DO YOU COPY?: 'Wayward Pines' draws viewers in with secrets, strangeness

Daniel Brount is a senior creative writing major and writes ‘Do You Copy?’ for the Daily News. His views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper. Write to Daniel at djbrount@bsu.edu.


Daniel Brount

Prepare to be immersed in the strange, fictional town of Wayward Pines, Idaho.

“Wayward Pines,” the 10-episode Fox miniseries premiering May 14, follows Secret Service agent Ethan Burke (Matt Dillon) on a mission to find two missing agents. One of those agents, Kate Hewson (Carla Gugino) is Burke’s former lover, although he is currently married with a teenage son.

Produced by M. Night Shyamalan and based on the trilogy of novels written by Blake Crouch, this show piles on question after question. In some cases the weird situations become distracting. But even after viewing just five episodes, questions start getting answers and the weirdness only adds to the entertainment.

Burke’s mission leads him to Wayward Pines, a small, genre-twisting town with more secrets than citizens. He wakes up in the town hospital after a car accident, and each day he spends there opens up new questions and secrets.

Soon he learns of Wayward Pines’ mysterious rules. He breaks them every step of the way.

“Do not try to leave.”

Although you may want to stop watching after the first few episodes, keep watching. Part of the show’s value is its ability to keep answers hidden until just the right time.

With every answer, “Wayward Pines” gives two more questions. But this is just part of the show’s escalating tension, which is one of its greatest appeals. We learn as Burke learns. Luckily, this helped me relate more to his mostly unlikable character.

“Do not discuss the past.”

Rather than just focusing on Burke, the show also follows his wife Theresa Burke (Shannyn Sossamon) and his son Ben Burke (Charlie Tahan) as they try to find Ethan after his mysterious disappearance.

The Secret Service claims they are unable to locate him, so Theresa and Ben take on the job themselves. By bringing out the conflicts of the past, “Wayward Pines” adds to the tension. It’s exciting to see the impact of the past as it unfolds in the present.

“Do not discuss your life before.”

As the series progresses, it becomes painfully clear that this is not a typical television show. “Wayward Pines” takes advantage of its miniseries status by developing its characters just enough and shifting genres when it needs to.

Don’t let the TV shows you’re used to watching impede your interest. This show isn’t afraid to break boundaries.

“Always answer the phone if it rings.”

As the show shifts genres and stacks questions, make sure to keep your ears open and eyes focused. “Wayward Pines” throws in seemingly minor clues along the way, but by keeping an eye out for those details, the reveals become all the more worth it.

Both the actors and writers succeeded in sneaking in these details, as they’re subtle and easily missed. However, that just made me feel closer to Ethan Burke as I watched him analyze every action taken and word said, even when he finds himself reaching into the bushes to find out that the cricket noises are coming from speakers, not insects.

“Work hard, be happy, and enjoy your life in Wayward Pines.”

You might not want to sit through the first few episodes waiting as the drama builds, but if you work hard and stick around, you’ll be surprised and enthralled as the secrets of “Wayward Pines” develop and draw you in.

If you don’t think you have the patience to wait for the secrets to unfold, wait until the series ends and binge watch it. “Wayward Pines,” like its secrets, is worth the wait.

Rating: 4/5