The Institute

Television adaptations of Stephen King books have a mixed track record. The Stand and The Tommyknockers were released within 12 months of one another, I’ve seen both; I remember next to nothing of the latter. It isn’t because of the stories, it’s because of the characters. The Stand has memorable characters and the Tommyknockers does not.

Characters are something King does well because he now has the life experience to introduce all types. What undermines his later works is the repetitive stories. That’s a result of being an aging creative, but some of the themes he repeats are compelling. The resilience of children in the face of adult cruelty is one such compelling theme.

It was compelling in Firestarter when the Department of Scientific Intelligence was conducting amoral experiments on human subjects to develop psychic abilities for national security. It’s compelling when The Institute conducts amoral experiments on human subjects to develop psychic abilities for an unspecified global greater good.

I’m only two episodes in but I can tell this will be a slow burn show. What saves this show from a sense of déjà vu is how well it is cast - a requirement for a show with a 14-year-old prodigy as the lead. Lucas, the protagonist is smart without being arrogant. He is observant, adapts with speed and is not contemptuous of those who are not as smart as him. That’s refreshing since TV writers lean into the idea that intelligence makes you rude, and that has become boring to watch. Penelope Ann Miller as the antagonist, Sigsby, is calculating and conflicted. Her work destroys the kids after she’s done with them, but she self harms after the work day receiving pain after she’s given it. Then as her cover story she lies to her father about teaching school children English. She’s a bad person whose need for control over other people extends even to her own body.

There’s enough here so far to keep me watching for another six episodes but it’ll be the cast that’ll carry me through more than the plot I’ve seen before. If you write novels for long enough your new works become a pastiche of your better stuff earlier in your career. King moved into that phase decades ago.