Pregrade Thoughts: Don’t take this the wrong way, no one is more of a loyalist than I am. I bleed Dead Zone blue all the way. I’ll never give up on this show and I’ll never become a bitter used to be loyal but now is an anti show type person. That’s not me.

BUT. I’m not feeling this new and improved touchy feely Stillson. I’m still mostly convinced that this is a ruse and his evil will double down at some point this season. But so far I’m getting the creeps. It almost felt like a Mary Sue fan fiction written by a Stillson Lover. (I KNOW there are some of you out there! Sickos! >:-P )

I mean, the dude murdered his father and cosigned the murder of his fiancé. Until he is brought to justice for those two crimes, how the heck can he stand there an smile in our faces and clap Johnny on the back? I don’t get it.

Overall Grade: “B-” Good episode, creeped out by Stillson though.

Speaking of Stillson, am I the only one who remembered the original film when they showed the jets launching missiles? “Hallelujah, the missiles are flying!”

Also, did I miss something about an article about Walt? Stillson mentioned it but he acted like we should already know about it. Confusing.

And finally, it occurred to me that during the touching scene at the end that both of Sarah’s children were born without the father being present and with Sarah believing the father was gone to her forever. (she was wrong about Johnny and right about Walt, obviously) That’s sad.

Johnny: “A” You did all the right things, got the boys home, comforted the astronaut wife, and cared for Sarah. Not a bad day’s work.

Walt‘s Ghost: “A” Good looking out with those flowers!

Li’l Johnny: “C” He was there.

Sarah: “C” She was there. I did like her moxie with the snippy secret service moron and the final scene was touching. But she mostly just ate.

Hope: “A” Welcome to what I very much doubt is going to be a normal childhood!

Stillson: “F” Dude, you’re freaking creepy! Stop with the grin that would scare a man eating panther back into the woods, stop kissing Johnny’s butt, stop making eyes at Sarah, stop pretending you’re not a souless, murdering, scumbag vampire, and for crissakes stop pretending you’re not all about macking on the chicks. All of us know that the real Stillson would have totally been hitting on the astronauts wife!

Snippy Adviser: “F” You must have brains or the sides of your skull would slam together … but that’s the only reason I believe you do. Maybe the best time to mention shooting down the space ship is NOT when the astronaut’s wife is standing six feet from you. Hyuck!

Snippy Secret Service Stooge: “F” What exactly was she going to do in the kitchen, dumb***?

Astronaut’s Wife: “B” Well, at least he’s not Johnny Depp coming back an alien and trying to impregnate you with his infernal evil spawn, right?

Astronaut’s Daughter: “A” Brilliant timing, busting Stillson’s order to shoot down your father.

Astronaut: “F” Um, don’t you need your dogtags in case you crash and they need something to identify the body with? Hyuck!

Go Dadd- um - Space: “F” Maybe it’s time to go sit at the kiddy table again and let the grownup NASA boys handle things from now on. And stop shopping at Russia’s factory outlet store for your ship parts!

Sheriff Snippy McSnipkins: “F” I know, you weren’t in this episode but I still h8 you from last week. (the fact that she wasn’t in this weeks supports my theory that she’s not going to play a major role this season)

Moral of the Ep: “Houston, we don’t have the Right Stuff so we’re getting ready to take one giant crash on top of mankind!!”

That's what bothered me about the whole episode. I can understand making some concessions to make the character more palatable, but it was a bit much where Stillson was concerned. I don't understand such a drastic shift. What? a Maybe it's a "sell" for Sarah's sake because he's interested? I could buy that because it's still an angle. Stillson always has some sort of angle. But too, this space program is his baby. He wouldn't want to see that go down the toilet.

I did like how they showed using the mother/daughter in order to see the father.

He still has an angle. If his space program failed he wouldn't get to go on and do some other evil plans I'm sure he has planned. I don't buy him as Mr. Nice Guy for one minute. SF plays him just right that you can almost buy him as a nice guy now but not quite.

The points about Stillson are very well taken. The slap on the back was very jarring and I was a bit surprised John didn't spin around with a WTF look on his face. I'm not sure even the old Stillson would have been hitting on the astronaut's wife though. She was only alone when she went into the kitchen to cry. I think we haven't seen the last of the man's creepy side. Still, the last thing he wanted was for it to get out that he consulted with a psychic, let alone that he was a creepy manipulative b****** at the time.

