mandisaw |
After taking a chance on the show in the summer, I was pleasantly surprised to find the now-rare combo of good writing, good acting, and real sci-fi television - especially on the oft-disappointing Syfy Channel. Here's the Wiki link.
It's set in Stephen King's usual haunt of a sleepy Maine town, that of course has unspoken mysteries beneath the surface. In this case that's various townsfolk who break out with dangerous/tragic powers in times of hardship or stress/anxiety - the "Troubled". Apparently it's a generational thing & runs in families, which compounds the usual small-town issues of everyone knowing everyone's business & family history.
Enter a fiesty, competent(!) female FBI agent whose ties to the town become the main arc-plot, and her new townie partners - a "troubled" cop who can't physically feel anything, even injuries/lover's touch/etc, and the local get-anything smuggler guy. The show has kind of a sci-fi in-joke/genre-bending overlay, which livens up the troubled-person-of-the-week stories.
The series finished it's full season run this week, and thankfully got picked up for a 2nd run (unlike Dresden Files, the last good show SFC aired that I liked until they pulled the plug on it). Anybody else catch it?
mandisaw |
while some episodes were better than others
The writing was a little lopsided sometimes, and I didn't think we needed a recap episode (it's only 13eps - even if you missed a couple of "troubled-of-the-weeks", it wasn't a huge deal).
In posting the Wikipedia link I noted that most (maybe 7-8/13) of the episodes were penned by the series creators, especially including the plot-advancing ones. I'm guessing they kept a pretty firm hand on the first-season development, and I agree that the attention/quality shows overall. If they keep that up in S2, I'm looking forward to it.
Xabulba |
When I first starting watching it I thought "great a X-Files light" but as the show went on Haven developed it's own character that is completly diferent from the X-Files.
I like the main three characters alot and the supporting cast is well developed as well. I'm glad it coming back for a second season.
On a similar note, anybody notice that the summer fill in series on Sy-Fy tend to better than their regular programing.
Set |
I think of Haven as the anti-Supernatural. On Supernatural, almost every episode's 'critter' ends up involving some real-world myth or folklore (like the devil's bargain at the crossroads, or the wendigo, or the 'djinn' and their 'wishes'), often with a cool sideways twist, but with Haven, every time you think you know what's going on, it's something completely different.
Werewolf? No, taxidermist's stuffed animals going berserk. I'm not sure if I love the show yet, but that's a pretty neat thing. I love watching Supernatural, and being able to recognize things cribbed from lore and legend, but it's also neat how everything on Haven is kinda fresh and new.
The character of Duke is about the only part of the show I want to go away. The character annoys me, and the actors mutant chin needs more than that scraggly attempt at a beard to hide it.
mandisaw |
but with Haven, every time you think you know what's going on, it's something completely different.
I like the genre-bending, too. It's nice to be led astray in creative ways - hopefully they can keep it up.
The character of Duke is about the only part of the show I want to go away. The character annoys me, and the actors mutant chin needs more than that scraggly attempt at a beard to hide it.
*heh* I'm pretty interested in how the character's developed over the season, and looking forward to where they go with him. His "smarmy townie" routine was a bit grating at first, but I liked the "good cop, bad cop" thing he's got going with Nathan.
Wolfthulhu |
I enjoyed it. Not the best show on TV, but it's definitely got it's own flavor. Of course, coming from King, what would you expect.
Crimson Jester |
Rather than make a new thread I thought I would Necro this one. I am very much getting into Haven. I like the fact that almost every episode has some sort of nod to other Stephen King properties. You have to at times pay close attention to notice.
Also tons of nods to HPL. In fact one of the primary cast members found a Silver key last week.
Two King stories take place her or very close by. The Colorado Kid and Tommynockers. As time goes on I think they are subtly putting more and more in of the second. I also like the twitter feeds.
Anyone else enjoying it?
Crimson Jester |
'Haven boys up in a tree,
Looking as wisht as wisht can be;
Newlyn buckas as strong as oak,
Knocking them down at every poke.'
'Late last night and the night before,
Tommyknockers, Tommyknockers, knocking at the door.
I want to go out, don't know if I can,
'Cause I'm so afraid of the Tommyknocker man.'
Xabulba |
Two King stories take place her or very close by. The Colorado Kid and Tommynockers. As time goes on I think they are subtly putting more and more in of the second. I also like the twitter feeds.
Anyone else enjoying it?
Not to mention The girl who loved Tom Gordon and the youth portion of Dream-catcher. Also the whole show is based off of The Colorado Kid, that's why the news photo they keep showing of Audrey/Lucy has the headline "Colorado Kid".
Crimson Jester |
Crimson Jester wrote:Not to mention The girl who loved Tom Gordon and the youth portion of Dream-catcher. Also the whole show is based off of The Colorado Kid, that's why the news photo they keep showing of Audrey/Lucy has the headline "Colorado Kid".
Two King stories take place her or very close by. The Colorado Kid and Tommynockers. As time goes on I think they are subtly putting more and more in of the second. I also like the twitter feeds.
Anyone else enjoying it?
Yes, I think I mentioned that.
Shadowborn |
Anyone hate Jason Prestly's character? I do,...shakes fist...hate him.
Just meet him in person, I'm sure you'll change your mind. ;)
Looks like he's out of the picture anyway, at least for a while. I'm liking Dwight though. Talk about the worst possible trouble to have though...I wonder if he locks himself in the basement during hunting season?
Cartigan |
Considering some of the ones who have had their own movie deals. Yes.
It's hard to do a lot of character acting when you are consistently cast as the lead in action movies and built like a linebacker (Dwayne Johnson, though he tried in Southland Tales, as much as anyone did in that movie) Steve Austin has no excuse.