Brimstone (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Brimstone was a short-lived Fox
television series, featuring a dead police detective
whose mission (assigned by the Devil
) is to return to Hell
113 spirits who have escaped to Earth. The series ran for only one partial season.
Since cancellation, Brimstone reruns have aired on Syfy
(originally the Sci Fi Channel) in the United States from the summer of 1999 onward. The reruns have no set schedule, but are usually aired in marathon
s during the channel's seasonal events like "Creatureland", "Inhumanland" and "the 31 Days of Halloween". Chiller
also began airing reruns, on July 28, 2007. It currently airs in sporadic weekday marathons, like Syfy, and has no set airing schedule.
) was a New York City Police
detective
whose wife, Rosalyn, was rape
d. He tracked down and arrested the offender, Gilbert Jax, who was cleared of the charges. Furious, Stone then murdered Jax. Two months later, Stone was killed and went to Hell
for murdering Jax. The Devil
(played by John Glover
) explains in the pilot episode that this was both because Stone responded to his wife's rape with murder, and because he took pleasure in the killing, which prevented it from being justice
. Stone died the most decorated cop in NYC
history.
Fifteen years later, a breakout from Hell occurs, led by a 4000 year old Canaan
ite priestess named Ashur Badaktu (Teri Polo
), and 113 spirits escape. Because the Devil claims to be "powerless on Earth", (though he apparently can teleport, disguise himself and use some form of limited magic), he makes a deal with Stone: Stone will be returned to Earth to track down these 113 escapees and if he can return all of them to Hell (before one of them kills him), he will earn a second chance at life on Earth (and thus, possibly, Heaven
). The Devil seems to hinder Stone's work almost as much as he helps it, however, giving some information but withholding crucial facts or giving only cryptic clues to where Stone will find an escapee, apparently delighting in watching him become more irritable with his interference. It was suggested by an angel (in the episode "It's a Helluva Life") that Stone served God
's purpose as well as the Devil's in his former life through his sins.
. Because they are dead and immortal souls they cannot be killed, injured or even caused pain except by themselves or by other escapees with the exception of when one of 113 tattoos on Stone burns off. They also do not bleed. Stone wears the clothing he was killed in, wields his issue service pistol which he has no need to load or reload—this idea however, has not been applied consistently by the creator of the show; his gun ran out of ammo during the episodes "Encore" and "Lovers". Stone carries his detective's gold shield
. None of these items (gun, badge, clothes) retain any damage, even if they are hit by bullets, but this is also inconsistently applied, as he takes his coat to a tailor in "Repentance" and actually lists off what each tear and hole is from. Because Stone was carrying $36.27 in cash at the time of his death, Stone begins every day with this amount in his pocket.
Some escapees have other preternatural powers, such as the ability to control the elements or turn invisible. The Devil explains that the longer one spends in Hell, the more it becomes a part of them, literally. Even though Stone himself describes them (in the opening
narration) as "the most vile creatures", some of the escapees seem to be no more evil than Stone himself. He wears the name and pictographs of these 113 souls as tattoo
s over his body. As each soul is sent back, their corresponding tattoo disappears in a burning like fashion causing Stone to react from the pain it induces.
), the woman who owned the hotel where he stays, and Father Cletus Horn (Albert Hall), a blind priest who eventually learned of Stone's mission. Stone occasionally worked with police detectives Ash (Teri Polo
) and Fraker (Scott Lawrence
). Much of the series' internal conflict was generated by the fact that Stone's wife Rosalyn (Stacy Haiduk
) was still alive and his difficulty in staying away from her. Near the end of the season/series, Ash was revealed to be the priestess who engineered the escape from Hell by using her implied romance with The Devil. As such, she became a sort of archnemesis and femme fatale
for Stone. She also became infatuated with Stone.
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
television series, featuring a dead police detective
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
whose mission (assigned by the Devil
Devil
The Devil is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The nature of the role varies greatly...
) is to return to Hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
113 spirits who have escaped to Earth. The series ran for only one partial season.
Since cancellation, Brimstone reruns have aired on Syfy
Syfy
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
(originally the Sci Fi Channel) in the United States from the summer of 1999 onward. The reruns have no set schedule, but are usually aired in marathon
Marathon (television)
In television, a marathon is typically the sequential broadcast of a single or a number of related television programs, most notably reflecting a theme....
s during the channel's seasonal events like "Creatureland", "Inhumanland" and "the 31 Days of Halloween". Chiller
Chiller (TV channel)
Chiller is a 24-hour American cable and satellite television channel specializing in horror and suspense programming. conglomerate NBCUniversal.- Origin :...
also began airing reruns, on July 28, 2007. It currently airs in sporadic weekday marathons, like Syfy, and has no set airing schedule.
