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More on Nicole deBoer and "The Dead Zone"

One of the great strengths of this show is its rich cast of sympathetic characters. Johnny is a noble soul who tries to do the right thing, even when it means giving up the woman that he still loves. Sarah chooses to honor her husband, despite her obvious feelings for the man she had given up for lost. Even Sheriff Walt Bannerman is an honorable man, one who treats Johnny well despite his shared history with Sarah.

Perhaps I'm most impressed with Walt. It would have been too easy to write him as some abusive jerk who mistreats his wife. Indeed, it would have been almost cliche. Instead, he's portrayed as a sympathetic character and a decent human being, and that adds to the dramatic quality of the show.

I did want to focus on Nicole deBoer and the character that she plays, though. While Anthony Michael Hall steals the show, Nicole plays her role with sensitivity and skill. I like the way subtle emotions play across her face as she plays the role of a tortured soul, torn between her devotion to Walt and her obvious feelings for Johnny. Coupled with that is her desire to do right by Johnny, and her compassion for him as a man who's alone in the world.

I've always liked the way she lets the subtle expressions show naturally on her face. I noticed that early into her role as Ezri Dax on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and she continues to do that on The Dead Zone . Clearly, this woman was not just cast for her looks alone.

Also great is the degree of realism shown on this show. For example, when he awakes from a long coma, Johnny doesn't just spring to his heels and start walking. No, he has to go through a long recovery period as he rebuilds his atrophied muscles. In addition, after solving a mystery and saving the day in the first two episodes, he doesn't just fade into anonymity. Instead, he gains notoriety, even if not everyone is willing to believe in his newfound abilities. Such attention to detail helps build the strength of this series. Clearly, the writers choose not to strain suspension of disbelief beyond what is necessary.

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Other interests: elispot, scientific illiteracy


	One of the great strengths of this show is its rich cast of sympathetic characters. Johnny is a noble soul who tries to do the right thing, even when it means giving up the woman that he still loves. Sarah chooses to honor her husband, despite her obvious feelings for the man she had given up for lost. Even Sheriff Walt Bannerman is an honorable man, one who treats Johnny well despite his shared history with Sarah. Perhaps I'm most impressed with Walt. It would have been too easy to write him as some abusive jerk who mistreats his wife. Indeed, it would have been almost cliche. Instead, he's portrayed as a sympathetic character and a decent human being, and that adds to the dramatic quality of the show.
I did want to focus on Nicole deBoer and the character that she plays, though. While Anthony Michael Hall steals the show, Nicole plays her role with sensitivity and skill. I like the way subtle emotions play across her face as she plays the role of a tortured soul, torn between her devotion to Walt and her obvious feelings for Johnny. Coupled with that is her desire to do right by Johnny, and her compassion for him as a man who's alone in the world. I've always liked the way she lets the subtle expressions show naturally on her face. I noticed that early into her role as Ezri Dax on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and she continues to do that on The Dead Zone . Clearly, this woman was not just cast for her looks alone.
	Also great is the degree of realism shown on this show. For example, when he awakes from a long coma, Johnny doesn't just spring to his heels and start walking. No, he has to go through a long recovery period as he rebuilds his atrophied muscles. In addition, after solving a mystery and saving the day in the first two episodes, he doesn't just fade into anonymity. Instead, he gains notoriety, even if not everyone is willing to believe in his newfound abilities. Such attention to detail helps build the strength of this series. Clearly, the writers choose not to strain suspension of disbelief beyond what is necessary.
	Page One \| Page Three.

Click here to return to the home page
Other interests: elispot, scientific illiteracy