Requiem
writer
Date: 9/14/99
From: Michael_Reaves
I've read some of the postings on "Requiem", the Sliders episode that I wrote, and thought I'd put up this note to clarify some of the questions and issues I've seen raised.
I was invited to pitch as a freelance writer to the Sliders show, and came in armed with several different ideas. One of them was a story about the Sliders on an interdimensional ship that was powered by a human brain interfaced with the controls. This is a fairly common idea in science fiction literature -- it's been used by Anne MacCaffrey, Norman Spinrad and others. It was a visual concept that hadn't been done on the show before. As Keith Damron notes in his Journal, the staff immediately saw the possibilities of the idea as a vehicle for their "Wade Returns" story, and asked me to tailor my pitch to fit what they wanted to do with the character.
I was glad to do it, of course, since it meant a writing assignment. The revised idea was approved by David Peckinpah and by the Sci Fi Channel, and I wrote an outline, got notes on that, then went to script. I did two drafts, after which Keith, Chris Black and Bill Dial did an in-house polish for budgetary reasons.
I had been conscientious of the budget to the best of my ability, but we all knew from the start that "Requiem" was going to be expensive. Everyone on staff was fond of the story, but ultimately it had to be trimmed down rather drastically to be an affordable shoot.
I must admit I'm not terribly happy with what finally aired. I know the staff and crew did the best they could with it, but the lack of money really hurt the story, particularly the climax, which in my script was much more apocalyptic. Also, several people have pointed out that ending it with the strong suggestion that Wade is still alive makes the whole episode rather pointless. I agree. In my version there's no question that she dies saving not just one world, but countless worlds -- a sacrifice worthy of a hero. But the Sci Fi Channel insisted on the ending as it aired. I really don't see why -- we knew going in that this was the last season. It's not like any of the characters will be coming back.
To answer a couple of questions raised: No, she's not a severed head. The "head-in-a-box" design wasn't what I envisioned (or called for in the script); mine would've looked more like those hypersleep pods in "Alien". And yes, the character of Wade in "Requiem" is the "real" Wade Wells; not a doppelganger, not a clone, etc., etc. The reason Sabrina Lloyd did not make a personal appearance as Wade was due to scheduling conflicts; the most she was able to do was record a day's worth of lines.
I imagine there will be questions and responses to this post; please don't be offended if I don't answer. I'm very busy these days on a number of different projects (including a TV series I'm developing with Marc Scott Zicree, a writer-producer on season four of Sliders).
I'm glad that most of you enjoyed "Requiem"; I enjoyed writing it.
Best,
Michael Reaves
Thanks
for the explanation
Date: 9/14/99
From: SpaceTime
What were the other ideas you had for S5? I'm curious, because, to be honest, there's gotta be a zillion ways they could have resolved Wade's fate without Sabrina Lloyd. Keith Damron even had one.
Forgive the frustrations of most of the people here, but if even you didn't like the final outcome, most of the people here will breathe a sigh of relief that their opinions were founded.
Any chance I could contact you for your original version of the script? I run one of the bigger Sliders web sites on the Internet, EARTHPRIME.COM, and it'd be an great addition to the page.
In any case, thanks for letting us know what's going on.
Take care,
Matt Hutaff
hutaff@usc.edu
Thanks>>
Date: 9/14/99
From: vortex62
for clearing up some things with the episode. Also can you tell us
about the new series you are working on with Marc???
Vortex62
Steve's Parallel World (Earth62)
http://tatooine.fortunecity.com/gibson/405/
Thanks
, Mr. Reaves ---Question
Date: 9/14/99
From: Hyperspace
Do the people at the Sci-Fi Channel and USA Understand what a strong following slider has. If they don't please ask someone in charge to come to the board and talk to us or at least listen to us.
And Please post information on your next project we would be very interesting hearing about it.
Thankyou,
Hyperspace
Again,
thanks
Date: 9/14/99
From: Alternity_Orange
We get a little frustrated sometimes. It seems we are always fighting for this show and, I at least, sometimes feel slighted that we never get any responses from anybody associated with it. A word of encouragement would be nice once in awhile. It's gratifying that that you took the time to respond to our comments. Thanks again and good luck with the new projects!
AO
Thank
you
Date: 9/14/99
From: Informant
I enjoyed the episode a lot. I don't like what happened to Wade, but it is one of the best we've seen in years.
It
wasn't you.
Date: 9/14/99
From: gpc
A conclusion for the Wade arc is something most of us
have been wanting for quite some time.
The reason many of us think it sucked (what aired) is
the horrid acting and, of course, the production of it...
Tolkien will probably roll over in his grave when the new
Lord of the Rings airs. :P
Thanks for taking the time to comment...it's always
nice to see that at least one person involved cares about
the fans.
-S.
A
job well-done, Michael!
Date: 9/14/99
From: Executive
Your script for "Requiem" was one of the few high points in this troubled final season, in spite of how it was butchered by the powers that be. Thanks also for your confirmation of the opinions of several of us that Wade was killed, even as suggested by the ending that did air.
Thanks
for the efforts
Date: 9/14/99
From: DonProc
Thanks first of all for your posting to let us know how things transpired.
Thanks second for the effort that went into the episode itself.
I think it should put a lot of us on a new/old track. At various times a wide variety of the posters to this board (myself included) have blamed the actors, the writers, the show's executives and the SciFi channel itself for our disappointments. Your comments, Mr. Reaves, should point out that the actors can only do as directed and the writers can only offer their best efforts with no control over what gets sent over the air. And a lack of money is not the hallmark of most successes.
Finally - my sympathies for you Mr. Reaves. With a genuine concern for your audience you are probably doomed, at least with this series. Why disguise the final resolution of a main character (as the show's execs apparently did) if you are 'through' with her? It seems, at times, as though this show has decided that an audience of mushrooms is preferred and your efforts here simply let in too much light for us mushrooms.
Thanks again!
Thanks
!!!
Date: 9/14/99
From: Sheridan220
Thank you Mr. Reeves for paying us a visit here at the BBorad and with us knowing that you care for the fans of Sliders.
Sheridan220
The Icelandic Slider
Iceland
If
you really are Michael...
Date: 9/14/99
From: Slidersfreak
I loved your work on Batman! Great job! If you're not really Michael, who are you?
Slidersfreak
Michael...
Date: 9/14/99
From: _Arturo_
Thanx for the explanation. If you have time, stop by my site at http://go.to/SlidersCentral
I also think they could have made the fleet of manta ships as you suggested, but that's Peckinpah for ya!
Sincerely,
Arturo (Garrett Weaver)
Gjw1998@Hotmail.com
Excuse
the rudeness...
Date: 9/14/99
From: stuslide
...if you're really Michael Reaves. There have been many imposters over the time that this board has been up so you have to excuse some of us.
When I found out that you wrote the episode, I was sure you would do a good job. I've seen your work on other shows so I'm sure you would do a good job. I haven't seen REQUIEM yet, but I'm sure you did what you could there, too.
Stuslide
SLIDERS: ALTERNATE SPIN
www.angelfire.com/ky/sliderspinoff
"Just think of the possibilities."
Original URL http://www.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/545/12088
Nominated by Blinker
