WATCHMEN Showrunner Damon Lindelof Addresses Cliffhanger Ending And Why There May Not Be A Season 2

WATCHMEN Showrunner Damon Lindelof Addresses Cliffhanger Ending And Why There May Not Be A Season 2

Following last night's must-see Watchmen finale, showrunner Damon Lindelof addresses that shocking ending and reveals that he's not currently planning to continue the story with a second season on HBO...

By JoshWilding - Dec 16, 2019 12:12 PM EST
Filed Under: Watchmen
Source: Rolling Stone
The Watchmen finale has got everyone talking, but it turns out that the ending might have been even more definitive than we first realised! During an interview with Rolling Stone, showrunner Damon Lindelof addressed what happened after the screen cut to black and why he's not particularly interested in continuing the story of Angela (even if she is imbued with Dr. Manhattan's powers).

"Let’s for a second assume that there are two possible outcomes for what happens when Angela takes a step onto the swimming pool," he muses. "Outcome number one is that she just sinks to the bottom of it and just misunderstood everything that Cal told her and ate a raw egg and should probably go be treated for salmonella."

"Outcome number two is that she starts to walk on water and realize that she is imbued with godlike powers. That would certainly explain the promotional poster for Watchmen that we put out there 15 weeks ago; she’s certainly looking a bit blue there. Let’s just say either of those possibilities exist. I think neither one of those stories are going to particularly make for a compelling season of television. Others may disagree. But that’s my feeling."

In both this and other interviews, Lindelof has pretty much confirmed that Angela does indeed inherit Dr. Manhattan's powers and points out that if that is the case, "white supremacy is in trouble."

He made it clear that there were no ideas he was unable to fit into season one of Watchmen, and he has no desire to do more in this world...for now. That would explain the lack of renewal news, although he admits that, "I do have a desire for there to be more Watchmen. Maybe these nine episodes have demonstrated that the playing field is a little bit larger than previously thought."

"It may inspire someone else to tell a Watchmen story. But right now, I don’t have any more ideas. Whether you call something a limited series or an ongoing series, that’s fodder for awards consideration. I’m not comfortable calling this anything other than nine complete episodes with a beginning, a middle, and an end. There is no promise of a continuation."

Interestingly, Lindelof went on to suggest that if someone else were to take charge of Watchmen, they could explore different decades. With that in mind, it would be interesting to learn more about what led to Nite-Owl landing behind bars, which would be a very, very different story. 

What do you guys think?

Hit the "View List" button to check out a recap
of all the biggest reveals in the Watchmen finale!

Lady Trieu Is Ozymandias' Daughter

Ozy


One of the biggest reveals comes early on in the episode when we learn that the smartest woman on the planet is, in fact, the daughter of the smartest man on the planet. Her mother used one of his hidden semen samples to impregnate herself back in the 1980s and when she asks for her father's help to fund an experiment which will help her steal Dr. Manhattan's powers, he refuses.

That's because her mother essentially stole his seed and just as he gave his inherited wealth away as a young man in order to make his own, Ozymandias believes Trieu should do the same. 
 

The Truth About Europa And The Game Warden

Warden


It turns out that much of what we saw on Europa was scripted by Ozymandias to stave off boredom and to stop himself from going insane. Everything from the horseshoe in the cake (the reason he gets frustrated with Mr. Crookshanks and Mr. Phillips giving it to him in an earlier episode) to The Game Warden himself was by Adrian Veidt's design. 

The Game Warden was meant to serve as a suitable foil for Ozymandias, and as he knew he would be trapped there until his daughter's satellite passed over (she mentioned during their first meeting that she had sent one to Europa to take photos of Dr. Manhattan), he was simply killing time.
 

Ozymandias' Return To Earth

Ozyman


It turns out that Ozymandias was actually spelling out "Save Me Daughter" with those bodies. That meant Trieu was able to send a rocket to bring him back to Earth, and that was what we saw crashing to Earth when Lady Trieu was first introduced and bought that farm from the childless couple. 

Ozymandias, meanwhile, was encased in gold and Trieu left him that way until it was time to enact her plan to steal Dr. Manhattan's powers and finally make the world a much better place. 
 

