When I first saw this advertised, it seemed obvious that it was to be a remake of the 2012 French series Les Revenants, translated as "The Returned" when broadcast on Sundance Channel. Les Revenants, in turn, was based on a 2004 French movie "Les Revenants", translated as "They Came Back." So I was surprised when I recently read that it's NOT a remake of the French series, but based on a 2013 novel named... that's right, "The Returned." I'm afraid I can't buy that it's simply a coincidence. Nevertheless, I wanted to give it a fair shake.
First, the good points: The storyline and characters are mostly OK. I give just about any new show a few episodes for the actors to get comfortable and feeling their new roles. Even though I still maintain it's a little too close to Les Revenants, the location, characters, and so far the details are new. There were a couple of twists that were welcome.
And now, the not so good: There are some pretty bothersome problems throughout. I would have expected the first returnee to at least pretend to be a little more upset or confused with all the changes in the world since his initial death. Nope, he magically didn't notice that cars were different, technology was different, etc. Plus, he woke up with a perfectly clean shirt that, despite at least two or three days of running all over the place, miraculously remained spotless. How about a change of clothes? Parents? Directors? I don't care who, but someone get that kid a new shirt. Stat! Also, the direction kind of abruptly ended in a few spots. A clue given to details of the first returnee's death were curiously ignored. It was picked up later, but just didn't seem like it was handled well.
And there were a few tired clichés here and there. I actually laughed at one scene when a liquor bottle was whipped out and guzzled furiously, and then shattered. It was over the top.
I'll give it a few more episodes to see if it can come into its own. If so, it will be nice to have another sci-fi-ish show to watch. If not, I'll chalk it up to just another sub-par remake of a great foreign series (e.g. "Queer As Folk" and "Being Human"). Oh, except it isn't a remake. Sort of.
First, the good points: The storyline and characters are mostly OK. I give just about any new show a few episodes for the actors to get comfortable and feeling their new roles. Even though I still maintain it's a little too close to Les Revenants, the location, characters, and so far the details are new. There were a couple of twists that were welcome.
And now, the not so good: There are some pretty bothersome problems throughout. I would have expected the first returnee to at least pretend to be a little more upset or confused with all the changes in the world since his initial death. Nope, he magically didn't notice that cars were different, technology was different, etc. Plus, he woke up with a perfectly clean shirt that, despite at least two or three days of running all over the place, miraculously remained spotless. How about a change of clothes? Parents? Directors? I don't care who, but someone get that kid a new shirt. Stat! Also, the direction kind of abruptly ended in a few spots. A clue given to details of the first returnee's death were curiously ignored. It was picked up later, but just didn't seem like it was handled well.
And there were a few tired clichés here and there. I actually laughed at one scene when a liquor bottle was whipped out and guzzled furiously, and then shattered. It was over the top.
I'll give it a few more episodes to see if it can come into its own. If so, it will be nice to have another sci-fi-ish show to watch. If not, I'll chalk it up to just another sub-par remake of a great foreign series (e.g. "Queer As Folk" and "Being Human"). Oh, except it isn't a remake. Sort of.