An: I know. They definitely deepened the characters as you said. In the pilot Audrey was a superficial-seeming, wisecracking know it all. I didn’t really care about Jess when they first introduced her; but, she’s doing a good job now. Deepening her character with the tattoo helps.
With the journalist guys, I didn’t expect them to be so self-preservation oriented by hiding the truth from Audrey. Plus, man, Vince totally brought out the badass: from the innocent editor in the beginning to a potential killer in the finale. I totally want to see more of old school Vince.
Carissa: I was thinking the exact same thing about Vince. With The Rev stepping into play, I sense Vince and Dave will bring it all to the table to stop whatever it is they have been trying to ignore all these years. Haven went from a quirky little town to an unveiled threat. What you said about the cuddly hug with paranormal overtones … I realized how snuggly and comfortable I feel when the theme music plays.
The season just kept creeping in, and little by little we’ve come to know these characters. Or so we thought. Now we’re all back at square one wondering what the hell is coming next. I wonder if Audrey Parker will be added to the show. I assume they will all start calling ours Lucy. And I am so glad I have someone to say this to! Our dirty little secret, about to become public!
An: I’m struck by the number of secrets people keep. Eleanor knew all about Audrey’s ‘mom,’ but didn’t say anything, same for Vince and Dave. I thought it was interesting Audrey chose to keep the chief’s remains hidden; but, I found it odd that Dave and Vince remained secretive considering the big brown crap hitting the fan.
I loved Audrey and Nathan’s moment towards the end. I like that she knows he can feel her now (and I loved how he snuck opportunities in the past). Side note: Nathan first stated his inability to feel happened recently, but last week Duke mentioned Nathan had it for awhile. I loved watching Nathan comfort Audrey earlier. I could watch his eyes all day.
Carissa: Did Nathan hide his troubles all his life then? I worried the time line would make Audrey Nathan’s mother. I will be heartbroken if it plays that way. Duke has his moments, and given his unsavory side, he always comes through, but I think his fear may get the better of him. Audrey and Nathan will have to be closer than ever. I’m glad; I started watching Haven because I had a crush on Lucas Bryant. I’m a total girl.
An: I remember Audrey asking if he was ever with a woman, when he avoided his love interest. He said yes, but not since he stopped feeling. Either he was a very randy 8 year old, I misheard, or the writers dropped the ball.
I can’t figure Duke out. He alternates between chasing Audrey or showing interest in tail of the week. At first, I didn’t find his smuggling believable. Although it’s more believable now, I don’t understand why he continues considering he has the restaurant. He’s slowly shifting into a paranoid conspiracy theorist with his big board of suspects and random photos. Considering his lifestyle, his death could occur at any moment. I suppose Duke enjoys the foreseeable threat over the unforeseeable.
Carissa: Something’s definitely going on. He acts tough and relatively normal, but the board shows he trusts no one. That Audrey is on the board could be why he tries to keep her so close, but given that Max was the name above hers on the list, I wonder if he only just started it…I can’t think of another reason he would have had Max’s name. I never read Stephen King’s The Colorado Kid and don’t want to now, but I like that Max came from Shawshank prison.
An: I agree on not wanting to read The Colorado Kid. When the show started, I considered picking it up so I could cry “foul” whenever they veered from the prime source. I have probably watched every single Stephen King film, but I never really enjoyed them. But, this show gave me a warm, cuddly feeling (even though the finale had to get away from that to wrap up old ends and fray new ones). I don’t want to disturb the direction of the writing staff by returning to the main text.
I’m a little disappointed that Duke put Audrey’s name on the board, but, it’s small details like that, that have me looking forward to season 2. This started out as a so-so bit of summer stock, but definitely developed into a tight cast with great interactions.
Carissa: So few shows leave me yearning for more, but Haven did just that.
Clacked by An Nicholson 
on Oct 10, 2010 @ 08:57 EST5EDT
My understanding about Nathan’s ability/inability to feel is that the town was plagued by troubles years ago, apparently when Nathan was a child. During that time, he couldn’t feel. Then, the troubles went away and he could feel again. This would be the time period when he could have been with women. Then, around 6 months ago, the troubles started to appear again and, once again, Nathan lost his ability to feel.
*POST AUTHOR*
Thanks for clarifying, Ks1! I appreciate it!
As one of the writers behind Haven (and the publisher of the original book on which the series is based), I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your review/dialogue. Re: Nathan, it’s not a dropped ball nor early-onset puberty — Nathan was unable to feel 27 years ago, the last time the Troubles came to Haven, and he is again unable to feel now, since the Troubles have returned…but he was able to feel normally in between.
Regards,
Charles Ardai
*POST AUTHOR*
Hey Charles,
Thanks for the clarification. Carissa and I enjoyed this season (as you could tell). No doubt Carissa will also express her gratitude. Thanks for starting ‘Hard Case Crime’ and penning eps 11-12. We look forward to next season!
Thanks Charles, for the clarification and the shout out on the post. An and I are happy to have let our secret out. ;-) It’s great to know you are listening to the fans. I can’t wait until next season. You outdid yourselves with the finale and I’m thankful SyFy took notice and renewed!!
I am thoroughly enjoying Haven. I am also enjoying the little nods to Kings other works, but its been driving me crazy that there seems to have been a small nod to the Dark Tower series and Hearts in Atlantis when the ex-con spoke to one of the reporters and asked how he had been and he replied that he been writing lost dog notices. In reference to the lost dog posters used to track people wanted by the “low men”? Who knows maybe I just have Tower on the brain. ;)
You know, Avin, I also noticed minor King allusions through certain scenes or textual references, but I convinced myself that I hallucinated all of it. I’m glad to know I didn’t (unless it’s one massive illusion).
External to King, another nod I liked included episode 12 recognizing the show’s filming location.
Haven, like Glades is another of those shows that sneaked up on me, and apparently several other viewers. Again, with very little publicity, it is really excellent, and has become a “Must Watch”. I am glad that SyFy had the smarts to renew the show.
i literally just finished the episode and I’m blown away. in the beginning this show was okay but recently the episodes have been getting better. This was probably one of the best finales I’ve seen all year. I’m happy i stuck with this show. Can’t wait until next season!!!!!!!!!
I was very skeptical about Haven from the beginning. I liked actress Emily Rose as the lead. I did get frustrated with the storyline in the beginning as they didn’t go into the Colorado kid or why Lucy looks like Audrey. I ALMOST gave up. I’m really glad I did not give up, because as you guys listed, that season finale episode made me say, “WTF?!” I’m definitely intrigued about the Chief, Audrey/Audrey, and Duke’s story lines. I’m looking forward to season 2.