Episode Description:

Johnny has recurring visions of a fatal car pileup, but trying to change the accident's outcome only makes it worse.

Episode Review:

Bruce: "You think it's hard being a psychic? Try being a psychic's best friend."

Now, this is the Dead Zone I love.

All of the deaths didn't make sense, because how could there be multiple car accidents when none of the cars were moving? And how could it end with Bruce dying from a gunshot wound? The only thing I figured out fairly early was that the escaped con was masquerading as a cop, because he just wasn't acting cop-like. Johnny deliberately wrecking the cop car was unexpected and took guts, considering that he lost six years of his life because of a car crash.

I really enjoyed all of the people finding ways to amuse themselves as they sat in the traffic jam, and the sense of community they felt when pregnant Nikki was in danger. I particularly loved the bikers taking water bottles out of people's hands. All of them descending on the ice cream truck together just made me smile.

Okay, I did have a couple of minor issues. Like establishing in the opener that Bruce didn't want Johnny to touch him, and them sticking to it even when Bruce's life was in danger. That just didn't scan, considering how long Bruce has known Johnny and what they've been through together. And the ending with the hospital and the twins rated a bit high on the hokey-meter.

But this one still reminded me pleasantly of certain episodes in my favorite season (which was two). An unusual situation, puzzling visions of death, one clue after another, and Johnny putting it all together. Classic Dead Zone.

Bits and pieces:

-- This episode was directed by cast member Chris Bruno. He did a terrific job; it had to be a bear to film. Dylan Bruno played (I assume) the cop. Is he a relative?

-- Johnny and Bruce had the eternal Dead Zone conversation about fate, i.e., what if Johnny preventing bad things will eventually cause even worse things.

-- Brian and Nikki made me recall Mitch and Flo, the wonderful couple in the RV back in the season two episode "The Storm." And Mitch also said that Flo had a touch of "the sight," just like Nikki. Did the writers repeat themselves? Was it intentional?

-- Why didn't the bikers just take off in between the lanes of traffic? This episode wouldn't have been as much fun without them, but still.

-- In the opening sequence, Johnny was eating a salad, but his favorite food is cheeseburgers. And the waitress came on to him, but he didn't notice. A little out of character.

-- The couple in the camper had a bumper sticker that said, "Kali is my co-pilot." :)

-- Still no sign of Sarah and Walt.

-- Biker: "How do you know if you're a real hillbilly? When your home has more miles on it than your car."

-- Denise (in the bikini): "There's no signal. It's like we're in some kind of dead zone." Har har.

Very good. Three out of four stars,

Billie

Bille Doux reviews episodes of 'The Dead Zone' for her website.
She reviews individual episodes of science fiction & cult TV shows
for her website, located at http://www.billiedoux.com/

Behind The Scenes:

 - We had a lot of fun making this episode. I thought that Adam Targum and Tommy both did a really great job on the script. It was one of the biggest, most expensive episodes of The Dead Zone that we ever did. Production, I thought, really, really stepped up. Robert Petrovicz ended up directing some of the Second Unit, really helping pull that together, spending time with Chris's storyboards, and really making some of those action sequences sing. - Shawn Piller Blog (06/25)

 - There were 172 cars that we had parked on a stretch of highway that we had locked off. We had over 200 extras; it was crazy. - Chris Bruno's Blog (06/25)
 

Cast & Crew:

Written by: Adam Targum
Directed by: Chris Bruno
Guest Starring: Dylan Bruno (Phelps)