Flash Forwards Confirmed for Harry Potter TV Show? | Season 2 Casting, Future Ron, Dangers of seeing the future, More!

In this episode, we discuss the latest news on the Harry Potter TV show and what it might mean for the story. Enjoy!

Topics/Summary:

·      1:18 So what happened? HBO announced that they are already casting for season two, and they also mentioned that they have cast Louis Shelton as future Ron for the first season. He won’t play a huge role in the story, but it opens the door.

·      9:14 Filmmakers are following the books closely. You could also argue that they are completely branching out, but we have to know more before we can say for sure. With characters like the Flamels, the TV is breaking new ground. But with a future Ron, we technically have seen him before.

·      15:16 Flash-futures are dangerous. Imagine we are in the Great Hall or something like that and we flash forward. We watch a scene that is to come, and then are pushed back to the present. In that moment, the present loses some value. It feels like we’re losing ground, even though we saw something from the future.

·      21:09 It is very possible to avoid that danger. If we keep the flashes brief and avoid full scenes, and integrate them into the story, the flashes will only enhance the present. Dumbledore thinking about the future in his office is a great opportunity to explore this.

·      25:46 Despite all the negatives, there is a huge upside. If we avoid the full scenes, the filmmakers can make these visions of the future truly impactful. The truth is we don’t know everything. Some actors and creative choices are still unknown to us, so there is still potential to be surprised.

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Intro

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to the potter discussion. Welcome back to the other discussion discussing the Harry Potter books, films, TV show, and the wizardwolf fandom. I'm your host, Oscar, and this is episode 321. Thank you everybody for joining me today. It is my pleasure to be recording with you. We got some more updates on the TV show, and I was so ready to keep going with uh season two, but it was just yesterday that I saw these announcements, and I thought, oh man, we cannot go a week without discussing these. So we have a really interesting episode about Flash Futures. And to tell you the truth, I had never even considered the possibility of something like that. So it is really thrilling that all these new options are opening up for us with this TV show. I certainly hope you will stick around to hear uh the whole thing with me today. Uh, if you have any questions as you're listening, any comments, definitely reach out to thepotter discussion at gmail.com. That is the potter discussion at gmail.com. Okay, I think that's everything I wanted to mention before we begin. So without further ado, let's get into today's episode.

So what happened?

