TVLINE | Bruno, I understand that it was always the show’s intent to get to this place with Jane and Lisbon at the end of this season, even dating back to last summer?
BRUNO HELLER | We were certainly thinking about it. When the show started, for me there was not a thought of that at all. But one of the things about TV over the years is the characters develop their own dynamic and direction as truth is revealed, and it seemed to us – and [the actors] can contradict me if they like – that love blossoms. There is a genuine feeling there between the two characters that had to be honored, one that was just natural and organic.
TVLINE | Simon, were you interested to explore this side of….
SIMON BAKER | [Interrupts] From the moment I met Robin Tunney. [Tunney and Heller laugh] I looked at her and I said, “You will be mine.” No, you know, it’s one of those things where…. It’s the whole Moonlighting theory that comes into play with long-form TV. It goes on, and sometimes on and on, and do you give the audience what they want, or do you keep the flirtation and tease going? Is that really what they want, is that what they like — to want something? Because as soon as you seal any sort of a deal with anything, it’s like, “Well, that’s that, and from there where do we go?” There are plenty of places always to go, but it’s a risk and a challenge.
TVLINE | But on a character level, were you and Robin interested to ask the question, “What do these two people really mean to each other after all these years?”
BAKER | Yes — and that became really evident, I thought, after we closed the Red John story and we did the episode that took place two years later. It was about laying the foundation for the rest of the season, in the sense of it was an episode about longing and missing each other, missing that relationship as it stood.
ROBIN TUNNEY | I also think the show has always been something more than just a straight procedural. And once the Red John storyline cleared up, it was like, “OK, these people are left with each other. So how do you create stakes?” There was a history, but there was this idea of “What’s next?” How do they feel about each other? It created sort of an arc where there was a lot at stake, people’s hearts and all that stuff, without, “Oh, we can throw another serial killer into the mix.” It was something that was fitting to the show and it created drama.
BRUNO HELLER | We were certainly thinking about it. When the show started, for me there was not a thought of that at all. But one of the things about TV over the years is the characters develop their own dynamic and direction as truth is revealed, and it seemed to us – and [the actors] can contradict me if they like – that love blossoms. There is a genuine feeling there between the two characters that had to be honored, one that was just natural and organic.
TVLINE | Simon, were you interested to explore this side of….
SIMON BAKER | [Interrupts] From the moment I met Robin Tunney. [Tunney and Heller laugh] I looked at her and I said, “You will be mine.” No, you know, it’s one of those things where…. It’s the whole Moonlighting theory that comes into play with long-form TV. It goes on, and sometimes on and on, and do you give the audience what they want, or do you keep the flirtation and tease going? Is that really what they want, is that what they like — to want something? Because as soon as you seal any sort of a deal with anything, it’s like, “Well, that’s that, and from there where do we go?” There are plenty of places always to go, but it’s a risk and a challenge.
TVLINE | But on a character level, were you and Robin interested to ask the question, “What do these two people really mean to each other after all these years?”
BAKER | Yes — and that became really evident, I thought, after we closed the Red John story and we did the episode that took place two years later. It was about laying the foundation for the rest of the season, in the sense of it was an episode about longing and missing each other, missing that relationship as it stood.
ROBIN TUNNEY | I also think the show has always been something more than just a straight procedural. And once the Red John storyline cleared up, it was like, “OK, these people are left with each other. So how do you create stakes?” There was a history, but there was this idea of “What’s next?” How do they feel about each other? It created sort of an arc where there was a lot at stake, people’s hearts and all that stuff, without, “Oh, we can throw another serial killer into the mix.” It was something that was fitting to the show and it created drama.
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Such a wonderful with the best actors, crew and scripts. I hope it gets season 7.
ReplyDeleteAfter all the recent spoilers I was sure they won't end up together but this interview gave me a little bit of hope. Not much but it's sth at least:)
ReplyDeleteGood interview. I hope the fans get one more season,that would be a nice way to end knowing this is it..
ReplyDeleteSounds like a farewell interview to me. With so many recent cancellations, I am a tad pessimistic right now. :(
ReplyDeleteYou will be mine.
ReplyDelete"TVLINE | Bruno, are you willing to rule out Pike as the mastermind behind the season-ending kidnapping mystery? That there won’t be that easy out?
ReplyDeleteHELLER | I’m willing to rule that out, yes. Pike is not the bad guy.
TUNNEY | It all seemed too good to be true!
HELLER ***| Sometimes I think I’m way too dumb for this audience, to come up with clever solutions like that. [Laughs] Life is not that complicated or dark – though I wish I had come up with that before."
***No truer words have ever been spoken.
Heller has completely shown his hand with the disastrous reveal of Red John, and his inability to make it tie coherently with his entire build-up. Heller is what he is. A case of the week type guy. A shipper writer. this is the reason I am skeptical about next year's "Gotham"
This is the reason I am skeptical about next year's "Gotham"
ReplyDelete^^^ I agree with you. I love everything about the Batman Universe and the prospect of exploring Gotham pre-Batman but I am a bit worried that Heller might screw it up . Although, the trailer for Gotham does look good.
I so hope they give us season 7 with any network, I'd follow wherever TM is shown. This show is so entertaining with layers of human nature thrown in. The writers, actors and crew are telling an amazing tale that makes you feel for the characters and their story. Hoping for a season 7 - there is so much potential to write stories that are different from what is current TV fare. These actors can pull off relationships with very little dialogue, they are that good.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the interview seems to give some hope that Jane and Lisbon will end up together, that being said my opionion hasn't totally changed.
ReplyDeleteSimon and Robin are so unique and special...they are so cute and it is a wonderful thing they have this great friendship now because they met at this show!!!
ReplyDeleteI need to see them for at least another year on The Mentalist and please as a couple ♥
Excited for this episode, but sad it might be the end.
ReplyDelete