MovieChat Forums > Chance (2016) Discussion > Thoughts about the Finale and Season 2.....

Thoughts about the Finale and Season 2......

posted 8 years ago by iginlafan65
9 replies | jump to latest

I started typing this as a reply to a post Letess made in the "Thoughts on season Finale!" thread, but thought it wold be better as a separate discussion....
Letess said:

It looked like they were trying to end the story so they could go on to Season 2 with Carl and D. And no more or very little of Jaclyn on the horizon. Looks like his obsession ended and Chance will just have a lot of problems with the detective and police dept. It really doesn't matter what he does with Jaclyn's confession - for us at least.

I totally disagree with that. I believe they deliberately did NOT end the story for a reason, and that Jaclyn will have a lot to do with the next season. I believe that is where you will see that she is indeed very manipulative and that there may just be a lot more bodies in her past and future. The first guy, that we know of, that she killed was a doctor who 'saved' her from the sex trade. She said the doctor was the one who initiated the sex, but it could have been her, just as she did with Chance.
Then she meets up with Raymond and ends up back in the sex trade and then ends up killing another doctor who was trying to 'save' her. We don't know what happened to Jackie's first pimp but Raymond was a pimp that ended up dead because of her... We don't know what the first pimp or Raymond were like before they met Jaclyn. Perhaps yes they were bad guys but had nothing to do with pimping and that this was all her idea. When she saw the 'pimps' gaining too much control of the 'business' she offs them and finds a new target to continue her sex trade business....

Perhaps Jaclyn is actually the one with the connection to the Russian mob. The reason I think this is because it nagged at me the entire season that it was some Russian who bought Chance's furniture (Jaclyn setting up her new target???), there were Russians involved with Raymond, the two Russians in the car in the finale, to me anyway, seemed to be aiming their car at both Chance and Raymond. Who killed the Russian in the room with Jaclyn handcuffed to the bed? Perhaps when Raymond came back to the room the Russian was surprised because he thought Raymond was going to be killed by the two Russians in the car... On Jaclyn's orders perhaps... The Russian in the room pulls a gun when Raymond comes back and Raymond shots him and then collapses onto the couch....

To back up this theory, remember how Jaclyn kept acting with Chance like she knew nothing about Raymond's sex trade business? Well Jaclyn did the books and Jackie turned tricks... So they both obviously knew about the business and Jaclyn was lying the entire time... When Raymond is interviewing the guy about the first pimps death the guy mentions the brothel he frequented in Mexico, where he met Jackie, had girls from all over, including the Ukraine which is a connection to Russia... It's also possible maybe Jackie isn't really the ring leader, but there's a Russian mafia big wig controlling her, or they are in it together somehow....

I think we're gonna see Jacklyn with another new doctor in season 2, and Chance, Carl, and D tracking her down, discovering the Russian connection, and trying to save the new doctor, or the new doctor is killed.... I'm also wondering about Detective Hines.... Is he a good cop or a bad cop? Is he tied up in the Russian/Jackie thing?? Why did he just let Chance go knowing he's actually a suspect in Raymond's murder?? Why wasn't he at work and why didn't his fellow cops know where he was that day Chance went to see him?? Did he make up the story about the guys being at his house when he got home?? Also, the detective that spoke with Chance in the hospital took his clothes to "see if he came in contact with Raymond". That was left open... It would seem obvious, since Chance drove a knife into his chest, that there is most likely some of Raymond's blood on Chance's clothes.....

Holy... So much swirling around LOL... I guess I have to watch season 2 now.... LOL

[–] letess 8 years ago

Is there going to be a Season 2 for sure? I like your thoughts for S2 - it would be a great story. But I dion't think Gretchen Mol is returning for Jaclyn character.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/chance-gretchen-mol-interview-953577

Hugh Laurie doesn't know either what S2 looks like either or if there will be one.

But what about a second season? Hulu’s already ordered a season two, but Laurie’s not sure if there will be one:

I think we still have to earn it. I’m pretty sure that on page 784 of the contract there’s a small [cancellation provision].

I’m in a similar position with The Night Manager. In both cases, [Season 1 follows a novel] and then people go, “All right, now what do we do [in Season 2]?” I don’t know what the hell [a second season of Chance looks like]. And I can pretty confidently say [the producers] don’t either. Maybe they have a plan, and it’s all on a big board somewhere. We’ll just have to wait and see. Maybe we’ll have to put some time travel in it.”

[–] iginlafan65 8 years ago

Hugh Laurie doesn't know either what S2 looks like either or if there will be one.

