Close Encounters of the Troubled Kind. Review: Haven, S3 "301"

Review: Haven, S3, Ep. 301 – “301”

Air Date: Friday, Sept 21, 2012, 10/9c on Syfy

Rating: ★★★★★

Close encounters…of the troubled kind is what’s in store for Havenites. An alien abduction, magnetic fields, invisible forces attacking, crop circles, and lights in the sky—is Haven being invaded by space aliens, or is this the work of a “troubled” mind? As Duke (Eric Balfour) points out, “Everything that’s happening now, happened before.”

Haven returns with an engrossing, aggressive, and beguiling season three opener in “301.” Haven is one of my favorite shows. The actors and the entire production lend such authenticity, it’s as if I’m right there with them as they work through every mystery. The dialogue is executed so well by each actor, it almost seems as though we’re watching actual happenings in a small New England port town—despite being filmed in Nova Scotia—rather than a TV series.

Based on Stephen King’s novella, The Colorado Kid, (which I haven’t read yet), even if you missed seasons one and two or haven’t read the book, you can still watch the show and not be lost. There will be obvious points of reference in the show pertaining to past episodes that you may not understand, but for the most part, though, the season three opener recaps a bit of what’s happened so far. The characters also highlight each of their unique gifts and troubles (which, essentially, is their curse).

Duke (Eric Balfour, back turned) tries to reason with an irate Nathan (Lucas Bryant) after Audrey’s kidnapping

Picking up immediately after the season two finale, we find Duke and Nathan (Lucas Bryant) battling it out on Duke’s boat after Nathan accuses him of kidnapping Audrey (Emily Rose). But, it seems too transparent for Duke to be the kidnapper. Someone conveniently places his necklace at the scene of the crime to lay blame but it also raises the question — how did the kidnapper get Duke’s necklace?

Many of the residents in Haven have what are known as “the troubles.” It’s sort of like a curse. Some of them can make people sick; some can put you in a snowglobe; and some, like Dwight (Adam Copeland/WWE Superstar Edge), are bullet magnets (I don’t envy that one little bit). Dwight has grown on me. He’s a bit brash and stubborn but I think he has to be given his unique trouble. Dwight’s still a bit of a mystery and we have only known him as “the cleaner.” However, his tie in with the Teague brothers, Dave (John Dunsworth) and Vince (Richard Donat), is a bit peculiar. They seem to have history but the origin of their acquaintance has yet to be revealed.

Duke (Eric Balfour, L) and Nathan (Lucas Bryant, R) are having an otherworldly experience and discover…crop circles

After Nathan tells Dwight about Audrey’s disappearance, Dwight asks Vince if he thinks Dave may be involved. We know Audrey is sort of a reincarnation of previous women, and each time she returns to Haven, she returns with someone else’s memories but always looks the same (except maybe her hair color). So, Vince is determined to help Audrey because I think he was in love with her 27 years earlier when she was known as Lucy. It’s a little suspect, though, when Dave arrives a bit late to the scene of a crash site where something strange crashes in the back yard of local resident Wesley (Michael Therriault), an alien conspiracy fanatic.

Vince: “Where the hell have you been?”

Dave: “There have been some incidents that needed managing, if you haven’t noticed.”

Vince: “What about Audrey’s disappearance? You managing that, too?”

Dave: “Don’t let your imagination get the best of you.”

Dave and Vince are on the outs right now but they’ll pull together to find out not only who kidnapped Audrey, but how that person knows so much about the Colorado Kid.

Audrey (Emily Rose) has been kidnapped by an unknown assailant who makes a bold statement – “You think you’re the only one who loved the Colorado Kid?”

Audrey, along with Wesley’s mother Roslyn (unseen, but voiced by Deborah Tennant) are being held captive in the basement of a local inn. Audrey has been beaten by her captor (unseen, but voiced by Tim Post) who keeps asking her, “Where is the Colorado Kid?” And after Audrey truthfully replies she doesn’t know, he asks, “You think you’re the only one who loved the Colorado Kid?” Well, there’s a new twist. Her captor thinks Audrey can remember who she was 27 years ago. Could Audrey actually remember? Could each reincarnation leave some residual memories that she might possibly tap into? It’s a big possibility, but one I think escapes Audrey at the moment. I mean, she’s bloodied and tied to a wooden post in a dank basement. I think she’s focused on her current life, not her past.

Observations:

Nathan reveals to Duke that he can feel Audrey’s touch and no one else’s. But Nathan’s trouble is he can’t feel anything – physically, that is. Duke’s reaction—surprised. Duke’s legacy is that all of his forefathers have been tasked with killing the troubled to end the lineage of the curse. I don’t think Duke would ever kill Audrey, despite what’s written in his father’s journal, but the way he and Nathan are at each other’s throats, combined with Duke’s feelings for Audrey, bodes ill. These two guys have known each other their whole lives but that doesn’t mean friendships can’t turn sour, especially when a woman is involved.

***

Strange isn’t it, when Dwight tells Vince about Audrey’s disappearance he suddenly has a massive nose bleed? Coincidence or something more…ominious?

***

When Audrey is finally free from her bonds, Duke and Nathan are on their way to the inn to rescue her. Duke finds her first but it is Nathan’s arms she runs to. The look on Duke’s face speaks volumes. He loves her toobut I don’t think Audrey reciprocates. I think she sees Duke more as a friend or like a brother, though I could be wrong.

***

A heated discussion leads to some grave digging:

Audrey (to both Dave and Vince): “Is the Colorado Kid still alive?”

Vince: “No,I helped bury him myself; plot 301 in Potter’s field.”

What they find in the coffin is unexpected and the message inscribed on the inside, “Find him before The Hunter,” is even more unusual since Audrey admits it’s her handwriting. And off on the sidelines, we catch a quick glimpse of someone watching them all through binoculars. My hunch is that it’s Audrey’s former FBI handler Agent Howard (Maurice Dean Wint), who’s been MIA for quite some time. I don’t think he’s the kidnapper but I think he orchestrated it.

***

I’m very excited for this season. The revelation that the Colorado Kid may still be alive is jaw dropping. Who is “The Hunter” and can our beloved Havenites find the Colorado kid before it’s too late?

Tune in to Haven, Fridays at 10/9c only on Syfy.

For more on Haven, go to http://www.syfy.com/haven

Follow the show on Twitter @Syfy using hashtag #Haven, and follow @EmilyroseLA, @EricBalfour

@davehaven and @vincehaven. For Eric Balfour fans – follow @EricBalfourfans

LIKE Haven on Facebook.

[nggallery id=431]

Extra! Extra! Read All About It! HAVEN HERALD – Sept. 21, 2012

Biography of the Author(Read Below)..
Latest Posts (view them )..

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.