Customer Reviews

The Dead Zone: The Final Season

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First let me say that I have been with Johnny and crew from the very beginning. I count myself as a fan. I sat fascinated during the early episodes, marveling both at the storytelling and cool special effects. By Season 3, the series was slowly losing its way. The acting was spotty, but mostly it was the uneven writing that stood out. Seasons 4 and 5 continued the slide down.

I have mixed reviews of the sixth and final season. During this final installment, the new writers decided to just scrap the main Stilson story line and go off on one-show adventures. Each hour introduces some new dilemma that Johnny must confront. Unfortunately, all of the other cast except Sarah are essentially removed from the show after episode 1 (I don't want to spoil things, so I'll leave it at that). The loss of the supporting cast is unfortunate, because it was the character interaction (Bruce-Johnny, Rev. Purdy-Stillson, etc.) that gave the show depth.

There are some decent episodes (Big Top, Switch, Outcome, and Denouement) and some poor ones (Heritage, Ego, Re-entry, Interred). One thing I noticed was that anytime the new sheriff is on screen, the show suffers. I don't know if it is her acting or the terrible lines she was forced to mutter, but it is painful to watch. Also, Sarah's hot and cold behavior towards Johnny and God forbid Stillson is completely out of character. It makes her come off as a needy widow in search of a husband and father for her kids - I'm sorry to have to even say that, but it plays out that way. If anyone would have told me that she would kiss Stillson, I would have probably not even bothered with the season at all.

Overall, I think this final season is an improvement over the last one. But it ends with things basically where they all started - nothing resolved - the world's headed back towards armageddon, Stillson is still at the helm, and we the viewers are not quite sure what is going to happen next. Everyone looks a bit haggard, but I suppose the actors must feel that way after the ups and down the writers have put them through. I enjoyed the Dead Zone, but in truth I had hoped for something more from the final season.

Written by Arthur Bradley, author of "Process of Elimination," - an erotic thriller that pits a martial artist against a world-class sniper out to shape the Presidential election.

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I enjoyed this show from the first season, and I'm sad it's over. I gave it three stars though, because it probably is a little weaker compared to the other seasons, and I agree with other reviewers that there were things left open-ended... you'd hope for another season.

I suppose I should place a spoiler alert warning here... First, although I was slightly bummed there was a different actor playing J.J., I really liked this kid. In all honesty, I think he was better than the original, had more personality. The whole thing with Stilson not being wrapped up didn't bother me.

I was sad to see Walt go, because I grew to like him, but I liked the irony of Sarah now giving birth to Walt's kid, and John being left behind to take care of them. The thing I disliked the most was how John and Sarah ended up. All this time passed, now they finally have a chance to be a real family, and I think the two characters never got the finale they deserved after so many years. For those of you who watched it, Sarah's issue with the lie John told her was ridiculous to me.

I liked the end scene in that it was hopeful, but I would have preferred to see them finally married off... at least J.J. finally accepted him as "Dad."

I've been a long time fan of this show and I have to admit that it was loosing some steam, but I dont think the network have that many good shows that was worth canceling this one. I always enjoyed the episodes that pushed the Stillson story line (this is with all the seasons), so I'm most upset that the show was canceled prior to tying that up. There are a few gems on this set, I only hope that they give us some good special features to make up for our lost. I hate when shows like this are not given the respect of a proper ending. Sad.

This show was multidimensional and amazing. I didn't start watching until the second to last season. I didn't really get where they were going until I saw it for myself. I think alot more people would have watched from the beginning with better promotion - I couldn't see what it was with those Monk and John commercials. But I agree with the previous reviewer that USA network showed a lack of respect for the cast, crew and fans by now allowing them to tie up the loose ends. The only reason you can't really give this five stars is because so many questions were left unanswered. I don't want to give too much away in the review but as always I think it's worth watching.

Evidently the cancellation of The Dead Zone came as a big surprise to the producers as the 6th season began with numerous changes. First, the show's production was moved from Vancouver to Montreal, Canada and Connor Price was brought into play son J.J., replacing Spencer Achtymichuk. In the first episode alone, Sheriff Walt Bannerman and bad guy aide to Vice President Stillson, Malcom Janus, are both killed. The series went out with a huge bang as season six had a number of fantastic episodes even though the series finale still left a few plots unresolved. Anthony Michael Hall turned in some of his strongest performances this season and Price was even better as the new J.J.

