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The Stand - CBS All Access
Michele wrote: "Extremely disappointed in this adaptation. The scrambled timeline is a major flaw -- you have no chance to watch the characters evolve, you don't know who to care about or how to feel about them. ..."
I've only seen the first episode but I know what you are saying about the timeline when it's jumping from past to present then back again? Even though I did like the episode, I can see that type of sequencing as being pointless. I feel like the only show that could get away with doing that type of time jumps was Lost.
I just finished episode 7. It's the only episode that's 90% faithful to the book so far. Maybe the next two episodes will be great but that won't save the whole show sadly. I wonder what the final episode written by Stephen King will be.
Erin wrote: "Evil is a great show. I think season two might be premiering at some point this spring.
Awesome, I'm looking forward to this new season.
Elder Prince wrote: "I just finished episode 7. It's the only episode that's 90% faithful to the book so far. Maybe the next two episodes will be great but that won't save the whole show sadly. I wonder what the fina..."
Is that the only episode he wrote for the show?
Yes, the last episode is written by Stephen King. He wanted to tell more about Stu and Fran if I'm not mistaken. Or perhaps he wants to surprise us with a Dark Tower reference?
I watched Episode 8. Those last episodes are much, much better than the first ones. Very faithful to the book.I loved the hand of God sequence. It was powerfully executed.
Is it over now?
There's still one episode left, it's the new ending written by Stephen King, the legend himself. I'm not sure, but I think there will be a confrontation between Flagg and Frannie.
The very last episode was really good as far as I'm concerned. 8/10. I'm pretty sure every fans of the book will enjoy this short sequel. The way Fran was healed by the mysterious girl gave a strong biblical conclusion to the story. Now, I fail to understand why the actor playing RF manages to incarnate the character so epically in this episode but was stoic/boring in most other episodes. In this finale there's no doubt: he IS Randall Flagg. The last two minutes were absolutely grandiose.
All in all, episodes from 0-5 were quite mediocre, episodes from 6-9 were much better even if they couldn't amend for the choppy execution. Personally, I think the cast was great (including Amber Heard despite her reputation). I also think the time-jump concept wasn't the major issue. What harmed the show is mostly due to the fact that all the best emotional sequences of the book were removed. Characters such as Nick Andros were non-existent which doesn't make any sense. Again, I assume it's due to the covid-19 situation.
My next wish is to see Alexander Skarsgård portray Randall Flagg in 'Eyes of the Dragon'. Or maybe they should make a Director's Cut version of The Stand in one or two years from now to amend for the mistakes, add more parts, reshoot other parts, etc. I would gladly support a crowdfunding campaign if they were willing to improve it, they had all the great ingredients to make a masterpiece after all, it's just sad to leave it in such 'unfinished/unpolished' state.
My final score: 6.5/10 while it had potential to be 8/10. Everything was great in the show, it's the missing details that makes it so poor.
Thanks for the review. Even with all the negatives, I still want to try it out. I did enjoy the first episode. I figure if I don't like the next couple, after that, I can just stop watching.
Sadly, we gave up on it after episode 4. It was just too mediocre and it made me sad to see characters and a story I like being treated so ineptly.
I have finished Episode 7 and sadly it hasn't got much better although this Episode is much more aligned to the book.My main issue is with the portrayals of Lloyd Heinreid and The Trashcan Man. In the book Lloyd is a hardened criminal and the 1994 mini series has the excellent Miguel Ferrer doing a grand job. I don't know who this actor is but why is he so camp and weak? Its terrible and as a result Lloyd portrays no real threat and there seems to be no real relationship with Flagg at all?
The Trashcan Man is an insult to people with mental disease and pyromania. Its a very uncomfortable poorly contrived portrayal by both actor and director. Again the 1994 actor was much better. He showed the vulnerabilities of the character and his ultimate meltdown very well. This representation is crass and insensitive and completely dilutes the impact this character carries and his threat to all. Just so so bad.
