Countdown Boss Talks Episode 10’s Wild Reset and Whether We’ll See [Spoiler] Again After XL Time Jump

The following contains spoilers from the Aug. 13 episode of Countdown, now streaming on Prime Video.

“Super weird finale,” I shared on Slack with the TVLine staff back on June 16, as I continued my binge of Countdown screeners. “Six minutes terror plot resolution, 20 minutes happy codas, 10-month time jump, and 15 minutes of set-up for a Season 2 I am prettttty sure hasn’t been ordered yet.”

More from TVLine

You see, Amazon had only hooked us up with 10 episodes, and in that moment I had no idea it was a 13-episode season. So imagine my confusion to see the Volchek plot wrapped up in the first act of “the finale,” followed by a major time jump and the introduction of a brand-new case that would seem to demand a Season 2.

But the way that showrunner Derek Haas plotted out the thriller’s freshman run, we are in essence now watching “Season 2.”

‘I WANT YOU ON YOUR TOES’

“When they told me it was going to be 13 episodes, I thought, ‘That’s a really long stretch for one case,’” the #OneChicago and FBI: International vet shared with TVLine. “And then I thought, ‘How interesting and novel would it be if I started a second case within the first season?’” — one that introduced Arrow alum Joe Dinocol as Ryan “Fitz” Fitzgerald, a mid-level Secret Service agent who stumbles upon a remote cabin where someone is clearly plotting a political assassination.

“That way, the audience can’t settle into the rhythm that they’re used to, which is, ‘I know that the case is still going and can’t possibly wrap up because [Episode] 13 is weeks away,’” Haas explains. “I want you on your toes.”

After all, as the veteran scribe puts it, “The last thing we control as writers is surprise, and if you can surprise the audience, they’re going to want to keep coming back.”

TASK FORCE HURRICANE, RE-ASSEMBLE!

With the President of the United States and/or the governor of California in someone’s crosshairs, SAC Nathan Blythe (Eric Dane) was asked by TPTB in D.C. to oversee a new task force. He responded by rounding back up Mark Meachum (Jensen Ackles), who during the time jump recuperated from his cutting edge tumor treatment; newly promoted LAPD Sergeant Lucas Finau (Young Rock‘s Uli Latukefu); and FBI agents Evan Shepherd (The Flash‘s Violett Beane) and Keyonte Bell (The Boys‘ Elliot Knight).

DEA vet Amber Oliveras (Jessica Camacho), however, will not be joining the re-dubbed Task Force Armor — busy as she is with her latest assignment, Blythe informs Meachum.

That is totally understandable and all, but… well… did Amber and Mark finally (ahem) connect in that way two consenting adults do…? After she held his hand through the early tumor treatment process…?

“You’re going to be wondering that,” Haas affirms. “I don’t want to spoil it, but you are going to see more scenes with Oliveras and Meachum before the end of this season.”

After all, the chemistry between Ackles and Comacho “is dynamite,” the EP raves, “so it was fun to write for them — and it gets even more explosive we as we go.”

Best of TVLine

Sign up for TVLine’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.