I just attended a Q&A session with actor James Kyson Lee (Ando) and he had a lot to say about the show's production and the impact of the writers strike. I'll summarize the points:
- the first season basically comprises ch. 1 of the story, the first 11 eps of season 2 is supposed to be ch. 2, and the 2nd 11 eps of season 2 is supposed to make ch. 3 of the story
- ch 2 (the first 11 eps of season 2) have all been scripted and written, and has all been almost entirely shot.
- ep 11 is supposed to mark the halfway point of season 2, but with the writers strike, if it goes on longer, the shows producers have already shot an alternate ending to ep 11, if this alternate ending is broadcast, that will make ep 11 the season finale, thus making season 2 a short 11 eps, not to resume until 2008
- if the strike ends soon and production can be resumsed, then the original ending for ep 11 will be broadcast and season 2 should conitnue to a full 22 eps and the next chapter in the story arc.
this is all coming from the horse's mouth and im surprised he was allowed to talk about this much.