With two fan clubs preparing chats for its members, Tribune
Entertainment vice president Philip Segal jumped to the floor first June 13 in a chat with Earth: Final Conflict fans at www.efc.com.

While he evaded all questions that dealt with Robert Leeshock, he did confirm several rumors that were reported by Airlock Alpha and had been circulating the net for weeks. The biggest news, of course, was the confirmed departure of Leni Parker, one of the last remaining cast members of EFC in the character of Da'an, and her Taelon counterpart, Anita La Selva (Zo'or). However, Segal did confirm that the original character of William Boone (who was killed off at the end of Season 1) will return and he will be played once again by Kevin Kilner.

"Leni's decision to leave the show happened after we constructed the Boone arc," Segal told fans in the moderated chatroom session. "Da'an spoke of his joining with the Jaridians in previous episodes. Why are fans surprised about a character's own mytholgy evolving?"

Segal, who joined Tribune last November after a stint with the Doctor Who series, cited legal reasons in why he would not discuss the length of Kilner's fifth season contract, adding some credence to the rumor that the actor's contract has a renewal clause at the sole discretion of Tribune executives and the show's producers. Kilner's departure from the show after
the first season was reportedly an unfriendly separation.

La Selva will be in Season 5, but only as a "special guest star," according to Segal. Also, Richard Chevolleau (ex-Augur) has not been signed to a contract this season as rumored in different fan clubs and newsgroups, although he made no indication whether the actor would be making any guest appearances this season.

"He played a pivitol role in season four and any appearance he makes in our series is always an asset to our story telling. But unfortunately we have not made plans to contract him as a series regular," Segal said.

Segal refused to specifically answer a question regarding Robert
Leeshock, the actor who was brought in as the series lead in Season 2. Reports on the Web have ranged from his firing to his voluntary departure from the show.

"Honesty is always the best policy so here goes ... when it the decision was made to follow the story telling that would take us to a 'final conflict' we found it impossible to break away from the story arc that had been layed down. There for, Liam's xharacter followed its destiny."

Airlock Alpha has previously reported that Leeshock has supposedly been auditioning for other television series, including a failed bid for the new UPN Star Trek series, "Enterprise." No confirmation either from the actor or the Tribune has been issued on the status of Leeshock's contract.

While it appears fans will have to say goodbye to the characters of Da'an, Zo'or and Liam Kincaid, Segal did state that we will be seeing other characters playing bigger roles.

"Sandoval (Von Flores) will have a large presence in Season 5. He's a wonderful actor and his character is very strong," Segal said. "The (Taelons) have not been eliminated, they have evolved as foretold in previous seasons. The wonderful thing about Season 5 is it's detail to the existing mythology."

Segal remained cryptic to the end, including his answer to questions about this season, the show's fifth, being it's final season.

"We do not produce shows for the sole purpose of taking them off the air," he said. "EFC had a five-year arc and we are staying with that plan at the moment. The series finale holds a very important message and will resolve the five-season arc and send our characters off on a new adventure. We have no intention of precluding the creation of spinoffs."

EFC has been nothing but constant changes for fans since it premiered four seasons ago. Segal said that he doesn't expect those kinds of changes to continue happen in the future.

"Television series are about characters. We watch these shows because it is fun to invest in these characters. When they are changed or tampered with, we don't like it. I'm for consistency and great characters. We will make an effort to be more true to that philosophy in the future."