I think JJ had a nice scene with the little girl. Shows that he is starting to accept Walt's death but has not started calling John 'daddy'. I'm cringing at the thought of that. Alot of healing left to go.

Thanks for the report card SD. Fun read as always.

I'm really liking this season, I think they've done a great job so far w/ the music, the shots, and the visions. Great job so far.

Actually, I'm thinking that Stillson could be the new Purdy. Without Janus pulling the strings, Stillson could go either way. Just when you think he's a good guy, then he'll turn on you. It's a little more interesting then when you know he's just a bad guy. That's what made Purdy special.

By the way, when I saw the preview for "Reentry," I had a flashback to "Leprechaun In Space."

We're talking about a dirtbag who hits on Rebecca while discussing a bill bearing the name of her murdered sister whom he had an affair with. A maggot capable of doing THAT knows no limits. And let's not forget the time Bruce had to rescue Sarah from his filthy clutches.

PS. We also know he has NO game because when he was hitting on Rebecca he actually complimented her by saying she was as sexy as her dead sister.

LMAO! Okay, okay, point taken SD *laughs more*

Re-Entry A++

Excellent episode. Had a very Season 1 / 2 vibe. This is favorite so far this season.

I am really liking the new season, heck I have loved every season. I do feel like this a much darker season then the last two. It reminds me of the episodes from Season 1 and 2. I loved the shot of Johnny on top of the space shuttle. It brought back memories of "Cabin Pressure".

I really like that Stillson has more of a role this season. We are seeing many different sides to his character and I do not believe for a second that he has turned over a new leaf and become a nice guy. Stillson always has an angle and it is pretty obvious that he has his sights fixed on Sarah and JJ.

I think the plutonium subject is foreshadowing what is to come in terms of the Armageddon arc coming back into play. Just because Johnny did not see it when he shook Stillsons hand at Walt's funeral, does not mean it cannot manifest itself some other way.

Actually, i'd give Stillson a "D" for not taking all the credit for bringing the ship down.

SD you are on the mark when it comes to Stillson!

I keep going back to the part in this ep when Sarah tells Johnny, "People can change!"

SD wrote about it, but I must also say: Sarah did you forget how Stillson had you cornered in the file room and was about to the word is "RAPE" you, when Bruce came into the room to save you? Johnny must have seen what was going to happen via a vision and that is why he sent Bruce to get her!

"People can change": In the Garden of Eden the serpent, though still a serpent was able to convince Eve, that even though he looked like a serpent, he wasn't a serpent and look what the Hell happened!!!

Stillson gave his personal phone number to Sarah. People in high places, Not!! My take: The devil giving the unsuspecting female his number "666"!

Lest we forget; Stillson also played a part in the assassination of the former VP. Squirrel hunting indeed!!

If Stillson has truly repented and changed his ways; he needs to go to the local authorities and confess that he killed his father and was an accomplice in the murders of Miranda and the VP. His past is too ugly to keep going forward with his life by pretending those things never happened. Prison is a good place to repent. That is what prisons or rather Penitentiarys were created for to repent or "Penance".

Ok I'll get off my soap box now!!

I give the "SLAP" from the astronaut's wife, that landed and hit it's mark across Stillson's face a big thumbs up and A+!!!!!

I actually like the direction of Stillson at this time; I'm actually sick of Johnny's paranioia of Stillson. It's old, and Stillson should not be the worst thing or person in Johnny's life right now... enter stage right the new sherrif.

This Stillson, and the Stillson of the Movie, are two different Dudes. The Stillson of the movie seemed to pull his own strings; the Stillson of DZ seems to have had his strings pulled. Yes he is horny azzhole sometimes; but he did not "murder" his father in cold blood - remenber it was Stillson's father who killed that girl and Stillson had no knowledge of it. He got mad when he found out and they wrestled; of course daddy lost the so called fight. It was Jannis who killed Stillson's fiance; now it is debatable what Stillson knew - I think he knew something had to be done about her, but I don't think he knew she was going to be killed when she was killed.

I think that Sara is going to believe the good guy image of Stillson and grow tired of Johnny's tirades about Stillson. I think that is what will wedge them apart. Maybe another poster is right... this little bliss will be short lived... I guess they want us to see that Sara and Johnny can't work; but I didn't need to see the show go backwards to go frontwards.

