TWILIGHT ZONE, THE: THE LINEMAN (TV)

Summary

One in this revival of the 1959 television series of the same name, featuring an anthology of fantasy and science-fiction stories. Tyler Andrew Ward, a struggling telephone lineman with dreams of grandeur and riches is struck by lightning while repairing a phone line in a storm. He is brought to the hospital, where he is revived after hours of unconsciousness, and eventually released. He notices a number of odd phenomena: he hears mysterious voices, no longer requires his glasses to read, and believes he can perceive “auras” emanating from certain individuals. That night his best friend Buddy brings Tyler to a party, hoping that social contact will speed his recovery. Tyler’s supervisor Shannon stops by to give him flowers; he has a secret crush on her, and she feels responsible for his electrocution. Tyler is now convinced that he can read minds when people project strong emotions. Tyler realizes that his accident has left him with the ability to read minds, and reveals this secret to Buddy. Tyler conducts further research and discovers that his body now harbors a steady electrical charge. His mind-reading intensifies to the point where he experiences a constant din of voices in his head; he takes various measures to block them out or reduce them, although they sometimes give him access to secret information, such as discovering his doctor’s extramarital affair. Buddy decides to exploit Tyler’s abilities to help him cheat at a poker game. The ease of their victory convinces Tyler that he may be able to use his abilities for further personal gain. Shannon apologizes for her role in Tyler’s accident, and they make dinner plans together; he hopes to cultivate a “real” relationship with Shannon without using his powers. At Shannon’s house, Tyler reveals his powers to her, but becomes worried that she will no longer trust him. She begs to differ and they sleep together. The next morning he discusses his fear of being put in a mental institution, and Shannon admits that she feels awkward about continuing to pursue a relationship with one of her employees. Tyler, frustrated, vows to amass a fortune, as he believes this will convince Shannon to reconsider. To that end, Tyler and Buddy travel to Wall Street, where Tyler uses his abilities to glean secret financial information from businessmen and brokers. Using this information, the two of them become extremely wealthy via the stock market. Tyler uses his newfound wealth to lavish gifts upon Shannon to impress her.He reveals to her that his powers are increasing, to the point where he can even mentally influence people around him in small ways. He finds a variety of methods which help to mitigate the constant din of the voices, such as altitude and alcohol. However, Tyler is dismayed when he overhears Shannon’s thoughts, as she does not desire a romantic relationship with him. He agrees, but soon the constant voices overwhelm him and begin affect his sanity. He begins stalking Shannon and continues to expand his financial dealings. Soon Buddy grows concerned for Tyler and speaks to Shannon about him. Shannon tries to convince Tyler to put his abilities towards more constructive ends, such as determining the truth in courts, researching mental disorders, or helping comatose patients communicate. However, Tyler is determined to acquire more wealth, and he wants a future with Shannon. However, Shannon cannot condone what she views as theft, and berates him for manipulating the economy and the lives of thousands of people for his own personal gain. She leaves, disgusted with Tyler. He comes to believe that Shannon and Buddy are in a relationship and in a jealous rage sticks his head in a microwave to supercharge his abilities. He tracks down Shannon and attempts to use his powers to mentally coerce her into loving him. His attempt fails, and he turns his attention towards Buddy, using his powers to mentally assault him. However, soon Tyler comes to his senses and apologizes to Buddy, who now fears and hates him. Tyler realizes he is going insane and stumbles around town in a daze until he comes upon a telephone pole in a storm. He climbs the pole, hoping that he can replicate the accident which gave him his powers and somehow reverse it. He is struck by lightning again and ends up back at the hospital. He is revived, only to discover that his powers remain and that he is to be locked up in the hospital’s psychiatric ward for the rest of his life, fulfilling his greatest fear. Commercials deleted.

Details

NETWORK: UPN
DATE: September 18, 2002 9:00 PM
RUNNING TIME: 1:00:00
COLOR/B&W: Color
CATALOG ID: B:83436
GENRE: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
SERIES RUN: UPN - TV series, 2002-2003
COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

Pen Densham … Executive Producer, Writer
Mark Stern … Executive Producer
John Watson … Executive Producer
Anne Tabor … Associate Producer
Walton Dornisch … Associate Producer
Forest Whitaker … Consulting Producer
Jonathan Frakes … Director
Rod Serling … "Twilight Zone" originally created by
Mark Snow … Music by
Forest Whitaker … Narrator
Jeremy Piven … Cast, Tyler Andrew Ward
Olivia d'Abo … Cast, Shannon
Vincent Laresca … Cast, Buddy
Zeljko Ivanek … Cast, ER Chief
Grace Chen … Cast, Angela
Julie Fitzgerald … Cast, Nurse
Michael Luckerman … Cast, Sleazy Lawyer
Anita Ortega … Cast, Hispanic Woman
Daren Flam … Cast, Paramedic #1
Blue Deckert … Cast, Older Lineman