I am guessing you have in all probability had a whole lot of conversations with Quinta and the writers in regards to the, “will they, will not they” concept, and attempting to good precisely how one can stroll that line in relation to the storytelling. What are these conversations like within the room? How do you guys method that dynamic?
Halpern: Our philosophy is, we work from character arcs first. So, earlier than we determine how they are going to work together with one another, we attempt to plot out the arc of the character itself. “The place’s Janine this season? The place will we need to take Janine by the top of the season?” After which, as soon as we determine that out, we go, “Okay, nicely then, would Janine be in a spot the place she can be prepared for a relationship, or not prepared for relationship, or how would she react if anyone stated this to her?” We’re doing the identical factor with Gregory and all of the characters. We’re saying, “Okay, what’s Gregory’s arc over this season?” I do know they’re fictional characters, however we attempt to permit them to be human beings which are on their very own path. Then as writers, we are able to say, “Okay, are these paths now right here [lifts hand] or are they right here [lifts hand to different height]? As a result of in the event that they’re right here, nice, we are able to play into that. In the event that they’re right here, then possibly they’re prepared. Or possibly they by no means get right here.”
So when Quinta says, “I do not know when they are going to get collectively or if they are going to get collectively,” she’s being trustworthy. She actually thinks about it with us and the writing workers. All of us sit down and speak about — these are in all probability our greatest, meatiest conversations the place individuals actually get fired up and begin arguing for by some means by way of the character. We by no means speak about it as, “When ought to they get collectively?” We solely speak about it as, “The place’s this character? Would that character be prepared? Would I purchase that?” As a result of I feel our nightmare is, you are sitting at house, and also you see one thing occur on our present and also you go, “Nicely, that wasn’t earned. They might by no means have achieved that.”
That is like we’re betraying the belief of the viewers. A great TV present is like anyone else is driving the automotive and you may simply sit and loosen up. You understand there’s good palms on the wheel. After which, as quickly as you are feeling that first bump or they swerve, you then’re like, “F***, do I’ve to concentrate? Do I belief this one that’s driving the automotive?” So we by no means need that to occur. We wish you to simply sit again and loosen up and benefit from the trip. In order that’s why we speak a lot about whether or not or not we have earned no matter we’re doing.
Schumacker: Yeah. I feel that is crucial factor. And likewise realizing that Goldilocks storyline: You are by no means going to fairly fulfill all people. Audiences are going to be — in the event that they get collectively, possibly it is too quickly. Possibly it is too late. If they do not get collectively … you are by no means going to please all people else. So I feel we have achieved sufficient tv the place we’re content material realizing that we’re not going to have the ability to please one hundred percent of the viewers. However no matter appears like probably the most truthful for us is nice sufficient.
I will use this as a bridge into “Harley Quinn” territory, however one of many stuff you guys have stated about that present is that Harley and Ivy won’t ever break up. And I am curious, A, what prompted you to attract that line within the sand? As a result of you did not have to say that. After which, B, does your place about Harley and Ivy’s endurance additionally lengthen to Janine and Gregory, assuming that they could truly get collectively someday?
Halpern: I feel for us, for “Harley,” it was like, these two characters have been by way of rather a lot, they usually’ve by no means actually gotten an opportunity to be in a relationship with somebody who cherished them unconditionally. So we simply felt like, a lot of Harley’s historical past has been this contentious relationship with the Joker. It is poisonous. It is abusive. And a whole lot of the drama was in how he handled her and the way she existed throughout the context of that relationship. So we simply determined it is extra attention-grabbing to us to see a relationship that’s wholesome, however goes by way of the identical struggles that everyone else goes by way of.
That appears like extra fertile floor that hasn’t been tapped into with Harley than the, “will they, will not they, they break up, they arrive again collectively.” We have seen that s***. We have seen it with Harley. Clearly, it would be totally different as a result of it would be Ivy, however now let’s have a look at these two people who find themselves genuinely dedicated to creating it work at the entire struggles that come. It is onerous to make any relationship work, however these are two tremendous villains, so there’s loads of stuff to play with. That is form of how I really feel.
Schumacker: I echo the whole lot that Justin stated. Then, on high of that, I feel for me, I simply discover them extra attention-grabbing collectively. I would like them to be completely satisfied. And likewise, it is actually vital to everybody who works on the present to painting a queer relationship as a contented one. That is so vital for us.
Halpern: Sure.
Schumacker: Possibly greater than something. Yeah. So, that is why I can actually say that, so long as we’re in control of the present, which, knock on wooden, will likely be at some point of the present, that we are going to have the ultimate say with this type of factor. They’ll by no means break up.
Halpern: We did not strive to do that, however I really feel like now, at this level, we put it in a poison capsule that, even when we have been faraway from the present, we have made this promise to the viewers, so that they in all probability should maintain doing it anyway. [laughs]
Regarding the Janine and Gregory side of that, it appears like what you guys are saying is that is your method for Harley and Ivy particularly. But in addition, I’ve heard little feedback all through this dialog of you not essentially eager to repeat the identical issues that audiences totally anticipate — these tropes and histories which were established for therefore a few years, you do not essentially need to simply do your model of that. I apologize for talking by way of issues that will or could not occur, or have not occurred but, however the concept of these two characters getting collectively, does which have an analogous draw for you guys? That concept of, “Okay, they’re collectively. Let’s examine what fertile story floor outcomes from them staying collectively for a very long time, moderately than that very same splitting and coming again collectively that we have seen a bunch of occasions in different sitcoms”?
Halpern: Loads of what occurs in writers’ rooms on TV exhibits is, what’s getting the writers excited? As a result of as you begin making a number of episodes of a present, and also you begin to get within the second, and the third, and the fourth season, in an effort to make these seasons, the writers should get enthusiastic about one thing. So I feel at “Abbott,” we’re actually enthusiastic about what we’re writing proper now. There isn’t any scarcity of tales being pitched. And I feel Quinta is masterful at understanding audiences, and the push and pull of audiences. So I at all times finish on this place of, I belief her. That if she appears like now’s the time, then we’ll construct to it and that would be the proper time. And if she’s like, “No, it isn’t the correct time,” or, “it should not occur for that reason, or it ought to occur this manner.” Then, I imagine it to be so.
We at all times stated from day one after we have been working along with her and breaking the pilot and doing all these items along with her, I stated, “Pat and I are at all times going to present you our opinion, and we could argue our opinion very passionately. However, on the finish of the day, we’re attempting to provide the greatest data you can should decide, as a result of we belief you, and we would like you to have this present to be your voice.” And that is labored very well for us. A benefit of her is, she is going to hear it out. And if she hears an concept that’s higher than her concept, she’ll go together with that concept. She does not care. It is best concept wins. There isn’t any, “It is received to be mine.”
In order that’s how we have at all times operated, and that is how we function with Janine and Gregory’s stuff. We’re consistently checking in along with her. We’re speaking to her about it. She’s speaking to us. If she has an concept, she’ll hearth it off, generally in the midst of the night time, and ship it to certainly one of us. For these two characters, I really feel like in the event that they get collectively, it will be on the proper time. If they do not get collectively, it will be for a motive that I feel the viewers will discover actually satisfying. That is what we put our belief in.