Wayward Pines

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

The first season of this show was absolutely great. I must admit I didn't have a clue what was going on (1st season) and not knowing made me watch even more. The 1st season was great it had you guessing in parts and wondering if what people was been told was true. Now the 2nd season was a major disappointment it felt rushed but also was dragging at the same time the story of season 2 was rubbish and just seems like power had gone to everyone head.

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.

There's a rooted sense of dread when one is faced with unknown elements, the series plays with this isolation fright as Ethan Burke (Matt Dillon) is stripped bare from money and communication to outside world. Ethan wakes up after a car accident and finds himself in a foreign small town where the citizens are persistently unaccommodating. While the scenery might look normal, the town has the vibe of lurking secret in every corner. This is definitely no tourist attraction.

Matt Dillon is a good leading actor, displaying confusion and occasional rage as he is lost in the bizarre city. Having no money, phone or decent help, his reactions are spot-on. At times he displays doubt of the reality as more questions pile up. Terrence Howard as Sheriff Pope looks decently antagonistic. Nothing more creepy when one is lost than unhelpful authority. Another notable performance is Mellisa Leo as Nurse Pam who is far from nurturing, goes beyond unhelpful and straight into perverse torturing nature.

Wayward Pines looks quaint most of the time, yet the cinematography presents a lingering uneasiness. Its rural view mixed with edges of forest has some resemblances to Silent Hill. It has a particular dark contrast befitting of detective thriller which strangely enough feels welcoming to the audience. Pacing is pretty quick as it switches back and forth between Ethan's ordeal and his friends' investigation of his whereabouts.

Mysteries are aplenty as it the show spreads them throughout the first episode. The show cleverly scatters hints for Ethan and the audiences to follow. They are presented with restraint and enough ambiguity to be unnerving yet not to the point of overbearing. These are enticing hooks for later episodes.

Wayward Pines opens its door with cold unsettling ambiance and cool noir visual. The mystery thriller certainly offers a presentable invitation for a longer stay.

This a weird show from the outset but, even after reading the books, is never predictable.

Nurse Pam is the first resident Ethan meets upon waking in Wayward Pines hospital, after a car crash. Suffice to say she doesn't have a great bedside manner. We then meet a few other residents before Ethan meets the Sheriff. All of these people communicate different facts about Pines.

Suspend belief, don't ask too many questions and take it in and you will enjoy the ride.

My only disappointment it that it deviated greatly from the books. This doesn't spoil it but if it was closer to the books I feel it would have added to the eerie atmosphere