Haven 4.13 Review: Giving In to What Feels Right

For all those that have yet to watch Friday night’s episode of Haven, entitled ‘The Lighthouse’, now would be your last chance to do so before proceeding ahead. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

Well, I have to say this season finale definitely had its moments. I really enjoyed the point where William realizes a piece of his past love has clicked in Audrey when she re-Troubles Duke. Colin Ferguson is such an amazing actor, he was so great this season, especially the last few episodes, that I desperately hope he is not gone for good and that we get to see him again next season.

Also, I am extremely excited to get to know Mara more, Audrey’s original incarnation. The little bits of story that have filtered in this series certainly make sense, despite how sci-fi the whole Door business was; I am interested in this actual personality. That last line that Emily Rose spoke, as Mara, were incredibly heightening of my excitement for next season to come sooner. Audrey has been such a do-gooder, wanting to help, and that’s all very nice and good of her, but I am so beyond intrigued to learn who this more dangerous character is, and the history of her and William in that town.

That being said, there were several things I was disappointed with. Like I’ve said before, Jennifer was not written into this series well, she just seemed to take over completely. I’m really hoping she’s not back next year. Also, the extreme sci-fi nature of the Door, and what they opened. The Barn was one thing, this came across as a little much. And it wasn’t quite explained well, the whole being from another place was the four people that were needed to open the Door. I thought Audrey – or really Mara – and William were both from this place but were punished and sent into the Door. That’s one thing I’m rather confused about, and could’ve been explained better. The other thing I wasn’t happy about, was how this whole symbol ended up on Vince’s arm, and yet he had nothing to do with opening the Door, it was his brother. I didn’t understand that at all.

All in all, I am rather intrigued to see where they go with this series next season. I don’t really feel like this season was as tightly written as it should’ve been; there was a lot of filler bits to this season that weren’t necessary, and it was very slow going. That being said, Colin Ferguson was definitely a welcome addition to the show, and Duke – for the most part – was as wonderful as always. I was so happy for him to get the Crocker curse back, but I really hope he’s able to get all the curses coming to him under control. Let’s be honest, though, they’re not going to kill Duke Crocker off the series, he’s one of the best things it’s got going for him, although he could go for a haircut. Basically, this was an uneven season, but it had more things I loved than past seasons have.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“You saw it. I’ve won.” – William states, regarding Audrey.

“There’s a guy that knows what’s on the other side of that door. You and me should go for a beer.” – William says to Dave.

“He’s as good as dead. Now, who’s going to help me get William back?” – A freshly awakened Mara remarks.

Okay, I may get around to doing a full season review of this show next week, when I’m all done and caught up with the other four reviews. Check back tomorrow (or really later today) for my reviews of Once Upon A Time, Revenge, How I Met Your Mother, and Almost Human.

Haven 4.12 Review: Knowing Who You Are

For all those that have yet to watch Friday night’s episode of Haven, entitled ‘When the Bough Breaks’, now would be a good time to go and do that. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

Well, I expected a little more from the penultimate episode of the season. First of all, I’m still not impressed by this whole business of making Jennifer such a significant character. And the fact that all she’s basically able to do is open the damn door is a little ridiculous. It could make sense, regarding how she was the one that could hear inside the Barn, but it wasn’t explained anywhere near as well as it should have, if that were the case.

Secondly, I expected more than just a crying baby would be the undoing of Audrey. Okay, the ridiculousness of that is, couldn’t they have just taken the handprint off the baby? Instead, Audrey intends to give Duke back his family curse and kill the father. If that were all it would take, why wouldn’t Audrey ask him to kill her? Haven’t there been enough deaths for her to feel self-sacrificial? Chances are it would end the Troubles, and also end William, so I don’t get it. I am really looking forward to being able to meet whoever Audrey was to begin with, but I feel like they might end it on more of that cliffhanger business that has grown so frustratingly long.

One thing I really did love was Vince and Dave. These two brothers are fantastic together. Although, I do have to say that it took an awfully long time for them to tell us Dave was adopted. I did suspect something remiss, because they didn’t seem to have the one Trouble, but I wasn’t much expecting him to be adopted. I would be curious to learn what happened with both his, and Jennifer’s biological parents. But again, I just love the two brothers.

