The Dead Zone

The Dead Zone uses characters from Stephen King’s novel of the same name to tell the story of a high school science teacher who is put in a coma for six years, only to awaken with “second sight.” Anthony Michael Hall, everyone’s favorite high school loser, takes over the role of Johnny Smith from everyone’s favorite psycho Christopher Walken, who portrayed Smith in the 1983 film version. Johnny “sees” possible futures of people he physically touches. While the power itself is impressive and helpful—the first episode promises a continuing quest for a serial killer using Johnny’s powers to help local authorities—Johnny has lost the woman he loved, who is raising their child from before his accident with another man. Hall succeeds as this shocked and confused character dealing with a bizarre situation, and the show’s special effects help convey how unsettling Johnny’s powers are—it is a solid foundation for a promising series.