At first glance, it looks like a blend of the forthcoming apocalyptic film 2012, and the mysteries and intrigue of The Da Vinci Code. Syfy is developing a six-hour mini-series inspired by the Mayan calendar; you know, the one that's the inspiration for all that "end of the world in 2012" rhetoric we'll start hearing more and more often.

The untitled project has Brian Singer (The Triangle) attached. but we don't really know much more about it. Let's ask Brian. "Our story will explore whether we are truly alone in the universe, and other related mysteries, all of which are set against the backdrop of an incredibly exciting and fast-paced adventure." Ah, well that clears that up. Thanks.

Considering how The Triangle turned out, I'm thinking we're going to find out the Mayans were actually an ancient alien race that came to our planet long ago, but went into hiding as the Harlem Globetrotters. In our hour of greatest need, they will reveal themselves and perform basketball stunts to warm the world's hearts. We'll chuck our nuclear arsenals into the deepest reaches of space and sing "We Are the World" with our new friends!

(S05E05) The Dead Zone is losing its cohesiveness. At least during the early seasons of the show, there was a coherent subplot to all of the shows. The current season's shows seem to be stand alone, but they also seem to be marginally relevant. They are, instead, rather heavy-handed and preachy. Looking back through the episodes from earlier in the season, the most compelling one seems to be the season premiere, in which Greg Stillson's fiancee is (apparently) killed by snake venom right before her own wedding. But instead of continuing with anything about Stillson, none of the other episodes are the least bit inter-related. I know I am going on and on about this, but I do like for my television shows to at least acknowledge that there have been other episodes before that one, and that there will be another episode next week. I am not all about stand alone television.