Resurrection

In Arcadia, Missouri, Henry (Kurtwood Smith) and Lucille Langston (Frances Fisher) are shocked when their boy Jacob returns to them 32 years ago after his death. Immigration agent Bellamy (Omar Epps) brings him back to town from China. Sheriff Fred Langston (Matt Craven) and his daughter Dr. Maggie Langston (Devin Kelley) try to solve the mystery. Jacob's childhood friend Pastor Tom is trying to come to terms. Then more and more people return.

This starts with an interesting premise. Instead of digging into how they are returning, the show spreads out into everything except that. There's a widespread conspiracy of silence that keeps the general public in the dark. The great concept and tension slowly drains away over the two seasons. The relationships are fine. The acting is good. I just kept waiting for the show to move forward in the central issue.

Interesting premise at the beginning. A young boy wakes up in rural China 32 years after he died in the US. Everyone wants to know why. But I want to know how. I'm half way through season 2 and not a single theory has surfaced yet. Was it aliens? Secret government experiments? A result of evolution, global warming, or chlorine in the water? Or could it be a twisted version of the fulfillment of biblical prophecy when the dead are raised ushering in the apocalypse? Why are none of the characters in this series curious enough to get the bottom of what could become an unmanageable crisis or the greatest discovery in human history?

I have been excited for this show for the better part of six months since I found out about it. My excitement for it has mostly been because the source material, Jason Mott's The Returned, was one of my favorite books of 2013. While there are certainly coincidences, the show is not an American adaptation of the French show "Les Revenants". It is instead an adaptation of Mott's work.

Although certain relationships and characters have been changed/altered, thus far the show has captured impact of the return of Jacob Langston. Somehow the writers, and even director, have been able to capture the poetic and deeply philosophical nature of Mott's prose. My one complaint of the book was that Mott seemed to through a lot at the reader and everything going on became overwhelming. The pacing of the pilot was the complete opposite. While the teasers leading up to the premiere certainly eluded to more people being "resurrected," the show is not throwing too much at the viewer just yet.

In the book we don't ever really receive an explanation as to why these people return, but I am looking forward to how the show expands upon the mystery.

I didn't know what to make of this show when I watched the first couple of episodes. I loved the very first episode but each episode after has been on a slightly lower level. While there is still drama and mystery it feels like it is going in a different direction. I personally still really like the show but I have a feeling that you will either love it or hate it.

To be honest the reason why I initially watched this show was because of Kurtwood Smith. I've missed seeing him in things since That 70's Show finished up but it is good to see him making great television again. In fact the whole cast is extremely talented and a big plus.

If your interest was piqued when you first saw the promotional clip then my advice would be to give it a go. The first season is short enough for you to take the plunge.

I was constantly on the edge of my seat and eager for the next episode... only flaw to me was the unanswered questions at the end.

Still highly recommend.