MovieChat Forums > Beauty and the Beast (1987) Discussion > What if Linda had never left?

What if Linda had never left?

posted 14 years ago by yues_woman
42 replies | jump to latest

I was just thinking to myself, what would the series be like if Linda Hamilton had never left?
How would the series have ended? When would it have ended? What would have become of Vincent and Catherine?

Personally, I think that if Linda hadn't have left, Beauty and the Beast would have easily lasted another two or three seasons. Jacob would still have been born, but perhaps not until the final season. At this time, Catherine would have finally moved in with Vincent.
A few other things that I would have liked to see include Catherine and Vincent finally going to the lake Catherine mentioned, Vincent meeting Joe (I imagine this happening in some kind of humourous way), Vincent finally going into Catherine's apartment instead of just going to the balcony (that always bothered me. Does she have a "no pets allowed" rule or something!) and, most of all, to see Catherine and Vincent get the happy ending they deserve.

I don't believe for one minute that it was Ron Koslow's original intention to have the series end in such a tragic way, so I thought it would be fun to see what everyone here thought might have happened if things were different.

[–] cathvin87 14 years ago

I would've loved a happy ending for C&V also yues - I think if the show had continued it might also have explored V's origins - BTW if you're interested, there's lots of online fanfic that has stories like you've mentioned above

[–] red_rackham_77 14 years ago

If the series had to end, I would have ended it with Catherine being rescued by Vincent at last then they make their way back to the Tunnels. But just when they thought they were safe, Gabriel follows them with his men, Vincent fights bravely to protect his home and his family.

Gabriel is dead along with his men, but his evil criminal work is exposed and justice is given to all those that he wronged. Joe thinks that Catherine is dead but he recieves a message from her state that she is fine but cannot return from where she is at. She tells him thank you for being a friend and so on then she is gone from the world to live with Vincent where they live on raising their son; Jacob.

[–] yues_woman 14 years ago

Red_rackham: I like your version of events! I love the idea of Catherine leaving Joe a note to let her know she is okay.

[–] red_rackham_77 14 years ago

Thank you.

[–] netstuff80 14 years ago

Unfortunately, Linda Hamilton decided to leave the show due to her real life pregnancy. She had already miscarried one baby and decided to put the health of her new baby ahead of her career. I felt it was a bad decision on the studio's part to have continued the way they did. In my mind, everything plays out exactly as is in the eps Though Lovers Be Lost, except that in my version, Vincent arrives in time to save Catherine from the evil baddies, rescues his son also, and they all go to live in the tunnels and be happy. That would have made a lot more sense. Can tell they didn't think through things very well. The show Beauty and the Beast can't really exist without the Beauty, lol.

My other version events goes, 9 months doesn't pass in the first 2 eps. Since Linda wished to be absent for the run of the season, have Catherine kidnapped early on still. The entirety of season 3 is Vincent's search for Catherine. Through this search, he is still able to meet Joe and Elliot as they band together to find her. THEN, in the season finale, they find her, she has bubba and they go live in the tunnels happily ever after. Surely Linda would have been happy to do ONE more ep after the birth of her baby? That way, the hope of seeing our beloved couple reunited would have people keep watching. They could have hired a double to film 'glimpses' of Catherine so the viewers would know that she was still alive. *sigh* So many ways this could have been better.

I have just bought season 3. I have never seen it before. The 2 part season opener used to be shown as the season 2 finale so I always thought that was it as a kiddie. So am sort of looking forward to seeing this season, even though I know it's not as good as the first 2 seasons.

Keeper of Josef's sarcastic wit, tar pits, suits & "It is so On!"

Wanted: Job as Josef's suit

[–] red_rackham_77 14 years ago

Both ideas are fine but remember Catherine was on a case that Joe kind of handed to her. I mean it started with that black book that Joe got before the explosion and then he tells Catherine to get it at the hospital. I would have made sure that Gaberial was brought down and then Catherine and Vincent live on together with their son.