All in all, this was a decent outing for this series. Again, I did expect a little more than what was given, but this season has been a bit of a hit and miss. This episode did really demonstrate to me the chemistry between Duke and Audrey, way more than Jennifer and Duke have, and more understanding than Audrey and Nathan have. Either I’m going crazy, or these are the two that should be together, particularly evidenced by the alternate reality episode. But, anyways, like I said, this was an okay episode, but nothing fantastic for a penultimate episode.

My rating: 7 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“You didn’t tell me you ate the last of the marmalade last night.” – Vince says. “That’s not the same thing, Vince.” – Dave replies.

“You were always such a clever Trouble maker.” – William states, regarding Audrey.

“Well, that explains a lot.” – Duke mutters, relating to Vince and Dave.

“But, if you ask me, I think the baby did it.” – William says, mockingly shocked.

“Come any closer and I’ll punch you in the face. It’ll be worth my own black eye.” – Audrey threatens William.

“I knew it! You said you quit smoking five years ago.” – Vince exclaims, regarding Dave’s having matches.

All right, folks, that’ll be all for tonight. Check in tomorrow for reviews of Once Upon A Time and Revenge.

Haven 4.10 Review: No More Troubles

Anyone that has yet to watch Friday night’s episode of Haven, titled ‘The Trouble with the Troubles’, now is your last chance to do so before proceeding ahead into possible spoiler territory. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Fair warning.

For all my readers that don’t personally know me, which is most, if not all, of you, I haven’t mentioned it before, but I love alternate reality episodes. ‘The Wish’ was a great Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode, ‘If/Then’ was an awesome Grey’s Anatomy episode, ‘Apocalypse’ was a fantastic Smallville episode, and so much of Fringe was great because of the alternate characters. So, by the promos of this week’s episode, going in I was very excited. And while the episode wasn’t my favourite alternate reality episode of television, it was a great Haven episode.

Seeing the characters we’ve grown to love on this series playing slightly different roles than the ones they’ve played the last four years was fantastic. Lucas Bryant played a strangely – by our standards – happy Nathan that just so happened to be a doctor with a wife and kid. It was weird seeing a happy, goofy Nathan, and in my opinion it didn’t quite come across as natural as it could have been. Eric Balfour, however, was the actor that did the best at switching up his role on this series. He played cop Duke phenomenally, and the fact that he was the one that still seemed to have a thing for Audrey was interesting in itself. I’m starting to feel that he is better suited for Audrey, mostly because he liked her in both realities, and the fact that Nathan seems to have fallen for Audrey based on convenience. Would he still have loved her if her’s wasn’t the only touch that he could feel?

The real star of this episode, though, would have to be Colin Ferguson and his portrayal of William. I am really intrigued by his character, and how he relates to Audrey. This man is just phenomenal in this series, and I’m quite hopeful that he sticks around for a little while. He seems so devoted to his love of whomever Audrey began as, and that’s such an attractive quality to me. The questions he has introduced as well as answered make him such a fascinating character to develop further.

The happy-go-lucky town that Haven, Maine was this week was great to watch. The fact that vandalism was this town’s worst crime – up until the murders that is – was hilarious. It was a nice, little touch to clean this place up and get to see what it might be like if the Troubles had never come to Haven. That being said, it makes for a more interesting show having the Troubles exist, and the fact that we got a few answers – and even more questions – in this week’s episode was perfect for the way this series has developed.

All in all, I really enjoyed this week’s episode. It’s kind of sad, though, that I’m getting super pumped about this season when there are only a few episodes left. Still, I’ll try and soak all the greatness of this season in before it comes to a close and I have to wait another nine or so months until the next season. Because there better be a next season. That being said, I’m really interested to learn more about who Audrey was originally, and to see more of what her connection is to William. Also, I have to say I enjoyed this episode a lot more because it didn’t include Jennifer in it. Don’t get me wrong, the girl could be interesting, if only they hadn’t thrown her and Duke together so rapidly. In the beginning they came off as more brother-sister than a couple, so I can’t be all that into this pairing. If it had been done more naturally, things may have been different, who knows?

