Read at your own risk.
Who better to break down the adventures of Jake Epping than the woman behind it all, right?
Thats why Bridget Carpenter, the showrunner of Hulus11.22.63, is writing weekly blogs.
Credit: Russ Martin/Hulu
Dear Constant Viewer,
I dont remember what my first Stephen King book was.
MaybeThe Dead Zone.All I recall is, my father handed it to me.
I was in eighth grade.
(Even though it possibly, technically was.)
By morning, I was a die-hard fan.
Such is the addictive power of story.
Its a great thing, to be a child of readers.
Everything in my life has come from that: Im a reader.
Do you know Daniel Alexander Jones?
He is a gifted writer, director, and performer.
Hes a professor at Fordham University.
Hes one of my best friends in the world.
And he is the person who called me three years ago and said, 11/22/63.
You have to read this book.
Now whos to say I wouldnt have read the book anyway?
Im a King fan.
I would have gotten to it, surely.
Why do I tell you this?
Why am I not starting with the MORAL of Jake Eppings story?
Why am I not listing my conspiracy theories?
Ive taken a hard right onto Tangent Avenue why?
Daniel Jones told me to read a book.
Stephen King titled his novel11/22/63, which to me is one of the great literary McGuffins.
This story isnt about November 22, 1963 not really.
It isnt about JFK, or conspiracies, or time travel.
This is a story about how we become ourselves through the choices we make.
Jake chooses, again and again.
Thus unfolds this story, one event after the next: action and consequences.
In short: Jake wins and he loses.
He saves the president; he loses his love.
But thats not going to stop him, is it?
Despite everything, he intends to reset history, do it all over again, no mistakes!
But Harry Dunning shows Jake one terrible way the world turns.
He exits the rabbit hole for a last time.
Sadie will live; JFK will die; Harrys family will be killed.
Jake will live with his choices in 2016.
Time moves in one direction.
Jake does see Sadie one more time.
He asks her to dance.
When they dance, the Past doesnt push back.
Instead, it harmonizes.
Dancing is life,writes the King.
I cant argue with that.
Writing and producing this miniseries has been one of the richest creative experiences of my life.
Sadie Dunhill says, We dont know whose lives we touch, or why or how.
Im just glad you have allowed me to be part of yours.
That goes for me too.
Thanks, Constant Viewer.
We walked the streets of Dallas and felt the ghosts in the hot air around us.
We stared at the auditorium floor where Kennedy stood making his campaign speech over 50 years ago.
In Dallas it felt like time had stopped.
Maybe it has a little bit.
This finale required a recreation of the11/22/63JFK motorcade (a motorcade that has been documented on film!
James directed these and dozens of other elements with aplomb and a profound spirit of creative collaboration.
Our casting department (hi April & Erica!)
When we scouted our Dallas locations, I spied this graffiti on a fence post behind the grassy knoll.
This is the photo I took.
(I put the graffiti in the finale.)
Director James Strong and me after directing a day of the JFK motorcade in Dealey Plaza.
Look at the photo, people.
This is Lego Jake Epping, a gift from editor Mike.
(I actually did go to City Hall to, you know, fight … oh never mind.)
A fun Easter Egg.
A fun Stephen King tattoo someone saw on Instagram.
Steve and Kathy Lingg.
I still miss the diner.
For more insight, follow Bridget on Twitter@BridgetCarpen12.
