‘Solar Opposites' Creators on Crafting the Show's Final Season
'We were starting to write this season when we found out that it was most likely going to be the end,' McMahan said. 'And then we were scrambling around panicking, trying to make them not let it be the end. But just in case, we figured there's some stuff we have to do with [side plot] the Wall, there's the stuff we had to do with the Solars, there's some really cool stuff coming. So, we've been saying that this kind of feels a little bit like our Fellowship of the Ring. Like this is the end of the first book of Solar Opposites. So, we do culminate some stuff, we do get some storylines finished, but we leave it open to more adventures too, at the same time.'
The SDCC panel included a screening of a season-six episode that—no spoilers—digs into the deep family relationships that've formed between the Solar Opposites aliens. They may have started off the show merely as partners on a scientific mission, but that's definitely transformed into something far more emotionally resonant.
'That's the most heart we've ever done in an episode,' Bycel said. 'And it ends in this amazing, unexpected way when you realize the family stuff. But because we were sort of cosplaying as drama writers, we knew that we backed ourselves into a corner with [side plots] the Wall and Silver Cops. And our big goal was to sort of take all these breadcrumbs we've done throughout the years and wrap them up with the Solars. So it really makes you realize that the Wall and Silver Cops, they all come back to the Solars, because without them, none of those stories would be able to live. So that was really important for us.'
Added McMahan, 'It was all about balance, where it almost had to be funny and dumb and then smart, and we had to pay attention to everything we had said and done. When you're going into the season, I really recommend you go back and watch your favorite episodes, especially the '99 Ships' episode [season three, episode six] before you finish the season because it all ties together. The whole series ties together.'
You still have time to rewatch that particular episode or even the whole series to date (including the holiday specials) if you want: Solar Opposites releases all 10 episodes of season six October 13 on Hulu.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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