Plot
In 1983, Ezekiel "Zeke" Stone (Peter HortonPeter Horton
Peter Horton is an American actor and director. He played the role of Prof. Gary Shepherd on the popular television series Thirtysomething until 1991.-Early life:...
) was a New York City Police
New York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
detective
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
whose wife, Rosalyn, was rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
d. He tracked down and arrested the offender, Gilbert Jax, who was cleared of the charges. Furious, Stone then murdered Jax. Two months later, Stone was killed and went to Hell
Hell
In many religious traditions, a hell is a place of suffering and punishment in the afterlife. Religions with a linear divine history often depict hells as endless. Religions with a cyclic history often depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations...
for murdering Jax. The Devil
Devil in Christianity
In mainstream Christianity, the Devil is named Satan, and sometimes Lucifer. He is a fallen angel who rebelled against God. He is often identified as the serpent in the Garden of Eden, whose persuasions led to original sin and the need for Jesus Christ's redemption...
(played by John Glover
John Glover (actor)
John Soursby Glover Jr. is an American actor, perhaps best known for a range of villainous roles in films and television, including Lionel Luthor on the Superman-inspired television series Smallville.-Personal life:...
) explains in the pilot episode that this was both because Stone responded to his wife's rape with murder, and because he took pleasure in the killing, which prevented it from being justice
Justice
Justice is a concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, or equity, along with the punishment of the breach of said ethics; justice is the act of being just and/or fair.-Concept of justice:...
. Stone died the most decorated cop in NYC
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
history.
Fifteen years later, a breakout from Hell occurs, led by a 4000 year old Canaan
Canaan
Canaan is a historical region roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and the western parts of Jordan...
ite priestess named Ashur Badaktu (Teri Polo
Teri Polo
Theresa Elizabeth "Teri" Polo is an American actress known for her role of Pam Focker in the movie Meet the Parents and its two sequels, Meet the Fockers and Little Fockers...
), and 113 spirits escape. Because the Devil claims to be "powerless on Earth", (though he apparently can teleport, disguise himself and use some form of limited magic), he makes a deal with Stone: Stone will be returned to Earth to track down these 113 escapees and if he can return all of them to Hell (before one of them kills him), he will earn a second chance at life on Earth (and thus, possibly, Heaven
Heaven
Heaven, the Heavens or Seven Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or metaphysical term for the physical or transcendent place from which heavenly beings originate, are enthroned or inhabit...
). The Devil seems to hinder Stone's work almost as much as he helps it, however, giving some information but withholding crucial facts or giving only cryptic clues to where Stone will find an escapee, apparently delighting in watching him become more irritable with his interference. It was suggested by an angel (in the episode "It's a Helluva Life") that Stone served God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
's purpose as well as the Devil's in his former life through his sins.
Powers and equipment
Both Stone and the escapees have powers that are superhumanSuperhuman
Superhuman can mean an improved human, for example, by genetic modification, cybernetic implants, or as what humans might evolve into, in the near or distant future...
. Because they are dead and immortal souls they cannot be killed, injured or even caused pain except by themselves or by other escapees with the exception of when one of 113 tattoos on Stone burns off. They also do not bleed. Stone wears the clothing he was killed in, wields his issue service pistol which he has no need to load or reload—this idea however, has not been applied consistently by the creator of the show; his gun ran out of ammo during the episodes "Encore" and "Lovers". Stone carries his detective's gold shield
Badge
A badge is a device or fashion accessory, often containing the insignia of an organization, which is presented or displayed to indicate some feat of service, a special accomplishment, a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath , a sign of legitimate employment or student status, or as a simple...
. None of these items (gun, badge, clothes) retain any damage, even if they are hit by bullets, but this is also inconsistently applied, as he takes his coat to a tailor in "Repentance" and actually lists off what each tear and hole is from. Because Stone was carrying $36.27 in cash at the time of his death, Stone begins every day with this amount in his pocket.