SPEAKER_00 1:19

So to kick off today's episode, I want to just talk about what even happened. Like, what is this announcement that that HBO put out? Well, from what I can understand, so there are, I mean, a ton of articles, a ton of people uh began writing things the moment that this news came out. So what I the the the high-level overview that I gleaned is HBO announced some casting for season two. They announced that they are beginning that process, including a mention of future Ron, which was gonna be a major part in the first uh book, more than the second. I think they were angling for the scene with the mirror of Aeroset, where where little Ron looks into the mirror and sees Big Ron, and Big Ron has all these uh badges and awards and has all these uh amazing things. So that's the announcement, and they even gave an actor, Lewis Shelton, will be playing Future Ron in the TV show. So an interesting development for sure. And they mentioned, HBO mentioned, that it wouldn't be a huge role. It's not like this future character is going to be have a ton of lines and a really big impact on the story, but it opens the door. It opens the door, and that's kind of the first part of this puzzle that I'm gonna mention is that we're kind of moving through uncharted territory. The this the story has been told many, many times. So it is not a surprise that there are elements that are the same. But what we don't know is how they are going to be told. And I think this is an example of a really interesting difference that might have pretty profound effects on how we understand the story. Because, of course, in the in the film, we don't have this uh that that um scene, you know, we don't we don't have that interaction with with Ron. Ron does do these things, but we don't have a future Ron in the mirror. Uh that that is a completely new thing. So it is a very interesting choice that there should be something that uh different about the story, because we don't have that. You know, that's that's something new that that we are being uh added on. And while kind of thinking of this, thinking about this episode, one of the big things that kept popping into my head was Flamel, was Nicholas Flamel, and how he didn't have a major part in the story at all in the first book, even though he kind of should have. But judging by some of the sets we've seen, by some of the characters whom we know are included, he does play a big part in the first season. From what we can tell, there have already been scenes with him, you know, that he is he's he's already ingrained in the story. So there's already precedent for this new innovation to kind of spring forth. And opening this door of casting multiple actors for the same character, I think is a really interesting idea because if you think about it, that's kind of what's already happening. We already have our cast of characters from the films, and the new cast for the TV show is kind of that. It's it's that almost exactly. You know, we are making these these new characters, we are creating these new people for the TV show. And it's almost like casting these future characters is like we're going one step further, that we are creating these alternate versions of the already new character. So this is a really interesting combination, and I think there's a lot to be learned from a situation like this. And what I mean by, you know, it opens the door, it means that we set the precedent for future castings like this. I also thought of Voldemort because he is another actor who, even in just the films, had multiple actors. So is it really gonna be a surprise if he has, you know, many people playing him? Of course, I think he, what is it, like four total, five somewhat, uh, something, something around there, playing Tom Really, you know, playing him through his life. So to think that there would be something similar or more, I think would be really, really cool. And I think that is, I think, a representation of kind of the evolution of these characters also, because if we think about it, it's not like one of these actors represents the entirety of this character's arc. I think the book is the first, you know, the book is the seed, and the films are the plant almost. You know, the films are what grew out of it, but the differences between those characters aren't that impactful. So I think having kind of putting more data points on the chart are gonna is that's that's gonna give us a much better perspective, a much more uh holistic idea of who these characters are. And I think this is also kind of getting at the idea that we've discussed before about how we kind of want to take our heads away from the film's being the story. I think it's so easy. Uh, I mean, and I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but this is just kind of what happens is now reading the books, I see the film characters in my head. You know, that's that's those are my views of the of the characters. Those are uh my my you know uh the image that I have. So that's not necessarily a bad thing, but thinking of these little differences that might affect the story in different ways might lead to a you know kind of a slight bias. You know, we we uh of the slight differences in the film versus the book, of the little changes, you know, the the creative decisions, the creative decisions of the filmmakers in the uh of the films, I think shouldn't influence the actual, you know, the actual text. So with with this cast of characters in the TV show, we're kind of hopefully moving a little bit away from that, you know, and I'm not and it's it's a difficult thing because the films have kind of represented the fandom for so long, but now we're kind of getting this whole new crop that is going to represent a whole new faction almost. Because also, like, you know, the kids now have their own, you know, trio, which is interesting because kids, you know, I today I haven't didn't grow up with the films coming out and the books coming out, and you know, all those things. So it's gonna be interesting to kind of see how the new face almost, the new face of the story is going to be these characters. So with these even more, you know, these characters that have so many different actors playing them, I think it's just going to kind of spiral that that vision, you know. I think it's if anything, we're gonna move closer to the idea of the book. I think with these new actors, we're going to move closer to the idea that the book is the true representation of the story and not the films. And that's you could argue that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I think it's gonna be an overall positive because we have we we want a 3D understanding of the story. And I think right now we only have a 2D with the books and the films, and those are kind of our two points of reference. And we do have two points, which is helpful, but a third, and then you know, with these new future characters, potentially even a fourth, and then with characters like Voldemort, where they have many actors attached to them, you know, we have these kind of legions at this point of people all playing the same person. And I think all it does is shows us new sides of this character and really makes these characters even more vibrant. So I am very much looking forward to where these future castings are going, but the door is absolutely open, and I think that's the key here. The possibility is there, you know. Now we have the opportunity to begin exploring these new avenues to hopefully expand the horizons of what these characters really mean. I think the it's it's gonna be interesting. It's gonna be very interesting to see how these uh how how this TV show impacts our view of the of the books and how that's gonna continue on to future seasons. So that is that's what happened, and now I want to really get into what what that means for us. So let's move on.

