The Dead Zone: Season 4

Very good series, mysterious and suspenseful. Worth buying.

I do not consider it to be a good sign that after having enjoyed commentary tracks on every third season episode of "The Dead Zone," that there are only a pair of commentary tracks to be found on the DVDs for the fourth season. I watched the fourth season right before the premier of the show's fifth season on the USA network, so I was easily struck by the way the show ended up where it started, with the love interest of Johnny Smith (Anthony Michael Hall) paying the price for being involved with a psychic. At the start of season four we are talking about Rebecca Caldwell (Sarah Wynter), who wants to (finally) blow away Greg Stillson (Sean Patrick Flanery) for killing her sister Rachel, while at the end it is now Miranda Ellis (Laura Harris), the daughter of Senator Harlan Ellis (Don S. Davis), and Stillson's unwilling fiance. By now it is clear that the Stillson question is not going to be resolved until the final episode of the series, and so that plot line is going to get strung out until the very end. There are a few episodes that move things along slowly, such as when Johnny's brightest former student invents something that fits into Armageddon ("Vanguard"), and as Rev. Purdy (David Ogden Stiers) experiences some problems with his ministry ("Saved").Most of the season is devoted to individual cases with the main difference that being that while Johnny Smith is not a household name there are a lot of people who know who he is and believe in his powers so that he does not have to prove it time and time again (although somebody finally does ask him why he does not use his powers to get the winning lottery number). This creates a slightly different dynamic from the first couple of seasons of the show. Another key factor is that there is no longer an attempt to work the entire supporting cast into each and every episode. Consequently, one week Johnny is dealing with Walt Bannerman (Chris Bruno) and Sarah (Nicole de Boer), and the next they are not around and Johnny is teamed up with Bruce Lewis (John L. Adams) again. Sarah shows up the least, and only if she is central to the plot, as when a friend disappears ("The Collector"), Johnny finds out her favorite rock star faked his death ("The Last Goodbye"), or she visits her father ("Coming Home"). We even get to find out some things about Johnny's father that prove to be of interest ("Babble On"), but I find it somewhat surprising that they are not doing more about Johnny's son now that the truth is known. The title sequence makes a big deal about the life Johnny has lost, but by the fourth season that really does not matter all that much anymore.The most interesting character from the season is Alex Sinclair (Jennifer Finnigan), another psychic, who runs into Johnny in "Double Vision" and comes back for the season finale "A Very Dead Zone Christmas." Her powers are slightly different so when a vision pops up there is often a question as to whether it is her or him, but what makes the relationship fun is that even though they are attracted to each other they know this would never, ever work, and still manage to have some fun, especially when there is an amnesiac Santa involved. As always, the ways they come up with new and interesting ways to represent Johnny's visions , and in "Grains of Sand," where Johnny insists on taking care of the baby of an immigrant woman who dies, the visions get mixed up with daydreams. So they keep on finding ways of making things visually interesting, even if the stories keep having to come up with obstacles to make it more difficult to Johnny to save the day. "The Dead Zone" remains an interesting show (and USA has great promos involving Johnny Smith, Monk and the new guy from "Psych"), but it not quite as good as it was early on. But I am going to stick around until Stillson finally goes down for good.

Honestly, this season has its share of high and low points."Broken Circle" gives the viewer a sense of closure to the third season. "The Collector" gives provides an expected twist to an ending.Although some regard "Second Sight" as the high point of the season, I was not sold on this episode. The addition of a second psychic cheapened Jonnn's powers in my mind, but I suppose it depends on one's point of view.Moving on, "Still Life" and "Grains of Sands" are neither stellar nor deplorable. Average at best.I thoroughly enjoyed "Vanguard", and "Heroes and Demons" was a stand out episode. An austic kid helping Johnny? Good stuff."Babble On", though, is one splendid piece of writing.While the fourth season did not further the Armageddon Saga all that much, it enhanced the show's character backgrounds and personalities. Unique plots? You bet!

