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

M. Night Shyamalan's mystery thriller, Wayward Pines, is everything I hoped it would be and more. Wayward Pines is a mysterious small town in Idaho where visitors struggle to understand the origins and mysteries of it and how to get out of it. A civil war is brewing in the town and questions about of the human race is in danger. It reminds me of From or Twin Peaks, not as quite as good but still good. Besides having a big name director it has an even better cast that's full of Oscar and Emmy nominees and winners. This is such an interesting and original show that you're going to want to binge it as quickly as you can. So make sure to give yourself enough time because once you start it you wont want to stop.

It's a shame that it's over after just two seasons

A year ago, I watched the first season and, since it was a well-rounded story that does not require a continuation, and since the second season has picked up predominantly bad criticism, I gave up on further watching. A few days ago, I changed my mind and watched the series all the way through. Do not make the mistake I made and believe bad reviews, because the second season is excellent, and in some aspects maybe better than the first one. I guess bad reviews are the result of a big difference between seasons, but the fact that the second season deviated from the patterns of the first does not make it worse, just different. While the first season is a mindfak mystery and is based on confusing plot and mystical atmosphere, the second season is a post-apocalyptic SF drama. While the first season puzzles you and makes you guess, the second gives answers but, because of the strong interpersonal relationships, life dramas and several unexpected surprises and plot twists, it isn't any less exciting than the first. I believe it could have been better, but it's great anyway and it's a real shame they gave up on it after just two seasons. Don't let the fact it's canceled dissuade you from watching it, because both seasons are rounded wholes, that leave room for a continuation, but don't require it. There are no unresolved cliffhangers.

P.S. I did not mention anything about the story itself, because even the briefest summary would be an unforgivable spoiler.

8/10

Wayward Pines was so much better than I expected, at least season 1 was. I can't believe this show wasn't talked about more when it was out or maybe it was and I just missed it. First off, what a cast...Matt Dillon, Terrence Howard, Carla Gugino, Toby Jones, Shannon Sossaman, Melissa Leo, Jason Patric, Djimon Hounsou, etc. I mean, wow. It's hard to find too many shows with better than that. This show will have too on the edge of your seat and guessing what's next throughout every episode. Wayward Pines is one of the reason people were so excited excited about M. Night Shyamalan. His movies/shows are hit or miss but Wayward Pines is a hit.

There are several ways to interpret this series. As a European, familiar with communism and the heinous tactics its leaders have used to turn people against each other, I also realize how both communism and fascism try to create external enemies to strengthen trust in their own society, which is a major theme in this series.

The series has other important messages: terrorists who defy an opressade system are not always "good". They can, due to their fanaticism, also harm or even kill innocent people. In the same way, fanatic followers of the communist or fascist dictator are just as quick to intervene and resort to violence against their own population to uphold the dictator's laws.

Perhaps a coincidence, but the "leader" in the series is reminiscent of the always smiling, gentle and "friendly" but in reality brutal och ruthless Pol Pot.

Despite a limited budget, which is clearly evident when the "monsters" appear, the series is both worth watching and thought-provoking.