Forest Whitaker: Tyler Andrew Ward, a telephone lineman and charter member in the fraternity of lonely dreamers. Tyler is about to test what he wishes for to the breaking point and beyond. You might say what you're about to see is impossible. Probably in most places, but not here in the Twilight Zone.
The Alcoholic: As the episode goes on, Tyler is regularly shown drinking. He admits it helps quiet the noise. At one point, Buddy walks in on him completely hungover and by the toilet.
Tyler: I can change things! I now have the power to do anything! Shannon: Except to make you who you used to be. I don't wanna see you again.
Be Careful What You Wish For: Whitaker's opening notes that Tyler always wanted more in life than what he had. The closing lampshades how he got that and then some.
Big "NO!": Tyler in the last scene when he realizes his power hasn't gone away.
Downer Ending: Tyler has alienated Shannon and Buddy, his power is beyond his ability to control, and he's pretty much left insane in the hospital.
"Eureka!" Moment: Out in the middle of another thunder storm, Tyler spots a telephone poll and thinks to recreate the original accident.
Everyone Has Standards: Buddy is down with using Tyler's power to make money, but as Tyler's physical and mental health deterioriates, he suggests a break and calls Shannon for help.
Tyler is driven to achieve wealth because of what happened to his grandfather. The old man suffered from Alzheimer's, but Tyler's parents lacked the money to provide him with care, so he was left in a state institution until the day he died. Tyler also notes his family in general was never good at making money; a lifetime of struggling to make ends meet explains why he was so quick to get Drunk with Power.
Buddy disowns Tyler for attacking him with his power. As Tyler pleads for forgiveness, Buddy says he's already put up with "one drunk bastard too many" by this point in his life.
Shannon was put through the wringer by her ex-husband and the guy's lawyer. She says she never wanted to be hurt like that again, which causes her to keep others at arm's length and quick to break it off with Tyler when he starts getting out of control.
Hearing Voices: As a result of his power, Tyler can hear anyone's thoughts, and it slowly takes a toll that requires either alcohol, noise-cancelling headphones, or both. With his upgraded power, Tyler can't even get peace in a cemetery, as he starts hearing the dead.
Hope Spot: Tyler tries to rid himself of his power by getting struck by lightning a second time. He wakes up in a hospital and is initially at peace, but then he starts hearing the thoughts of everyone around him.
Hypocrite: When Tyler starts denouncing those he considers corrupt, Shannon says he's practically stealing and that his actions caused a major company to go bankrupt (thus upending the lives of a lot of people).
Know When to Fold 'Em: After two months of making money and seeing increasingly problematic behavior, Buddy is urging Tyler to pack it in. Tyler doesn't listen and ends up destroying himself.
Mind Rape: Tyler demonstrates the ability to plant suggestions in people's minds, such as getting a waiter to scratch his chin, but this really kicks in when he upgrades his power. It enables him to attack Shannon and Buddy, and their expressions demonstrate just how painful it is.
Mistaken for Cheating: After Shannon leaves, Tyler spots her with Buddy on the street. Seeing the two hug and him giving her a kiss on the cheek send Tyler into hysterics and prompt him to upgrade his power. He learns too late that Buddy was instead pushing for Shannon to give Tyler another chance.
Motive Decay: Before things really blow up, Buddy tells Shannon that they've got so much money that they have bank accounts on islands he never even heard of before. Buddy thinks Tyler is suffering from this.
My God, What Have I Done?: Tyler when he realizes his insane jealousy alienated the only people in his life and left himself alone at a very bad time.
Power Incontinence: Tyler gains the ability to read minds, but he lacks the ability to turn it off. He can focus directly on whatever mind he wants and can even send suggestions with some effort, but he's always picking up nearby people. The more his power increases, the louder the voices become.
Sanity Slippage: After Shannon breaks up with him, Tyler starts to lose it. Then he sees what looks like her and Buddy having an affair, so he flies into a rage and gives his power an upgrade. He gets even worse from there.
Smite Me, O Mighty Smiter: After alienating Shannon and Buddy, and setting his powers to full intensity, Tyler kneels in front of a church and screams "PEACE! PLEASE GIVE ME PEACE!"
Telepathy: What Tyler gets after being struck by lightning.
Van Helsing Hate Crimes: Tyler cites this when balking at Shannon's suggestion that he tell people about his power.
Tyler: It would be mythic! The small people rise up and destroy those they fear!
Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: In the end, Tyler is left facing the same fate as his grandfather: being locked up in a state institution for the rest of his life.
Wide-Eyed Idealist: Shannon thinks Tyler could use his power for the good of all humanity, such as determining the absolute truth in trials or helping doctors (either for research studies or to communicate with coma patients).
With Great Power Comes Great Insanity: After upgrading his power, Tyler tries to force Shannon to get back together and attacks Buddy for supposedly betraying him. All he does is alienate them and stick himself with even less control over his power.
Forest Whitaker: Be careful what you wish for. They say the drives of the human primate are to breathe, eat, find shelter and mate. But what part of the psyche is it that never learns when it's had enough? Insurance companies say lightning strikes are acts of God. Hey, maybe he or she has nothing to do with it. Maybe they are just doorways into the Twilight Zone.
