The Stand - CBS All Access

[Linda]

CBS all access is not very expensive. I've added it to my son's Apple tv.

[Erin]

Yes, I think it is pretty inexpensive compared to some streaming services out there.

[Michele]

I want to know what the special new ending is that he's written for this adaptation. This will be the third ending!

[Wyatt]

Test

[Wyatt]

SPOILERS

I’m thinking he’ll just make it so

Tell me if my spoiler tags worked as I’m on mobile and some stuff doesn’t work on mobile

[Kandice]

Wyatt wrote: "SPOILERS

I’m thinking he’ll just make it so

Tell me if my spoiler tags worked as I’m on mobile and some stuff doesn’t work on mobile"

Neither of your last two posts had spoiler tags.

[Wyatt]

Crap. Stupid mobile app. How do I delete?

[Erin]

The trailer was released:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l--4g...

[ElleEm]

The more I watch that trailer the better it looks.

[Erin]

Yeah, I think it looks pretty good

[Brittany]

so excited!

[Jenny]

Looks good..
I wonder if there will be a DVD???

[Erin]

It's possible. CBS just released the first season of Star Trek: Discovery on DVD so I would think if The Stand is popular enough, it could get a DVD release. You may have to wait awhile for it.

[Erin]

Official poster was released:

https://www.superherohype.com/tv/4898...

[Nick]

WOW! Can't wait.

[Erin]

Only a couple of weeks left to wait!

[Erin]

Has anyone watched the first episode?

[Reading]

I'm weary about watching this because it's my favourite book of all time, I have my own vision of the book in my head; I don't want to think about these actresses and actors when I next read it..

[Kellie]

I watched the first episode last night. I’m not sure if I like the way they are doing it. The episode started halfway through the story and then time jumps back and forth and only focused on 3 of the main characters. I would have liked it to follow the same narrative style as the book. I find the style they have chosen takes away most of what makes the book so good. I will have to keep watching and have an open mind for the episodes to follow. Has anyone else managed to see it? I would like to know how others felt about it.

[Reading]

Exactly Kellie, it's like....just follow the damn book, page by page!!!!!!!! lol

[Kandice]

I am still trying to finagle a way to watch since I don't have that subscription. What I will say about changing the narrative structure is that is why film adaptations are usually made. To put a different spin or perspective on an already good story.

I can't say I don't love word for word, scene for scene adaptations. I absolutely do, but sometimes that just doesn't work on screen. Or, if it does, then the adaptor may feel no creative need to do it.

[Cheri]

Kellie wrote: "I watched the first episode last night. I’m not sure if I like the way they are doing it. The episode started halfway through the story and then time jumps back and forth and only focused on 3 of t..."

I felt the same about the back and forth. I did understand the focus on certain characters since it's only 1 hour, I'm sure we'll barely see those 3 next episode. Not necessarily happy about it, but understand. But I felt with the back and forth (giving certain aspects of the story away while doing that!!!) it could be too confusing for someone who doesn't know the story and they may give up on it before the good stuff happens. I kept trying to figure out if I would have ANY idea what was happening if I didn't know the story as well as I do.

[Kandice]

Cheri wrote: "But I felt with the back and forth (giving certain aspects of the story away while doing that!!!) it could be too confusing for someone who doesn't know the story and they may give up on it before the good stuff happens. I kept trying to figure out if I would have ANY idea what was happening if I didn't know the story as well as I do..."

I get this feeling when watching adaptations a lot!

[Alicia]

Kellie wrote: "I watched the first episode last night. I’m not sure if I like the way they are doing it. The episode started halfway through the story and then time jumps back and forth and only focused on 3 of t..."

I completely agree with this assessment. What makes the book so good is the progression of the disease as it spreads and the panic that ensues. Jumping back and forth negates that completely. Unfortunately I think James Marsden has made Stu completely unlikable. Maybe that will change once he's moved forward a little bit, but it was disappointing that one of the most sympathetic characters was not sympathetic at all.

[Kellie]

I understand that books are often changed to translate better onto the screen. I also get their decision to only concentrate on a few characters at a time due to having hourly episodes. Although i can only go by the first episode, but telling the story from the middle is often used to ‘hook’ the audience into the story. I however, believe this device had the opposite effect in this instance and felt flat. I too thought I would be very confused if I didn’t already know the story. I am still going to keep an open mind for the remainder of the episodes though. I am looking forward to seeing more of Alexander Skarsgard as Randall Flagg. I am a big fan of his, and according to reviews, he does not disappoint.

