"These episodes are more ambitious than any we've done before," says Hall. "We want them to breathe new life into the series and keep us on the air."

TVG says the seven new episodes, the first since an almost-finale in April ("Zion"), will include stories ranging from a killer tornado to the search for Osama Bin Laden. It's all part of s strategy to develop blockbuster-type stories to help reclaim audiences lost to stiff competition earlier this year.

"Competition on Sunday nights is deadly that time of year, and we learned our lesson," says Herzog, who goes on to indicate "optimism" at the prospect of a third season appearing coming in March of 2004.

According to TVG, THE DEAD ZONE's summer seven are also aiming to be more accessible for restless audiences, toning down some of the serialization that's been carried throughout the first 26 episodes, such as the plot involving co-star Sean Patrick Flannery as homicidal politican 'Greg Stillson'. Herzog says it's important to make the show open.

"You never want a show's mythology to become a barrier... we want people to know they can start watching THE DEAD ZONE without knowing a thing about it."

For more on THE DEAD ZONE, check out the July 5th issue of TV Guide, now available on newsstands in the U.S. THE DEAD ZONE premieres Sunday, July 6th @ 10p on USA Network.