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“There’s a Trouble in your bed and I think we should check it out.” – Nathan murmurs jokingly to Audrey.

“This is why I don’t get pedicures.” – Audrey mutters as she stares down at her bare feet.

“What kind of Trouble takes my shoes?” – Audrey questions annoyedly.

“Nother. What do you think it means?” – alterNathan asks innocently. “I think it means ‘Not her’.” – faux Duke replies, annoyed.

“Yeah, I’m gonna get a bigger gun.” – Duke mutters.

“That hurts me.” – Duke states, regarding how he was a cop in the other reality.

Okay, that’s it, I’m caught up. I’m going to go watch a movie or something now, so check back in tomorrow night (or technically in about 18 hours) for my reviews of Once Upon A Time, Revenge, and the series premiere of Almost Human.

Haven 4.09 Review: Who Are You?

Anyone that has yet to watch Friday night’s episode of Haven, titled ‘William’, then now would be your last chance to do without the threat of spoilers. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

This week’s episode, for the most part, I was really happy with. This is more of the Haven that I’ve grown to love. There was more mythology thrown into this week and more mystery that is part of what this series spouted out from. And by the way it’s been set up, I’m beyond excited for next week, when a wish causes Haven to have never had the Troubles to begin with.

But back to this week’s episode, I was really surprised by Adam Copeland’s performance as Dwight this week, he was actually good. Not much overacting, his big eyes fit perfect in the frenzied scenes, and him being held captive was actually enjoyable to watch. Maybe this guy has a chance at being a good actor after all.

The performance I most loved this week was Colin Ferguson’s go as William. He was beyond convincing as the amnesiac character, and then to turn into this seemingly evil character at the end was just a completely well done one-eighty.  While I love Eric Balfour as Duke week in and week out, as well as Emily Rose’s performance as Audrey, Ferguson took the cake this week, and I expect to see more of this from him as the season – possibly series – progresses. It makes me want to go and actually restart and finish the series Eureka, which maybe I’ll do after I’m done rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel in order.

Other things to note about this week’s episode, the one lackey may have been the big brute, but it was his more intellectual, glasses wearing co-lackey that was the creepier of the two. Also, they’re really making Jennifer seem far too important for my liking. Maybe it’s my jealousy rearing its ugly head that she’s taking too much time away from Audrey, but while I am interesting in learning her heritage and what her connection is to the Barn, the fact that she did have a connection to it and is just being introduced to us this season is a problem to me. Look, I wouldn’t have minded her so much if Duke and her had started off more as friends, and then slowly progressed to being in a relationship as he slowly got over Audrey, but the fact that he was still in love with Audrey at the beginning of this season is my problem, because I haven’t been able to see that as easily anymore. It’s like it was just written out.

A few questions about this series going forward, one being who is William really? Has he been in the Barn all this time? Is he in love with who Audrey originally was? What was it that caused her to need to go in the Barn in the first place? Can the Troubles be destroyed? How long have they been around for? Will we ever see the original personality Audrey was? What does the spark between William and Audrey do? What did it cause her to see? How long was she out for her? I am a really curious person, as a creative myself, so I expect most, if not all, of these questions to be answered before this series ends. I can wait for them to be answered eventually, but I do need answers or I’ll go crazy with wonder.

All in all, while this series does have its shortcomings the whole mythology and planning behind it was brilliant. With this episode, I’m actually excited again to watch this series week in and week out. I’m just saddened by the fact there’s only about four episodes left for this season, but I’ll savour them as much as possible.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“I’m the guy here, okay? I’m supposed to be the one who gets close, then pushes you away and freaks out. You’re kind of throwing me off here.” – Duke relates to an infected Jennifer.

“That guy has some serious jealousy issues.” – A seemingly amnesiac William mutters to Audrey, regarding Nathan.

“I can’t believe you actually tased me.” – Duke bewilderingly says to Dwight.

“Somebody really needs to take that thing away from him.” Duke states, concerning Dwight’s handling of the Taser.

