Syfy’s new supernatural dramedy Haven brings its The X-Files -lite-meets- Murder She Wrote storytelling to a ho-hum resolution by the end of its pilot episode, despite the best efforts of sharp star Emily Rose.
The series, based on Stephen King novel The Colorado Kid, casts Rose as wisecracking FBI loner Audrey Parker, who brings an appealing antisocial attitude along with the crisp analytic skills you’d expect from a federal investigator.
In the one-hour pilot, which airs Friday, Parker is dispatched to investigate the murder of an escaped convict in a folksy New England seaport.
She quickly figures out that the secretive locals are an odd bunch: For starters, the local cop (played by Lucas Bryant) feels no pain.
Then there are the gusts of wind that mysteriously spring up out of nowhere during Parker’s interrogations. Also stirring the pot is Haven’s resident rascal, nicely played by Eric Balfour ( 24, Six Feet Under).
Unfortunately, by the pilot’s third act, breezy banter gives way to routine action scenes further undermined by soapy acting from supporting players.
Blowback: What’s Your Take on Haven?
Cut from the same sci-fi procedural cloth as Syfy’s returning summer series Warehouse 13 and Eureka, Haven could improve as the season progresses. Rose, seen previously in The Dead Zone, radiates plenty of fresh-faced charisma, but can the small-town Yankees she’s thrown amongst offer her feisty Agent Parker sufficient challenge?
The unfortunate tradition of Stephen King works mangled en route from page to screen makes the prospect of a mind-blowing Haven seem less than likely. Weigh in below.
Haven debuts Friday at 10 p.m./9 p.m. Central on Syfy.
