We will know more tomorrow, after the CBS Upfronts, but perhaps this is something Plageman and Nolan wanted for the show. halfabubble brought to my attention this s3 interview in which they talk about wanting shorter seasons to make the show more of a serialized drama than a 22 episode procedural, and arguing with CBS over it.

Broadcast television used to be fairly strict with its 22 (or more) episode season requirements for shows, but the LOST bosses famously were able to negotiate an advance end date and shorter seasons. Is that something you hope to be able to do for your show?

Greg Plageman: We keep trying. It never works. [Laughs]

JN: It’s an ongoing conversation for us every year. Second season we made 22, because that was what we thought we were capable of doing. This season we found a way — it’s a glorious problem to have when the network and the audience wants more of what you’re making. It’s a great problem, but it’s a problem nonetheless. [x]



Perhaps, with the syndication deal about to kick in and CBS making no money from it, it was the right time for the network to accept a shorter season deal, which would also be cheaper for them, and would allow the show to be more cohesive. It would also mean better scheduling, easier to binge watch, easier to sell to streaming services probably.

It could be a good thing. And as long as it wasn’t CBS trying to kill the show and it was something Greg and Nolan actually wanted to do, I’ll be happy with 13 episodes. Just don’t make s5 the last one and we’ll be good.