Stephen King Praised This ‘Clever’ And ‘Suspenseful’ Sci-Fi TV Thriller With Only 67% On Rotten Tomatoes

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Summary

  • King’s iconic stories are coming to screens, including ‘The Long Walk’ in 2025.
  • The author praised ‘The Event’ TV show for its suspenseful, lost-like storyline.
  • ‘The Event’ was canceled after a season due to poor ratings but is available on streaming platforms.

I can’t help but marvel at the profound influence Stephen King has on the entertainment landscape, from the indelible mark left by the dog in Cujo to the chilling atmosphere of The Shining’s haunted hotel. Though numerous adaptations have brought his spine-tingling tales to life on TV and cinema screens, a good number of his books, novellas, and short stories remain untouched. It’s heartening to see that more of his work is being transformed for both the small and big screen, with The Long Walk set to hit theaters in September 2025.

The author, King, boasts an extraordinary talent for eliciting deep emotions from readers while simultaneously sending chills down their spines through stories featuring sinister clowns like Pennywise and formidable teenagers such as Carrie White. In addition to this knack for storytelling, he is known for staying abreast of the latest popular culture trends. Over time, he has made it a point to inform his fanbase about outstanding films and television programs. In his column for Entertainment Weekly, King expressed his preference for 2010’s TV shows and highlighted a lesser-known sci-fi series that deserves more recognition.

Stephen King Loved The Underrated Sci-Fi TV Show The Event

In December 2010, acclaimed author Stephen King expressed his admiration for the TV shows he enjoyed during the previous year, and he highly commended “The Event,” a science fiction series that ran for just one season. He penned:

In this thrilling, tension-filled drama, America has detainees located in the Arctic – not common terrorists, but extraterrestrial beings who could potentially be dangerous. This show, titled The Event, combines elements of ’24’ and ‘Lost’, creating an impressive genetic blend. I must commend Jason Ritter for his outstanding performance as the main character and Laura Innes for her portrayal of Sophia, the leader of the stranded aliens.

Despite ongoing discussions about the finale of Lost and some viewers feeling certain plotlines were left unresolved, it remains a benchmark for mystery television shows. When The Event premiered in September 2010, comparisons to Lost were common, as the show shares the same fast-paced style of 24. The main character, Sean Walker, portrayed by Jason Ritter, is on a quest to find his missing girlfriend Leila Buchanan (Sarah Roemer). As he uncovers the truth behind her disappearance, it’s revealed that aliens exist, and the characters must collaborate to unravel these intriguing and shadowy secrets. The dynamic between humans and aliens keeps viewers engaged, making it disappointing that the series didn’t receive an additional season to further explore the mystery.

The Event boasts an impressive cast, with Scott Patterson portraying Michael Buchanan, Leila’s father, a role he is well-known for from his tenure as Luke Danes, diner owner on the popular sitcom Gilmore Girls. Similar to the series Lost, each episode of The Event tantalizes with a significant revelation. Although the show was terminated after only one season, the 22 episodes remain engaging. The protagonist, Sean, is deeply invested in Leila’s welfare and seeks to uncover her past secrets, embarking on a thrilling odyssey.

Despite receiving moderate ratings of 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60% on Popcornmeter, it’s accurate for King to describe The Event as “clever” and “suspenseful.” From the outset, the uncertainty about whether the aliens would be portrayed as friendly creatures or menacing antagonists captivates viewers. Fans of political narratives and sci-fi tales will appreciate the show’s swift pace and gripping atmosphere. The season 1 finale, which doubled as the series finale, offers a satisfying conclusion. Although it’s intriguing to speculate about Sean and the aliens’ future, the show concludes on an intriguing note, making it a worthwhile watch.

Why The Event Was Canceled After One Season (And Where To Stream It)

Sadly, The Event aired only for one season. According to Deadline’s report from May 2011, NBC opted to end the show as it struggled with low viewership numbers.

Despite Deadline’s report suggesting a possible new platform for the show, it ultimately did not come to fruition. As stated by Nick Wauters, the brains behind The Event, this was the case.

Our supporters are loyal and committed. Regardless of the path we take, we’ve pledged to keep delivering our narratives to them.

Regrettably, we didn’t get additional seasons of this thrilling science fiction series, but here’s some good news: You can catch Season 1 of The Event on The Roku Channel and Fandango At Home. Best part? Both platforms are free! Though the show may not have reached a broad audience or been a classic in the genre, I, for one, was hooked and think it’s worth your time to watch.

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2025-07-28 21:06