Favorite "scene" In The Novel The Stand (spoilers)

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unclelouie

Well-Known Member
Jun 15, 2012
815
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Lud
So it's been a year since I've read The Stand (read it over Christmas holidays last year), and this is the one SK book that I really, really want to re-read at some point (I'll get around to it when I finish the other 700 novels on my to-do list!). Anyhow, reading these threads here has reminded me of how much I love this novel. So... what are some of you all's favorite scenes/parts of this novel?

Mine are:

Stu and Tom's journey back to Colorado from Las Vegas. I loved this part of the book. Their struggle for survival during the winter. Christmas morning together. Travelling through the snow covered mountain roads. Beautiful imagery and a wonderful story of Tom saving a dying man.

The Kid (ie. the Happy Crappy guy). As horrifying as this little jerk was, his character cracked me up, almost to the point of hysterical laughter at times. He just seemed like this cranked-up, murderous version of little Ricky Nelson from Ozzie and Harriet. And his continuous use of the term "happy crappy" just tripped me out.
 

gniknehpets

Backwards Sister Member
Oct 20, 2009
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northern wisconsin
Your favorite is also mine.:) Stu and Tom's trip back was beautiful. Such simple love and bravery on Tom's part. It made me cry everytime I read the book, all eleven times. I try to read it every two or three years. Put it on the top of your TBR pile! It is better every time. You'll find little nuggets you missed before.
 

The Nameless

M-O-O-N - That spells Nameless
Jul 10, 2011
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The Darkside of the Moon (England really)
So it's been a year since I've read The Stand (read it over Christmas holidays last year), and this is the one SK book that I really, really want to re-read at some point (I'll get around to it when I finish the other 700 novels on my to-do list!). Anyhow, reading these threads here has reminded me of how much I love this novel. So... what are some of you all's favorite scenes/parts of this novel?

Mine are:

Stu and Tom's journey back to Colorado from Las Vegas. I loved this part of the book. Their struggle for survival during the winter. Christmas morning together. Travelling through the snow covered mountain roads. Beautiful imagery and a wonderful story of Tom saving a dying man.

The Kid (ie. the Happy Crappy guy). As horrifying as this little jerk was, his character cracked me up, almost to the point of hysterical laughter at times. He just seemed like this cranked-up, murderous version of little Ricky Nelson from Ozzie and Harriet. And his continuous use of the term "happy crappy" just tripped me out.

I loved Tom and Stu's journey back aswell. I hated the kid though and most of his parts though, except the bit with the wolves.

I liked Nicks parts in the jail, and Nick and Tom's journey to Nebraska - the tornado, the bike rides, the bitch in the drug store etc.
 

skimom2

Just moseyin' through...
Oct 9, 2013
15,683
92,168
USA
I love this book beyond love, but one scene comes back to me all the time: it's between Nick and Mother Abigail. Nick tells her, "I don't even believe in God." Mother Abigail laughs and replies something like, "Bless you, son, that don't matter. He believes in you."
 

Agent (X)

Member
Dec 15, 2013
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I'm quite indecisive as to what scene within The Stand is my favorite; however, I will assume you are speaking of the unabridged version, as King initially wrote the text intended for dissemination. Regardless, a memorable scene would involve the character Harold Lauder, wherein he is atop a hill viewing the Boulder Free Zone,
waiting to press the "SEND" button on his rigged walkies-talkie as to detonate the explosive set in Nick and Ralph's home (by Nadine Cross) -- the location that the Ad-Hoc committee gathered to discuss recent events and potential ones. The reason I found this scene savory is because it had the realistic potential of wiping away every member within this committee as if it were an omnipotent deity swatting at a petty fly. Of course, I found all of the characters involved to be fleshed and believable, consequently upping the ante.

I found it unfortunate that Nick was incapable of making it, although I'd say he died for a relatively noble cause, i.e., risking his life for the potential gain of others; and although he failed, the cause was memorable to myself.

Prior to the explosion, Harold Lauder and Nick Andros were possibly my two favorite characters within the entirely novel insofar as those that were exposed at the time, although this situation plotted a dilemma, such as to say that, essentially, one of my favorite characters murdered the other. Which I think provides a very succinct and blunt realism of sorts; it illustrates to the reader that the author is simply not afraid to leave you in the dark, thus building novel suspense, and is capable of offing a character for a multiplicity of reasons. And to that, I applaud King; further, since I deem The Stand unabridged edition is --quite literally-- one of my favorite novels that I've ever read, this scene is subsequently a contender for my favorite scene in the entirety of hitherto read literature (well, in terms of fiction, that is).