[Kellie]

Just saw an interview with the showrunners saying that they think the real story begins halfway through the book after the pandemic. This seems to be the reason the first episode began in Boulder. Im thinking the spread of Captain Trips may only be seen in flashbacks.

[ElleEm]

I enjoyed the first episode and am already looking forward to next week. I’ve read the book numerous times and it’s definitely a favorite of mine but I am enjoying the fresh perspective.

[Nancy]

Is this being released weekly and how many episodes?

I received an email from CBS All Access in tiding me to one month free. I didn’t a one moth free back in March or April. I don’t want to subscribe too soon and not get all the episodes.

[Alicia]

Nancy wrote: "Is this being released weekly and how many episodes?

I received an email from CBS All Access in tiding me to one month free. I didn’t a one moth free back in March or April. I don’t want to subscr..."

It's a weekly release and there are nine episodes, so I'd wait a bit before signing up. :)

[Nancy]

Alicia wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Is this being released weekly and how many episodes?

I received an email from CBS All Access in tiding me to one month free. I didn’t a one moth free back in March or April. I don’t ..."

Ugh!

[Erin]

Nancy wrote: "Is this being released weekly and how many episodes?

I received an email from CBS All Access in tiding me to one month free. I didn’t a one moth free back in March or April. I don’t want to subscr..."

That is why I haven't signed up for it. It would be one thing if I could watch it all in one set but weekly episodes? That annoys me.

I guess I'll just have to wait for Prime to have it.

[Linda]

I have CBS all access and I couldn't find it.

[Michelle]

The Stand is probably my favorite Stephen King book. I just watched the first episode of the new series, and it made me want to re-read the book immediately. Looking forward to the next episode.

[Erin]

Linda wrote: "I have CBS all access and I couldn't find it."

You couldn't find the show?

Here: https://www.cbs.com/shows/the-stand/

[Linda]

Thanks

[M.]

I've watched those two episodes that are currently available. Overall, it's not as bad as the reviews make it feels. It's sad that many reviews are 1/10 because Amber Heard is part of the cast. Is it possible to separate professional career and personal life?

(view spoiler)[
Although many scenes felt precipitated, the time jump technique is done well in my opinion. I especially liked when Harold is revealed to be a bad guy at the end of the first episode.

I have no issue Larry Underwood being black skinned in this version. They made new changes to make this adaptation coherent. For example, he stole his song from his white buddy, which is a nice touch.
A few details disappointed me, though:
-his relationship with his mother wasn't elaborated.
-he was too nice with Rita. In the book he acted like a jerk with her, which later shows a stark contrast between old Larry and new Larry. When you read the book for the first time, you almost presume Larry will join the evil side.

I had huge concerns about the way Randall Flagg is depicted when I first saw the trailer and today I think my worries are confirmed. Randall has zero personality when he met Lloyd in the prison. He's just so bland, no emotions. He's definitely not the giggling evil character from the book. Lloyd has more RF traits than RF himself in this show.

Watch this video on imdb: https://www.imdb.com/video/vi18735216... ( despite being an amateur video, this actor makes an expected portrayal of Randall Flagg. This video is a reel, I can't find the full footage of his RF sequence. )

My preliminary rating is 6.5/10 so far. The 1994 TV show is definitely better, easily 9/10. I'll definitely recommend the old version over the newest one to friends. The CBS version is not perfect, nevertheless interesting to watch.
(hide spoiler)]

[Erin]

Elder Prince wrote: "I've watched those two episodes that are currently available. Overall, it's not as bad as the reviews make it feels. It's sad that many reviews are 1/10 because Amber Heard is part of the cast. Is ..."

When a celebrity gets blacklisted by fans, it's hard to separate the two. Personally, if I don't like a celebrity I just don't watch their movies/shows.

[M.]

Linda wrote: "I have CBS all access and I couldn't find it."

It was the same for me. I subscribed to their service and I couldn't find the series because I'm not a citizen of the United States. I had to use a vpn connection to make it possible.

Luckily CBS seems to have many other shows that slipped my attention. I'm currently watching 'Evil', seems really good so far. Next I should watch 'Incorporated'.

[F.C.]

