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.
It seems few and far between to find shows that have any kind of redemptive quality to them. Eli Stone was a bright spot in the week to look forward to. It has been something different, something worth a tear and a laugh, and of course we fell in love with all the characters. It’s such a travesty to lose such a bright point in the week. I wish there were networks that cared more about the quality of what they were showing than the never ending pursuit of “viewers” or the eternal shuffle of the newest ideas to a… Read more »
It has been so long since I felt warm and comforted by a TV show. They just don’t come along very often and they don’t last either. Another disappointment from ABC.
Thanks Mr. Guggenheim and all the staff!! I hope you enjoyed doing this show as much as we enjoyed watching!
Strange. Any time a series comes along that explores ethics, morals and all views of religion and faith…and leaves a comfortable, warm , contented feeling after watching it…well…it gets cancelled. What’s up with THAT???
SHAME ON ALL OF YOU for not recognizing a precious gem. Bring Eli Back!!!
I couldn’t believe I turned on ABC one Sat nite in June and had now missed 2 of the last 4 epsiodes which I only find out about doing a search on the 3rd show. I keep hoping it will come back for another season. All the crappy shows seem to be aired and the great ones are not due to the “Numbers”.
Thank you Mr Guggenheim and his partner for writing the good storeis of people caring for people etc
I thought the show was going to return this fall. I did not even know that the show was on for 4 weeks. That goes to show how they planned to kill the show. One of the best abc shows I liked, same goes for Kyle XY. They did the same thing. I not gonna bother with abc anymore
being such an avid follower of Eli and all his constituents I can not fathom that no more will be known of their lives. I hope that another network picks up this awesome show. Even a thousand miles apart my daughter and i would tune in just to see what happened next. Losing this show has saddened me to no end.
I am very disappointed that Eli is finished–I was ready to see what would happen with him and Think Brave. I truely enjoyed this series and it shared good things about people which doesn’t happen often–I would even compare it with Highway to Heaven-another of my all-time favorite shows. It is rare opportunity when television actually breaks the mold and doesn’t incorporate all the little things that every show out there MUST add in to make their characters comfortable for all audiences. Eli shone through as a bright spot on ABC–too sad that they chose to end it–but it doesn’t… Read more »
I can’t believe the network would cancel a show like Eli Stone. I am really tired of the reality shows that take so much air time. Finally it was a show one could watch and escape all the day to day boy and girl drama. I am really going to miss this show.
I can’t believe ABC cancelled Eli Stone. Just when something good comes along it never lasts. It must be a sad state of society today that people would rather watch murder, rape etc. then a show that promotes something good, kind and even though it might be a little far fetched it makes you feel wonderful. And the networks continue to air the garbage that they do, thinking that Americans are too stupid to know better.
Oh How Corporate Greed carries on.
People that make decisions at ABC have no earthly idea what a good show is if it bit them in the bum!!! I am so sad this is cancelled. I adored this show. I hope some other network picks it up. There is so much garbage on TV today, this is something that made you smile, sigh and enjoy TV for an hour each week. Such a sad decision.
Well what can I say, I’m devastated, it’s a shame, it’s a crime. This show was so full of talent, people that were good and they could even sing! Not just a select few, all of them! They even had Seal on for an episode. When the last episode was over, I cried, and that says something, because I’m not somebody who cries for any show/movie. There are no words from the greatness that is this show. I’m angry, sad, and frankly confused that this show is now gone, when the airwaves are still filled with garbage like the Bacheloret,… Read more »
I am so sad to see Eli Stone go. This was an amazing show with lots of creativity. It made me feel good about people. I wish that some other station would pick it up. It’s sad to see such a fantastic show go to waste!
Really sorry ELI STONE has been cancelled! My family loved the show. Jezz who decides what the public likes…certaintly not the public
Hi,
My wife and I enjoyed Eli Stone very much and are sad to see it end. The last
show was as well done as all of the others and brought closure to the show.
We’re really sorry to see Eli leave the air waves…..
I have been watching a lot of tv for over 40 years & have seen the end to a lot of great series from Mash to Battlestar Gallactica–some had excellent endings & others just left you unsatisfied.
The final episode of Eli Stone was the best of the bunch & should be held as a tribute to everyone involved–it was amazingly well-done as it left nothing unfinished.
Bravo.
It will be missed.
Dr Mike in Rodney.