Fox drama The Flash, Supergirl, and Batwoman are among the series currently experiencing an episode shortage.
In most cases, the disruptions have a simple fix. Shows that are forced to conclude earlier than planned could always have an extended seasons the following year, with a larger episode order, potentially allowing certain arcs more time to develop. Supernaturnal, which has temporarily gone dark, plans to return and provide audiences with a proper conclusion to the saga of the Winchester brothers. Empire, the musical drama created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, has opted for a different approach in wrapping up its long-running arcs.
Empire will come to a close without airing its series finale. Instead, as TVLine notes, the sixth and final season will finish on April 21 with the broadcast of episode 18. The last completed episode before the coronavirus-imposed stoppage, episode 18 will reportedly feature footage from episode 19 in order to create a more smooth and unified ending. Episode 19 was halfway through filming when social distancing guidelines impacted Hollywood productions. Empire season 6 was originally intended to consist of 20 episodes.
Premiering in January 2015, Empire revolves around hip-hop mogul the controversy involving former star Jussie Smollett.
The world of the Lyons might not be gone for good. Even this past January, discussions about spinoffs and sequels centering around Henson’s memorable character were still underway. In the meantime, it should be interesting to see whether the edited ending succeeds in satisfying fans of Empire. The musical drama may not be the cultural juggernaut that it once was, but a good finale can help cement the legacy of a series long after it has ended.
Source: TVLine