Haven

One thing television often lacks these days is imagination. Major broadcasting networks tend to saturate our senses with the same old carbon copied television shows each week, with only a few being the exception.

Haven is what television is, and should be, all about. For any individual who loved the good old classic Twilight Zone episodes, or spent hours before Marathons of X-Files, for every kid who grew up on those wonderfully imaginative Sci-Fi comic books, or embroiled themselves in an unfolding mystery - Haven is for you. It's wild, fun and unapologetic for it's deliberately far fetched characters, and that's what makes it a winner. This on top of the discreet references to characters from Stephen King Books/movies ("...Got this book signed by that author.. before he was kidnapped and that crazy woman broke his legs.") as well as other Sci-Fi Shows as though they were real people who exist in this universe, it's a little tongue in cheek treat. For any fan of the fantastical, the speculative and fun, Haven should not be missed!

Haven has always been the type of show that was pretty good but it never really reached its full potential. The first three seasons defined the show well but once the fourth started everything turned a little sour and it lost the spark it once had.

As a general concept Haven is new and fresh with a nice mystery thriller tone and a supernatural edge. It centres around a town that experiences "troubles" which may seem a little lame or strange but at least initially it worked. Each episode was different and focused on a new trouble. The overarching storyline was also intriguing but unfortunately since they changed the central characters I have lost interest.

Overall the show started good but has gone downhill. The new direction the show is taking just isn't working for me but I guess it's still alright. Haven will probably always be a good but mediocre show. Watchable but nothing special.

Haven is an excellent series for so many reasons but the most important are as follows: a) Genres; Haven crosses so many different genres, such as Thriller, some Comedy, some Romance, Mystery, Drama, Sci-Fi and Horror. There are more, but I'll stick to these as they are the ones that stand out most. b) Appeals to a mass audience; to follow up on that last point, given all that the show delivers, it's nearly (or even theoretically) impossible for any individual to enjoy SOME aspect of this show. It will draw you in for more. c) Location and Setting; The strong location backdrop and scene locations are hard to be beat with a series which relies almost entirely on a small Harbor Town...and a beautifully stunning one at that. Beaches, ocean, a marina, boardwalks, rocky Maine coastline (although filmed very close by in Canada) surrounded by thick forests makes it pleasurable to watch for the views alone. And the small harbour town, again, makes for a "small town feel" amongst the great cast of characters but also allows room for the outside to come in which can be good at the right time. And when this occurs, the show never fails to maintain its strong beliefs and appeal of the mysterious town of Haven. d) Great acting...a must in any TV or Film! e) Having a link to Stephen King and his novel "The Colorado Kid" definitely draws in even more viewers.

All in all, we need more shows like Haven!

FBI agent Audrey Parker (Emily Rose) is sent to Haven, Maine on a case of a prison escapee. She finds help from local cop Nathan Wuornos (Lucas Bryant) and petty criminal smuggler Duke Crocker (Eric Balfour). The town is plagued by strange occurrences. People are cursed by these 'troubles' and she is connected to them in some way.

I really like the show, the mystery and the three leads. I like the actors and their love triangle. I actually like the trouble-of-the-week aspect to those early show. The mystery seems intriguing and it's also the show's Achilles' heel. At some point, the show has to start explaining the origins of the 'troubles'. It's too convoluted. I respect the difficulties of trying to keep viewer interest while constructing a viable story. In the end, it doesn't quite make it but it was fun while it lasted.

If you like Warehouse 13 and Eureka, there's a pretty good chance you'll like Haven too. All in all, there's a lot of similarity. We have yet another unlikely guy and gal cop pair in another strange circumstance. It's also out of Sci Fi channel's stable of Canadian made shows.

The characters are a little different. Instead of a town in Oregon full of super intelligent idiots or a world of bizarre relics, we have the mysterious troubles in a town in Maine. But the formula is much the same. Something bizarre, but in the end true love does triumph. It may be a love that ends in tragedy, but that love is there. Really it's quite a pleasant formula.

No, it's not great, but I enjoy it.