The Returned - Simon - Advanced Preview

The Returned, “Simon,” was directed by Vincenzo Natali with the teleplay by Raelle Tucker. Both have great horror and supernatural credits with Natali’s including Hannibal, Ascension, and Hemlock Grove and Tucker’s including True Blood and Supernatural. Once again, this episode features the haunting atmosphere of this mountain town and a terrific musical score by Zoe Keating and Jeff Russo to go with it.

Like the first episode, it begins with a flashback, this time to six years ago. The episode is titled “Simon,” so it’s not surprising that we see Simon (Mat Vairo) before his death. He’s in a band and it’s the night before his wedding to Rowan (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Even though she’s a little worried about bad luck, they sleep together and she reveals that she’s pregnant. Both Winstead and Vairo are excellent in the episode, but Vairo, in particular, is just fantastic. I have to wonder if Tucker got a heads up on casting him from her old boss from Supernatural, Eric Kripke, who had Vairo on Revolution.

We flash from Rowan learning of Simon’s death to the present day in a nicely parallel setting. Rowan and Simon eventually do cross paths again, and her reaction seems a bit more “normal” than some of the others last week. Simon’s reaction, however, did have me scratching my head. Unlike Camille’s death in the last episode, we never really get any detailed information on Simon’s, nor does the episode circle back to the past.

Also like the first episode, we don’t merely focus on Simon. Camille (India Ennenga) is not surprisingly having some difficulty adjusting to what happened to her and how her life has changed. Ennenga continues to impress in this episode as does Sophie Lowe as Lena.

The universe of the show expands a little bit to include the police force who are naturally investigating the attack on Lucy (Leah Gibson). We see Julie (Sandrine Holt) visit the police station to try to find some information on Victor (Dylan Kingwell). For once the cops – Mark Bao (Terry Chen) – seem reasonably intelligent. Julie has a history of some kind with Officer Nikki Banks (Agnes Bruckner), and Julie has a secret from her past.

I think the creep factor goes up in this episode. There are a few times that water seems like it’s going to be important as some kind of link to the returned that seems pretty ominous. Tony (Aaron Douglas) has ties to a dark past of the town. Lena and Simon are connected in an unusual way. We also meet Pastor Leon Wright (Carl Lumbly) and see more of Rowan's current fiance, Sheriff Tommy  Solano (Kevin Alejandro)

The episode does what this kind of show should do – it teases a few answers, but ultimately asks more. We get some more insights into the characters as well. This episode seemed to flow a little more linearly. I have to say that I’m finding a lot more interest in the mysteries of the returned than some of the more “soap opera-y” elements of the inhabitants. But then, I like a good horror story! Check out all the promotional photos here. Don’t forget to tune in to the second episode (if you missed it being leaked on line) on March 16 on A&E at 10/9c.

I’ll leave you with a couple line teases:
“We need to make peace with our ghosts.”
“Are you afraid of me?”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’re not a zombie. You’re a miracle.”
“Are you afraid of the dark?”
“I don’t want to let you go.”

About the Author - Lisa Macklem

I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Forever, Defiance, Bitten, Glee, and a few others! Highlights of this past year include covering San Diego Comic Con as press and a set visit to Bitten. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.