1 9 9 1 (USA)
1 x 120 minute episodes
6 x 60 minute episodes
Created by famed horror writer Stephen King, this seven-part summer series from CBS was a surprisingly good science fiction yarn.
70-year-old Harlan Williams (Keith Szarabajka) works as a janitor at a secret government research laboratory in Falco Plains (a small town in upstate New York) managed by the ruthless and cold-blooded General Crewes (Ed Lauter).
On the day he is fired by the snooty chief of maintenance (for failing a mandatory eye test), Harlan’s life changes through a freak accident in the laboratory of Dr Richard Todhunter (Bill Raymond).
Todhunter is working with a biological substance called K-ON-3 on an experiment that will instantly regenerate damaged living tissue.
The idea is to create something that would result in instant healing for wounded soldiers, allowing them to be rushed back into battle.
But old Dr Todhunter has gone bonkers, and when his experiment explodes, two assistants are killed and Harlan is exposed to a mysterious green gas.
Harlan survives. At first, he is battered and bruised, and his eyes have a green glow, but his wounds heal within 24 hours.
The accident also saves Harlan’s job, as his employers want him around so they can keep an eye on him. They plant microphones in his home and begin to monitor his personal life, too.
Harlan’s loving wife, Gina (Frances Sternhagen), is relieved that he survived the explosion but begins to worry about the subtle changes in Harlan’s looks and personality.
Meanwhile, the government sends in sinister agent Jude Andrews (R.D. Call) to investigate the accident. Also caught up in the dark deeds of the research centre is the facility’s no-nonsense chief of security, Terry Spann (Felicity Huffman).
The series charted Harlan’s adventures as he experienced the various changes in his life, and had no ending.
When the series was cancelled, the episodes were edited into a 4-hour film for a DVD release, with an alternate ending filmed.
Harlan Williams
Keith Szarabajka Gina Williams
Frances Sternhagen Jude Andrews
R.D. Call Terry Spann
Felicity Huffman Dr Todhunter
Bill Raymond Major Moreland
Stephen Root General Crewes
Ed Lauter
Todhunter is working with a biological substance called K-ON-3 on an experiment that will instantly regenerate damaged living tissue.
Harlan’s loving wife, Gina (Frances Sternhagen), is relieved that he survived the explosion but begins to worry about the subtle changes in Harlan’s looks and personality.
Harlan Williams