I am going to persevere but as my better half said to me I am only doing so to see it through. I am heartbroken my favourite book has been turned into this abomination.
Those are the two characters I have read the most complaints about, how badly they are portrayed in this adaptation.
The Trashcan Man portrayal makes me really uncomfortable Erin. Its an obtusely insensitive piece of work. Lloyd is such a great character in the book. He knows what Flagg is doing is wrong but remains intensely loyal as RF saved his life. This version is a hideously camp caricature who displays no menace and has absolutely no relationship with his boss other than the scene where they first meet in prison.
... a hideously camp caricature who displays no menace...Yeah, that really bothered me too. Why on earth do that to a character so central to the story, and whose own story is, in the book, so heartbreaking? The story of little boy Lloyd and his pet rabbit makes me cry every time I read it. This guy? Meh.
Okay, so I had to sign up for CBS all access to get the show. I tried to watch for free and couldn't make it within the free timeframe so I ended up paying on a monthly basis. I think it was 10 a month. I've posted on the show before but on another discussion. Bottom line. I thought it was very well done. I disagreed with some of the casting, but generally the show was faithful to the characters, and I especially got to be a fan of Stu and Larry.. also liked the portrayal of Randall Flagg. The scenes in New Vegas were a little over the top, but all in all an expensive and faithful telling of the story.
And BTW, the final episode (#10) was written by Stephen King and features a new story twist that isn't in the book, is very king-line, and probably makes the ending a little stronger.
Nick wrote: "And BTW, the final episode (#10) was written by Stephen King and features a new story twist that isn't in the book, is very king-line, and probably makes the ending a little stronger."How long is the free trial period? I think I could squeeze it in now that they are all out, if I plan appropriately.
Kandice wrote: "Nick wrote: "And BTW, the final episode (#10) was written by Stephen King and features a new story twist that isn't in the book, is very king-line, and probably makes the ending a little stronger."..."It's only a week. Just google the link. I tried it and it went there, but the link didn't work when I pasted it in here.
Nick wrote: "It's only a week. Just google the link. I tried it and it went there, but the link didn't work when I pasted it in here...."Thanks! I think a week is manageable. There's only 10 episodes, right?
They get you with the free trial period. I did that with Hulu for 11/22/63, which I loved! and still have Hulu all these years later.
Kandice wrote: "They get you with the free trial period. I did that with Hulu for 11/22/63, which I loved! and still have Hulu all these years later."Right- 10 episodes. BTW, the opening shot of a group of survivors breaking into a church full of rotting corpses in Boulder is pretty horrific. I lost my wife as a companion viewer right then. Just sayin'.
Nick wrote: "Kandice wrote: "They get you with the free trial period. I did that with Hulu for 11/22/63, which I loved! and still have Hulu all these years later."Right- 10 episodes. BTW, the opening shot of..."
I am not afraid of anything on screen, so I'm ok. ;-)
I think some of it is pretty good. The scene with Harold practicing smiling in the mirror freaked me out just like that line did in the book. I think Harold is my favorite part of both the book and the show. Stu is kind of annoying?? I don't remember him being that much of a goody-two-shoes in the book.One of the things that really bugged me in the book was Nick and the excessive lip-reading. (I'm an ASL (American Sign Language) student and lip-reading isn't nearly as easy as some media would have you believe.) I'm glad they're not doing lip-reading on the show, but I am furious that they cast a hearing actor in a deaf role. Not cool.
Spoiler if you haven't seen the show:
The scene with Mother Abigail where she gives Nick hearing in his dream was really disappointing. Most Deaf people don't consider themselves disabled and that the righteous "good" character treats Nick as if something's wrong with him made me so angry.
So, basically, pros and cons, but I'm gonna keep watching.