Wow.... How can they not see what a season 2 looks like? LOL... Hmmm I'd like to find out how to contact them and pitch some ideas, I have a ton LOL.

Regarding Gretchen...

Well, I'm not sure I'm going back. I think it's really a one-season character. I think it's still open in that way but I was only contracted for one year. But I'll say that there's room for something to continue, I think, but I'm not sure what they're going to do. (Laughs.) Always the case with television.… I'm pretty clear that I'm not going back but I think that in the story, you could see more of her.

It's hard to figure out what she means by this. Does she mean she's clear she doesn't want to go back, or she's clear they haven't asked her to come back. I think there is indeed more to explore with Jacklyn/Jackie, if even for just a couple of episodes to plot out the ideas I initially posted above. I even have, what I think, is a good idea to show this arc and also tie up the loose end of how the guy in the hotel room was killed in the finale...

A scene starts in the hotel room. The Russian guy is sitting in a chair across the room and Jackie is sitting on the bed uncuffed. Jackie says "Where are they? They should have been back by now". Raymond staggers into the room with the knife in his chest. The Russian jumps up surprised. He looks at Raymond and says "you're supposed to be dead..." Jackie jumps up and yells at the Russian "shoot him you idiot, kill him". The Russian fumbles for his gun but Raymond pulls his first and shoots the Russian, then points the gun at Jackie. He orders her to cuff herself back to the bed and she does. Raymond then slumps into the couch, drops his gun and it ends up under the edge of the couch, which is why D didn't see it. He stares at Jackie for a bit and asks "Why?" She tells him he screwed up by getting caught, the Russian big wig wanted him and Chance both dead and they were both supposed to be hit by the car to tie up loose ends. D then burst into the room, sees the carnage, pulls the knife out of Raymond's chest, uncuffs Jackie, and on with the new season 2 arc.....

I also actually have an idea that would really blow viewers minds that would tie D and Carl in with the Russian mob. But I would end up typing a novel here if I panned that out LOL.....

[–] letess 8 years ago

You have some excellent ideas and wish you should pitch them. I think there will be a S2. Hugh Laurie was a little pessimistic. He is in the The Night Manager which is fantastic too - actually it is more than fantastic. Very le Carre in the current state of political affairs. Also I think the people who write and produce do read these comments to get a idea of what the audience feels. I would think that many might even use them. If they do go forward with S2, I hope they ditch the backstory about D and his father. It was good to see how D got to be D - but it's an endless and tiresome path with this dad thing.

I know the last season of Homeland, they got rid of a crucial character prematurely and I think they read the posts because he's miraculously returning in the season starting Jan 15 2017.

What I like about Chance - First of all, I love the San Francisco locations and vibe. Whether they know it or not they've created a Maltese Falcon vibe. Chance isn't a PI, but with D at his side they are investigators of a sort. And it's also an homage to Scottie (James Stewart) in Vertigo with Jaclyn as Madeleine. They already alluded to this in many articles, and it played out with Chance having a disorder that others could manipulate to their advantage - in Vertigo - it was dizziness at heights. Vertigo had a dark ending however. The other thing I loved was the way that Chance would go off and deliver a brief summary of other patients, their ailment and diagnosis - that was fantastic. And it made Chance seemed brighter as an academic because without that he just came across as incredibly stupid especially with his home and wife and just normal things. Greta Lee as the secretary had the gal in the PI office of old movies - kind of sassy but very practical. And of course, there's D and Carl. These two characters are the best. The antique dealer and the carpenter - D's little sayings are quotable. And he has his own underground. To be honest, the Jaclyn/Jackie thing made me laugh because she just conveniently became one when it was needed. You wondered if this was truly a split personality and not Chance being duped. It seemed to me tests were needed or something explained for the audience to accept her personality change as real. I almost wanted to go into another character and give a derivation of my name to see if I could change the discussion or avoid certain people. In Vertigo, Scottie had a second chance and he lost. The brilliance of Vertigo. I still think think this show started out with a bang and did not pack a punch at the end. I also think seeing Jaclyn violently stabbing someone innocent changed my opinion of her and I felt it changed that of Chance's as well.

[–] iginlafan65 8 years ago

You have some excellent ideas and wish you should pitch them. I think there will be a S2. Hugh Laurie was a little pessimistic. He is in the The Night Manager which is fantastic too - actually it is more than fantastic.