[–] netstuff80 14 years ago

I meant that to be included also. If Catherine is being held captive by them, then of course that is still going to be a part of the season. I was just resolving the lack of Catherine part......not writing the entire story thread for the final season. :-) I just miss Catherine and hated the silly decisions the studio made.

Keeper of Josef's sarcastic wit, tar pits, suits & "It is so On!"

Wanted: Job as Josef's suit

[–] red_rackham_77 14 years ago

"I just miss Catherine and hated the silly decisions the studio made." We all do, I still do but thank God for Fan Fiction sites and we can be creative of what the show could have been done.

[–] daystarg7 13 years ago

"They could have hired a double to film 'glimpses' of Catherine so the viewers would know that she was still alive."

I have always wondered why they didn't hire Linda's real-life twin sister, Leslie Hamilton Gearren, to replace her until she had her baby. After all, she played her double in Terminator 2. That way, Catherine would have lived, and the show might have survived a lot longer, with a much happier ending.

There is also another actress with similar looks...when I first saw Beth Toussaint on Star Trek TNG, I thought she WAS Linda Hamilton until I checked the cast list. Even though she is about 6 years younger than Linda, I thought she looked and sounded just like her.

With these thoughts in mind, I believe the writers could have come up with better alternatives other than killing off the heroine - it only resulted in killing off the show.

[–] cathvin87 13 years ago

I definitely agree daystarg7! -Beth Toussaint would've been my choice as well, if Linda chose not to return -The writers showed very little imagination on keeping a 'window' open for at least the character of Catherine to come back, even on the last ep -But again, fanfiction is an alternative :)

[–] tsaidak-52397 8 years ago

Netstuff, I really love this idea! Season three could have been a full season, ending with a HAPPY series finale, still using all the ideas and material the producers already planned.

They wouldn't have even needed a double for Catherine. If Linda had agreed to film three hours rather than two, they could have created enough scenes of Catherine as a prisoner (but with agency: trying to escape, trying to reach Gabriel with goodness and reason, maybe even meeting a few other prisoners) which could be spliced into various episodes throughout the season.

To me the best part of season three was the way my my favorite characters from both worlds finally connected: Eliot and Vincent, Father and Joe. Putting them together to search for Catherine, rather than seek revenge, would have been so much better! I suppose in this version, Diana would not have been necessary, which is a shame, since I love Jo Anderson.

This show has been over for 35 years but now I can't get this new ending out of my head!

[–] cathvin87 14 years ago

Cheers red rackham 77! Thanks goodness for fanfic! -If the tv writers had just been more professional & not angry w/Linda for her decision they could've been more creative w/the ending -I have two versions: If the series HAD to go as it was written, I would've preferred at least a last minute scene in which a private hospital (say in Washington DC) where the FBI held a comatose Catherine & all the audience saw was a chart w/her name & her hand twitching to show she was waking up -Linda wouldn't have to appear if she chose not to -But if I had my own way, there would never have been that ridiculous lava/flower love scene or a baby (until later) -In my version Catherine could've been missing for some time, but in the end Vincent finds her, they marry, have children & live happily ever after, the end (Damn it!:)) -I also would've been ok w/a Linda-look-a-like actress to play Catherine -even though I'm sure fans at the time wouldn't have approved, it would've been better than no Catherine at all imo

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] vmfiles 13 years ago

They wouldn't have had to get a look-alike if they could've convinced Linda Hamilton's identical twin sister Leslie Hamilton to take over her role! Lol.

"Sure... fine... whatever."

[–] Doom 13 years ago

Hey, why not? It worked for James Cameron in T2.

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Wait a minute... who am I here?

[–] yeoffthecat 13 years ago

Although Linda Hamilton is on my list of favorite actresses, I believe that she made a mistake by leaving the show. I also think the writers did a lousy job. I know she was pregnant, but the way I see it, she could have worked, given easy parts to do(I say this because her first miscarriage was supposedly due to excessive workouts) up until she had to leave. Then during this time, the kidnapping scenario could have come into play. I doubt if the ratings would have dropped much, with it being known that Catherine will return.

