More than Stephen Kings best miniseries, Storm of the Century is one of the authors greatest works.
This article spoils some plot points from Stephen KingsStorm of the Century.
Yet, so much of what makesStorm of the Centuryspecial can be attributed to its original screenplay status.
The Waffle Houses will remain open.
Two events soon complicate their routine.
The first is the increasingly popular projections that suggest this upcoming storm will be a big one.
The biggest in, say, 100 years or so?
Perhaps, but lets not jump to conclusions.
After submitting to police custody, the man identifies himself as Andre Linoge (Colm Feore).
The townspeople soon learn horrifying details about the stranger.
What does Andre Linoge want?
That question isnt answered until the last 45 minutes of this nearly four-and-a-half-hour miniseries.
Thats to say nothing of the stellar cast.
Comparatively, King has describedStorm of the Centuryas a novel for television.
Theres a big difference between that and a novel reworked for television.
No, it does not force you to endure unexpected orgies or detailed descriptions of a characters masturbation tactics.
Its remarkable how writing for television seemingly cured King of some of his worst (writing) habits.
Consider the Linoge character.
And what a reveal it is.
That is not the case here.
It turns out that Linoge is an ancient being who is slowly nearing the end of his centuries-long lifespan.
As such, he wants to take one of the towns children and make them his heir.
He claims the child will live long and see much.
Its not an elaborate scenario.
Its essentially a supernaturally sweetened variation on the Trolley Problem, and thats all it needs to be.
To surrender a child seems unthinkable.
By the time we are confronted with that particular dilemma, the unthinkable somehow seems reasonable.
Crucially, King doesnt offer a liferaft at the last moment.
There are no deus ex machinas or similarly mystical escapes here.
A decision is made, and it is hard to swallow.
Of course, that ending was Frank Darabonts invention rather than Stephen Kings.
Its a shame, then, thatStorm of the Centuryhas fallen through the cultural cracks.
In its day,Storm of the Centurywas that thing that seems almost magical now: a television event.
Thankfully, that is not the case withStorm of the Century.
As of the time of this writing, it is available to watch on Hulu in the U.S.
