What I’m Watching: The Stand (Series Finale)

The Stand: Season 1, Episode 9 “The Circle Closes” (B)

I wasn’t sure what was still left to happen in this episode, which interestingly did keep the door open for another season, one that would presumably feature an entirely new set of characters aside from Flagg, who now calls himself Russell Faraday. The unexpected circumstances that led to the destruction of New Vegas didn’t result in Flagg’s demise, though Frannie was quite shocked to see him when he showed up to entice her to give him a kiss after she fell into the well. She proved to be one of the most resilient characters in this show, ignoring his temptation and seeking out Mother Abagail, who calmly explained to her the way things were. I thought that more might happen in this hour aside from those worrisome moments with Frannie and Stu patiently dealing with his flat tire, the kind of obstacle that might seem a bit more concerning in the course of a cross-country road trip. It’s hard to have all questions answered, and Stu didn’t spend too much time dwelling on how the girl who helped him save Frannie knew his name. They made it in the end to Maine to return to what was closest to her former existence, and though a lot of people died – most of the show’s main cast, in fact – the notion of preserving the future with a handful of kids does mean that the good guys won, I suppose. This isn’t necessarily my typical fare but it was engaging at the very least, and I’d probably tune in for a second series if one did end up being commissioned.

Season grade: B
Season MVP: Alexander Skarsgard as Randall Flagg

What I’m Watching: The Stand (Penultimate Episode)

The Stand: Season 1, Episode 8 “The Stand” (B)

I suppose it’s possible that this isn’t actually the second-to-last hour of this show that we’ll experience, but given that it’s based on source material and theoretically encompasses all of it, I wouldn’t count on getting more after the planned series finale. This episode certainly did offer a surprise in an unexpected win for the good guys after some pretty miserable developments that made things look very, very bad. Glen did his best to bait Lloyd into exposing his weakness, and as a result Flagg’s, during the trial, and that didn’t turn out too well for him as he ended up getting shot, which I think is how Flagg derives his power, which made the subsequent cutting of the feed peculiar since this group should enjoy seeing death and viciousness in any form. Larry showing Nadine what she looked like in a mirror was a jarring way to jolt her back to reality, and Flagg not seeming to care that she was in terrible pain during labor was enough to compel her to hurl herself out the window to her death. I am still shocked by how disposable these characters seem to be, especially considering this episode appeared to do away with almost all of them following that fiery explosion and Flagg’s combustion of sorts moments before that. Tom and Stu seem to be our main survivors not in Colorado right now, and let’s hope that Frannie isn’t about to give birth to another devil to replace Flagg since things still don’t feel completely right.

What I’m Watching: The Stand

The Stand: Season 1, Episode 7 “The Walk” (B)

Well, this hardly seemed like the most efficient way for the good guys to get to Vegas, but I suppose walking for a few days before hitching a ride to go the rest of the trip actually ended up working out okay. I’m surprised at how quickly this show is willing to dispose of some of its main characters, namely Harold, who got tricked by Nadine’s unfriendliness and went diving off a cliff to a place of certain death that he ended up meeting earlier than he needed to because he didn’t want to take his chances. The crows certainly came to feast on his body when Larry showed up to pay respect to a man who, evil impulses aside, did help get him to Colorado. Nadine seemed to feel that something was off when she met Flagg on that red carpet in the desert, but her attitude was altogether different and far more accepting of her fate when she creepily greeted Mother Abagail’s loyal devotees at the casino. The way that they got to drive through the streets of Las Vegas and see the way in which people were indulging their base violent impulses was a sobering indicator that they were not all in control, which is hardly inspiring for the possibility of them being victorious. Stu getting left behind was also a surprise, though his character arc isn’t quite as neatly sealed as Harold’s, and maybe he and those left behind in Colorado can pull off an upset victory against evil.

