The Stand is an American post-apocalyptic fantasy television miniseries. The plot centers on a pandemic resulting from a mishap at a military biological research facility, which allows the escape of a lethal strain of influenza. After the pandemic kills almost the entire world population, the few survivors are drawn to one of two figures, Randall Flagg and Mother Abagail, setting up a final good-vs-evil confrontation. The adaptation alters details of some main characters, moves the setting to modern-day 21st century, and features a new ending in the final episode co-written by Stephen King with his son, Owen King, making it the third variation of the story's conclusion. The series received mixed reviews.
The Stand is described in CBS publicity as "King's apocalyptic vision of a world decimated by plague" The fate of mankind rests on the frail shoulders of 108-year-old Mother Abagail and a handful of survivors.