The author commentary for Promethean continues with a look at Ben Riley’s subplot through the novel. SPOILER WARNING for those who haven’t read the book yet.
Ben’s Arc
I previously spoke about Morgan’s arc in the book. It was of a more personal nature and helped create a level of tension between her and Ben that I thought was more true to their characters (and most people, if I’m being honest).
Ben’s arc plays out in the subplot of Promethean. It opens with the mundane act of jogging, but once Ben settles at the mall to cooldown, the truth becomes clear.
He’s being watched.
Trust no one.
Again, the X-Files fan in me can’t help but drawing parallels between the two worlds. Ben is new to the DSA. He’s new to this life, so I wanted to make sure it felt that way.
The surveillance of Ben served three purposes.
- To isolate Ben. Who can he trust? He doesn’t know who is spying on him or why, only that it isn’t his imagination. Something is going on and he needs to figure it out. But where can he turn for both information and assistance?
- That led directly to his need to reconnect with Emily Wright, his former partner from Buffalo. She was the only person in his world to be there for him through thick and thin. Why wouldn’t he reach out to her? Why wouldn’t he let her know everything that is happening and then ask for her help? I wanted to show why that is no longer an option, and set up another thread that weaves through the series.
- To showcase Ben’s skills. He’s a cop. He should act like one… sometimes. Spotting his tail was the first step, then being able to pick out every member of the surveillance team thrown at him really proved that there was more to this guy than a disgraced beat cop.
Playing out the end
This was another scene that went through so many iterations it would make your head spin. Who was the mother that helps Ben escape from the two grunts intent on bringing him in? Why didn’t the desk sergeant in Buffalo remember Emily Wright? How does Ben break away and what intel does he have now?
These were questions that haunted me during the editing phase. Everything needed to make sense, to create a level of foreboding, that trapped Ben with the DSA while serving as a warning to him to watch his back.
Who the woman was is hinted at in Dark Impulses and fully revealed in The Wellspring.
Emily Wright
Her disappearance is one of the plotlines that weaves through the series. Ben’s subplot here was the beginning of that, and an important one. It leaves Ben completely powerless. He can’t go home to find her. He can’t reach out to her.
It is a major motivation for the choices he makes down the line, especially in Dark Impulses where his fear turns into a major threat for the team.
Planting seeds in the first season was always my goal. How they come to fruition is something I hope you’ll want to stick around to see.
