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"The Returned" review by Suzanne 3/9/15
Premieres Monday, March 9 on A&E 10/9c

This is a really good show and everyone should watch it! A&E let me watch 4 episodes and it's just riveting. I can't tear myself away. I have to know what happens next!

Apparently it's based on a French TV movie, "Les Revenants", which was also a TV series. It looks like it has the same exact plots and characters, aside from the fact that it takes place in the Pacific Northwest instead of France.  Don't confuse this with the ABC TV show "Resurrection," which is based on a book called "The Returned." That's not confusing at all! LOL!

In the show, a teen named Camille dies when her school bus crashes, and then she just shows up again four years later, alive. Some other people come back to life, too, in the small town, including a serial killer. Also, there's this creepy little boy.  It's not nearly as weird as it sounds. I mean, sure, weird stuff happens, but what's striking is how normal the people seem, for the most part.  It's not like "Twin Peaks," where everyone was so strange and almost cartoon-like.

It helps that some of my favorite actors are on this show, like Jeremy Sisto ("Suburgatory," "Law & Order"), Mark Pellegrino ("Being Human," "Supernatural," "The Tomorrow People,") and Michelle Forbes ("The Killing," "Star Trek: Next Generation," "True Blood").  It's produced and written by Carlton Cuse, who also runs "Bates Motel" and did "Lost"; and also Raelle Tucker, who did "True Blood."  I think it's just outstanding.

What do we look for in a drama? We want it to be compelling...you definitely want to see what happens next. You don't want it to be predictable. This show is not that at all. You want it to be somewhat realistic. This show is mostly that. My only complaint about it is that the people in the show don't seem to have smart phones or computers (they have phones and call each other but no internet or texting is seen). Even though this teenaged girl disappeared 4 years ago, the first thing she would do is get online or get a new phone so she could text her friends.  When one of the character is trying to look for a photo or information of his girlfriend's dead lover, he heads to the attic to find a picture instead of looking online. So that doesn't make a lot of sense. But who knows, maybe there's some big mysterious reason behind that.

We need to watch to find out... are they zombies? Are they ghosts? Something else? Hopefully not zombies. So far they just have memory lapses, don't sleep, and they eat a lot (no brains, though).

It's definitely worth checking out! It follows "Bates Motel", which returns for its 3rd season and is also a really great show.

MORE INFORMATION:

Trailer: http://youtu.be/q6mBnVE_gLM  Many Photos!

“The Returned,” from executive producers Carlton Cuse (“Lost,” “Bates Motel”) and Raelle Tucker (“True Blood”), focuses on a small town that is turned upside down when several local people, who have been long presumed dead suddenly reappear, bringing with them both positive and detrimental consequences. As families are reunited, the lives of those who were left behind are challenged on a physical and emotional level. Interpersonal relationships are examined with intrigue and depth as strange phenomena begin to occur. “The Returned” is based on the popular and International Emmy®-award winning French suspense series adapted by Fabrice Gobert and inspired by the feature film, Les Revenants, directed by Robin Campillo. 

 A&E NETWORK PREMIERES TWO BACK-TO-BACK ORIGINAL SCRIPTED DRAMA SERIES ON MONDAY, MARCH 9

‘BATES MOTEL’ RETURNS FOR SEASON THREE AT 9PM ET/PT

SERIES PREMIERE OF ‘THE RETURNED’ FOLLOWS AT 10PM ET/PT

PASADENA,CA – JANUARY 9, 2015 – A&E Network presents two original scripted series’ premieres on Monday, March 9 with the season three return of the critically acclaimed “Bates Motel” followed by the new original drama “The Returned” at 9PM and 10PM ET/PT respectively.

“Bates Motel,” returns for a gripping third season filled with family strife, murder and mystery lead by Vera Farmiga (Norma) and Freddie Highmore (Norman). This season focuses on the evolution of the Bates family and dives head first into Norman’s waning ability to stay in denial about what’s happening to him and the lengths he will go to gain control of his fragile psyche. The dramatic events of last season leaves Norma (Vera Farmiga) reluctantly more aware of Norman’s mental fragility and is fearful of what he is capable of.  From executive producers Carlton Cuse (“Lost,” “The Returned”) and Kerry Ehrin (“Friday Night Lights,” “Parenthood”) “Bates Motel” serves as a contemporary prequel to the genre-defining film Psycho and provides viewers with an intimate portrayal of how Norman Bates unravels through his teenage years. 