I live in a glass house, ergo, I throw no stones.

[–] cathvin87 13 years ago

I agree yeoffthecat, if TPTB had been more flexible Linda could've returned -But personally I would've been ok w/a look-a-like actress just in case Linda didn't come back -Better Catherine alive than no Catherine at all -I really thought 3rd season was a big mistake, always will -but then again there's always fan fiction, that is until we get a tv movie! I am forever hopeful!

[–] yeoffthecat 13 years ago

Thanks Cathvin for your input.

I live in a glass house, ergo, I throw no stones.

[–] LeMarchand 13 years ago

Despite protestations on here to the contrary, I'm willing to bet that if Catherine had been recast (even if it had been LH's sister), the show still would have ended up cancelled after 1/2 a season and fans would now be discussing "What if they hadn't recast Catherine?" and complaining that the show wasn't the same after LH left...

No tears please, it's a waste of good suffering.

[–] cathvin87 13 years ago

I'm sure that would be true -But it's just my personal preference to have had any Catherine over no Catherine -No matter what TPTB did or would have done, there would still be controversy over the subject

[–] tsaidak-52397 8 years ago

I agree: the fans would have hated the show if they'd been asked to accept a new actress. In fact, the more she looked like Catherine, the harder it would have been. Like a constant, "Close, but not the same" feeling every week.

[–] cathvin87 8 years ago

I still have to disagree -I would've preferred a look-a-like actress as Catherine (ex: Beth Toussaint) -I know it would've have been the same, but to me better than no Catherine at all -The show probably would've been canceled in this case as well, but personally I'd at least rather have the C&V characters together in the end, but that's my druthers 

[–] Quel_Fara 13 years ago

I think it would have lost the success it had anyway. With the baby being born and them together it lost the two world/ torn apart lovers feel that was so important. It jumped the shark.

But was beautiful as it was. Stories have to end. It's amazing how many Americans don't understand that. I think the British do better due to shows that are put on for only the allotted number. It ends and you don't have greedy money men trying to push it for more success.

Sorry to rant there at the end.

"You were born an original, don't die a copy."~Murdoc Niccals

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] cathvin87 13 years ago

That would've been great rockerhalloween! -Anything to have Catherine still alive would've been wonderful to me! -Any fanfic I read is either 3rd season is all a nightmare or Catherine was never truly dead -Even w/3rd season written as it was I would've preferred at least a final scene where Catherine is in a private hospital protected by the FBI or other, & the audience saw her fingers twitching, they wouldn't even have had to show her face -Oh well, at least there's fan fiction :)

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] cathvin87 13 years ago

1.We'll never know sadly -She was never offered the option by the immature writer's who blamed her for leaving
2.I'm sure there are more sites -but here's a couple
http://www.batbland.com/
http://www.classicalliance.net/cabbupdate/update.html

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Treg1980 13 years ago

No, Linda would NOT have returned if they would have gone with a coma story. Back then she was DONE with BatB. The producers asked her to at least come back for the 3rd season's first episodes, so they could end her storyline. Linda gave them 2 days to film her scenes.
Back then she blamed bad work conditions on the BatB set for the miscarriage she had during the first weeks of fliming season 2.
During season 2 she became very negative towards the show and it's producers.
She since CBS only wanted half of a 3rd season, this gave her a way out, since her contract demanded a full season, not a half and she took the opportunity to leave.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] jono_tee 12 years ago

It was much further along than the first weeks of Season 2 that she had her miscarrage.

During several shots of "Where Bluebirds Sing" (in the middle of the season) you can quite clearly see that she is pregnant.

I don't blame Linda for leaving when she did, after all it must be terrible to have had a misscarrage under those circumstances and to be quite clear about what contributing factors were for it. Several writers have talked about how the studio they filmed in was built on top of quite toxic substances, how Linda had to be submerged in cold water for a scene ("The Watcher").

