The Returned (2015)

:

Season 1
  • Network: A&E
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 9, 2015
User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 60
  3. Negative: 16 out of 60
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User Reviews

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  1. arkien
    Mar 10, 2015
    5
    It's just a copy almost frame by frame of the french show. Surprisingly, Camille is played by an adult actress instead of a teenager (just because of the sex scene?). I didn't feel anything watching the 1st episode, while I was amazed by the entire original series. This remake is totally unnecessary.
  2. Tss5078
    Dec 13, 2017
    4
    Today there are more networks and streaming services offering original programming than ever before. It is an amazing time for TV lovers and it seems that anyone can get pretty much anything on the air. With all these new shows debuting all over the place, this does unfortunately leave the networks at somewhat of a disadvantage when it comes to original ideas. Out of desperation, manyToday there are more networks and streaming services offering original programming than ever before. It is an amazing time for TV lovers and it seems that anyone can get pretty much anything on the air. With all these new shows debuting all over the place, this does unfortunately leave the networks at somewhat of a disadvantage when it comes to original ideas. Out of desperation, many networks have turned to re-booting old shows, bringing back cancelled ideas that didin't work, and even Americanizing overseas television shows, The Returned is an example of the later.

    I understand why A&E chose to take a show from overseas, Americanize it, and market it as their next big hit, but why the Returned? This idea has been done to death, both in movies and on TV, and while the show is critically acclaimed, the ratings for the overseas version were terrible, the show was cancelled after it's second season. If no one is watching it over there, why did they think anyone would watch it over here?

    The returned takes place in a small Northwestern town, where one day, out of the blue, people who have been dead, some for decades, start showing up back at home with no memory of being gone at all. Each episode is broken up into sections that follow specific individuals and their interactions with their loved ones and society. There is also of course the police and investigative angle to the whole thing, and an unsolved crime thrown into the mix, in order to try and keep viewers coming back each week.

    Funny thing is, I wasn't all that crazy about this episode of the Twilight Zone. It was a little better when The X-Files did it. The 4400 added beings from the future and turned it into a series that quickly ran out of storyline and fizzled out, and now we have The Returned. This isn't an original idea, far from it, and the fact that it takes place in the same location as the 4400 is completely laughable.

    The cast has a few standouts that made the show a bit less tiresome, Mark Pellegrino is always fun to watch, as you never can figure out if he's a good guy or a bad one. We're also introduced to a new young actor in the form of Dylan Kingwell. He doesn't say much, but his character is honestly one of the most fascinating mysteries of the whole show.

    The bottom line is that this show is a complete rip off of other ideas and there is really very little here to keep the viewers interested. The boys story turned out to be really cool, The murder investigation was interesting but under utilized, and there were a few cast members I enjoyed. Otherwise the writing was terrible and parts of this show were just painfully slow. There are some terrific overseas shows that no one has even mentioned bringing over here, why they chose this one, I'll never know.    … Expand
  3. gmonster320
    May 30, 2015
    5
    I simply L-O-V-E-D the French version (known as "Les Revenants") and am anxiously awaiting season 2 (should it ever arrive). I even voted it my favorite TV show of 2013. Unfortunately I dont have as warm a feeling for the A&E version. Dont get me wrong. It's not horrible. If I hadnt seen the French version first I'm sure I would like the American more. Without giving any of the plot away,I simply L-O-V-E-D the French version (known as "Les Revenants") and am anxiously awaiting season 2 (should it ever arrive). I even voted it my favorite TV show of 2013. Unfortunately I dont have as warm a feeling for the A&E version. Dont get me wrong. It's not horrible. If I hadnt seen the French version first I'm sure I would like the American more. Without giving any of the plot away, here's some of the main differences between the two versions:

    Episodes: Season 1 of French version has 8 episodes. The American version has 10.
    Location: The French version takes place in a small resort town in the French Alps. The American version is in the town of Caldwell in Washington state.
    Atmosphere: The cinematography in the French version is much darker and spookier. It's way too bright and sunny in the American version. Little known fact--the French version only filmed between 4 and 9 PM in order to maintain it's eerie appearance.
    Actors: As a whole I enjoyed the French actors much more than their American counterparts. The exceptions are Simon and Helen. The actors playing Simon in both versions are very similar. I liked them both. Helen is one of the best parts of the American version. Michelle Forbes really brings the character to life. The French Victor seriously outcreeps his counterpart.

    In summation, skip the American version and watch the French version instead. Or if you're like me, watch both and then complain about the American one.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015
94
#94 Most Shared TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. The Lincoln Journal Star
    Reviewed by: Jeff Korbelik
    Mar 10, 2015
    83
    What Cuse and Tucker have done best is maintain the eerie tone and feel from the original.
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  2. The Huffington Post
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Mar 10, 2015
    40
    It's almost a shot-for-shot remake of the original, but that's not what makes this version a derivative TV zombie. It's the lack of atmosphere and the near-complete absence of a mournful, mysterious tone that makes the new version feel empty and hollow.
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  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Mar 10, 2015
    20
    [A] vastly inferior product, which lacks spark and purpose.
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