Exploring 'Wayward Pines'


"I want to know what's out there. We deserve to know. I'm ready to face whatever it is." - Kate, "Wayward Pines"

During its upfront presentation in 2013, FOX announced a new limited series, "Wayward Pines." It came from M. Night Shymalan, it was based on a novel, and it had a good cast. But the 2013-2014 season came and went, and the show never aired.

During its upfront presentation in 2014, FOX again announced that "Wayward Pines" would be coming to the network. Then the 2014-2015 season mostly came and went, and no "Wayward Pines."

Finally in late May -- more than two years after it was announced -- the show finally debuted. But it was hard to know what to make of it if you hadn't read the book. The pilot was moody, but well shot. The performances were interesting, but the story and its direction was unclear.

What was the town of Wayward Pines? How did people get there? Why were the walls up? Why couldn't they go home?

If this was a different kind of series, we'd still be wondering, and most may have stopped caring about the show. But this isn't a different show. This is a limited series -- 10 episodes and they're done -- so there is no holding back.

That's why in the middle of its run, the questions were answered. The first half of the show was about Ethan (Matt Dillon) trying to find a way home. Now, it's about something else. "Wayward Pines" started with a slow burn -- and Shymalan's name might not mean what it once was -- but this has become a fascinating find in the middle of summer.

There are three episodes left, and I have no idea where this show is going. And that's a good thing.

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