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Review: #Haven, Season 2, Ep. 3 “Love Machine” (Makes you think twice about being mean to your appliances)

Air Date: Friday, July 29, 2011 10/9c

Rating ★★★★★

The two Audreys (Kathleen Munroe, L; Emily Rose, R) rent an apartment from Duke (Eric Balfour)

It looks like the two Audreys – Audrey (1) (Emily Rose) and Audrey (2) (Kathleen Munroe) are working toward becoming closer friends rather than figuring out why they share the exact same memories. They even decide to rent the apartment above Duke’s (Eric Balfour) bar/restaurant, The Grey Gull.

Audrey (1): “Why the sudden rent reduction?”

Duke: “Uh…oh you know… I’d just uh…rather…rent to a friend.”

Audrey (2): “Especially if she’s a cop. It’s a good cover for the crook you got bartending down stairs.”

Duke: “You’re not as nice as the blonde one, are you?”

Audrey ( 2) shows Audrey (1) some map coordinates for an island ten miles off the coast, written in the book left at Agent Howard’s (Maurice Dean Wint, unseen). Audrey (2) enlists the help of Duke to get across to the island, which doesn’t sit too well with Evi (Vinessa Antoine). First, what was Agent Howard doing in Haven and on a deserted island no less? What is on the island? Could it be a link to the mystery of the two Audreys sharing one set of memories? Second, why has Evi come back into Duke’s life? Yes, she’s his ex-wife, but it’s clear she makes him quite nervous whenever she comes around. It’s no secret they’ve both bent the law in their past, but she wants something – I’m just not sure if it’s Duke or something he possess. Those strange drawings in the FBI file that Audrey (2) used as leverage against Duke appear to be more than just art.

Nathan (Lucas Bryant) and Audrey (1) (Emily Rose) investigate strange incidents involving machines that seem to have a mind of their own

With a title like “Love Machine,” you think the episode deals with something…sensual. Unfortunately, it isn’t about someone with an insatiable lust but rather, psychotic machines who refuse to share their mechanic Louis (Hugo Speer) with anyone. If you think having a lovelorn stalker is nuts, imagine having every machine you fix becoming obsessed with you. It makes you think twice about how you treat your toaster from now on (pets toaster 🙂 ).

Louis has fixed almost all the machines in Haven and they are retaliating against anyone who tries to take him away, including Jimmy Halsey (J.D. Nicholsen), whom they’ve already killed. Now they’re gunning for Louis’ girlfriend, Marcia (Lisa Houle). So it seems not only are residents of Haven troubled but the machines can become troubled too. And did you notice the self-playing piano stops when Audrey (1) comes near? I have my suspicions that her ability or ‘trouble’ is she is unaffected by the strange happenings that befall Havenites, but it’s curious that she is able to play the piano never having taken lessons.

As Audrey (1) and Nathan try to uncover the mystery of the killer machines, Audrey (2) finds a curious looking building on the island. Although we cannot see what she sees inside, we are privy to what it does to her and that it has wiped her memory of all things Audrey Parker.  The strangest thing occurs when Nathan and Audrey (1) try to find the building – it’s gone, completely vanished. The only evidence of its existence is the plot of land with discolored grass—like when you move a couch that’s been on the carpet since you moved in.

Audrey (2) (Kathleen Munroe, L) can't remember who she is or was despite Audrey (1) (Emily Rose, R)providing details to jog her memory

Haven is a unique show balancing drama, mystery, thriller, and a pinch of comedy, all thickly encased in supernatural mayhem. I really do enjoy watching this show immensely; however, my only real issue with “Love Machine” is that the strange case had very little to do with what happened to Audrey (2) on the island and only one point relating to Audrey (1) in regard to the piano.

With Audrey (2) now an amnesic being cared for by her beau Brad (Guy Germain), Audrey (1) is left to live in the apartment alone pondering if her knowledge of piano playing stems from being the reincarnated Lucy Ripley.

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

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Photos © NBC Universal/Syfy.

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.

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.