Feel the Burn. Retrospective: Haven — “Survivors”

Season 4, Episode 02

Air Date: Friday, September 20, 2013, 10/9c on Syfy.

Rating: ★★★★★

“It’s more like having a supernatural ability that you don’t want and can’t control.” – Dave

As anxious as everyone is to find Audrey (Emily Rose), there are some serious “troubles” brewing in Haven. With people being “incinerated” where they stand, Dwight (Adam Copeland) tries to drive the point home to Nathan (Lucas Bryant), who seems to be losing focus of that.

Observations:

Dwight wants to help Nathan in spite of the Guards protests

Nathan is hurting but knows he needs to help Dwight if he wants to keep The Guard off his back. And in spite of Dwight warning a furious Jordan (Kate Kelton), she manages to stick her nose into everything. “What I’m worried about is him [Nathan] getting turned into that [pointing to the burned corpse] because if that happens, the troubles never end, and I wear these [gloves] forever and you spend the rest of your life in that bullet proof vest.” Who else thought Jordan was growing the biggest pair of balls when she tells Vince (John Dunsworth) she wants him to “leave the Guard.” My jaw is still sore from dropping so far!

Duke (Eric Balfour) is dealing with some dizzying issues of his own – like how to get his brother Wade (Christian Camargo) out of Haven before the Guard kills him. Yes…the Guard are very touchy about having two Crockers in town given their familial legacy. But after a the drunken conversation Wade has with Duke, it seems Wade may not have the family curse coursing through his veins after all. I think Duke and Wade just may be half-brothers but I don’t think the Guard wants to risk it either way.

Is Duke developing feelings for Jennifer…and vice versa?

Duke is also trying desperately to protect Jennifer (Emma Lahana) from getting involved in this current trouble case. As he tells Nathan, “I would prefer that the nice girl who broke me out of a mental institution not get killed because you screwed up.” Does Duke have feelings for Jennifer or is this him feeling grateful? I think both. Jennifer is quite pretty, and I’m eager to find out what’s going to happen with her memory and trouble now that she is disposing of her meds. Lahana is doing a wonderful job with her character portrayal. She brings a sort of fresh innocence to Jennifer’s scenes, especially when Dave (Richard Donat) and Jennifer get to talking about Audrey and the troubles. He tells her, “Haven also has a lot of gas leaks.” Damn those gas leaks! Dave also gives her something to ponder:

Dave: “You found Duke when he fell out of the barn, and I’m betting you’ll find Audrey too.”

Jennifer: “That’s what everyone keeps saying.”

I have a feeling Jennifer’s apprehension may be caused by fear. This is all new to her, and I think she may be reciprocating some latent feelings for Duke as well. Besides, didn’t you find it peculiar that Jennifer went to Haven so easily with Duke after knowing him for mere minutes? Perhaps there’s more to Jennifer than we realize.

Lexie surprises herself when she can put Williams gun back together when he is accosted by two men

Meanwhile, in a still unknown part of the world, William (Colin Ferguson) desperately tries to convince Lexie DeWitt (Emily Rose) she isn’t who she thinks she is. As Lexie recounts how she got to wherever they are, despite her reservations about William, you can tell she’s curious about his story. After an intense altercation when two armed men, one the deranged sinister gunman (Kyle Mitchell) from “Fallout” and his muscle (Robert Maillet)enter the bar where Lexie works, she miraculously puts the gun William broke down back together and takes aim at the two henchmen. Obviously, Lexie is astounded she has the ability to reassemble the gun but I am more curious about William and his intentions. If he’s found Lexie, who is really Audrey, and he knows about Haven, why hasn’t he contacted anyone in Haven, ME? Don’t you think that’s strange? And who are these two henchmen? I think the whole scenario of them waltzing into the bar to accost William is a set-up to get a reaction from Lexie. It worked.

What a job for Haven’s Medical Examiner – Christopher Shore as Dr. Lucassi

This week’s trouble case is a doozy. People are actually being burned to a crisp – only their bones remain intact after their charcoal-like flesh has crumbled away. What intrigues me is not the actual trouble but how Nathan must essentially talk the people down from the ledge, so to speak, so they realize they are hurting people. Also, Nathan and Dwight are working together more now that Audrey is gone. I am thrilled that Copeland is being featured more this season. He’s come such a long way from season two, and has grown so much as an actor. Dwight’s calm and collected approach as the new Police Chief has earned him respect. It doesn’t hurt that he’s a big hulking guy who looks like he could pummel you with one punch.

Overall, “Survivors” is a complex and entertaining episode. There’s obviously the macabre with the burn victims, and tension, animosity, and humor…mostly from Duke. I wasn’t sure how I would feel with Audrey being out of the picture for so long with the regular crew in Haven but I quite like the suspense of her discovering who she is without the help of her old friends. And, in the upcoming previews for next week’s episode hinting that Audrey/Lexie could be deceased? I’m dying with anticipation to know more!

For more on Haven, go to http://www.syfy.com/haven.

Follow the show on Twitter @Syfy using hashtag #DiscoverHaven , as well as cast members @EmilyroseLA, @EricBalfour, @davehaven, and @vincehaven. For Eric Balfour fans – follow @EricBalfourfans.

LIKE Haven on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/haven.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.