Thanks Letess, I've always had an interest in writing. I use to sing in a band and wrote all our original songs, and also have written a number of short stories, and actually wrote three screenplays for movies a few years back. They never went anywhere but I haven't lost interest.
I actually started watching The Night Manager yesterday and love it. I think it's Hugh's best TV character actually, and for some reason I get the feeling it's because he is using his natural accent. He just seems more comfortable in his dialogue and acting in that character for some reason.

I agree somewhat regarding D's back story but I feel it needs a conclusion... Like D killing his father after finding out he's into some pretty bad stuff or something... Just to give that arc conclusion, or closure. It would be easy to do since we've already learned his father is a physicist. I don't recall them saying what branch of physics he's in so it could go down any number of paths. One could be that he's actually involved with the Russian's and creating some kind of new drug for them to sell on the streets... Or another could be that he's in the particle physics branch and is involved in some kind of highly controversial military weapons creation... Both of these would lend well to why his father is so nervous about him drawing attention to him... If they go with the particle physics arc that could actually create a new story line for a third and possibly fourth season....

I totally agree with you about Jacklyn/Jackie too, and that was part of my idea for her. Jackie is the real her and Jacklyn is just an act she puts on to look innocent and helpless... But then I struggle with the doctor arc... I keep trying to figure out why she keeps seeing psychiatrists, unless it's just to keep up her cover.... That would be an easy one to pull off as a story as it resembles mafia don Vincent Gigante and how he pretended to be insane for 30 years to prevent being convicted of any crimes.

Hmmm.... Now my wheels are turning... LOL

[–] letess 8 years ago

It is hard to figure out what to do with Gretchen Mol's character - make her bad or make her broken but on the mend. The thing is Chance's obsession with her ended abruptly. It is like it never happened. You see him in his youth just completely undone and hospitalized. But in the finale, he's back. He's over her.

I think your idea with D and his dad is a good one. Have D deal with him and then move on. Hope drama with wife is over too. I would really like Chance to be intelligent in his private life. Hugh Laurie comes across as cunning and bright - which like you said in The NIght Manager he appears so much better and his British accent also makes him sound more astute. But in Chance, he really comes across as a dolt. And the besotted thing with Jaclyn - which is part of his sickness but somehow he came across as a stupid guy in love with the wrong woman. It just has to be believable if someone goes down a different path of destruction otherwise you are no longer with the character. The only time he was someone of interest is when he consulted on patients' diagnoses and treatment and then when he was D's pal throughout the city of San Francisco.

[–] iginlafan65 8 years ago

But in Chance, he really comes across as a dolt. And the besotted thing with Jaclyn - which is part of his sickness but somehow he came across as a stupid guy in love with the wrong woman.

YES!!! Thank you for mentioning that! I had the exact same feeling, not just with Chance but with Hugh's character in House. The best word I can use to describe how he seems in relationships and with affection as those characters is awkward. In both of those characters, House and Chance, whenever Hugh tried to portray sensitivity or affection it just looked uncomfortable and phony. One of the best examples I can think of is in Chance when his daughter is returned after being abducted. When Chance gets back to his place and sees his daughter for the first time and hugs her and tries to show affection and love and such that she is returned.... It just seemed so awkward and fake.
As Roper in The Night Manager though he came across more realistic. The way he was with his wife and son felt more real than the other two characters he played. Like you said, when he is in situations like diagnosing someone, or other more serious situations, he seems more interesting and real. But if he's trying to portray sensitivity or affection it comes off silly or doltish.

[–] sarizonana 8 years ago

I disagree with both of you, i think Hugh is really good at showing affection or his more caring side.

I do prefer him as this demi God like personality like when he was at the top of his game with his diagnosis and mocking his team in House or The Night Manager showing why he was so powerful and had everything he wanted at his fingertips. Its so cool seing him being top leader.

But his Sweeter is Pretty good as well since he has very expressive eyes and he is an actor who has great chemistry with all his co stars, all romantic interests looked with him because of how expresive is his look.

[–] letess 8 years ago

I cringed in some of the sex scenes actually in Chance.

I like this series. I want it to continue. I think the comment I was trying to make was that at the end, Chance was instantly over Jaclyn. Does he or doesn't he have erotomania?

And the last episode was weak. I wonder what the ending is in the book.

I thought he was great in The Night Manager - everything worked there. I think the writing and directing were much stronger and Hugh suited his character perfectly - and yes, his desire for his girlfriend was real. Probably not a good idea to have Tom hanging around your girlfriend.

[–] lexob9 8 years ago

it seemed really frustrating during finale episode that nobody seemed to ask obvious question, how those guys in hotel room got killed. it seemed not normal, from characters not asking this question