‘Harper’s Island’ Intrigues So Far

‘Harper’s Island’ Intrigues So Far

The 13-episode show has not disappointed yet

By SHERRI LONON
4-19-2009

Offering an unusual mix of whodunit meets soap opera meets horror, the CBS show “Harper’s Island” is off to an intriguing start. Only two episodes in, “Harper’s Island” has already managed to hack and slash its way into this viewer’s heart.

Set on an island off the coast of Seattle, the show centers on the weeklong pre-wedding celebration of Henry Dunn (Christopher Gorham) and Trish Wellington (Katie Cassidy). As friends and family gather on the island where many attendees grew up or spent summers in their youth, the homecoming is more than bittersweet for some. Main character Abby Mills, played by Elaine Cassidy, has a very difficult time dealing with her return. Seven years prior to the current festivities, John Wakefield hacked apart six island residents, including Mills’ mother. Although Wakefield was eventually killed by Mills’ father, Sheriff Charlie Mills, played by “Supernatural’s” Jim Beaver, Abby is still haunted by the events.

While wedding attendees claim the island has regained its charm in the time that has passed, Mills doesn’t seem so sure. Her suspicions turn out to be founded as people start disappearing one-by-one. Although party attendees don’t know it as of episode two, their rank has already been thinned. The first murder is set up before the charter boat leaves Seattle for the island.

There are several things about “Harper’s Island” so far that make this a show worth watching. First off, the basic premise is quite interesting. The vehicle was designed to run 13 episodes – period. This means it’s clear going in that all the mystery will be resolved by the time the series ends later this summer. There’s no having to sift through season after season to see a conclusion. Plus, there’s no fear of the show getting canceled before it reaches its natural conclusion. There’s a beginning, a middle and an end already planned and in the can.

As nice as the low-risk side of “Harper’s Island” happens to be, the show has plenty of other merits. So far, it’s not one that is easily figured out. Although only two hours into 13, it’s hard to tell what direction the story is going in. Is there a serial killer on the island? Is it a party guest? Or, is there something supernatural going on? Did John Wakefield return from the dead? Perhaps he was never dead at all?

Whether it turns out to be a human, a spirit or something entirely different remains to be seen. What is clear is that “Harper’s Island” is worth the watch.

“Harper’s Island” runs on CBS at 10 p.m. on Thursdays.

About the Author: Rabid Doll news editor Sherri Lonon is a veteran journalist writing out of Tampa, Fla. She's had a passion for horror, fantasy and science-fiction since she could crawl. While she swoons for a well-written, directed and acted story no matter the genre, her personal favorites are vampire stories with real bite.