When Tyler Ward gets struck by lightning atop a telephone pole, he remarkably achieves the ability to read other people's minds under stressful conditions. At first, this power is somewhat fleeting, but as time goes by, he develops a knack for using his telepathic ability to make money gambling and capitalize on stock market tips. His relationship with buddy 'Buddy' (Vincent Laresca) is fractured when he thinks his best friend is moving in on potential girlfriend Shannon (Olivia d'Abo), who used to be his line supervisor at work. Believing he can increase his power exponentially by plugging himself in, Tyler drives himself crazy attempting to win back Shannon after scaring her off during some of his more insane moments. When it gets to a point where Tyler can't take it anymore, he figures the best way to get rid of his unnatural talent is to get himself struck by lightning again in the same manner. I thought the ER doctor (Zeljko Ivanek) and his medical staff would have been more surprised to see Tyler show up a second time, but they seemed to have taken it in stride like winning the lottery once again.
6 Reviews
a total nail-biter...
jackie_jaci15 July 2006
Tyler (Jeremy Piven) is a man that has been struck by lightning and now has the ability to read people minds. The story goes through all his trials and tribulations on how his new found 'power" affects his life and the lives of the people around him. This episode is a real nail-biter, and Piven acting is extremely believable in his portrayal of Tyler. A particular great scene is when Shannon (Olivia d'Abo) and Tyler (Piven) are in his apartment and she is telling him that he has incredible powers, but that he is stealing other people's money. She then leaves and as he looks down Shannon is hugging Tylers long-time friend, Buddy, played by Vincent Laresca. Tyler then freaks out and does some weird things himself. Tyler follows her to the playground and tries to talk to her. The events afterward are totally crazy and i will not go into them you'll just have to watch. The ending is particularly interesting. Enoy this episode because it is honestly a true and classic episode of "The Twilight Zone"
Well Done With a Lot of Implications
Hitchcoc8 July 2017
A kind but rather quiet man, Tyler, works for the power company is sent up a pole after a storm. He is hit by a weird form of lightning. When he is revived in the hospital, he has attained some amazing mental powers, primarily the ability to read minds. He has never been that good with women, but his boss, who is filled with guilt, tries to make peace with him and they become romantically attracted. She has had a bad marriage where her husband used his wealth to pretty much ruin her. Tyler begins to use his powers to get lots of money, playing poker and the stock marker in that order. He wants to ruin the husband. Meanwhile, his ambitions take over and he becomes a sort of demon, betraying a good friend, and scaring the young woman. The lightning has taken over his life. This is one of the most intricate and compelling episodes of this series or any series.
Recycled Script And Too Long
danieln-155255 August 2020
Continuation of the Review
Hitchcoc8 July 2017
You will note that the previous review was in reaction to the entire episode. Just a couple comments, however. If there is a weakness in the episode it would be Tyler's ability to master the stock market so quickly. Even with his ability to pick up on other's thoughts, especially insiders, he seemed to have a lot of basic knowledge about something that even a novice would have to have experienced. Still, it could be that in addition to reading people, he could have also gained basic knowledge. It was still very good.
Dead for three hours...his mind should be tapioca but somehow isn't.
planktonrules14 February 2022
Tyler is a lineman who works for the power company. One day, he's working on the powerlines during a storm and he's struck by lightning. He's clinically dead for over three hours but a doctor is able to return him to life. Following this, he seems to have some amazing powers...such as the ability to read minds. Soon he uses this to become mega-wealthy but it hurts his love life. And, his powers continue to grow and now Tyler is practically god-like! What's next?
This is a double-length episode and it manages to work well with the expanded time slot. Original and never dull...this is one of the better episodes of this short-lived reboot of "The Twilight Zone".
This is a double-length episode and it manages to work well with the expanded time slot. Original and never dull...this is one of the better episodes of this short-lived reboot of "The Twilight Zone".
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