Filmmakers are following the books closely

SPEAKER_00 9:14

A point that I'm gonna make that is really standing out to me the more and more we hear from the TV show is that the the filmmakers are following the books very, very closely. And that is a uh an idea that I kind of want to expand on because I think that's also a very contradictory thing to say, because you could also argue that they are adding on, you know, that these that that that the TV show is kind of an amalgamation of a lot of ideas that don't necessarily stem from the books themselves. And I would tend to agree, but I think there are two kind of ways to think about it. And the first way is that because they have more time, they are using that time to explore other parts of the story. And I think you could absolutely think of it that way. Uh, and the other kind of idea here is that they have more time, so they are kind of going off into the unknown. Not necessarily deviating from the final product, but they're kind of giving us a tour of the parts of the story that we just haven't seen, you know, the parts of the uh of of these characters' lives and histories that we just haven't experienced. So both of those, I think to an extent, are true. But what I want to really discuss is how does this affect the overall arc of the story now that we know that the books are kind of are it's almost 50-50 between followed to a T and just completely making it up. And I mean, honestly, that's a pretty cool balance to strike because the whole idea that, you know, what I am hoping for, at least what what what this show is hoping for, is that we're gonna have a whole new, you know, set of things to see, that we're gonna have a whole new uh, you know, uh scenes and characters and a bunch of new things, not just having seen before, but truly new. You know, and I think flashbacks are a really big part of that, and that's why I think it is so interesting to finally see these little glimpses of the future. So to think that these that these glimpses of the future are also kind of gonna be part of that package, gonna be part of the package of, you know, all these things are kind of coming at us, and we have to decide which ones are can and which ones aren't. I think this is this is an interesting conversation to have for sure. Because the truth is, I think the arc isn't really gonna change. Well, gosh, this is hard. This is really hard. Because I think it it will change. It definitely will change somehow. You know, we aren't gonna be going about this the same way. Because I think talking about the arc is talking about how the characters get to the end. What choices they make, you know, how they change, all that. And I think the individual arcs of the characters are one thing, but then how those all kind of twist together into the overall arc of the story is another. And it is, in my opinion, completely impossible to totally recreate the arcs from the films. I think that is impossible, and really they shouldn't be trying to do that. Because the films are their own thing, and like we were talking about, the films made their own artistic decisions. It's not like they were the you know perfect example of a screened, you know, version of the story. No, that's not at all. Of course, they're fantastic, but they are not 100% accurate, and that's just how it is. The f the books are, every single letter is accurate, if you can believe it. So that is kind of the difference that I'm I'm wondering if if we're gonna see that, you know, with these little differences that could be in can you know interpreted as uh a, you know, a detail that is makes the story more accurate, you know, in the TV show or less accurate. I think that's a good decision to make, you know. So let's let's discuss that real quick. Does the casting of this future on uh does that bring the TV show more close to the uh closer to the books or more or farther away from the books? I think that is an interesting decision to make. And I was kind of pondering this uh as as these uh pieces of news were coming out, and honestly, I could go either way. I could really go either way, but if I had to choose, I would probably choose that this brings them closer to the books. Because reading that scene back, it is clear that Ron is not looking at himself exactly. You know, it is someone else that he's seeing. I think that's kind of the point. I mean, that's the well, they don't know yet, but that's the point of the mirror of Eric says that they show what you want, which is implied what you don't have. So I think Ron is definitely seeing someone else in the mirror, which is an important detail because they cast a different actor. So I think with that kind of analysis in mind, I would say that this change does kind of bring it closer to the books. But it's interesting because it's almost like it's almost like it's both at the same time. Like this, that casting of Futuron brings it closer to like it makes it more accurate for the story, but that feels almost off because we're so used to what the films brought us, but also it's not like the books has literally two characters, I think. So again, this is a this is a it could really go either way. It's kind of like a like an optical illusion. It's it's showing us both at the same time. It's just a question of which one we see. And truth be told, I s I think there there are many decisions to be made surrounding this. I think we could see it both ways. And we just have to wait. We just have to wait. If I had to make a decision right now, I would say that these decisions have been slowly moving us closer and closer to the books, not farther away. But we just have to see where we go, you know, uh, and and just what other decisions have to be made in order for a more accurate kind of judgment to be to be um had. So this is a developing situation, but there is more to discuss. So let's move on.