Also Linda gave them 10 days of filming to wrap things up. Considering she was already clearly pregnant again, it's quite generous that she gave them that much time as she would have to return to the same studio with toxic substances.

Like others here I just wish the writers had been more creative and left open (more obviously) the possibility that Catherine was still alive so that Linda could return if she chose to.

And I agree about UK TV shows benig smarter and knowing when to wrap up a show instead of waiting till a show jumps the shark and gets axed.

[–] Treg1980 12 years ago

Sorry, but no, it was during the very first weeks of season 2 that Linda had her miscarriage. Linda said so herself.
Also, near the end of the second season she is VERY pregnant which would not have been possible if she had a miscarriage around Bluebird.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] angeladefiore 12 years ago

I find your 'no pets allowed' comment offensive and so incredibly dehumanizing to the character of Vincent and directly opposite the real life message Beauty and The Beast worked so hard to send; Vincent was not a pet. He appears part lion, but this does not make him a pet. He is neither Catherine's possession nor completely (or even entirely depending on one's perception) animal; he is instead the all encompassing of good without judgement. Scientifically, human beings are animals, yet we are seen, wrongly, to have greater social value, purpose and worth than our pets. Very rarely do humans display the unconditional positive regard that animals so often freely give.

In regards to your observations about the balcony, this was necessary for Vincent to stay hidden. For Catherine to have, as you say, invited him in, would have meant a greater risk of exposing Vincent to others (i.e. unexpected knocks at the door or Joe, etc). The balcony symbolizes darkness which indicates protection for Vincent (also value for his world) which in turn insures protection for Catherine.

[–] theoctobercountry 9 years ago

Yes, even a quarter-century later, the third season still leaves a bitter aftertaste. (Holy cow, I can't believe it's been twenty-five years since this show wrapped!)

It was mean-spirited, plain and simple, not to give the fans who supported the show the whole way through the happy ending that they wanted. Everyone knew, going into season three, that this was the end; the show would not be picked up for a fourth go-round. The plot should simply have had Linda's character kidnapped in the first episode of season three, and reunited with Vincent for the finale. Linda could have shot all the necessary scenes right off in a couple of weeks and then been done with it.

[–] Treg1980 9 years ago

Well, you're wrong, sorry but you are.
CBS ordered a half season because and with Linda's exit demanded a new direction for the show, which CBS' new president hoped would attrack a (new) male audience. Had season 3 been more succesful than season 2 the show would have gotten a 4th season. Of course, not many people believed this would happen, but when they started shooting season 3 no one knew it was the last season. Why invest in new beauty Diana if there would be nothing left after these eps? There were many plans for the fourth season, Joe probably finding out about Vincent was one of them. Sadly we never got a fourth season.
Yes, I'm among those who love the third season, and that coming from a die hard Linda Hamilton fan.

[–] Doom 9 years ago

Hello from another big Season 3 fan.

CBS should have given it more of a chance, but they were basically looking for any good reason to cancel it based on a recent change in who was running things at the time.

A shame; the show they replaced it with ended up pulling in nearly HALF the ratings/audience of what this was drawing beforehand.

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Wait a minute... who am I here?

[–] red_rackham_77 8 years ago

I know I already replied but I just wondered again what would it be like if Linda hadn't left, for one thing it would have been hard to explain Catherine's preg and her son who no one knows nor seen the father. That is if they stuck with Catherine's preg, kidnapping and so on.

Still I would have just ended the series with V and C working together to finding their son and bringing him below where they live on as a family.

[–] cathvin87 8 years ago

V and C working together to finding their son and bringing him below where they live on as a family.

There's the fanfic you should write red_rackham_77!

[–] red_rackham_77 8 years ago

Gotta work on the plot to it.

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] red_rackham_77 8 years ago

Thanks but there is a lot of work in writing a story.