After a blissful summer of closeness with his mother, living within the safe confines of home and the Bates Motel, Norman’s fears about what really happened with Blaire Watson resurface and Norma questions what really happened.  Forced to look at the truths about Norman for the first time, their deeply intricate relationship continues to evolve. Norma finds herself turning to the other man in her life, Norman's half-brother, Dylan (Max Thieriot) and begins to rely on him in ways that she never expected. This relationship inevitably triggers jealousy in Norman and a new kind of love triangle between Norma and her two sons erupts. Estranged brother and uncle, Caleb (Kenny Johnson) returns to haunt the family throughout the season challenging the family bond even further. Pressures of the outside world take a hold of the family when newcomers Kevin Rahm (“Mad Men,” “Desperate Housewives”), Tracy Spiradakos (“Revolution”) and Ryan Hurst (“Sons of Anarchy”) arrive at White Pine Bay. After a summer of living at the Bates Motel, Sheriff Romero (Nestor Carbonell) and Norma have grown closer but there will always have that troubling question mark surrounding Norman. Something doesn’t feel right, but spite of his instincts, Romero finds himself continually drawn back to the Bates family -- and to Norma. Emma (Olivia Cooke) also determined to find out what is happening to Norman becomes more emboldened, fearless, goes after the things she wants. Familiar face, Bradley (Nicola Peltz) returns to surprise the family and digs up old memories.

“The Returned,” from executive producers Carlton Cuse (“Lost,” “Bates Motel”) and Raelle Tucker (“True Blood”), focuses on a small town that is turned upside down when several local people, who have been long presumed dead suddenly reappear, bringing with them both positive and detrimental consequences. As families are reunited, the lives of those who were left behind are challenged on a physical and emotional level. Interpersonal relationships are examined with intrigue and depth as strange phenomena begin to occur. “The Returned” is based on the popular and International Emmy®-award winning French suspense series adapted by Fabrice Gobert and inspired by the feature film, Les Revenants, directed by Robin Campillo. 

“The Returned” stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Smashed), Mark Pellegrino (“Lost”) , Jeremy Sisto (“Suburgatory,” “Six Feet Under”), India Ennenga (“Treme”), Sandrine Holt (“House of Cards”), Agnes Bruckner (“24”), Sophie Lowe (“Once Upon a Time in Wonderland”), Tandi Wright (“Nothing Trivial“), Mat Vairo (“Revolution”), Kevin Alejandro (“True Blood”), Dylan Kingwell (“The Tomorrow People”), Aaron Douglas (“Battlestar Galactica”), Dakota Guppy (“Rush”), Leah Gibson (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse), Michelle Forbes (“The Killing”), Rhys Ward (“The Strain”), Scott Hylands (“V”), Terry Chen (“Bates Motel”), Roger Cross (“24”).

“Bates Motel” is produced by Universal Television for A&E Network. Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin serve as executive producers for Carlton Cuse Productions and Kerry Ehrin Productions respectively.

“The Returned” is produced by A+E Studios and FremantleMedia North America in association with Haut et Court TV SAS, the producer of the French series, for A&E Network.  Executive producers are Carlton Cuse for Carlton Cuse Productions, Raelle Tucker for Angry Annie Productions and Thom Beers, Craig Cegielski and Stefanie Berk for FremantleMedia North America.  

About A&E Network - Now reaching more than 96 million homes, A&E is the home to quality original content that inspires and challenges audiences to BE ORIGINAL.  A&E offers a diverse mix of uniquely immersive entertainment ranging from the network’s original scripted series, including “Bates Motel” and “The Returned” to signature non-fiction franchises, including “Duck Dynasty,” “Wahlburgers” and “Storage Wars.”  The A&E website is located at aetv.com.  Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aetv and Facebook at facebook.com/AETV.  

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