Minor spoilers for “The Vigil” to follow.
I’m going to assume the writers of this show heard my plea for some danger and excitement, and thus, are integrating it into the show (never mind the fact that this was filmed over a year ago). Yes, The Stand Episode 6, ‘The Vigil’ is a fantastic episode, the best yet, casting a dark cloud of fear and uncertainty, leaving the viewer salivating for more.
Let’s open with The Trashcan Man, played so insanely malevolent by Ezra Miller, you’d swear the actor himself was a deformed pyromaniac hellbent on violent destruction. His acting (some would call it over-acting) might turn some off, but for those of us in need of the high this show was always capable of providing, it’s a very welcome (and strange) addition.
Trashcan Man’s motives are made certain early, as he is seen conversing with Flagg. He’s evil, as if we couldn’t have figured that out, and is out to wreak as much havoc on the world as he can. Flagg wants to assist and we begin to see a more subtleness to our main villain, something that makes him far more intimidating. As seen last week, Flagg knew there are two Boulder spies in the city and one on the outside. He and his cronies have figured out who the outside was (Judge Farris) but is still struggling to figure out his second infiltrator, though the word “MOON” is being passed around a lot. Flagg’s desire to destroy everyone from Boulder is matched only by his eagerness to be feared by his own colleagues, even his closest. A particular scene with the highly underrated Clifton Collins, Jr., is pure nightmare fuel, one I refuse to spoil here.
Did I forget to mention Mother Abigail went missing last week? I did? Well, damn, she did, and that marks the name of the episode here, as the town is holding a candlelight vigil for their angelic heroine. No one quite knows where she is (that we know of) but suspicion around Harold and Nadine are now at an all time high. Larry and Fran especially have it out for the young man, as Larry hears from Joe (Nadine’s adopted child) that there is a difference between Nadine and Mother Nadine. Her flip of the switch attitude from unassuming educator to sex-driven maniac confuses everyone but Harold.
Speaking of Harold … yeah, Fran knows he’s a psycho, confronting him for his actions. In the one incredibly poor aspect of this episode, the editing near the end is a sight to behold. Either something was cut or poor writing made its way through many cracks, but when we cut from a clearly in danger Fran with Harold to Harold and Nadine sitting upon a hill, we expect something bad has happened to Frannie. Instead, she somehow makes it to the vigil on time, warning the townsfolk of bombs placed at the vigil. Where did she come from? Did she escape or was she let go? Are we to assume Harold still loves her so much that he would set her free to warn people in time of a violent act he set up? This seems like one of those things we won’t get a true answer to. It’s not a major hindrance, just a slight annoyance.
Speaking of the bombs, yes they go off. I refuse to spoil major moments of this show so I won’t tell you who, but someone does die and damn, it’s tragic. Anyone who has read the book knows what is coming but it’s still a surreal and sad moment, a true punch to the gut.
The Stand Episode 6, ‘The Vigil’ is a great episode, the only true GREAT one since the first. Gone are the flashbacks and random attempts at storytelling. We’re in full swing now, with mysteries and danger around every corner. Mother Abigail, though mostly missing, has made her plans clear, as has Flagg and whatever comes in the next few episodes, we aren’t soon to forget it.