Elder Prince wrote: "I've watched those two episodes that are currently available. Overall, it's not as bad as the reviews make it feels. It's sad that many reviews are 1/10 because Amber Heard is part of the cast. Is ..." Glad to hear from somebody who has watched it, because the reviews have been scathing.

[Kellie]

Just saw the second episode and I liked it a lot more than the first. Might be because it focuses on my favourite character, Larry Underwood. I didn’t want this one to end and wanted to keep watching.

[Erin]

For those who haven't watched yet, the first episode is up for free via CBS All Access. I found it on YouTube but it could be available on their site or Prime.

After watching it, I thought the first episode was pretty good. I haven't been able to find the second episode so I'll probably have to binge watch it when all episodes air with the week free that CBS offers.

[Michelle]

Kellie wrote: "Just saw the second episode and I liked it a lot more than the first. Might be because it focuses on my favourite character, Larry Underwood. I didn’t want this one to end and wanted to keep watching."

I liked the second episode too due to Larry Underwood and Lloyd Henried. Great characters.
I don't think the show lives up to the book but I don't think it's terrible either. I'll definitely keep watching.

[Shayna]

it doesn't seem to be too bad so far and I don't mind the small changes they made to the story so far. I just feel like the jumping timelines could be confusing for people who don't know the story.

[M.]

I just finished watching episode 5. I can officially confirm that I'm disappointed. It's not improving. The director skipped most important story sequences from the book which doesn't allow viewers to connect emotionally with the characters, they are extremely under developed and bland. It's strange to say but Harold Launder is the core character of the tv show! The actor playing Harold is however doing a remarkable job. Nick Andros had nearly 5% screen time and he's probably going to be killed in next episode. Tom Cullen is just a robot repeating the same mantra over and over. "I'm Tom Cullen, I'm mentally disabled, I'm Tom Cullen, I'm mentally disabled, I'm Tom Cullen, I'm mentally disabled." I don't think he's mentally disabled, he just doesn't have a soul.

It's hard to tell whether covid-19 restrictions ruined this project but I don't recommend it to people new to Stephen King because they'll think he's a bad writer.

[Reading]

I heard this is a massive disappointment, glad I decided to not watch it; same goes for The Dark Tower adaptation - the trailer was enough to put me off! :/

[Erin]

I've been hearing a lot of talk about the show going down hill after episode 5....that's disappointing to hear!

[M.]

Erin wrote: "I've been hearing a lot of talk about the show going down hill after episode 5....that's disappointing to hear!"

Episode 6 was a bit better than previous episodes. For the first time, Randall Flagg became interesting even if not mind-blowing.

There are still many issues, though. Lloyd Henreid is mostly a cameo character with an eccentric style reminiscent of manga/anime. Trash Man is overexaggerated and the acting is so cringey.

I still feel as if Harold Launder is the core character of the story, we see him all the time (but he will probably die in next episode). Other characters such as Stu, Larry, Nick are minor characters, we don't see them very much and when we see them it's boring.

I'm so sorry for sounding so pessimistic. I rarely complain about books and movies, but I really wished this series was going to do justice to Stephen King's biggest masterpiece. At least It and Doctor Sleep were extremely good adaptations as far as I'm concerned.

That being said, my subscription to CBS wasn't in vain because that's how I discovered 'Evil', one of the best TV series I've watched in a long while.

[Steve]

I will have to watch Evil the Erin.

I am so disappointed with The Stand. In some respects it is better than the 1994 version which isn't difficult. Mostly that is because it is more modern.

Mostly though it is a confused mess and whilst some actors (Larry Underwood, Nick Andros and Fran although anyone is better than a horribly miscast Molly Ringwald) are better, many arent,

Sorry but Goldberg as Mother Abigail does not work and why wasnt she at Hemingford Home NOT a bloody care home for F@@@s sake. So annoying!

Gary Sinise was a stand out in 94. James Marsden is a perfectly fine actor but has no charisma or passion.

I have only seen the first 3. Episode 1 was a mess. 2 was better. 3 blew goats.

Why doesnt someone direct a mini series as per the book? Why make changes and go backwards and forwards so much its a confused basket case.

The only success is Owen Teague as Harold but he should be a minor character.

[Erin]

Evil is a great show. I think season two might be premiering at some point this spring.

As for The Stand, good thing it's just a miniseries and they didn't try to drag the mess out over multiple seasons.

[Michele]

Dave wrote: "For me Gary Sinise will always be Stu Redman"

Yes!