One might ask, though, as to why The Stand unabridged edition is one of my favorite novels I've ever read, and I suppose that would be for another thread.

Also, runner-up to the aforementioned scene would possible be the moment wherein Lloyd Henreid and Poke "Andrew" Freeman attempt to rob a convenient store (no, I am not sadistic, though these existential instances involving death are just very profound to me). Poke takes down a lady evaluating two sauces (in which are vividly described as mixing with her body after the shots went off) while a nearby cowboy gets the sleight-of-hand on him and clips Poke, causing him to go into hysterics and scream "Shot! I'm shot!" (or something to that effect) causing him to quickly exit the station. A particular reason as to why I enjoyed this scene quite a great deal is because, again, it illustrates that King is not afraid to pose the notion of death in relationship to his characters, in addition to novel vividness and fluency.

Disregarding death, I'd like to raise my possibly third favorite scene from The Stand unabridged edition, whereupon Glen Bateman is chatting about the sociological implications of Captain Trips with Stuart Redman over a couple of beers chilled by the nearby river. Glen Bateman is arguably my third favorite character, easily, due to his characterful wit and slight resemblance to my deceased grandfather, who I loved dearly. Further, I enjoyed Stuart Redman's character development from the Stovington Plague Center to the meeting of Harold and Frances Goldsmith (though them meeting occurs after he speaks with Glen). Speaking of which, the instance from Stu Redman's point of view prior to him escaping the SPC is a very memorable scene, wherein there are doctors begging to be put out of misery (presumably because they saw Stu brandishing Elder's gun, if I recall correctly; this may not be the case, though, it was some time ago) and we can imagine Stu running down the blank hallways (not so desolate, as that guy on the other side of the hall reminds us...), feverishly searching for some way, any way, out.

And let's not forget that presumably delusional lad who speaks of "chicken" near the end of the final steps that led to the fresh air that was Vermont's Stovington.

I love The Stand; I planned on writing a post-apocalyptic text of the similar nature, though honestly I am so discouraged as I do not think I could write on a similar fidelity that is Stephen King's magnificence.
 
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FlakeNoir

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Apr 11, 2006
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New Zealand
I'm quite indecisive as to what scene within The Stand is my favorite; however, I will assume you are speaking of the unabridged version, as King initially wrote the text intended for dissemination. Regardless, a memorable scene would involve the character Harold Lauder, wherein he is atop a hill viewing the Boulder Free Zone,
waiting to press the "SEND" button on his rigged walkies-talkie as to detonate the explosive set in Nick and Ralph's home (by Nadine Cross) -- the location that the Ad-Hoc committee gathered to discuss recent events and potential ones. The reason I found this scene savory is because it had the realistic potential of wiping away every member within this committee as if it were an omnipotent deity swatting at a petty fly. Of course, I found all of the characters involved to be fleshed and believable, consequently upping the ante.

I found it unfortunate that Nick was incapable of making it, although I'd say he died for a relatively noble cause, i.e., risking his life for the potential gain of others; and although he failed, the cause was memorable to myself.

Prior to the explosion, Harold Lauder and Nick Andros were possibly my two favorite characters within the entirely novel insofar as those that were exposed at the time, although this situation plotted a dilemma, such as to say that, essentially, one of my favorite characters murdered the other. Which I think provides a very succinct and blunt realism of sorts; it illustrates to the reader that the author is simply not afraid to leave you in the dark, thus building novel suspense, and is capable of offing a character for a multiplicity of reasons. And to that, I applaud King; further, since I deem The Stand unabridged edition is --quite literally-- one of my favorite novels that I've ever read, this scene is subsequently a contender for my favorite scene in the entirety of hitherto read literature (well, in terms of fiction, that is).

One might ask, though, as to why The Stand unabridged edition is one of my favorite novels I've ever read, and I suppose that would be for another thread.

Also, runner-up to the aforementioned scene would possible be the moment wherein Lloyd Henreid and Poke "Andrew" Freeman attempt to rob a convenient store (no, I am not sadistic, though these existential instances involving death are just very profound to me). Poke takes down a lady evaluating two sauces (in which are vividly described as mixing with her body after the shots went off) while a nearby cowboy gets the sleight-of-hand on him and clips Poke, causing him to go into hysterics and scream "Shot! I'm shot!" (or something to that effect) causing him to quickly exit the station. A particular reason as to why I enjoyed this scene quite a great deal is because, again, it illustrates that King is not afraid to pose the notion of death in relationship to his characters, in addition to novel vividness and fluency.