Fighting villains
The Devil informs Stone that because the eyes "are windows to the soul", Stone must pierce the eyes of an escapee to return them to Hell. This rule also applies to Stone, however. If Stone is returned, his mission would be considered a failure; therefore, he would remain in Hell and another person would be chosen to return the fugitive souls. The Devil has taunted Stone by reminding him of this and suggesting that certain escapees would be good replacements.Some escapees have other preternatural powers, such as the ability to control the elements or turn invisible. The Devil explains that the longer one spends in Hell, the more it becomes a part of them, literally. Even though Stone himself describes them (in the opening
Opening credits
In a motion picture, television program, or video game, the opening credits are shown at the very beginning and list the most important members of the production. They are now usually shown as text superimposed on a blank screen or static pictures, or sometimes on top of action in the show. There...
narration) as "the most vile creatures", some of the escapees seem to be no more evil than Stone himself. He wears the name and pictographs of these 113 souls as tattoo
Tattoo
A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
s over his body. As each soul is sent back, their corresponding tattoo disappears in a burning like fashion causing Stone to react from the pain it induces.
Other characters
Among Stone's allies are Maxine (Lori PettyLori Petty
Lori Petty is an American film and television actress best known for playing "Tyler Endicott" in Point Break in 1991, "Kit Keller" in A League of Their Own in 1992, and the title role in Tank Girl in 1995.-Early life:...
), the woman who owned the hotel where he stays, and Father Cletus Horn (Albert Hall), a blind priest who eventually learned of Stone's mission. Stone occasionally worked with police detectives Ash (Teri Polo
Teri Polo
Theresa Elizabeth "Teri" Polo is an American actress known for her role of Pam Focker in the movie Meet the Parents and its two sequels, Meet the Fockers and Little Fockers...
) and Fraker (Scott Lawrence
Scott Lawrence
Scott Lawrence is an American actor best known for his role as United States Naval JAG lawyer Cdr. Sturgis Turner on the CBS series JAG. Lawrence played the role from 2001 until 2005, when the series ended.-Career:...
). Much of the series' internal conflict was generated by the fact that Stone's wife Rosalyn (Stacy Haiduk
Stacy Haiduk
Stacy Haiduk is an American actress. She is known for playing Lana Lang on Superboy from 1988 to 1992, Katherine Hitchcock on season 1 of seaQuest DSV from 1993 to 1994, Hannah Nichols on All My Children from 2007 to 2008, and the dual roles of Patty Williams and Dr...
) was still alive and his difficulty in staying away from her. Near the end of the season/series, Ash was revealed to be the priestess who engineered the escape from Hell by using her implied romance with The Devil. As such, she became a sort of archnemesis and femme fatale
Femme fatale
A femme fatale is a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetype of literature and art...
for Stone. She also became infatuated with Stone.
Main cast
- Peter HortonPeter HortonPeter Horton is an American actor and director. He played the role of Prof. Gary Shepherd on the popular television series Thirtysomething until 1991.-Early life:...
as Ezekiel Stone - John GloverJohn Glover (actor)John Soursby Glover Jr. is an American actor, perhaps best known for a range of villainous roles in films and television, including Lionel Luthor on the Superman-inspired television series Smallville.-Personal life:...
as The Devil
Regular guests
- María Costa as Teresita/Waitress
- Stacy HaidukStacy HaidukStacy Haiduk is an American actress. She is known for playing Lana Lang on Superboy from 1988 to 1992, Katherine Hitchcock on season 1 of seaQuest DSV from 1993 to 1994, Hannah Nichols on All My Children from 2007 to 2008, and the dual roles of Patty Williams and Dr...
as Rosalyn Stone - Albert Hall as Father Cletus Horn
- Scott LawrenceScott LawrenceScott Lawrence is an American actor best known for his role as United States Naval JAG lawyer Cdr. Sturgis Turner on the CBS series JAG. Lawrence played the role from 2001 until 2005, when the series ended.-Career:...
as Lt.LieutenantA lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Fraker - Lori PettyLori PettyLori Petty is an American film and television actress best known for playing "Tyler Endicott" in Point Break in 1991, "Kit Keller" in A League of Their Own in 1992, and the title role in Tank Girl in 1995.-Early life:...
as Maxine - Teri PoloTeri PoloTheresa Elizabeth "Teri" Polo is an American actress known for her role of Pam Focker in the movie Meet the Parents and its two sequels, Meet the Fockers and Little Fockers...
as Det. Ash/Ashur Badaktu
DVD release
Brimstone is 28th-ranked on TvShowsOnDvd.com's list of unreleased shows . On September 15, 2008, during a Home Theater Forum chat, Warner Home Video representatives said that "Despite the wonderful work of Peter Horton and John Glover, there are no plans at this time to release Brimstone.Season 1 (1998–1999)
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