Wayward Pines

Based on a series of novels by author Blake Crouch, it’s a good TV series that just ended its limited 10 episode run. M. Night Shyamalan directed the pilot (also produced) and I hope he’s back on the right track now. Also, spoilers ahead!

Matt Dillon stars as Ethan Burke, a Secret Service agent who’s assigned to investigate the disappearance of two fellow agents in the small town of Wayward Pines, Idaho. After being involved in a car accident, he wakes up in Wayward Pines with no memory of how he got there and discovers that he is unable to contact the outside world or leave. He also discovers that the ideally perfect small town isn’t what it appears to be.

First of all, the show has a cool Twin Peaks vibe going for it. It’s not ripping off Lynch’s series mind you, it’s just that quirky small town setting and atmosphere is reminiscent of it. You definitely get the sense that something’s not quite right with the town from the pilot episode. Matt Dillon, an underrated and underused actor is phenomenal as Burke. We really only know as much as he does and the mystery of Wayward Pines begins to unravel more and more with each episode. The rest of the supporting cast is solid too, specifically his wife, Theresa, played by the lovely Shannyn Sossamon and David Pilcher, the scientist who created Wayward Pines played by Toby Jones. Carla Gugino is also good as Kate, a fellow agent and Ethan’s former lover, which makes for some interesting drama. Melissa Leo also gives a nuanced performance as Pamela Pilcher, David’s sister and a nurse at the town’s hospital. Terrence Howard and Juliette Lewis are good too, but they don’t stick around as long as you’d think they would.

The second half of the season is when the show gets interesting. It starts off as more of a mystery/thriller, but then becomes a sci-fi/thriller. The twist halfway through reveals that they are actually in the year 4028 and humanity has been wiped off the face of the Earth. Wayward Pines, Pilcher’s creation is all that remains and he’s purposely been keeping it a secret from the citizens. He’s effectively brainwashed the youth of Wayward Pines, “Class One” as they’re called to preserve what he has created. This leads to some great conflict between them and the adults who’ve become opposed to Pilcher’s ideals.

As far as flaws go, there aren’t really any major ones other than some stuff feeling contrived. Most notably is the romance between Ben (Charlie Tahan), Ethan’s son and Amy (Sarah Jeffrey), a girl who lives in Wayward Pines. The romance feels too awkward and forced and the two actors don’t seem to have any chemistry. That aside, the show’s really damn solid otherwise and the finale is a thing of beauty. The abberations breaching the perimeter of the town and causing chaos is like something out of a zombie flick. It’s tense, fun, and ultimately tragic when one main character (I’ll let you guess who it is) must make the sacrifice to protect the surviving townsfolk. The show had balls to do that. Speaking of which, the ending of the finale had balls to end on a down note and have everything come full circle. Shyamalan’s discussed the possibility of a second season, but I say leave it as is.

Overall, it’s a solid TV series that feels like a mash up of Twin Peaks, Lost, and The X-Files. It gives you some of the best elements from those shows while still trying to do its own thing. I recommend it.