(S06E10) All season, I have been trying to put a positive spin on bad writing, poor casting choices (Sheriff Turner, remember her? Barely? We never see her, so maybe they think she was a poor choice too), episodes that seem recycled from other seasons, and others that are completely forgettable and irrelevant. But tonight was just the last straw. I have had it. I cannot think of one more good thing to say about this infomercial for Visa that is running around disguising itself as television.There is a vast difference between product placement, which is obnoxious, but certainly happens, and writing in the ease of use of a product and naming it in the script. Johnny swipes his Visa card at the race tracks and then they make a big deal about how easy that was, he just had to use his Visa. Then, his wallet gets stolen, and what is left? His Visa in his pocket. And then the thief gives back the wallet and money (so what was the point of taking it? Oh, yeah, to tell us all about Visa and how great it is if your cash is stolen), and Johnny holds up his Visa card so you can see the word Visa, while there is a huge Visa sign in the background (um, didn't they talk in the script about who paid for that reception? And is was Maria and Frankie?), and tells the thief that this was all he had left. AFTER he swipes it and uses it easily a SECOND time!
Who is letting this happen? I realize that there has been talk in the media about this becoming the future, but this is ridiculous. You can say that the show is sponsored by Visa, and even tie it to the opening credits if Tivoing is becoming such a problem. But to write it into the dialog-- well, there are several good books I can read.
Oh, I almost forgot: This episode of Sesame Street is also brought to you by the letter "Pepsi." Hmmm, let's feature it prominently on the picnic table, and then offer the Vice President coffee, juice and have him take a... soda. Why not just ask him if he wants Folgers, Minute Maid, or a Pepsi product?
So, is product placement just going to become part of the regular plot now, too? You can use it to place bets and buy your snacks at the race track, and then are we going to see Johnny regularly wiping his brow and mentioning Bounty and how absorbent it is? Or do you think this will be just a Visa thing? It was so nice of Johnny to use one of Visa's own taglines, too.
In this completely unthrilling commercial for Visa, Bruce's girlfriend gets kidnapped. No tension was built at all. I never thought she was in danger for a moment. In fact, it seems to be only Johnny's bumbling interpretations of his visions that gets people into real trouble. That isn't getting old. And just like last week and Johnny failing to touch Father Tom to get answers, Johnny could have just shook hands with Drift's owners and had all the answers. Though I suppose it is a half-hearted touch to get the horse's point of view.
The only redeemable moment from this episode came from J.J.'s moving tribute to his father. I hope being on this show doesn't hurt that kid's career.
And I hope Sarah runs off with Greg Stillson and leaves Johnny alone with his Visa card and a Pepsi. The sooner the better.
Giveaway Thursday: Tickets to the New York Television Festival ... all of it!
I miss the media-friendly John McCain - VIDEOS
Giveaway Wednesday: Supernatural, season three
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-20-2007 @ 11:53AM
Cyantre said...
I noticed the product placement, but it didn't bother me, in fact it did the opposite. If Visa is interested in The Dead Zone, then maybe it will continue for another season, or at least that was my thinking while watching the episode. It was worked in fairly well, just a tad over the top, but it's forgivable.
Aside from that I was happy to see Bruce back for an episode. It's good that they didn't just write him out completely with that whole "better job offer" thing. It's good to see characters on-screen that have been with the show from the start, even if not as regulars.
It's hard to critque what Johnny touches and doesn't touch. Sure he could just shake hands with everyone, but then there'd be no suspense as everything would be revealed right away.
I'll admit the show has strayed ever since it seems they axed the Armageddon plot with Stillson, and now it's getting a little boring. Hopefully something will change to bring that back, because the "will Johnny and Sara get back together" focus is a little dull.
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8-20-2007 @ 2:04PM
Jimmy said...
I agree with the previous commenter: the show is getting really boring. I just don't know what the writers were thinking when they decided to kill Walt. Was it money? Sure, I could see Bruce hitting the road; once Johnny stopped using the cane what was his purpose, resourceful sidekick? I actually stopped watching this series after about the 3rd episode, which was a first for me since I've been watching this series from day one. As much as I hate to sayit, maybe it's time for Johnny to put away the visions.
