The River

The River. Not exactly a show title that inspires fear or intrigue. The show itself is a supernatural themed horror filmed a la documentary style. A documentary style show that seems to have gotten rid of the shaky camera styles and some of the other annoying camera techniques that some have learned to not like.

The pilot was decent enough; however, I do not believe the show really finds itself until after episode 4 or 5 where it really starts to pickup. There is an adventure team similar to the TV Show Destination Truth that is sent to the Amazons most remote areas to find a missing adventure TV star. Along the way the encounter ghosts, possessions, plagues, a mysterious tribe of head hunters and also a shadowy group of natives that seem to resemble angels? They seem to have scars on their back below their shoulder bones where they apparently have cut off their wings. OK so now we are getting somewhere!

By the time we hit episode 7 the fear has finally reached a new pinnacle. *SPOILERS* For me Episode 7 is what this show should really be! The group wanders into the forest in the most remote region of the Amazon only to encounter what is a very secretive and undoubtedly illegal genetic research facility (not unlike 'The Hive' research facility you see in the movie Resident Evil). The facility appears to be recently destroyed, it is a very large complex of building seeming very out of place located in the middle of the jungle. Upon searching the abandoned facility they manage to find a mass grave in the basement of the main building with corpses that appear to be 'half eaten' and rotting. At this point the show takes on an almost movie like quality inspiring fear, and mystery. This is getting good! It very quickly becomes clear they are not alone...there is fresh blood and recently dismembered body parts in the medical facility indicating recent activity. The group manages to find one survivor, a member of the missing TV show hosts original entourage who seems traumatized having managed to survive for weeks in the building. She warns them of an impending attack of what can only be described as zombies on steroids, or perhaps a living version of infected humans similar to what is seen in the show 28 days later. They are chased by the zombies running for their lives until they manage to barricade themselves into a room while the horde tries to break down their door,,,,what a show!

Thats a taste of what you will find in this series. Admittedly I found that some of the episodes were a little boring; however, there are also episodes that are amazing like episode 7. I truly hope that the episode 7 excitement and level of quality is a sign of what is to come on future episodes for season 2.

Lost in the dark shadows of the Amazon rain forest the group encounters evil magics, ghosts and all sorts of paranormal entities that really seem to add some awesomeness to this show! All the excitement that can be seen in some of the really good episodes is also hurt by the episodes that are not that great. I believe the show has the potential to be truly great and a cult classic if done properly.

If Netflix picks up season 2 of the series there will be hope for it yet! I would like to see the show take on a more 'the walking dead' type spin- I mean zombies in the amazon rain forest!?! what could be better than this!

Good show, great potential. I have great hopes for Season 2 and go ahead and enjoy season 1 !

WARNING: This is not a show for hard materialists and positivist types. will no doubt 'offend' or 'bore' them somehow. That said, maybe that is why I love it. No 'Darwin' this and that. Not a single line bashing religion or God. Various people from cultures who are actually portrayed as PEOPLE, not 'noble savages' or 'lazy Latino' or the like. Very little PC at all. Very apolitical. Like a breath of fresh air.

Interesting take on the style. A great cast. The effects are more movie house than TV. BIG budget stuff.

The subject is a fascinating one involving mythology and 'magic' and is not bogged down by lame 'nerdcore' explanations of every aspect. Scientific dogma is shattered in the first 15 minutes of the first episode, and the viewer is invited down the Rabbit hole in style. Great show. 'There's Magic out there!' and it's called 'The River'.

In 2012, a new TV show aired on ABC called "The River;" amongst the constant release of "found-footage" horror films, or those mixed with traditional film, it seemed only fitting that a television series be made too, since these movies were so popular. Sadly, "The River" was canceled after only 8 episodes, and in these 8 episodes (produced by legend Steven Spielberg) we were introduced to a place where everything we know is wrong. "The River" is centered around an expedition into the Amazon, where TV show host, role model, and father Emmett Cole (Bruce Greenwood) went missing after his 22-year of the Undiscovered Country, a TV series that involved him and his family traversing the wild. Lincoln (Joe Anderson), his mother Tess (Leslie Hope) and some of the old crew of the Undiscovered Country then begin searching for Emmett, who's last position was on the Boiuna, a part of the Amazon that mysteriously vanishes into dense forest.

"The River" is easily one of the most entertaining, thrilling television shows ever made, as its strong cast, great visuals, sleek directing and creativity create an engrossing atmosphere and characters that you love and ones you love to hate. I have no clue why this was canceled because there was so much potential for this show to be something extraordinarily great; a cross between Lost and Prometheus, except Prometheus is getting a sequel. Now, I would recommend this show to everyone because it is something truly different, and full of cerebral scares (and a few jump scares), but because of the way it's filmed I cannot; some people can't handle the "found-footage" angles and shots. But those willing to watch, mainly those who love sci-fi/mystery/horror, will not be sorry. Hopefully someone can get the guys at ABC or whoever to use Kickstarter to bring back The River.

9/10 Stars

I hated lost, but this is 'lostesque' it is just an amazing adventure. Each episode could be an episode in the twilight zone, but they have strung it together with the "Searching for Dr Cole" theme.

I loved it, I found myself glued to each episode, there are just no dull parts. I don't know if they will or can hold this together for a second season, but so far it is amazing.

Every film of 'magic', 'exorcism', 'paranormal', 'mythology' etc, is in this series - you watch the first episode and wonder if it can keep it up - but in my humble opinion each episode just gets better. I am not easily fooled into watching and being sucked into a series, this one had me captivated.

Of course there are some downfalls, like "How do they keep that cell phone, or video camera, charged for months", but who cares, the show is great!

Please, Please keep up the great work, don't let this show die the normal death of series 2 mediocrity.

I still can't get this TV-show out of my head. It was good. It was well-done. It was engaging. Such a shame that it has been closed! I hope it will be continued one day, somehow :) Loved the plot, the actors, the thrill of it. Again, hope this one will be revived! Fingers crossed.