Nick wrote: "Kandice wrote: "They get you with the free trial period. I did that with Hulu for 11/22/63, which I loved! and still have Hulu all these years later."Right- 10 episodes. BTW, the opening shot of..."
That was quick!
Ok so I have just watched Episode 8 and I hate this version even more.At the risk of repeating myself Lloyd is a hardened criminal and is a strong loyal right hand man. This episode he is even more weak and camp. The courtroom scene was terrible. The hand of God even worse. Nadine's suicide was quick and had no impact whatsoever. Trashcan man arriving with the nuclear bomb incidental at best.
I'm going to watch 9 and 10 just to finish it but Larry Underwood and Harold Lauder apart the acting is poor. The direction is awful. Skarsgard is potentially amazing and we had the opportunity to see him do as great as Flagg as his brother's portrayal of Pennywise. BUT he is barely in it other than as a constant footnote to Lloyd's camp caricature and the hokey razamataz of New Vegas. The director had the opportunity to make this place full of fear and dread but it simply feels like a weird human carnival.
Also Nick other than one episode is barely in it. Other than one conversation we never really feel like he is Mother Abigail's go to guy. Don't get me started on Goldberg. She is woeful.
This director with the budget involved had the chance to improve on 1994 but has made an abomination of this great book. Poor continuity is the main issue which makes it horribly confused.
The trek to Vegas. Our STAND! Took about 30 minutes and ended with them being picked up in a limo? All tension disappears as Lloyd appears as Liberace!
4/10 purely for the portrayal by Jovan Adepo as Larry and the excellent Owen Teague as Harold and the odd faithful replication of scenes from a book obviously far too complicated and beautiful for this director!
Totally agree Michael. Its criminal what this guy has done with a modern budget and decent actors. Maybe episodes 9 and 10 will be better but only if we see Tom nurse Stu back to health and bring him back to Boulder? He will probably chuck a few flashbacks in to confuse the viewer more.
I am in total agreement. I don't think there will ever be a screen version of this novel that can in any way compare to the novel.
Melody wrote: "I am in total agreement. I don't think there will ever be a screen version of this novel that can in any way compare to the novel."This director should have given it a MUCH better shot though Melody rather than this camp bastardisation!
Steve wrote: "The director had the opportunity to make this place full of fear and dread but it simply feels like a weird human carnival."Agreed. Ridiculous.
Michele wrote: "Steve wrote: "The director had the opportunity to make this place full of fear and dread but it simply feels like a weird human carnival."Agreed. Ridiculous."
It makes me so angry Michelle. This so called director had the opportunity to create an iconic den on iniquity but fails dismally. It stems from the dreadfully weak portrayal of Lloyd and pushing minor characters like Julie to the fore. Plus changing Rat Man to Ratwoman (I think???) The whole court scene should have instilled dread in the viewer but it was like watching an episode of Jerry Springer!
Plus changing Rat Man to Ratwoman (I think???)
Amen.
Uh, I mean, Awoman.
Google for 'awoman' or 'congressman awoman' to understand the joke. We're living in ridiculous times.
So I have watched episode 9 and finished the series. My anger didnt abate. An integral part of The Stand is Tom saving Stu and returning him to Boulder after nursing him back to health. In this abomination? Stu turns up with a slight limp with Tom grinning behind. That crucial part of the great novel is replaced by a summer concert and a spot of linedancing? Wow how glib. The new ending the great man wrote in his updated masterpiece is included and stretched out. It was ok.
4/10 overall. Some very good performances by Adepo and Teague. A very wooden one by Marsden, Dreadful ones by the actors playing Henreid and Trashcan man and the vastly overrated Goldberg. Confused and horrible directing. Vacuous musical composition particularly accompanying Flagg.
Overall a very poor adaptation of the great novel and inferior to the pretty average 1994 mini series.
Can't adapt a book such as The Stand, it's too detailed and when they try it they never follow the book.Honestly, I prefer the version of the book in my mind.
