We have a new “what if” scenario to obsess over. It turns out that Chase, a.k.a. TrackStar, was originally slated to kick the bucket in the very first draft of Dispatch Season One. It’s weird to think about, right? Chase has become such a pivotal part of the Dispatch dynamic that imagining the show without him is crazy. It’s insane to think we were just a few red pen edits away from a completely different timeline.
The Cutting Room Floor of Dispatch’s First Draft
Recent revelations about Dispatch’s early development reveal the creative team had a much grimmer fate in mind for Chase. In the original breakdown for Season One, he wasn’t just going to be put through the wringer. He was going to be taken out of play entirely.
Usually, when writers plan a character’s death this early, it’s for one of two reasons: to establish the stakes through shock value or because they don’t see the character’s longevity. For Chase, it feels like it might have been a bit of both. He’s the loud grandfather figure who will throw himself into danger with the self-preservation instincts of a lemming. Killing him off would have definitely proved that no one is safe in the world of Dispatch.
Chase Lived!… For a Reason
Thank the TV gods (a.k.a. the writers‘ room) that they changed their minds. Killing off a main character early on is a bold move. But keeping Chase allowed the show to develop a specific flavor of chaos that it would have otherwise lacked. Chase brings an energy to the team that balances the more stoic elements of the cast.
If he had died in the first draft, Dispatch would have likely taken a much darker, somber tone instantly. Instead, by keeping him alive, the show retained a spark of unpredictability. He’s the wildcard, and you need the wildcard! Without him, the group dynamic is just a bunch of people making rational decisions and absorbing Rob’s monotonic depression. Chase, in that way, is a rock that holds this chaotic bunch of brats together. He isn’t perfect, but he’s the right fit for this team.
One thing to think about is how Chase’s survival will play into the next season. AdHoc Studio could surprise us with Chase returning from this medical rehab with a new position. He won’t be about to fight, but he could be the new team lead when Mecha Man’s suit is fight-ready. There’s also the itching thought that Chase might not make it to the end of Season 2.
Real Question: How Thick is Chase’s Plot Armor?
Here is the darker side of this news, though. Just because he survived the first draft of Season One doesn’t mean he’s safe forever. In fact, knowing that the creators were willing to kill him off once makes me nervous for Season 2. He might be faster than the speed of sound, but his near-death experience serves as a reminder: Dispatch isn’t afraid of the idea of losing big players. All we can do for now is wait for the next season to come out and see how far Chase can go.
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