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8-20-2007 @ 2:33PM
Misty said...
"And I hope Sarah runs off with Greg Stillson and leaves Johnny alone with his Visa card and a Pepsi. The sooner the better."
I couldn't agree more. Why couldn't they have killed Sarah and kept Walt?
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8-20-2007 @ 9:02PM
patty said...
The Visa display didn't bother me as much as the global warming blathering from Stillson; I never did like or trust that guy!
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8-20-2007 @ 10:40PM
Trina said...
I agree with the reviewer: the product placement was pathetically obvious and - worse - poorly done. And the episode was worse than throwaway. I actually fast-forwarded through a lot of the end, something I rarely do.
Now that they've decided Stillson is a "good guy", what's the freaking point of the show? Since it's become "based on characters in the SK novel" and they clearly have no intention of following the basic original premise, I'm having a hard time figuring out why I'm still watching it. The poor quality of this season's episodes isn't helping keep me around either. I hope they figure something out, and *fast*.
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8-21-2007 @ 12:25AM
ral said...
I actually liked the 1st part of the Visa infomercial...Johnny says (although it's kind of soft compared to other dialogue) that he prefers it because he gets too many hits off of handling money. So, that actually makes sense.
But at the end of the show? That WAS annoying.
Even MORE annoying, however, was how Johnny and that lady escaped. BECAUSE THE GUY OPENED THE DOOR. He knew there were 2 people in there...what the hell?!
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8-21-2007 @ 1:26AM
Jody said...
My favorite part of the episode was the dog story that was most likely pulled from the novel. Instead of Greg killing the dog, it was James. The dog's name too was a little peculiar. "Blur"? Was that a pun or something? Anyway, will Stillson someday be like his father? Foreshadow maybe?
Also in the novel, Greg's father had been a oil rig worker who wore a hard hat. Greg grew out of being a skinny kid and had endured his father's belittling remarks. Amazing how a hardhat like his father wore became part of his campaign image. Will our Greg turn out like his own father?
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8-21-2007 @ 3:12AM
Cyantre said...
The thing about getting to many visions from handling cash makes sense, which is why he uses the credit card. That was pretty well done, though it gradually got more and more over the top.
The story Stillson told Sara about his dog was pretty touching.
When Johnny came home and saw the Stillson shirt I was really hoping for that apoloclyptic vision to be shown again. Maybe they'll bring it back if he gets Johnny gets in the way of Sara and Stillson's developing friendship... or whatever it is.
Do you think there is going to be another "episode" with an airplane when JJ finally takes that trip aboard Air Force 2?
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8-21-2007 @ 6:03AM
Derek said...
TDZ is getting tired now. They've pushed it as far as it can go. Same thing with Medium too. The Visa PP was probably the only interesting part of this. I'll probably keep watching to the end of the season but it'll be on in the background while I'm reading TVSquad or something.
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8-22-2007 @ 4:00AM
David said...
The product placement is probably how they were able to afford so many recurring characters in one episode. Sarah, J.J, Stillson AND Bruce? We'll never see that again this season...
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8-26-2007 @ 5:40PM
Chuck Norton said...
"The Dead Zone" has "jumped the shark." This season is an enormous disappointment. The abandonment of the Armageddon plot line is a betrayal of the original Stephen King premise of the show. The death of Sheriff Bannerman, the disapperance of Rev. Purdy, and most of all, the softening of Greg Stillson are seriously damaging the show's appeal. If it doesn't turn around by Labor Day, I'll quit watching.
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10-02-2007 @ 12:14PM
Dave said...
I'm surprised to see people defending the ad placement. But even more surprised to see people asking to bring back that ridiculous armageddon story arc. That thing was HORRIBLE, and the low point of the show. I almost stopped watching because of it, and only kept watching because they finally did away with it...or so I thought. Seems they're bringing it back. Between that bad arc and the ad placement, it seems the Dead Zone will be back for another season, but I as a viewer will not.
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