Michael wrote: "Can't adapt a book such as The Stand, it's too detailed and when they try it they never follow the book.Honestly, I prefer the version of the book in my mind."
So do I Michael but this version was so poor which is unforgiveable with all the tools this director had!
I caved and signed up for the free trial to watch. I've seen the first two episodes. I really dislike the jumping around the timeline, but otherwise it doesn't suck. I mean most adaptations of his work don't do that much for me so I always go in with low expectations. I do wish someone would just stick to the story as much as possible, though.I did notice something I never had before. Flagg, two g's, and Lloyd, two l's, are like bookends.
I'm still waiting to catch up on other shows before diving into this. I kind of wish Prime would have it, at some point too.
Erin wrote: "I'm still waiting to catch up on other shows before diving into this. I kind of wish Prime would have it, at some point too."If you add Starzplay to your Amazon Prime Erin you can watch it.
Steve wrote: "Erin wrote: "I'm still waiting to catch up on other shows before diving into this. I kind of wish Prime would have it, at some point too."If you add Starzplay to your Amazon Prime Erin you can wa..."
Yeah, I have heard about that.
Ugh, I watched the series and I hated it, I wish I had skipped it.
I'm five episodes in, and no one needs my opinion, but so far what I find most disappointing is New Vegas. The novel version simply makes more sense. It had sin and deprivation, but this television series version is just a caricature of evil and it wouldn't sustain itself. I like Flagg, but not Henreid and the town itself.
I finished last night. While I can say that I did like the ending, I would have preferred it in written form. I just didn't care for the series, like so many others.My favorite part was the images over the end credits. Those were clever.
They kept re-using the same sets over and over. It's almost as if they filmed all of the "visited by Randall Flagg" scenes at one time. And every time Randall is in Vegas he's levitating in his penthouse for some reason
Brian wrote: "They kept re-using the same sets over and over. It's almost as if they filmed all of the "visited by Randall Flagg" scenes at one time. And every time Randall is in Vegas he's levitating in his pen..."I think that his levitation is supposed to indicate the level of "worship" on which he thrives. Thats' why he slowly stopped levitating when the final Vegas scene was happening.
I finally found a way to watch this and I have watched three episodes so far (including the pilot I had already previously watched) and I'm not sure how to feel about it. The pilot was great, the second episode was pretty good and the third one? Just okay to me. I feel compelled to watch all nine episodes but I'll give it another couple of episodes.I'm in the agreement, with others who have complained about this, the going back and forth between present day stories and flashbacks? Not a good format.
I wouldn.t bother Erin!The missus and I are starting Evil tonight. Thanks for the recommendation!
I threw in the towel with this, I couldn't get past the Vegas episode.
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Many spoilers below.
(view spoiler)[Also WTF with making Glenn Bateman a middle-aged hippie? Where is the cynical old curmudgeon of the book? This version of him is so meh.
Also also WTF with turning Flagg's Vegas into a big pit of self-indulgence and people in weird (and skimpy) costumes? In the book nobody does drugs, the streets are shiny clean, the kids are in school, the streetlights are all working -- turning it into something from Mad Max loses the entire point: that societies that appear nice on the surface can be deeply oppressive underneath (I believe in the book they make a comparison to Germany in the 1930s). Not to mention that populating "the dark side" with people thoroughly enjoying all kinds of sex is, well, kinda sex-negative.
And most WTF of all: Mother Abigail in a rest home??? Again, loses the whole point of her character: she is staunchly, fiercely independent. Her Achilles heel is her pride in her own abilities and self-reliance. In this version she's just hanging out with a bunch of dead senior citizens waiting for Nick to rescue her? No, no, no. Just...no. (hide spoiler)]
Minor nit: Is it just me, or do all the female characters look very much alike?
One thing (the only thing so far) that I like, and I like it very much, is the updating of Tom Cullen's character. The actor is wonderful and plays him beautifully, I thought.