The young daughter of Lloyd's fiance, Michiko, is killed by a runaway car. Lloyd's vision suggests that he will be married to a woman other than Michiko in 20 years' time. And, as pressure builds to repeat the experiment and give humanity another glimpse into what will be, Theo is forced to accept a shocking explanation for his failure to have a vision. Free will vs. destiny Flashforward has an innovative core concept, and Sawyer fully examines the double-edged sword of foreknowledge. As scientists, Theo and Lloyd must come to terms with the enormous change they have unleashed on the world, but everyone else reacts blindly.
Stock markets rise and fall based on long-term knowledge of corporate success.
As characters, Lloyd and Theo are utterly convincing when they are being petty and self-centered, kings of a privileged scientific world that Sawyer obviously knows well. But Flashforward falters whenever they are called upon to show deeper emotion. Unfortunately, readers are held at arms' length, and the emotional impact is muted. All the loose ends do eventually come together, and readers who like full closure will enjoy Flashforward 's stunningly neat wrap-up. Others may find this tidiness disappointing.