Flash-futures are dangerous

SPEAKER_00 15:17

I want to kind of examine the other side of this coin real quick, because there are a lot of ways of thinking about this development. And one of the things that occurred to me is that flash futures are dangerous. They're very dangerous. And that's because they could very possibly take meaning away from the present. So imagine this, imagine this. So we are in, you know, a scene, uh whatever. Let's say it is a Quidditch scene, you know, something like that, or the trio is sitting in the Great Hall, and suddenly we are in the future. Whatever future it may be, maybe it is, you know, the next year, maybe it is ten years from now, maybe it's the Battle of Hogwarts, maybe it's these little things. I think the filmmakers have an excuse to kind of skip to basically any point they want because we know what's gonna happen. We are very familiar with the story, and it's not like it's a secret, you know, uh what's what's gonna happen. So I think they have an excuse to kind of do that. So let's say we we are, you know, in the Great Hall or on the on the Quiddish pitch or whatever, in a in a classroom, and then we snap back, or we sorry, we snap forward really, and we spend a few minutes in the future. We, you know, for some for whatever reason the plot might move forward, you know, maybe we're seeing a decision that might be made, maybe we're seeing kind of like the cause of some future problem or the effect of some current decision, something like that. Why, you know, once we go back to the present, it's almost like, well, we're moving backwards, you know. I think it's hard for viewers to make that distinction because it's like if you make an investment and you gain a ton and then lose a little, you don't think of it as gaining, you think of it as losing. You know, that's kind of the idea that I'm going with. If we are in the current time and then we get to kind of move forward and we see this future event, or even a glimpse, even a little few moments, even a line, even one character, just something tiny, and then we kind of go back, we feel like we're kind of getting dragged backwards through the story, not kind of exploring forwards. So that's the danger that I want to avoid. And I think it's not likely that we're gonna feel that because again, we are we know the story so well that we're basically are already doing that, even with this, you know, with this show, we're we're going, we're jumping backwards and forwards so much that it's almost like we don't even experience the story in a linear fashion anymore. But that's not the case for everyone, and that's certainly not how the TV show is going to be experienced. We're we're not going from you know topic to topic. We're going from you know scene to scene. This is a linear story, that's what all stories are. So I think we're gonna have to shift our thinking a little bit. And this might be this might be more applicable for fans who have known who know the story better, you know, who which is which is probably you. I mean, you know, listening to this and having read the story, I'm sure, multiple times, I think we're we're pretty well versed on on the goings-on. So I think this this danger might be more present for someone like us, or you know, where we know the story a little bit better. So once we go forward, it's almost like that's where our sh our thinking is shifted. It's hard to shift our thinking, you know, forward and then back. You know, it's so much easier just to kind of put put our brains into story mode and track the story. So it could get a little complex. Because once we break that barrier, once we break the barrier of, you know, the present, it's almost like the the the moment doesn't matter anymore. You know, that's that's that's almost how I feel. But the past is different. The past is definitely different, and I think there's more flexibility there because it's almost I think it's almost like the opposite. Like seeing what happened before brings so much more value to what is to come. That's kind of what I'm what I'm talking about here, and that's why we have so many memories even in the films, and I'm hoping we will have even more memories and flashbacks in the TV show. But those flashbacks bring even more value to the to the future day, which is the current day. So that's kind of what I'm what I'm seeing there. So if we apply that same trend, the present being the past, and then skipping forward to the future, the future is then the the higher valued time. So then it's it's almost like the present is the new past. You know, it's it's just it's so confusing, and it is it makes a difference. It makes a difference that we should have to uh you know think about how this would affect our perception of the story. Because already we have we we we don't know these characters, you know, we we aren't familiar with them, so it is, you know, if we skip forward and skip back, it's almost like we erase the progress that we've already that that that would be we've gained learning who they are. So this is a very, very dangerous thing. I think there are it's there's a distinct possibility that this could negatively affect the TV show for sure. If we do have, you know, true flash futures, if we have real moments that show us just how the story is gonna change, I think there is an absolute there there's a distinct possibility that it's it's gonna harm the story, that we're gonna realize, you know, the the full potential of the story before we even get to the end. I think that that would be a shame, you know, if if the whole thing is kind of spoiled, so to speak, uh, before we even get there. So that's what I don't want. But what I would want is to kind of use these flash features as a way of giving us more context for the present. And we are absolutely gonna mention more of that today. So let's move on.

