Wayward Pines

There are several ways to interpret this series. As a European, familiar with communism and the heinous tactics its leaders have used to turn people against each other, I also realize how both communism and fascism try to create external enemies to strengthen trust in their own society, which is a major theme in this series.

The series has other important messages: terrorists who defy an opressade system are not always "good". They can, due to their fanaticism, also harm or even kill innocent people. In the same way, fanatic followers of the communist or fascist dictator are just as quick to intervene and resort to violence against their own population to uphold the dictator's laws.

Perhaps a coincidence, but the "leader" in the series is reminiscent of the always smiling, gentle and "friendly" but in reality brutal och ruthless Pol Pot.

Despite a limited budget, which is clearly evident when the "monsters" appear, the series is both worth watching and thought-provoking.

I was blown away by the first season, thought provoking and fun, but the second season ruined it for me; I couldn't even watch more than 3 episodes

Wayward Pines was so much better than I expected, at least season 1 was. I can't believe this show wasn't talked about more when it was out or maybe it was and I just missed it. First off, what a cast...Matt Dillon, Terrence Howard, Carla Gugino, Toby Jones, Shannon Sossaman, Melissa Leo, Jason Patric, Djimon Hounsou, etc. I mean, wow. It's hard to find too many shows with better than that. This show will have too on the edge of your seat and guessing what's next throughout every episode. Wayward Pines is one of the reason people were so excited excited about M. Night Shyamalan. His movies/shows are hit or miss but Wayward Pines is a hit.

The first season is an awesome affair, we follow Ethan Burke (Matt Dillon) as the secret service agent who goes to the small town Wayward Pines in Idaho to search for his missing colleagues. I found especially the first episodes very intriguing. What I really liked is that I noticed that I changed who to "cheer" for several times during the season as the story developed. The story was very good, my only complaint was that I thought some reveals came a little bit too soon. I think it would have been even more suspenseful if we as an audience got to wait for some answers. Matt Dillon was awesome in the lead, Juliette Lewis is, as always great, and so are Matt Dillons character's son, the actor Charlie Tahan. For some reason I always come to think of Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead) every time when I see Matt Dillon and Lisa Bonet (Cosby Show, Enemy of the State) every time I see Shannyn Sossamon who plays Matt Dillons wife.

So the Second season, talk about crash and burn. Soap opera dialogues and intrigues. No actors with any charisma whatsoever. And I caught myself thinking that I don't really care what's happening to any of these characters.

It's a shame that it's over after just two seasons

A year ago, I watched the first season and, since it was a well-rounded story that does not require a continuation, and since the second season has picked up predominantly bad criticism, I gave up on further watching. A few days ago, I changed my mind and watched the series all the way through. Do not make the mistake I made and believe bad reviews, because the second season is excellent, and in some aspects maybe better than the first one. I guess bad reviews are the result of a big difference between seasons, but the fact that the second season deviated from the patterns of the first does not make it worse, just different. While the first season is a mindfak mystery and is based on confusing plot and mystical atmosphere, the second season is a post-apocalyptic SF drama. While the first season puzzles you and makes you guess, the second gives answers but, because of the strong interpersonal relationships, life dramas and several unexpected surprises and plot twists, it isn't any less exciting than the first. I believe it could have been better, but it's great anyway and it's a real shame they gave up on it after just two seasons. Don't let the fact it's canceled dissuade you from watching it, because both seasons are rounded wholes, that leave room for a continuation, but don't require it. There are no unresolved cliffhangers.

P.S. I did not mention anything about the story itself, because even the briefest summary would be an unforgivable spoiler.

8/10