What I’m Watching: The Stand

The Stand: Season 1, Episode 6 “The Vigil” (B)

It turns out that Harold’s cameras didn’t put him a step ahead of Frannie when she refused to dismiss her concerns about him being creepy, but he still showed up just as she had discovered everything and locked her in the basement long enough to execute the big explosion that was set to happen during the vigil. Nadine showed up and smiled while she was actively planting the devices, and it’s interesting to see the semblances of morality that emerge, like her not wanting children to get hurt even though they’re theoretically just going to grow up to be part of the wrong generation allied with Mother Abagail. Having her run into Flagg in the woods showed the different ways in which they view their power, and how she is legitimately afraid of what he might do, whereas he doesn’t feel threatened by her, merely annoyed. He dealt swiftly with Bobby Terry, played by Clifton Collins Jr. from “Thief” and “Westworld,” who tried to betray and assassinate him only to be violently dismembered in full view of everyone in Las Vegas by the angry Flagg in the elevator. As soon as he heard mention of Mr. Moon, he knew that was the third spy, but fortunately Tom’s reading abilities enabled him to find the same text elsewhere, learn its meaning, and escape in a truck right before he got caught. I’m not sure he’ll be able to make it back to Colorado or that they’ll be able to focus following their own disastrous events, but at least he’s safe for now.

What I’m Watching: The Stand

The Stand: Season 1, Episode 5 “Suspicious Minds” (B+)

This was an extremely enlightening episode, showing us just how the other half lives and what the influence of evil represents in a very literal way. Mother Abagail was right to warn her disciples that they shouldn’t try to go get information on Flagg since he would know that they were coming, and only Tom seems to have evaded suspicion because he processes things differently. Dayna was not particularly subtle, asking constant questions about Flagg so that she could go straight to the top and talk directly to him. My curiosity about Julie was satiated when we saw her living the life there as Lloyd’s top girl and channeling her toxic energy into something that felt good. She recognized Tom but didn’t think much of his presence, a lack of concentration and certainly willpower that could perhaps be a side effect of the hypnotic sway Flagg has over everyone. Killing Flagg predictably didn’t work, and now Dayna is dead and Flagg is well aware of where she came from, even if Mother Abagail hadn’t ordered the incursion and is presumably now setting off on her own to mitigate the damage in whatever way she can. I was glad that Frannie was taking clever steps to distract Harold so that Larry could search his house, but unfortunately he was fully ready and used the opportunity not only to monitor Larry in his own home but also to install cameras in Frannie and Stu’s bedroom to keep a closer eye on them. The story he told from his childhood that didn’t have him in it was such a red flag for worrisome behavior, but somehow Stu still doesn’t find it suspicious. Nadine showing up at Larry’s door initially seemed like she was trying to distract him, but she may well be making a sincere effort to escape her dark fate.

What I’m Watching: The Stand

The Stand: Season 1, Episode 4 “The House of the Dead” (B)

It’s interesting to see just how minimally both Flagg and Abagail are featured, though the influence they both carry is incredible. Nadine made a strong impression on Harold when she went to him and gave him the mission that Flagg has set for him, and it was useful to learn that Harold, unlike everyone else, wasn’t having the same dreams with Abagail in them as everyone else but instead latched on to the details others said so that he could pretend he was. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise that casualties would come as a result of their subversive actions, and anyone who didn’t already suspect Harold was psychotic and dangerous isn’t likely to now see what he’s doing as any more suspicious. He wasn’t quite as brutal and heartless as the man who nearly killed both Harold and Frannie on the road, and it’s clear that Colorado is a utopia that’s about to implode as a result of Harold and Nadine’s efforts. The team of volunteers being sent to Las Vegas is an interesting development, and Tom sees set for his task even if it’s a risk to send him behind enemy lines when he might say something that he shouldn’t in service of completing his assigned task. Our introduction to Julie was very memorable, and the possession of a fierce survival instinct is definitely important in this world, even if you’re in the presence of two of the more harmless people, Nick and Tom. I’m intrigued to see where and how we’ll see her next.

