As the big picture becomes clearer, and more characters begin to find each other, “Blank Page” also allows a bit more character development for some, much less for others. This is the constant juggling act this series faces, trying not to be overwhelmed by the scope of the story, yet do justice to the many important characters along the way. This episode was the most successful so far in terms of this, but still struggles with pacing and story structure.
While the central focus is on Nadine Cross (Amber Heard) and Nick Andros (Henry Zaga), the episode still allows some great moments for others. Stu Redman (James Marsden) meets Glen Bateman (Greg Kinnear) and the two have great chemistry together. The discussion they have about what has happened, what will happen, and what should happen next is interesting and humorous. During their time together, they also discover they’ve both been dreaming about Mother Abigail (Whoopi Goldberg).
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We get more Harold (Owen Teague) and Frannie (Odessa Young) flashbacks, including the first meeting with Stu, that doesn’t go well. (Hey, writers…we all know Harold is creepy, let’s not beat us over the head with it, okay?) Also more of Nadine, Larry (Jovan Adepo), and Joe (Gordon Cormier) in terms of how they met, although that, along with the Stu, Frannie, and Harold meeting, is very sketchy on details. This is where the show has to cut corners and I understand it, but it makes for a very weird and disjointed viewing experience, especially if you have read the book.
However, this is still the Nick and Nadine episode. We get a flashback for Nick, how he got the eye patch, his struggles with being deaf, and his dreams, meeting both Flagg (Alexander Skarsgård) and Abigail. Nick turns his back on Flagg and Abigail announces her big plans for Nick, which he does not understand. Nadine also gets a flashback to her youth, showing that she has some hidden power and yes, a connection to Flagg. He has plans, big plans, and wants Nadine on board, but asks something big of her in return.
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Nick also encounters the lovable Tom Cullen (Brad William Henke) who plays a big role in the book, so it will be interesting to see how they use him here. In fact, many characters in the book have key roles that don’t always translate into a lot of focus on the character itself, rather how they affect everyone else around them. The Stand miniseries will have its hands full with this and honestly, I don’t envy some of the decisions they will need to make along the way.
“Blank Page” was easily the most coherent episode so far, still erratic with pacing and structure but giving the viewer a better picture of all the players and the relationships they are making. They need to build on this and find a way to engage the viewer more, which hopefully they can do now that most of the major players have been introduced. Apocalypse or not, a little injection of real dread and terror would also help, making the idea of Flagg that much more compelling, and hopefully stopping him for becoming nothing more than a cartoon villain.
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