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When Stephen King wrote The Stand in 1978, I’m sure he didn’t think that his post-apocalyptic dark fantasy about a weaponized strain of influenza that kills almost the entire world population would feel relevant today in 2020. King’s novel focuses on acts of good and evil, like what our world is experiencing today. I think this year was an odd year to air a series that hits too close to home, but also, it’s a Stephen King story worth visiting.
The book was adapted into a four-episode mini-series in 1994 that offered a strong cast such as Rob Lowe, Molly Ringwald, and Ed Harris. This series promises a strong cast that will soon play a huge role in the story. Stars like James Marsden, J.K Simmons, and Whoopi Goldberg appeared in the first episode, but some have smaller roles that will be stronger later down the road. Actors and actresses like Amber Heard, Greg Kinnear, and Alexander Skarsgard will appear in later episodes, rounding out an excellent cast.
The first episode of The Stand (‘The End’) starts off strong with a lot of world building to set the tone of the series. The episode starts off in a society of Colorado where a group of survivors of the Captain Trips virus live. The episode moves between current time and five months prior to see how certain characters reacted to the virus. It was a bit jarring at first to see all the flashbacks (some are even flashbacks within flashbacks). Once I started to see characters like Stu Redman (James Marsden) and Harold Lauder (Owen Teague) pop up more often, I got used to the structure of the episode.
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Lauder’s storyline starts five months before the virus in Maine after it killed seven billion people. He often stalks a woman that used to babysit him, Frannie Goldsmith (Odessa Young). After Frannie’s father passes away, Frannie and Harold are the only man and woman left in Maine. Harold is positioned on the darker side of the virus and how people have reacted to it. He spies on Frannie, masturbates to pictures of her and has an unhealthy love interest for her. This puts Frannie in an awkward position as the two leave Maine to find more people and try to figure out why they are the only ones to survive the virus in Maine.
The Stand presents a story of good vs. evil, especially when it comes to its characters. Stu Redman is drastically different than Harold and is considered the good guy in the series. He is first introduced at an Army Research Facility in Killeen, Texas. He is told that he is immune to the virus as he is locked in a room wanting answers. He is eventually transferred to a government facility in Vermont, where he starts to learn of the intensity of his situation. Stu’s story moves way into the future, as does Harold’s, and the series is going to have a lot of catching up to do from where Stu and Harold are in the beginning of the episode to where they end up.
The series started off strong and hinted at a world yet to come. It set up characters, the importance of staying safe, and the intensity of the virus. With how the episode ends, I’m curious as to what the characters do next and if the good vs. evil will be a theme throughout. For right now, The Stand has my attention and I’m on board.
New episodes of The Stand premiere Thursdays on CBS All Access.
What did you think of the premiere? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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