Picks and Pans Review: The Dead Zone

UPDATED 07/12/2004 at 01:00 AM EDT Originally published 07/12/2004 at 01:00 AM EDT

USA (Sundays, 10 p.m. ET)

bgwhite bgwhite   



Johnny Smith (Anthony Michael Hall) has visions of the future and the past, and he uses his powers to solve crimes. I yawned at the premise when this series premiered, but I'm glad I took another look last month when it started its third season.

A surprising plus is the show's provocative political consciousness. In the two-part season opener, slick Greg Stillson (Sean Patrick Flanery), an enemy of Johnny's, narrowly won a congressional seat by nefarious means that evoked the real-life election controversy of 2000. The July 4 episode focuses on a secret government intelligence program called Eyetrap, which will remind viewers of the Pentagon's much criticized Total Information Awareness project. The writers go too far in suggesting that an unchecked Stillson could bring on Armageddon, but at least they're giving us some food for thought.

The psychic hero has a potential new romantic interest in Rebecca (Sarah Wynter from 24)—if only he can get his mind off Sarah (Nicole deBoer), his former fiancée and the mother of his young son. Unfortunately, the triangle of Johnny, Sarah and her sheriff husband, Walt (Chris Bruno), is still too polite to believe.

DRAMA

Your Reaction

Follow Us

On Newsstands Now

Angelina: Inside Her Brave Choice
  • Angelina: Inside Her Brave Choice
  • New Details on the Ohio Three
  • Prince Harry Takes America!

Pick up your copy on newsstands

Click here for instant access to the Digital Magazine

Advertisement

From Our Partners

Watch It

Editors' Picks

From Our Partners