The Stand: How "Pocket Savior" Differs from Stephen King's Book The second episode of The Stand debuted on CBS All Access on Thursday and while last week's "The End" introduced viewers to a handful of the story's major characters as well as the terrifying super flu that brings their paths together, this week's "Pocket Savior" introduces viewers to even more significant characters -- including a proper introduction to Randall Flagg. However, while the nine-part limited series is largely a faithful adaptation of Stephen King's epic novel of the same name, this episode also contained some significant differences from the page to the screen and we're breaking down some of the major ones we spotted as the story deepens.