Now.... was it just me... or did the word "Ho" come to mind.. when Sara moved right in with Johnny before Walt's body was cold? Hell she didn't even take a day or two to think it over! :-X

Think that was just you.
I didn't have any problem with it. We could have thought the same when she married Walt when Johnny was still in a coma. This was the same. She was pregnant, she has a teenage son, she needed all the help she could get and moving in with Johnny was a sensible choice. She made
that choice before and she did it again, does not necesarrily make her a ho.

Oh, he knew. He even came to her to see her 'one last time' before her death. He exused his slip of words with 'before the wedding', but sorry, can't believe he really meant that. Not after he told Janus to take care of her.

*snickers* Well I didn't go that far but I agree that she said yes awfully fast for my taste too. I mean she was barely 7 mos preggers, she could have thought about it for more than 30 seconds. I think it was rushed but then we jumped another month and a half from Ego to Re-entry so I guess it's not surprising. I would have preferred an episode in between.

Please, GMAB. Johnny has every right to be suspicious of that scumbag, manipulative Stillson, who's also a murderer and should be booted from the presidential office. Deception is his middle name. Stillson will continue to profit from his evil gains and prey on the innocent. For the record Sarah is not a ho.

All and all - I liked this episode.

The new *kinder & gentler* Stillson... weeeeeeeeell i think - Janus scared him (there were some scenes last season, of Janus pushing harder then Stillson could be comfortable with - but on the ultimate he went along with all of it - because his hunger for power is what warps him)
So i think Malcolm Janus was some what of the *dark* mirror for Stillson, and that after seeing himself reflected like that - he recoiled.

Now, considering that he is already VP, he has a taste of some of that power, perhaps that temporarily satisfys him
Don't forget too, that Stillson well knows "to be nice, when he wants some thing" - and he wanted John's help (and seems too, to want Sarah)
Nothing really now is *threatening* to Stillson, but when it is, that's when we will see his ugly underside again.

It was a nice touch for Johnny to see a vision of JJ's birth, but ironic no? that for his son's birth he was not present but Walt was (although waiting outside)
And for Walt's daughter's birth Johnny was right beside Sarah.


Although i never doubted that Reentry would have yet another a happy ending. Odds are such, that *must* come a time, {like with Heritage} that in spite his visions, actions and intent, Johnny just can not change events (or even where changeing one detail, leads to others consequences {equally unwanted} - but that aspect we saw in other seasons.)

I like dilemma, and although i don't want a insane Johnny, i'm long on the advocate list for some more *darkness*.

This is what I mean when I say that I am tired of Johnnys paranoia; He seems too obsessed at times almost boardering crazy.



Now remember, this is just TV

I believe there is more to Stillson than his surface; he is a complex character who has depth; and there are reasons to why he is the way he is and does the things he does. I like that the writters explore the depths of Stillson. I want to see them get back to doing the same with Johnny; because right now, I am more intrigued by Stillson than Johnny.

I don't think Sarah is a ho... she just exhibited some "ho like" tendencies when she answered Yes in a matter of seconds to Johnny's inviting her to live with him.

BTW...

In Heritage, SPF looked terrible! His face was puffy and he looked like he aged 10years! I was concerned he was ill. He look 1000% better in Re-Entry.

As a loyal DZ fan I must first say I am ecstatic that the show is back. I am also glad to be back to the message boards and so happy to see that SD is still doing the report cards Thank you SD for your valuble insight and topic starters...Here's to many more great eps!!!

Don't judge until you walk a mile in their shoes. I want to see what choice you would make if you were in the same situation. I find all this ho comments quite harsh towards Sarah.

Be it just TV or not.

I don't think Sarah is a ho' but I agree with anyone who thought the story progression was just too fast. There needed to be an episode in between. Moving in with 'anyone' is not a decision you make lightly. The impending arrival of a baby often makes people more cautious about some things, not less. Yes, it's just TV but we're all here to discuss what we like and don't like in the series. And some of us are not at all happy about the idea of John and Sarah living together. She would not be the first single mother to make it on her own-in fiction or in real life.

I know but as I said I find the ho comments a bit too harsh but guess that's just me. And I have no problem with Johnny and Sarah living together, you can still live together as friends without right away having a full blown relationship. But then I would have no problem with that either (them getting together as a couple). Nor if he would get something with the new sheriff. (not at the same time of course. ) I'm all open minded when it comes to that. Guess I'm just more progressive in that area.
I have no hangups about Sarah moving in so fast. Maybe it had been better if there had been an episode in between, but maybe that didn't work with the rest of the season, it would not have fitted maybe in the other episodes. I'm not the judgemental type so I'm not going to call Sarah a ho, I'm looking at the entire picture and I can understand in some way why she preferred to move in with Johnny. That's just my opinion.