The last season begins with "Heritage". As Cleaves Mills readies for the town festival, Johnny gets a vision of Walt dying and vows to stick with him all day, actually preventing his death a few times but fate won't be stopped. Walt is killed in a fire at the church rescuing Rev. Purdy. Malcom Janus is also killed and with his death, Johnny's visions of apocalypse surrounding Stillson seem to end.

A new Sheriff, Anna Turner (Carla Buono) takes over in "Ego" and she and Johnny get off on the wrong foot right away. She has no use for a psychic and Johnny wants to know why she is investigating the late Walt Bannerman.

"Re-Entry" Is one of the highlights of Season Six. A private space mission, part of Stillson's "Go Space" program has suffered an accident. Unknown to the crew a wing flap is damaged and the ship will rip apart if it tries to land. It also carries a load of plutonium, which will cause a national disaster. Stillson is prepared to shoot the shuttle down unless Johnny can use his powers to send the astronauts a message so they can make repairs. Outstanding episode filled with tension. At the end of the episode, Sarah gives birth to her baby she names Hope.

"Interred" is another outstanding and chilling episode. While hitting balls at a gold range, Johnny gets a vision of a man buried alive in a coffin. The man is running out of air and he and Turner have to race to rescue the man before he suffocates.

"Outcome" finds Johnny picking up Sarah's friend from a bus terminal but getting a vision of the station exploding. He has only an hour to find the source of the explosion and prevent it. Johnny has to interact with several travelers, intertwining with their lives in a compact yet powerful episode.

The series finale "Denouement" is very good but obviously rushed together as so many plot elements are attempted to be wrapped up. Johnny learns that his father may not be dead after all and meets the woman who had a secret meeting with Walt before he died. Meanwhile, Stillson makes his play on Sarah and J.J., offering to give her a job in Washington D.C. Tom Skerritt guest-stars as Johnny's father. There is a great payoff to the plot involving Johnny's father who has been used as a tool by Stillson to predict the future. There's one final moving scene involving Walt who knew Johnny would eventually pickup his final words in a vision. Still, not everything is completely wrapped up and we can only hope that perhaps a TV movie will bring things to a more final close.

Extras:

Commentary on four episodes

"A New Home for The Dead Zone" featurette

"All Aboard: Filming The Dead Zone on a Train" featurette

Wasn't sure about this because the Stephen King novel was good but I had reservations about the television saga. I was wrong, the stories are creative, believeable and very entertaining. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes a bit of sci-fi, action/drama and pathos...

Sadly, this is the end of a great series and having to say goodbye to much-loved characters forever is very sad. I was not happy with the ending; that a terrific character had to die. I hope they continue the series with Johnny Smith's son as he grows up and what he does with his own gift. Will he use it for good like his father, or will he be turned from bitterness? I hope we'll find out someday.

One of these shows, where you start, stick and die a little when suddenly they cancel the show. You can feel like part of the family of Johnny Smith, and that's why I am saying this as review of the final season, instead of season 1, because it is worth it, even if you have to let go at the end. At least they made an "ending" that feels just enough, not a cliffhanger.

This is a really awesome show. 1-3 are the best. In this season they got rid of ALL the support characters, which includes changing one the actors. All were critical to the shows success. Thumbs down......
In the earlier seasons the stories they went with were really effective in taking the show to new ground and exploring every avenue of what could happen if you had this ability.
In a sense this season went backward. literally. To his father before him.....bla bla.......
Obviously their budget was extremely low for this season, to cull the characters and to fizzle the story and where it was headed.
The last 5 minute of the last episode was a good way to finish though.

DeadZone is the most favorite show I've ever seen.
each plot is thoughtful,exciting,and amazing!!
Jonny and Walt is my favorite character. their friendship is cool!
they are very kind ,funny, warmful and courageous.
of coursel Sarah,Bluce,Pardy,Rebecca,Alex and Stillson ..they are fantastic character!! they are making good jobs in making film.
I was thinking this amazing story would continue as long as X-File's span.
because story line is excellent!! canceling is Mottainai!!
I can't undestand this desicion and I don't want to believe it.
I don't want to see a new show which might me canceled in future,
I do want to see new season of DEADZONE!!