Harper's Island TV Show Review
CBS Murder Mystery Strikes Right Notes In First Two Episodes
Apr 16, 2009
Set as a mini-series, “Harper’s Island” debuted on April 9, 2009, for a thirteen-episode run.
The short-term murder mystery strikes a delicate balance between chaste enough for broadcast TV, yet gruesome enough to engage fans of modern day TV horror shows like Showtime’s “Masters of Horror.”
Harper’s Island Plot Synopsis
Told from the viewpoint of twenty-something Abby Mills (Elaine Cassidy), a group of friends gather together for the marriage of Henry Dunn (Christopher Gorman), her best friend from childhood. Dunn, a boy-next-door type, is marrying the woman of his dreams, a beautiful and wealthy heiress named Trish Wellington (Katie Cassidy).
Unfortunately, the wedding is taking place on Harper’s Island, where seven years prior, Mill’s mother was one of many victims of a serial killer named John Wakefield. Having fled the island after her father, the sheriff, supposedly killed Wakefield, she is now returning for the first time and having to confront her memories of that time period and the murders.
Neither of which appear to be simply relegated to the past, as the wedding guests start dying one by one.
Harper’s Island First Two Episodes in Depth
Even before the wedding party has left the dock, the first victim, a cousin of the bride, has been claimed. But the group is unaware of this, thinking the man simply missed the boat. Thus starts the first episode, “Whap!”
Once on the island, Abby finds herself overwhelmed by both the memories of the killings, and the coldness of the island’s residents to her return.
Trish’s ex, Hunter Jennings, arrives at the island per the request of her father, Thomas (Richard Burgi). Realizing what is happening, Henry’s Uncle Marty (played loud and obnoxiously by Harry Hamlin) confronts the elder Wellington about his attempt to break up the happy couple. Meanwhile several red herring possible deaths are presented, but the potential victims are merely storyline ruses. Hints of the carnage to come, as it were.
At the end of episode one, another family member has been dispatched in a way that was unexpected, violent and disturbing, despite the lack of visuals actually showing the way said person died.
In the second episode, “Crackle,” Trish confronts Hunter (Victor Webster) and tries to tell him it’s over. Meanwhile, Abby runs into another old friend who stayed on the island and finds he, too, is haunted by the murderous events of the past.
During the episode, we also learn more about Henry as he makes peace with some of the island’s locals.
The episode ends with the third member of the wedding party meeting their doom at the hands of a killer with a match.
Is Harper’s Island Worth Watching?
Based on the first two episodes, absolutely. Some of the supporting characters are stereotypical potential murder victims, but the core characters of Abby and Henry are well-written and well-played.
The setting of a remote island is used well and many of the deaths are rather inventive and gruesome, despite the lack of the usual over-visual gore factor used in many cable and movie channel horror series.
Also interesting is the way CBS is utilizing more than the television medium to tell the story. Partnering with EQAL (the company behind the “lonelygirl15” internet phenomenon), the network has launched Harper’s Globe, which offers up webisodes for those looking to explore the murder mystery more in-depth. The website also includes a wiki, a message board and even a chat room for fans to interact with each other about the show as it airs.
The regular CBS network website for Harper’s Island is also offering a chance at a $1,000 prize for correctly guessing the weekly victim(s), as well as links to a Harper’s Island iPhone app and full episodes of the series for viewing.
The show airs on CBS, as well as Canada’s Global network, Thursdays at 10pm (EST).
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