It is very possible to avoid that danger

SPEAKER_00 21:09

In relation to that last point, I think there are many ways to avoid that that danger, you know, falling into the trap of losing value of the present. And one of those ways, I think, to keep flash futures, but kind of avoid the pitfall of uh of of you know the what we were just talking about. I think a great way to do that is two things. One, integrate it into the story, and two, make it brief. What I think a mistake for a flash future is to have a full scene is to go into the future and suddenly everyone's ten years older and they're talking and you know the scene is unfolding. I think that is a mistake. I think a better way of going about it is you know, what what I was thinking is the f what when when kind of developing this point, what what I was imagining. Was Dumbledore. I think Dumbledore, and this kind of gets into that point of integrating it into the story. We could have like scenes where Dumbledore is sitting in his office and he's just thinking, you know, he's just thinking, and we and we kind of get like flashes into his head, and we can see, you know, visions of kind of what he's imagining is gonna happen. Maybe we see we see the diary, you know. Uh we see uh, you know, the the the sword and Harry going off and we these these little clues, these little, you know, kind of hints of what's to come. Not full scenes, but just like I'm talking like one shot real quick of just like the diary with a with a basilisk fang. And then, you know, we see Voldemort, and then you know, we just it's just Dumbledore thinking at his desk. Like that that is a scenario in which I think it would be really, really interesting to have these flash features incorporated into the story, because there are absolutely ways to make it uh to avoid the danger but still keep that benefit. I think Dumbledore is, if we do integrate them with a character, I think Dumbledore is the one to do it because he kind of knows everything that everything that goes on around here, and I'm sure that is going to keep true in the TV show. He kind of knows what's going on, and I think now that we have more time to, you know, the to explore characters, I think it'd be worth kind of going into his head a little bit more because we know that he has all the pieces kind of already put together. So just a glimpse into his plans, into his visions. I think he has a lot of memories, and that's why he keeps them all in the pensive, but I think they're not necessarily memories, but his ideas for the future are also probably pretty accurate. So maybe we even have, you know, as maybe in in in the later seasons, we have, you know, he's seeing visions of his death and he's planning this kind of journey that Harry has to go on beyond him. That's such a great opportunity, especially in the Half-Poot Prince, you know, up to his, you know, dying day. Dumbledore can be making plans and and you know, thing these flashes of of you know the future and trying to think, you know, what is gonna what's gonna happen, you know, what is gonna come of the world once he is gone. So I think those moments could be just so impactful, even if it's just a second, you know. Like I said, these should be fleeting. I I think they're even more meaningful if we don't 100% know what's going on. Like maybe the light's a little too bright, we can't really see, you know, the voices are a little muffled, we can't really hear, like those things that we kind of have to discern for ourselves that we can kind of have that we have that we have to figure out really for ourselves. Like maybe you know it'd be super cool if we have like if Dumbledore has these, like, like like a vision, and it's so muddled, and by the end, we get to that point. You know, okay, this here it is. It just it just came to me the perfect one. I think Dumbledore should have should just kind of foresee Sirius's death. Not and I think it's calling them visions, it's easy to think that he's telling the future, but this is just thoughts, like like we all have. We all are thinking of what's gonna happen tomorrow, you know. That's that's exactly what he's doing, except we kind of see what he sees in in his mind's eye. So what if he sees, you know, the veil, and then he sees, you know, Sirius or some figure getting killed, and then Harry is running, and then you know, like what if he sees that? Because he's involved in that, he's heavily involved in that in that sequence. So having a little bit like a taste of that would be super, super cool. And then and that's at the very beginning, and then by the end, we see the how we you know we have the full scene, and then the whole thing kind of unfolds in front of our eyes, and then we really get the payoff there. So something like that, I think, would be really valuable, and it would show us this part of the story that we just haven't had to experience before. So I think it is really easy to avoid this pitfall, and it is really easy to make these flash futures