I can too because of so much history between the two characters. You just can't just shut your feelings off (No matter how hard you try). And first losing Johhny and then Walt I would feel I too have bad karma and probably wouldn't hesitate to move in. John is the biological father of JJ.

Sarah and JJ both hated the new house as Sarah told Johnny in "Ego". They were only in it a couple of months before Walt was killed!

Johnny was just thinking of Sarah and JJ when he asked her to move in, and maybe, it would help to fill an empty void in his life too! After all Johnny lost both his friends at once. Walt to death and Bruce taking a new job in Boston.

Johnny told Sarah in "Re-entry" that "Babies have a way of bringing people together."

Sarah was not really financially stable to live on her own with JJ and a new baby on the way, because the people involved with Walt's investigation stopped his pension.

I believe that it was a good choice for her NOW! Within the next few months though, she has to start planning for her life away from Johnny.

Tragedy aside! It is time that she started thinking for herself and her children. She just has to believe in herself that she can make it on her own. She has never done that before and it is about time that she Does!!

Exactly

You said it all, my posting sister. Sarah and Johnny are close friends who are sharing living quarters. I don't see them performing to the moves of "Lets Get It On," while Sarah is bearing child. Now down the road they could fall into a relationship, but right now that was NOT the intention.

Since we're on the topic of Sarah's Ho behavior. Where were the ho ish comments when Johnny's body was cold for only in the blink of any eye, when she moved in lock, stock and barrel with Walt. Guess that didn't matter because they were just thinking of CB's body, and not the story at hand.

Stillson is what he is. Profiting from greed and evil, and then attempts to do a deed for another so he can look good in the public eye. Good for Johnny that he has Stillson's number and Stillson can't play him.

The length of time between when Sarah moved in with Walt is debatable due to inconsistencies in episodes. In "Ascent" we see that she is several months pregnant and still has not committed to Walt. In "Speak Now" the implication is that JJ has actually been born but there is still no committment as she tells comatose John that "JJ needs a father." Either way the timespan is alot longer than just a month.

Some of us are not happy with the arrangments, friends or not. We all have a right to our opinions.

No one is saying you don't have a right to your own opinion.

Yes, the length of time is unknown!

This is just an exploration of options for pregnant w/JJ Sarah.

I have a "what if" scenario and it involves Vera.

In "The House" before Johnny discovers about his mother's suicide. At the soccer field he talks with Sarah about his mother's death and Sarah's reply is pretty much "I don't know!", "I just heard that "She died in her sleep", but "You can ask Walt!"

Sarah had another option while Johnny was in a coma, other than marrying Walt. Question: Did Sarah even bother to tell Vera that she was pregnant with Johnny's child? That topic has never been visited in the series. My thought on this is that Vera knew that Johnny and Sarah were planning marriage. Vera must have cared for Sarah and I think knowing what we know about her giving character would have been more than happy to have Sarah and the baby live with her. This may have been the one thing that could have prevented Vera from committing suicide. A REASON TO LIVE!

If I were Johnny and thought about this it would really P@** me off! Johnny would be asking Sarah another question, other than "why didn't you wait for me", but "Why weren't you there for my mother? If you loved me as much as you say you did, then why keep the secret about JJ from her?"

Talk about throwing a wedge in between their relationship. The two women Johnny cared about his mother and Sarah!!

That is one part of the series that I never understood. The Sarah, Vera and Johnny what if.

This would make for a real intense episode if this topic was visited for the show.

I agree, these comments are harsh for Sarah. IMO, she is a woman who had just lost her husband, whom she loved very much, is pregnant and having to raise a teenage son on her own. That is very scary to anyone who may find themselves in the same position. She knows, still loves (even if as just a friend these days) Johnny, and knows she can trust him to help she and JJ, and now Hope. He offered her security and companionship, without strings, mind you, and she did what I believe any woman in her situation would've done. I mean, Johnny is no stranger, ergo, she should not be judged as a "ho". Just my opinion.

I've always wondered about that bit of John's past. It would be great if the writer's picked up on it. Nice analysis Hammer.

*ahem* Me thinks I forgot to mention last week how much I loved this report card, SD!

That may help remind folks what this thread is all about, after all.