Disregarding death, I'd like to raise my possibly third favorite scene from The Stand unabridged edition, whereupon Glen Bateman is chatting about the sociological implications of Captain Trips with Stuart Redman over a couple of beers chilled by the nearby river. Glen Bateman is arguably my third favorite character, easily, due to his characterful wit and slight resemblance to my deceased grandfather, who I loved dearly. Further, I enjoyed Stuart Redman's character development from the Stovington Plague Center to the meeting of Harold and Frances Goldsmith (though them meeting occurs after he speaks with Glen). Speaking of which, the instance from Stu Redman's point of view prior to him escaping the SPC is a very memorable scene, wherein there are doctors begging to be put out of misery (presumably because they saw Stu brandishing Elder's gun, if I recall correctly; this may not be the case, though, it was some time ago) and we can imagine Stu running down the blank hallways (not so desolate, as that guy on the other side of the hall reminds us...), feverishly searching for some way, any way, out.

And let's not forget that presumably delusional lad who speaks of "chicken" near the end of the final steps that led to the fresh air that was Vermont's Stovington.

I love The Stand; I planned on writing a post-apocalyptic text of the similar nature, though honestly I am so discouraged as I do not think I could write on a similar fidelity that is Stephen King's magnificence.
Welcome to the site, Agent (X)... The Stand is still one of my favourites and it just about
tore me to pieces when I first read of Nick's death.
This may have been the first time that I swore out loud at Stephen. :biggrin2:
 

blunthead

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2006
80,755
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Atlanta GA
…when they're on those motorcycles, and are confronted by the thugs who've parked the trailer with the kidnapped women in it across the road…from the moment the troupe glances among themselves to the aftermath of that battle, I consider to be the greatest action I've ever read in my life.
 

The Nameless

M-O-O-N - That spells Nameless
Jul 10, 2011
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The Darkside of the Moon (England really)
Hey @Agent (X) Welcome to the board, I just love your avatar :)

I also really liked Lloyd and Poke's story, all of it. I liked Lloyd as a character, he is one of my favourite King bad guys. I thought the guy who played him in the mini series was very good, possibly just as well cast and as good an actor as the guy who play Stu (Gary something or other)
 

CriticAndProud

Not actually dead, just very inactive.
Aug 26, 2013
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I love Frannie's transcriptions of the committee meetings, which provide more detail about the character's interactions. It was gripping when they were discussing whether to send Tom out West ( I was 100% with Nick on that one).
 

not_nadine

Comfortably Roont
Nov 19, 2011
29,655
139,785
Behind you
Too many scenes.

Larry's big party. Larry's mother tapping on the car widow and the whole scene after that.

Kojack's journey.

Lloyd trapped in the jail.

Nick learning to write.

and on and on...
 
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Riot87

Jamaica's Finest
Mar 7, 2014
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(1)When the Trashcan man is with the kid and the part where he goes to the military base to find the nuke.
(2) When Lloyd Henreid and Poke Freeman go on thier klling spree and when Lloyd is trapped in prison.
(3) Stu's fight with Elder i think his name was and his scary escape from the building.
(4) Nicks fight with Ray Booth and when him & Tom are traveling and they almost get caught by a tornado
(5) civilization breaking down once the superflu gets rolling lol.
(6) Harold lauder and Nadine sitting above the town when they are about to detonate the bomb
(7) The shootout with the crazy guys who had the women as prisoners
(8) when the free zone commitee was discussing to send tom to the west lol last person i expected.

I could go on & on.
 
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MandarkC

Active Member
Mar 11, 2014
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London, United Kingdom
I have so many, but my top 5 scenes would be:
1. All the effects before, during and after of the superflu on civilisation
2. Trashcan man. I don't know why, but I really like his character
3. The spies - being sent out, what they did, etc.
4. The journey to the West from the leaders and Stu coming back with Tom (and Kojak)
5. Kojak's journey

Bonus: The epilogue - everything that happens after Stu and Tom get back.
 
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There's nothing I can add that hasn't already been listed here. I love Larry as a character though. His unwilling evolution from , spoiled not so nice, "taker". To his ultimate
self sacrificing, willing to be martyred, mouth-piece for Mother Abigail
I just love him, he seems so REAL.
 
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