How The Seventh Kavalry Knew About Dr. Manhattan

Keene


When Cal unwittingly used his powers to save Angela during that attack by the Seventh Kavalry, he teleported one of their members over 900 miles away and didn't actually obliterate them. Well, he let his fellow White Supremacists know what had happened and it didn't take Senator Keene long to figure out that Dr. Manhattan was right there in Tuska, Oklahoma. 

They aligned themselves with Lady Trieu and helped fund her experiments in exchange for Keene being granted Manhattan's powers. Judd Crawford, meanwhile, got close to Angela so he could keep an eye on her and Cal, and all those watch batteries from the first episode were needed by the Seventh Kavalry to power the machine that would ultimately trap the superhuman. 
 

Looking Glass' Fate

Rors


You hadn't forgotten about Looking Glass, had you? Well, it turns out that when those members of the Seventh Kavalry attacked his home, he managed to take all of them out and infiltrate the group. He lets Silk Spectre know of his presence and is later teleported to Karnak alongside her and Ozymandias, where he learns what Veidt did to the world all those years ago. 

After Keene's attempt to transform into the new Dr. Manhattan turns him into literal goo, the real version is able to use the last of his power to send that trio to the Arctic, as he knows that Ozymandias is likely the only one capable to stopping Trieu from becoming a God among men. 
 

Lady Trieu's Plan Revealed

Lady


Trieu always knew that Keene wouldn't be able to become Dr. Manhattan because they didn't filter his atomic energy. She only used the Seventh Kavalry so Manhattan would have no way to know what she was up to, and destroys them as part of her partnership with the one-time Hooded Justice. 

Ozymandias knows his daughter is just like him and won't do what's best for the world, instead wanting to be worshipped. He comes up with a plan to use those "alien" squids as a weapon against Trieu and teleports them to her location where both she and her machine are destroyed. Her daughter/mother survives, as does Angela who quickly runs for cover. 
 

Dr. Manhattan Always Knew He Would Die

Manhattan


Shortly before that happens, a confused and disorientated Dr. Manhattan says goodbye to Angela and is promptly destroyed. However, we later learn from Angela's grandfather that "Cal" always knew it was going to happen and that he told Will Reeves to pass on a message: "You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs."

Angela has no idea what it means, and while she may have set these events in motion, Dr. Manhattan was always the one pulling the strings because it seems he had a backup plan of sorts...
 

Ozymandias Gets What He Deserves

OZ


Before we get to that, though, we return to Karnak where Ozymandias is happy to send Laurie and Looking Glass back to Oklahoma in Nite-Owl's old ship (which he repaired years before). 

However, Silk Spectre makes it clear that Veidt is going to pay for what he's done and that he under arrest (Looking Glass has the DVD with his confession on it and Laurie doesn't care if taking him means means having to take down the President as well). Just as he launches into another speech, Looking Glass knocks him out. 
 

A New Dr. Manhattan...We Think!

Pool


When Angela returns home and sees the eggs on the floor she smashed in the previous episode, she recalls a conversation with Jon about how he could potentially put his powers into an egg and that the person who eats it could then inherit his abilities. That message finally makes sense, and it appears as if Dr. Manhattan always hoped/planned that Angela would be able to take his place.

She eats the egg and heads outside. Remember how Cal said it was important that she see him walk on water? Well, she places one foot on the pool and the season ends, leaving us to wonder whether she really has become the new Dr. Manhattan or whether her husband's message meant something else altogether. Based on interviews with Lindelof, though, it sounds like she has his powers!
 
What did you guys think of the season finale of Watchmen? Did it live up to expectations or was it not a worthy sequel to the stellar graphic novel? Let us know your thoughts down below.
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NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 12/16/2019, 12:44 PM
I'd be curious to see what happens afterwards. Not just Angela inherited Jon's powers but also we are looking at a world in which the truth of Veidt's actions 34 years ago finally came to the light and even Ozymandias is finally paying for it.

But he did predict that it "would be the end" or "everything will fall", so perhaps exploring that prediction and if it turns out to be true and how the Tulsa characters react to that world.

