A new hit Stephen King show not only does a decent job of bringing a great book to the small screen, but also sets up the reunion for this century’s biggest mystery show. The show in question has performed well on streaming despite having an average Rotten Tomatoes score of 63% and has also been renewed for season 2.
While many movie adaptations of Stephen King’s works continue to perform well, TV shows based on his books have been struggling for quite some time. Since 2020’s The Outsider, almost no show based on Stephen King’s books has been able to land in critics’ good books. A new Stephen King sci-fi show continues this trend.
Fortunately, despite getting mixed reviews, the show managed to find an audience during its run, which encouraged its streaming home to renew it for another season. While the show’s return is exciting, what further adds to its appeal is that it features a reunion between two figures from one of the best mystery shows of all time.
The Institute Reunites Lost’s Jeff Fahey & Jack Bender
In its opening moments, MGM+’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Institute only gives a glimpse of its overarching villain, the “Man on the Phone,” but intentionally hides his face. Towards the end of its run, the show finally discloses the man’s true identity, revealing that he is portrayed by Jeff Fahey.
Viewers who have watched Lost must have instantly recognized Jeff Fahey because he played one of the most likable characters, Frank Lapidus, in the iconic mystery show. Although Fahey only appeared in 34 episodes as the character, audiences still remember his character as a memorable addition to the show’s roster, thanks to his easygoing attitude and unwavering loyalty to his friends.
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Interestingly, Jeff Fahey is not the only figure from Lost in The Institute. Jack Bender, who directed episodes 1, 2, 7, and 8 of the MGM+ series, also helmed more than 40 episodes of Lost. Bender was also involved with the ABC series as its executive producer. Since Lost, The Institute is the first project where Jack Bender and Jeff Fahey have reunited and collaborated again.
Jeff Fahey’s The Institute Role Is Very Different From His Lost Character
Frank Lapidus was introduced in Lost season 4’s episode 2 as a pilot asked to head to the island where Oceanic Flight 815 had crashed. With his acts of kindness and sense of humor, Lapidus never failed to make viewers smile. Fahey makes good use of his limited runtime in the series to portray how humans like Lapidus, too, can exist amid extreme chaos and tragedy.
The Institute also reunites David E. Kelley and Jack Bender, who previously worked together on the TV adaptation of Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes.
Interestingly, though, Jeff Fahey’s The Institute character is nothing like Lost‘s Frank. In fact, he is the complete opposite. While Frank goes out of his way to help others in Lost, the Man on the Phone in The Institute leads an evil corporation that subjects children to ruthless experiments.
Towards The Institute‘s ending moments, Fahey’s character shows no qualms about sacrificing innocent lives for what he believes is the greater good. He is portrayed as a cold, calculating antagonist in the Stephen King show, highlighting how Jeff Fahey has incredible range as an actor.