Review: #Haven , Season 2, Ep 2 "Fear and Loathing" (Your worst fears manifest right before your eyes)

Air Date: Friday, July 22, 2011 10/9c

Rating ★★★★★

Haven is the quintessential “hidden little gem” that I’m so glad I discovered. I’d heard about the show prior to season two but didn’t hear much buzz on it. It was as if fans of the show were a lot like the townsfolk of Haven, ME – trying to keep it quiet like a cult secret. Well, call me the whistle blower because I’m ready to blow the lid off this intriguing show.

It’s no secret I’m into all things paranormal and supernatural (sans zombies, I hate zombies) so when I began researching to write my review of the season two premiere, I had no idea I was going to be so completely entranced by Haven. I’m now more inclined to find and read Stephen King’s “The Colorado Kid,” which is the basis for the show’s premise.

Review: #Haven , Season 2, Ep 2 "Fear and Loathing" (Your worst fears manifest right before your eyes) 1

Pictured: Lucas Bryant as Nathan, (background) Eric Balfour as Duke and Emily Rose as Audrey

“Fear and Loathing” presents us with a unique problem – people’s worst fears are manifesting right before their eyes. All save Audrey Parker (1) (Emily Rose). It seems she isn’t affected by this strange affliction. Everyone else, including Audrey Parker (2) (Kathleen Munroe), is seeing their nightmares come to fruition. Duke (Eric Balfour) sees the tattooed man, who supposedly will kill him one day; others see rabid mad dogs, burn victims, decayed and deceased spouses (eww, zombie!), and scary clowns (shudders). I hate clowns.

Audrey (2): “And why weren’t you affected?”

Audrey (1): “I don’t know…I’m…usually…not.”

There are even more strange things happening, like Nathan Wuornos (Lucas Bryant) regaining his ability to feel. The glowing enamored grin on Nathan’s face while investigating these incidents vastly contradicts amid the town’s current crisis. Maybe he should have taken Duke up on his offer to call some lady friends to help him “process” his new ‘feelings.’ But I think we know why he doesn’t. What’s most curious is how before he regained his sense of feeling, Nathan was only able to feel Audrey’s (1) touch. What is it about Audrey (1) that makes her so special? She’s not affected by what’s ailing the town and she’s the only one Nathan can ‘feel.’ Could this be her curse – being immune to supernatural phenomenon? Nathan also seems to have a fondness for her but I’m not quite sure if it’s reciprocated. The conversation they have while he relishes his sense of touch is quite telling.

As Nathan gently touches the petals of a white rose to his lips, Audrey (1) looks on inquisitively.

Nathan: “Did you know the skin on your lips is the most sensitive on your entire body?”

Audrey (1): “Ok, you’re starting to weird me out.”

Nathan: “Still getting used to this whole feeling thing. Back when you…kissed my cheek…that was the first time in years that I felt another person’s touch. I hope you didn’t feel too weird about it.”

Audrey (1) <confused look>: “Why would I feel weird?”

Nathan <pregnant pause>: “Exactly.”

Review: #Haven , Season 2, Ep 2 "Fear and Loathing" (Your worst fears manifest right before your eyes) 2

Ian threatens to kill Brian (Craig Arnold), Jackie's boyfriend, if he doesn't get his way

Nathan’s sudden resurgence of his sense of touch isn’t a coincidence. A local girl, Jackie (Andria Wilson), seems to have had her affliction – the one causing everyone to see their worst fears when they see her – return at about the same time Nathan lost his. It seems another local, Ian (Brian Dick), used his ability of acquiring other’s abilities by taking blood samples of his victims to collect scattered pieces of a children’s puzzle created by one of his ancestors. He can only hold one ability at a time. He used Jackie’s ability to distract those in possession of the smaller pieces of the puzzle and then uses Nathan’s inability to feel pain to break into the Haven museum to steal the final piece – the puzzle board.

This puzzle, a replica of Haven, was imbued with hatred for the town and when you fit the pieces of the puzzle together, the buildings, along with anyone or anything in them, will disintegrate. It is creepy enough seeing Ian crawl out of a narrow chimney with dislocated shoulders, but even more creepy is the eerie nursery rhyme playing while Ian begins putting the pieces of the puzzle together, “One, two, buckle my shoe. Three, four, better shut the door. Five, six, pick up stix….”

I’ll say this – they really know how to capture the creepy essence Stephen King weaves into his stories.

Review: #Haven , Season 2, Ep 2 "Fear and Loathing" (Your worst fears manifest right before your eyes) 3

Pictured: (l-r) Eric Balfour as Duke Crocker, Emily Rose as Audrey Parker

Several things have me perplexed. First, why does Dave (John Dunsworth) deny seeing Audrey’s (1) mom Lucy Ripley in the bus station to Vince (Richard Donat)? Why is Lucy his worst fear? The look on Dave’s face when Vince says, “I’m sorry,” to which he replies menacingly, “No you’re not,” feels hardened. What secrets lie between Dave and Lucy? Second, Audrey (2) is doing some snooping around about Audrey’s (1) former FBI handler, Agent Howard (Maurice Dean Wint). What puzzles me is how both women have identical memories, a fear of clowns, and drink sparkling water with an orange peel. Which one is the real Audrey Parker?

Tune in to Haven Fridays at 10/9c only on Syfy.

Follow the show on Twitter @Syfy #Haven @EmilyroseLA @ERICBALFOUR

LIKE Haven on Facebook http://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.