Review of ‘Haven’ – Resurfacing

Dead men tell no tales, but poltergeists have a lot to say to the living

The phrase, “daddy’s back” took on a whole new meaning in this week’s fantastical episode of ghosts, poltergeists and those who can simply move faster than anyone can see. A family mourning the loss of their husband and father appeared to be haunted by a spirit refusing to pass over. Yet, Audrey’s (Emily Rose) investigation turned up not a ghost, but a fully flesh and blood father who was afflicted by a condition that once triggered meant that he simply existed in a plane where he was moving so much faster than everything else around him that it appeared that he was no longer there. But just because you can see or feel someone does not mean that they are not there.

However, in Audrey’s case, apparently she can. She may not have been able to see James, but when she reached out and touched him, her touch slowed his agitated condition enough that he could be seen again. But it was only Audrey who could do this. She alone had the unique ability to ease James’ “troubled” state. So as she gave him a measure of peace and closure with his family, James gave Audrey the one piece of the puzzle that she needed to finally get a sense of who she is.

As suspected, the fact that Audrey and Lucy (Emily Rose) look so much alike is perhaps not simply genetics. Audrey may in fact be Lucy. And that is the mystery which we all want to know more about. Hopefully, next week’s finale answers that monumental question.

What Worked

While Nathan (Lucas Bryant) has gotten better control over his need to be around Audrey constantly and to find reasons to touch her, he did admit that he was happy she decided to stay in Haven. Coming from a man who is pretty circumspect about how he feels about those he cares about, it was a huge admission. Even Audrey picked up on the unspoken subtext and tried to deflect it by joking about pirates who may have looted the shipwrecked boat.

So with Audrey dodging Nathan to pursue more about the “troubles,” Nathan sought out Duke for assistance on the case. Fortunately, Duke (Eric Balfour) was much more willing to embrace Nathan’s newfound openness and softening attitude towards his fellow man. With the realization that he may not be cursed to live amongst but separate from those around him, Nathan has not only tentatively reached out to Audrey in friendship, but also he broke the ice in his relationship with Duke too. While the childhood prank that Duke pulled was despicable, as Duke pointed out, they were 8 years old at the time. Slapping tacks into a boy’s back so it would bleed and he would not feel it is cruel, but that incident is perhaps something that Nathan needs to forgive.

Thus, Nathan and Duke’s renewed attempt at a friendship was healing too. It showed that Nathan was no longer willing to live cut off from the world and was reaching out — even after getting his heart broken by Jess (Anne Caillon). Audrey may not be ready for more than friendship and is too preoccupied to really be there for Nathan, but Duke seems to need a friend just as much as Nathan. Even Audrey recognized how significant their tentative attempt at friendship was as she watched from afar as they played cards.

Audrey healed them too. That’s her gift. She brings healing. Her physical touch brings about a temporary reprieve from whatever each of the “troubled” are afflicted by and her presence promotes friendship and goodwill. It was something that Lucy did as well. So when James’ wife asked Audrey why Audrey could sense James when she could not, Audrey could only say, “I don’t know.” But after finding the scar on the bottom of her foot, Audrey is beginning to suspect that maybe she is Lucy. Wouldn’t that just be poetic, if Audrey turned out to be the one woman that she has been looking for all along?

What Didn’t Work

After several episodes with Julia so prominently featured, it felt odd that she was not around — even just as a medical examiner. Let us hope that she reappears for next week’s big season finale and has not vanished off the story page.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

“Resurfacing” was written by Charles Ardai and directed by Mike Rohl. “Haven” stars Emily Rose, Lucas Bryant, and Eric Balfour. “Haven” airs Fridays at 10:00 pm on Syfy.

Related article: http://www.rabiddoll.com/node/1505/haven-resurfacing.html