I kinda think I love Wayward Pines. It’s not reinventing the wheel, but it’s solid genre television. Just when you think it’s settling into its “Twin Peaks by way of The Prisoner” groove, it zigs where other shows would zag. “Our Town, Our Law” shows that the show has a much broader scope than you’d think.
Things get off to a good start, with an eerie montage juxtaposing Ethan’s escape attempt with Sheriff Pope’s speech to the townspeople (the tableau of Beverly’s body hanging behind him is chillingly reminiscent of Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”). “Our Town” is the most dangerous feeling episode of Wayward Pines thus far, and that’s due in no small part to Terrence Howard’s commanding performance as Pope. In each preceding episode, Howard has gradually ratcheted up the menace, and by Wayward‘s third installment, he’s created one of TV’s most genuinely compelling villains. Here he’s aided by director Zal Batmanglij, who has a great eye for framing Howard. Batmanglij is a capable, efficient storyteller, and it’s encouraging to see that he’s slated to direct another episode.
Last week I wondered how Wayward could sustain its premise with Ethan constantly on the run. “Our Town” offers an answer, which is: very well, as it turns out. No one really seems to be looking for Ethan, and as I started to wonder why, I realized it’s because they all know he can’t escape. He certainly tries, though; he stows away in a food delivery truck, which ends up at a facility filled with busted-up cars – including his wife Theresa’s. It was a smart move on the show’s part to get Theresa and Ben to Wayward Pines, and the revelation came only minutes after I wrote “T & B headed to WP?” in my notes. If this seems like predictable storytelling, it’s not. There’s a clear through-line explaining how they got to the titular city, and from a narrative standpoint, it’s better to pair Ethan with his family. Plus, every episode of Wayward Pines has a shit-ton of plot, and uniting all the characters is a good way to avoid fatigue or confusion. (In a nicely perverse touch, the Burkes are moved into Beverly’s old house, replete with a fully-stocked fridge and a creepy realtor who may or may not want to help, played by the always welcome Justin Kirk, the only good part of Tyrant.)
Theresa and Ben try to escape, but not before Pope shows up to intimidate her, a scene wisely underplayed by all involved, including Batmanglij, who frames Howard in an unmoving wide shot that is nothing short of chilling. Pope stops their escape, and right as he’s about to shoot Ethan, Ben runs into him with a car. This scene contains the “biggest” acting Howard has done all season, and it’s impossible to take your eyes off of the man. It’s too bad that Ethan kills him, but it speaks volumes about Wayward that it’s willing to kill two main characters within three episodes. Once the Burkes are in the car, some thing lopes out of the gate and makes off with Pope’s body. It’s right at this moment that Wayward Pines becomes appointment television. Consider me very impressed.
A Few Thoughts
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I know this review is short, sorry. I’m writing on a tablet keyboard that is…uncooperative, to say the least
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Sorry no Game of Thrones or Community this week. I’ve been busy as hell packing to move from Denver to LA. If it helps, I planned on giving both episodes four stars. Also, I know Aquarius premiered last night; expect coverage to start next week, but as of now I’m stranded in Flagstaff with a blown-out transmission, and as nice as the staff is at the Colony Inn Motel, the WiFi blows
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Loved the reveal that the house on First Avenue is basically dead body storage
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Matt Dillon is doing tremendous work as Ethan. On a scale of 1-Roger Clinton, how embarrassed do you think he is of his brother, Entourage‘s Kevin Dillon?
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