One of the first things that the show’s creators, Sam and Jim, are quick to mention in this episode’s podcast commentary is that originally this episode was meant to be episode 4. Due to some very expensive maneuverings, the two episodes switched positions with some of the details (such as the last scene) being moved for continuity’s sake. I can understand their point about how this is just a better episode to follow-up the premier with in terms of characterization and development. We learn quite a bit about Nathan in this episode, but we also learn about the history of the town itself.
Like the first episode, this is a mystery within a mystery. The first mystery is what is making these seemingly random events happen and the second is who is making these random events happen. Suspects–and motivations–once again abound, but this is a more careful examination of what could be.
Stephen McHattie guest stars as the Rev, a man who views the “Troubles” and those afflicted as being straight from the devil. His only daughter, Hannah, who went to school with Nathan and briefly dated him, is stuck as his (mostly reluctant) housekeeper and is helping to raise a recent orphan that the Rev adopted named Bobby. The Rev is a loud, demanding, and tyrannical sort of man, using the Bible and God as a means to bully people into listening to him. Hannah is quiet, but cares deeply for Bobby. Bobby obviously cares for Hannah, respects the Rev, and still grieves for the accident that took his family.
To say that this town breeds (or attracts) troubled, upset, and otherwise special people is an understatement. Right away Audrey begins to assume there is something “other” about the entire ordeal. Nathan, being more level-headed, tries to find other reasons for what has happened. And then even more bizarre things happen, eliminating their main suspect, and Nathan is forced to believe Audrey’s assumptions. In their commentary the creators talk about how they couldn’t just keep having Nathan deny deny deny. They’d run into the “Scully and Mulder” problem where no matter what evidence was brought forth or witnessed, Scully would turn a blind eye and make up ridiculous excuses. We saw in the pilot how Nathan reluctantly admitted there was something different about Haven, and now in this episode he is forced to confront the fact straight on.
We saw a different facet of Nathan’s personality when he talked with Hannah about their days in high school. Not softer, but a little more…wistful. As if he wished he could go back and be that boy who got in trouble for inappropriate behavior.
The episode spent a little more time on trying to establish the varied reactions to the “troubles,” both then and now. From the Rev’s extremist approach, Hannah’s quiet understanding, Audrey’s fascination, and Nathan’s resignation, we’re shown how being afflicted could affect a life.
The plot of Audrey’s possible mother is fruitless this episode, with so much of it centered around developing the “world” of Haven and its inhabitants, but at the end of the episode the Chief gives Audrey something to think about. Stay in town, figure out a little more, and maybe the answers will come. To no one’s surprise, we know Audrey’s answer, but more importantly we find out that maybe things aren’t quite as happenstance as they appeared.
For those who are taking note my Duke (aka Eric Balfour) does not show up this episode. According to the commentary, you can see his boat in the harbor at one point, but the man himself does not show up. Possibly he’s running some sort of highly illegal derring-do that Nathan would disapprove of. That’s okay; the previews for the next episode (“Harmony”) promise much love.