All right, that’s me all caught up. Check back in tomorrow for my reviews of Once Upon A Time and Revenge. I’m off to go try and work on my pilot episode, and possibly watch Home Alone afterwards – only forty-five days until Christmas (P.S. I love Christmas)!

Haven 4.03 Review: Right When Your About to Give Up

Let’s get this out of the way. Anyone that has yet to watch last night’s episode of Haven, titled ‘Bad Blood’, and wishes to do so spoiler free, now would be the time to exit this blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

How to begin… This week’s episode of Haven was about a Trouble where blood was going after people and sucking them dry of their own. Unsurprisingly, there was the comparison to vampires, but at least this wasn’t an actual theory the characters were focusing on.

‘Bad Blood’ was okay, but it wasn’t the best that could’ve been written. My favourite parts were still the scenes surrounding Audrey/Lexie and William, and also the scenes at the morgue. I thought Richard Donat did very well in playing Vince not wanting to go in to guarantee whether or not Audrey was the body on ice. As long as he stayed outside the morgue, there would still be a chance that the body wasn’t Audrey. Then when we learned it wasn’t, it fit perfectly back into the moment where William tells Audrey/Lexie that she isn’t dead.

Without Audrey, I don’t think I’m much of a fan of Nathan. This brooding crap he’s emitting isn’t all that interestingly done, and not something I haven’t seen before. He’s kind of boring and one-dimensional at the moment, and I’d really like to see that change. His best moments were actually the ones with Jordan near the end, where she expresses just how much she doesn’t want to be stuck like this, and even then he didn’t really say much, it was more about his physical acting.

I’m really getting sick of this Wade character. He’s not convincing in this series, especially not as Duke’s brother. The writing for him is just not believable to me, and it’s just so cliché that he sticks around because his wife is cheating on him. And can I just say, how much he’s not acting like he’s hurt by that fact? The guy seems more wooden then anything. I’m completely surprised too, because I know he did well on Dexter, but on this show he’s just terrible.

While I’m going back and forth with this Jennifer character, particularly the way they keep writing her constantly changing, she wasn’t the worst part of this episode. I like it every time she’s kind of displaying nervousness, she’s definitely the most convincing in that. Whenever she started hearing the noises from the bar where Audrey/Lexie is in her head was certainly obvious, but interesting all the same.

The Sasquatch is still as wooden as ever. I really can’t stand him in the forefront of this series. It was interesting the first time he brought up being a cleaner coming in handy, but it was necessary to fit that in more than once. Those lines almost made it seem like he was bragging about, or really just reading off a script without actually acting. He was a much better character in the background, popping in and out, and keeping him up front and center is not improving his character. I get the logic behind him becoming Chief, now, but he’s just not a very good actor.

I’m still having trouble believing there isn’t some other way to make the Troubles go away for good. It can’t be simply for Audrey to sacrifice/kill her one love. There has to be some other way to keep them gone, and it better be something that makes sense when they finally do come out with it. It just doesn’t feel logical to me that the only way to give everyone a happy life in Haven, that she has to lose what makes her happy.

Also, where’s Audrey’s son? If the barn is dying, is he dead? That was such a big part of last season, and the previous seasons, being that he’s the Colorado Kid that Audrey was searching for for so long, and now that’s been basically forgotten. Will that be brought up again? I really think we deserve something more than just a disappearing act.

One other thing I was curious about in this episode, what was with all of the animal comparisons? I know they explained that Duke had been watching Animal Planet, or something, but what was the point to that? He doesn’t quite come across as someone that just watches documentary programs about animals. Plus, he didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic about it every time he brought it up. And also, has he already gotten over Audrey? He seems to have moved on pretty easily. Love triangle for three seasons, and then just instant progression for a character that hasn’t seen the woman in about a couple weeks.

Alas, I relent.

My rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Best Lines:

“Slowing down for a yellow is just a matter of taste.” – Dave, after having driven Vince’s car to the station.

“I don’t think it wants any of us, Sasquatch.” – Duke, referring to Dwight as the man-beast.

All right, that’s all for now. Don’t forget to check back in on Sunday for my reviews of Once Upon a Time and Revenge’s third season premieres. If you’re lucky, I might actually review Betrayal as well, if I get around to watching it.