Take Three: The Stand

The Stand: Season 1, Episode 3 “Blank Pages” (B)

Now I’m starting to understand what’s going on here, and I feel a bit frustrated that it’s taken three episodes for the plot to really become clear, but I get that it’s a storytelling style and also a good way to ensure that viewers continue to tune in to learn more. I’m never fond of creepy Ouija board scenes, but that was merely a necessary introduction to who Nadine is and the fact that she, unlike everyone else, willingly accepted Flagg’s offer to be his right-hand man. That’s not exactly what she is, of course, since she’s his “queen,” but it does make sense that a big name like Amber Heard, who I first encountered in her early starring role in the CW’s “Hidden Palms,” would have a more notable part than as just another member of the supporting cast. After everyone got to see Mother Abagail in their dreams, she was very much there in Denver with what Flagg described as her “five puppets.” It was obvious that Harold was the weapon Flagg said he already had, and we saw more of how Stu introduced himself and Harold began to feel more resentment toward him and Frannie as a result. We met Nick and learned his story, and were also introduced to the eccentric, caviar-consuming Glen, played by Greg Kinnear, and the well-meaning Tom, played by Brad William Henke. I don’t feel the need to see people who were crucified and then possessed to deliver a demonic message, but I do think that Alexander Skarsgard is terrific, and I’m interested enough to continue to see how this battle of good versus evil plays out.

Round Two: The Stand

The Stand: Season 1, Episode 2 “Pocket Savior” (B-)

I’m still somewhat interested in what’s happening on this show, but I’ll admit that I’m a bit confused and I think that there may be too many characters being introduced at the same time. The bloody start in the convenience store with the accidental gunshots was one instance of a storyline that didn’t seem relevant until the end of the episode, when Flagg showed up to say hello and requisition him to be a loyal disciple. He didn’t like when he called him the devil, though he’s not exactly claiming that he’s anything else. Larry seems like an interesting protagonist, a true survivalist whose visit and thank-you gift to Harold showed a respect for others, though he hit a nerve when he asked if Frannie was there. Using the GPS on his phone to navigate through the sewers was a bit of a stretch, and it also felt like too much of a peaceful fairy tale for him to meet the perfectly-dressed Rita in the park. I do think Heather Graham is a wonderful actress and she made Rita seem sympathetic while still a bit suspicious. She and Larry were obviously on the same page when the man with a million dollars made her an offer before his friends showed up with guns to enforce the alternative option. I wouldn’t say I’m as scared of rats as most people, but that still wasn’t pleasant to watch. Board games have never seemed so threatening before, and I’m not sure I’m on board for whatever horror elements might be more prominent next, but I’m willing to give it another episode.

Pilot Review: The Stand

Check out my one-minute take on every new pilot, which is embedded below and you can also watch by subscribing to movieswithabe on YouTube.

What I’m Watching: Revolution (Mid-Season Premiere)

Revolution: Season 1, Episode 11 “The Stand” (F)

I hung on through the first ten episodes of this show back in the fall because the concept truly is cool, and I had hoped that the awful execution would somehow improve with time. Unfortunately, all hopes of that were dashed with this eleventh episode, which reminds just how terribly this show is written, with the worst possible characters and dialogue. The introduction of the helicopter changes things in this universe considerably, but it also means that the power is definitively back, prompting Randall to go for flair and drive to meet Monroe at the end of the episode. The way that this show’s reality played out was never compelling enough, and to take away the one bit of originality it has going for out leaves it doomed for failure. Allying Randall with Monroe makes things very bad for our merry band of rebels, but I’d still rather see a glimpse of the enemy governments which the Monroe Republic plans to quash. Nate has now officially made himself a nomad, and he’ll likely create more trouble for his father, whose lie about his son’s death is sure to be unmasked eventually. Danny firing the rocket launcher, however unrealistic, was helpful, but it’s his own fault for standing around and looking puzzled, as usual, leaving himself right in the line of fire and ensuring his own death. It’s not every mother who cuts out something electronic from her son’s dead body, and let’s hope that whatever she pulled out can help reignite this show’s energy. I doubt it, but the sci-fi fan in me isn’t willing to give up just yet on this immeasurably disappointing show.