Since the conclusion of Lost, the world of television on both the broadcast and cable fronts have been filled with a variety of attempts at mystery series. While some are ultimately more fantastical than others, the general consensus has been that, with a rare exempt few, the pursuit to recapture what Lost pulled off has been a dismal failure. In fact, the only genre that seems to fair worse than mystery series on television, in the modern era, is horror – but that’s a discussion for another day. However, as noted, there are rare exceptions, and believe it or not,
Executive produced by M. Night Shyamalan and developed by Chad Hodge, Wayward Pines is an adaptation of the hit Blake Crouch novels starring Matt Dillon as Secret Service Agent Ethan Burke. Following a car wreck, Burke awakens to find himself in the town of Wayward Pines, Idaho. While at first simply feeling confused by the community's behavior, Burke soon uncovers a potential conspiracy to keep him within the town for the rest of his days... and that's something he simply won’t accept.
The key truth of Lost’s storytelling that often feels forgotten to many is the way in which it gave the audience answers. Lost never held on to any major question other than “what is the island,” for longer than it needed to. When it was time to learn what was in the hatch, we learned. When it was time to uncover who the “others” were, we did. However, on Lost, with every new answer came dozens of more questions, and that’s what allowed the series to continue for as long as it did, and it’s this fact that makes Wayward Pines as excellent as it is.
On an initial viewing of the first six episodes, things really feel like they’re dragging along in the beginning four hours… a feeling only made worse by the fact that the series opens with a clear homage to the Damon Lindelof series before diving into a slew of tones that scream Twin Peaks at the top of their lungs. Come the end of episode four, it’s hard to imagine why anyone would want to continue with the show if all it’s going to do is continue delivering more of the same weird town that doesn’t actually have any resolutions over and over again. However, that’s when something amazing happens.
Through the events of episode five, the entire show is flipped on its head and, for the first time in nearly a decade, a mystery show actually does something radical: it answers one of its most primary questions. The best part of that, though? Like its predecessor, with that answer comes dozens of new questions that will more than adequately sustain the show for years to come – let’s be honest, in no world does any broadcast network ever make do on the promise of a “limited-event.” If Wayward Pines succeeds, it’s going to continue, and that’s totally fine with what happens in the middle of the first season.
“Do not try to leave. Do not discuss the past. Do not discuss your life before. Always answer the phone if it rings. Work hard, be happy, and enjoy your life in Wayward Pines!” This is the mantra repeated throughout the beginning of the show, and by granting it its initial four episodes to establish the characters of its world, it’s a mantra that’s completely paid off by the time the fifth episode rolls around. So don’t let the names of M. Night Shyamalan or Fox scare you off, this is one mystery drama that’s completely worth your time.
Wayward Pines premieres Thursday, May 14th at 9pm on Fox