Plus what kind of real jail time does now Adrian would serve. He finally got what he wanted when Jon sent him to Europa, recognition, but then like Dr. Manhattan he got bored of it and escaped. I bet he wished he had remained there now.

So yeah I'm up for a Season 2 someday.
Repian
Repian - 12/16/2019, 12:50 PM
If they are going to continue working on the Watchmen show, ok, but don't continue Angela's story.

Laurie Blake and the FBI can star in more stories. Adrian and Daniel, both in the same federal prison can also be interesting.
jerryblake
jerryblake - 12/16/2019, 12:53 PM
One Word: Dreiberg
NightwingNad
NightwingNad - 12/16/2019, 1:24 PM
@jerryblake - Yes , it's the only way to make me interested in a season 2 (because I find this first season perfect and I think we don't realy need a season 2 ) .
Kman
Kman - 12/16/2019, 1:06 PM
Really cool show - I've enjoyed watching it. But somehow it left me wanting just a little bit more from it. Like a great meal that was just missing one more course...

I was definitely curious to see what Dr. Manhattans true "Jon" form looked like - but I get what they were going for.
Dredd97
Dredd97 - 12/16/2019, 4:46 PM
@Kman - I mean the show used the graphic novel as a history book, so I'm assuming he wouldn't stray too far from the comic look.
rabid
rabid - 12/16/2019, 1:07 PM
Lindeloff says he isn't comfortable with calling it an ongoing show, but HBO's marketing team has been using the phrase "Season 1" a lot, so he and his benefactors may have different ideas on that.
dracula
dracula - 12/16/2019, 1:32 PM
@rabid - hopefully they end it, he said it himself he doesn't have anymore ideas. Keep it going and it will probably turn to crap.

Maybe turn it into an anthology show, new cast of characters, with appearences by the old cast members, telling a new story in the watchmen world, and a different showrunner
tmp3
tmp3 - 12/16/2019, 1:40 PM
@rabid - HBO also wanted more GOT seasons but listened to D&D's demands of ending it early; I'm sure they'll do the same here.

@dracula - If they do more Watchmen they need an incredible show-runner. We've seen what's happened to Watchmen when it's given to people who don't quite understand it (Before Watchmen, the movie) so they'd need someone on the level of Lindelof.
rabid
rabid - 12/16/2019, 1:52 PM
@dracula - That's how I could see it continuing. Leave this story alone and finish Nite Owl's story.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 12/16/2019, 1:12 PM
It was a DAMN GOOD ENDING
Kurne
Kurne - 12/16/2019, 1:12 PM
OK; I know I already didn't like most of the season... but that finale was pretty damn underwhelming/unsatisfying, right? Is that a no-go to acknowledge or what?

Even though I criticised most of the season for merely building towards the final episodes, I was still willing to see what that would ultimately look like. In the end it just felt like Lindelof was trying to wrap things up as quickly as possible because he had an episode count to adhere to.
Nerdman3000
Nerdman3000 - 12/16/2019, 4:46 PM
@Kurne -

Did we watch the same show/finale?
Dredd97
Dredd97 - 12/16/2019, 4:48 PM
@Kurne - I don't agree with you at all. It was fantastic.
IronGenesis
IronGenesis - 12/16/2019, 1:19 PM
Although it was only ONE SCENE/EPISODE...(right?)

I was thoroughly captivated by Captain Metropolis and would put my vote down to do a a Prequel Series that explores more of the Original New Minutemen.
tmp3
tmp3 - 12/16/2019, 1:35 PM
@IronGenesis - I thought that Captain Metropolis was just some square in the original comic, but making him complicit in turning a blind eye to Cyclops made him so much more of a complex character; especially with how much he later regretted it, to the point of gifting Reeves his estate.
IronGenesis
IronGenesis - 12/16/2019, 1:54 PM
@tmp3 - look how much they re altered hooded justice. There is more to mine with all the original minutemen.

But it’s probably a pipe dream.
rabid
rabid - 12/16/2019, 1:55 PM
@tmp3 - Metropolis was acting the part of a honey trap, almost straight out of the CIA handbook. That makes me wonder if there was some social mastermind before Veidt that had enlisted him. Hard to believe he started the Minutemen all by himself just to squash vigilantism and save the Cyclops.
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