Interesting how difficult some shows make it to select an episode. I was a programmer and this had rte worst menus I've ever seen. Read the comments, they keep talking about how there are not enough episodes. That's because nobody knows how to get to half of the episodes from the episode selection menu.For example it shows episode five and six on the episode selection screen. Below it says "main menu" with a right arrow. If you select "main menu", it takes you there, back one menu.To get to episode 7 & 8, Tab down to main menu and hit the right arrow on your remote.

I'm not sure why I didn't realize the low amount of episodes per season... but if you get this at a decent price it is totally worth it. I got sucked into every single episode and completely lost track of time. It's a terrific show that is sure to keep most people entertained. I am already working on getting the entire series for my Mom who used to watch this when it first came out. She takes it to watch with my Grandparents which love it as well! So, 3 generations of happy campers from these shows. That's saying something!

I bought this series soon after it came out, but am just watching it now. It seems whoever manufactured this season's DVD set goofed. When you go to Select Episode (which is what I always do, since I watch one here and there). The list of available episodes is only TWO (although there are FOUR on the DVD). I can see absolutely no way to access the other two episodes unless I go to PLAY ALL and then fast forward (which might not work on all DVD players) to the episode I wish to view. It's really inconvenient. I just thought I'd warn you. But yes - I'd still buy it - I enjoy The Dead Zone episodes, although I like the "threads" to surface in the stories more frequently.

I have watched this series before and loved it but sadly missed the end so I decided to buy the series to catch up on old memories. It didn't disappoint a bit. It came quite in one pack and was delivered real fast in real good shape. For all that like a kind of mystery show with a entertaining story and a good character play then I would advise you to buy these series. I find it remarkable how Johnny uses his abilitys to help others. Will Johnny though be able to save the future of many people? If you want to know I would buy the series now :D. I know that was mean of me but hes worth it.

This is an excellent television series that unfortunately went off the normal airtime years ago. I am so happy to find that Amazon still has it available to watch. My son had given me the DVDs of the first three seasons as gifts. Now I found the 4th season and more on Amazon. Eureka! This is a well executed series of psychic phenomenon from the brilliant mind of Stephen King. The actors and actresses do a remarkable job of bringing each story to life. Thank you, Amazon, for providing the episodes for me to continue watching this brilliant television series!!!

Arrived in quick good service in advance. Been taken back and drawn towards this series since season 1 and now compelled to every season. Supernatural type of sci fi based upon characters by stephen king novel,but dissimilar from film as johnny smith wakes up from a 6 year coma only to realise he has possessed a psyhic ability which when in contact with a person or touching a significant item can tell lifes or fate of things could occur. Engrossing show some hit and miss episodes in this sometimes fine prosper,various stories and comes to the aid of solving things if he can.stays true to plot,known characters are believable and unknown are skeptical in deniel until recognised seeing themselve. Captures the imagination

'The Dead Zone' remains one of my favourite Stephen King novels. The movie of the book, starring Christopher Walkern, was also very well done. With these thoughts in mind I resisted watching 'The Dead Zone; series, fearing that it would not live up to the book or the movie. I am delighted to admit that I need not have been concerned.The first thing I had to do was to forget the book and movie and just 'go with the flow' of the premise of the story. Thankfully, the writers and producers of the series made that mental switch relatively easy, making the lead character of Johny Smith a warmer and more engaging one than the dark, brooding and troubled one as written and played in the movie. The stories in each episode are interesting without being especially intellectually challenging, making fora fabulous forty-odd minutes of tele-visual escapism.The Dead Zone was not the best thing on TV and I don't believe it ever aspired to be. However, for pure entertainment and enjoyable escapism with an edge you could do worse than immerse yourself in all of the seasons on offer. I have and I've not regretted it!

Bought this dvd about a few days ago - a bit of a downer, hope season 5 picks up. Was a little disappointed that episode 12 (the season finale): A Very Dead Zone Christmas - was missing from this box set. On other sites, this item is listed as a 12 episode set, but only has 11.

Loved this series when it was on tv, had to get them all

great series