Despite all the negatives, there is a huge upside

SPEAKER_00 25:46

count. There's the the last thing I want to mention in this episode is I've been talking a lot of negative stuff. We've been playing Devil's Devil's Advocate for a good chunk of the episode, but I just want to mention that flash futures could be so cool. So, so cool. I think it's it's easy to think about all the negatives and all the dangers of of having these in the story, but they don't have to be full scenes, like we were saying, just flashes of what's to come. I mean, there are things that even we don't know. I think that's the key here. There are things that even we don't know, like actors or creative choices. What I mean by that is like we still don't know who's cast for Voldemort. Of course, Voldemort has already been cast, so that leads us to believe that maybe the filmmakers are keeping it secret. So what if that's flash? You know, we aren't gonna get Voldemort's true form until the uh you know the Goblet of Fire, but of course his face will still be there. But maybe we have flashes of that face, and then as you know, Dumbledore plans for the Goblet of Fire, he knows Voldemort is stirring. Uh maybe he can get flashes of that as well, you know, of the of of you know Voldemort's true form. Because judging by, you know, the story and the differences in the film, I think the Voldemort we see on screen in the TV show is gonna be different than than the uh the the films for sure. We definitely there are some distinct differences that I think will be explored. So getting a flash of that in even the first book or even the second book, I think that would be so cool. Just like a a a literal uh like a flashbang, like a bam, and we see Voldemort's face for a second. How amazing would that be? So so I think they have to play off the idea that we don't know everything. We know what's gonna happen in the story, and we're pretty confident on that, but there are elements that we don't know, like this whole storyline with with Nicholas Flammo. We don't know what's going on there. We know what the outcome's gonna be, but we don't know what we gain from it. And it is those decisions, it's it's the little things that we don't have yet that are really gonna make the difference here. I think it's easy to think that we know what we're gonna watch, but the truth is we have no idea. We have absolutely no idea. And if tea leaves has shown us anything, it is that there is room to explore. I am so hoping that the TV show is nothing to do with our T Leaves. And that's just for the reason that I want to be surprised. You know, I want to be, I want to watch this the TV show and be thinking, wow, I never ever imagined this could be part of it. So I think flash futures are a an interesting part of that puzzle because it's even telling us, you know, those are just a reminder for us that we just don't know, that we can't guess, that we know what we know what we know what's gonna happen, we don't know how it's gonna happen. And that how is perhaps why we're even watching this TV show in the first place. So the value is still there, the possibilities to explore, and I think the creative freedom is still there. We just have to see where it goes. So there you have it. That is today's episode. This news is very exciting and it's so cool to hear that they are already starting work on season two. Of course, we we kind of knew that that the whispers were were beginning, but now that true castings are underway, I think this is gonna be a really interesting uh production. Of course, they don't want the kids to grow up too much, so they should definitely get going. Make sure they uh are are accurate to the story. So again, this has been a wonderful episode. Thank you so much for joining me. If you have any questions, comments, topics, anything at all you want to reach out with, you can go ahead and do that too. Thepodrediscussion at gmail.com. That is thepodred discussion at gmail.com. And if you enjoyed this episode, maybe this is your source of Harry Potter TV show news, maybe this is just a little a little chat, a little hangout, you know, on a on a Sunday, go ahead and share it. You know, it would really help me out. Uh doesn't take too long, takes a few buttons, maybe a few words to a friend. But, you know, there's no marketing for this. I just kind of sit down and talk. So if you want to spread that message, that would really mean a lot to me. Thank you everyone who has done that already. Uh, and I am so excited for next week. Of course, we will be returning to Tea Leaves unless something nuts happens. Uh, but we have to keep plowing through season two. Again, thank you so much for joining me today. Have a wonderful week. I will see you soon. And as always, remember that happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on a light. See ya.