www.cowonthewall.com/projects/elistone/, has all the theme music from the show available for streaming. The closing theme, Everyman’s Talisman, is just beautiful.
I think too many networks and their sponsors forget the “Cheers” and “Seinfeld” lesson. We viewers need a few seasons to develop a relationship with characters and plot lines.
I have to agree with all of you. Are there not enough of us with average intelligence who appreciate a beautifully done program? Are we so outvoted by the 50-IQ’s that obsess over the mass of garbage on television?
My wife and I looked forward with great anticipation to catching Eli each week. My applause to the producers, writers, actors and all others who made this show so charming. I’m afraid I’ve become a jinx. If I really like a program…..it’s doomed by the morons and the suits.
REALLY?!? Super Nanny keeps a spot on their week line up, but Eli Stone gets cut??? PLEASE – SOME network, pick it up! I loved the stories, the actors (wouldn’t change any of them). So sad!!
Eli Stone cancelled?? Screw ABC . . . Their programming sucks again. I’m done with them. I prefer to watch NatGeo and the Science Channel now, If they bring back Eli Stone I might reconsider my position. Until then, bye bye ABC
this show appeals to any one with feelings, and a reasonable IQ, reconsider your judgement. this show has the potential to last for years……
I watched Eli Stone religiously it was the best thing on the cast was all exceptional and from the night George Micheals was on there and his accupuncture friend was above board acting
BRING BACK ELI!!!!
Agreed. Wish it was still on the air.
Why can’t someone else pick it up?
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