Episode Description:

In the sixth-season finale, visions of Walt lead Johnny to his father and a shocking revelation. - TV Guide

Episode Review:

Johnny: "All this time, we thought he was a puppet. We thought wrong, Gene."

See, I knew Greg was still evil.

How would marrying Sarah have stopped Greg from causing the Apocalypse? Does Greg truly have feelings for her? Would he have tried to be a better man for her sake? Or would she have discovered his true nature and found a way to stop him? (I'm guessing that last one.) After Johnny told her the truth on the phone, I knew Sarah would confront Greg and throw him out, and I actually thought he would hurt her. (Keeping in mind that long ago vision of a woman's bloody hand on a bed.)

We got several more big dramatic payoffs, too. J.J. has been slowly developing psychic abilities of his own, and when Greg knocked him down, J.J. saw Armageddon instead of stars. (Good dramatic timing, because hitting J.J. guaranteed that Sarah would never, ever marry Greg.) The season-long arc about Walt's death was finally resolved, too. Walt's final farewell to Johnny, holding the photo in his hand that he hoped Johnny would touch, was really moving. Yes, I cried. I'm a wuss, what can I tell you.

The revelation about Johnny's father kinda sorta worked, and I didn't expect that. His life as a sort of an imprisoned oracle living in an underground recreation of the Smith mansion was rather sad. For one horrifying moment, I thought they were going to tell us that Greg was Johnny's half-brother, and I just wouldn't have swallowed that. But fortunately, no.

So we had a quasi-happy ending. Johnny and Sarah were reunited, but Armageddon still looms. So I assume we're getting a seventh season?

Bits and pieces:

-- Gold acting stars for Anthony Michael Hall. His work in the scene where he found out his father had been alive five years ago was just excellent. He made me feel it, and that was impressive considering how convoluted the subject matter was. Gold stars for Chris Bruno, too; he did a great job in what I can only assume was his final scene.

-- In the opener, the woman at the restaurant complimented Greg on his beautiful family. She knew he was the vice president, but not that he was a single man whose fiancee died on their wedding day? With the sort of media circus we have these days? Come on.

-- I was ticked at Gene for what he did. Yes, he had valid romantic motivation to let Vera think Herb Smith was dead, but I thought he was a better man than that. Ah, well.

-- Johnny hit Sonny Elliman in the face with a shovel. That was satisfying.

-- More Visa product placement. Get thee behind me, Satan.

Another terrific season finale. Four out of four stars

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:
 

Cast and Crew:

Written by: Ann Lewis Hamilton
Directed by: Michael Robison
Starring: Anthony Michael Hall (Johnny Smith), Nicole deBoer (Sarah Bannerman), Chris Bruno (Walt Bannerman), Connor Price (JJ Bannerman).
Guest Starring: Sean Patrick Flanery (Greg Stillson), Tom Skerritt (Herb Smith), David Ogden Stiers (Rev. Gene Purdy)