If I ever become a TV executive and JJ Abrams comes to me with a TV pitch, I’m going to sit back, puff on my cigar, and say “Tell me exactly how this series ends and why that’s the best possible payoff for people who would watch this show over its run on my network, or I will have security shoot you as you leave the lobby.”
Even better would be asking the same question to Neil Stephenson. Pretty sure his response would be to just leave the room without saying anything.