The Stand
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After four decades, Frannie Goldsmith finally gets her showdown.
So what is Frannies final stand?
It is a temptation.
After falling into a well, she is tempted by Flagg himself with a guarantee of safety.
They can move on from this potential tragedy.
The one little thing he needs in return?
He wants to be able to see through her eyes when he wants.
Would you give the devil a window into your world for his protection?
And would you trust thats all he would expect in return?
What does this say about the future?
Will we do anything different this time?
The connection to 2020-21 feels intentional as viewers ask similar questions about our future.
And the hope in a child who becomes the first survivor of a plague?
Its the hope viewers hold for what comes next in their lives.
After the prologue, Stu and Frannie are reunited and he gets to meet his daughter.
As they scout the area, a POV shot from the cornfield Stephen Kinglovescornfields confirms they arent exactly alone.
Suddenly, Frannie is in a forest, speaking to Flagg himself.
He shows her visions of her crumpled body in the well and Stus dangerous tire repair.
Will Stu make it back in time to save her?
And what of the baby on the porch?
He offers her safety, but she flees, yelling, Get thee behind me you fucking bastard!
You tell him, Frannie.
The stand-in for Mother Abagail tells Frannie, Now, stand.
Clever move there, King.
Frannie resisted the allure of protection and her belief was rewarded.
Her stand against evil was one of faith, a fitting coda for this character.
One week later in Ogunquit, Maine, Frannie and Stu are on the Atlantic coast.
The command remains the same forever: Be true.
One tries to pierce him with an arrow only to have his head blown off by Flaggs power.
Then he rises above them as they kneel, saying, My name is Russell Faraday!
Evil never fully dies.
He directed the previous version ofThe Standalong with adaptations of KingsThe Shining, Desperation, andBag of Bones.
So whos the MVP?
For this episode, its definitely Odessa Young, but what about the whole season?
The Standis over but is this really the final word?
Its fascinating that King himself seems to always be interested in updating this story.
Would anyone be surprised if he did it again in a decade?
Thanks for reading all season!
