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Cornballer · Oct 31, 2013

The Returned starts up tonight on the Sundance Channel. This is the highly regarded French series Les Revenants and it will be subtitled when airing here. It sounds like it's more of a supernatural drama than a horror series. I wasn't planning on making a thread for this, but the reviews have been fantastic, and it's looking like a must-watch this Fall. Tune in tonight for the premiere at 9pm. Here's the trailer if you want to check it out.

Regarding spoilers - this has already aired in much of Europe so many of you have seen it, but please use spoiler tags if you want to discuss anything that hasn't aired yet in the US market. Thanks.

Sundance: About THE RETURNED said:
In an idyllic French mountain town, a seemingly random collection of people find themselves in a state of confusion as they attempt to return to their homes. What they do not yet know is that they have been dead for several years, and no one is expecting them back. As they struggle to reintegrate with their families and past lovers, buried secrets emerge and new mysteries develop as they grapple with a miraculous and sinister new reality. But it seems they are not the only ones to have returned from the dead. Their arrival coincides with a series of gruesome murders which bear a chilling resemblance to the work of a serial killer from the past.

Links:

- Sundance Channel's page for The Returned
- Original GAF thread for the UK broadcast

Pictures:

Reviews:

Tim Goodman @ THR said:
Defying expectations while rewiring what a zombie series can be, The Returned is one of the most intriguing, utterly original offerings of the year.

Red Eye Chicago said:
The Returned is far and away the most thoughtful and thought-provoking series I've watched this year.

James Poniewozik said:
A haunting, creepy, and beautiful French series

NY Post said:
A stunning French import.

Onion A|V Club said:
The mood develops exquisitely from the first frame.

SF Chronicle said:
There is more than enough to captivate us, and perhaps disturb us as well, in these eight stunningly provocative episodes.

Sepinwall said:
The deeper you go, the more powerful The Returned gets.

Denver Post said:
The creepiness is slow and almost elegant. The vision is grand, epic even. The music, by Mogwai, is wonderfully absorbing. The whole creation, by Fabrice Gobert, is first-rate supernatural drama more than a mere horror show.

Wall Street Journal said:
A superbly stylish and scary French drama with no equal in its genre

The Independent said:
One of the greatest, creepiest most compelling shows of 2013.

The Guardian said:
The best drama of the year.

London Evening Standard said:
Gorgeously subtle and beautifully shot.

ajf009 · Oct 31, 2013

definitely checking this out, looks awesome

Anth1888 · Oct 31, 2013

This finished last summer in the UK and it's an excellent series, well worth a watch.

Just to warn you; don't Google anything or look on The Returned Wikipedia page - filled with spoilers!

Clevinger · Oct 31, 2013

thx for the thread cornballa

The music, by Mogwai, is wonderfully absorbing.

I keep forgetting Mogwai did the OST.

BaronLundi · Oct 31, 2013

First episodes are really really good and will hold you on a tight grip.

What follows is not actually a spoiler, more of a general warning/sentiment on the series.

I would love to plug the hell off of a French production for once... Alas expect MAJOR disappointment (and reliance on gratuitous nudity and idiot factors to cover up for the lack of plot development). I would really advise anyone interested to wait and see where the second season is going (sometimes in 2014) and if it's going anywhere at all because as it is it reaches next-gen Lost levels of rage inducing frustration. Or just go for it and enjoy the amazing first half of the season what do I know

Music is top notch but repetitive.

King Allant · Oct 31, 2013

wooh, can't wait for this.

kingocfs · Oct 31, 2013

I think I'm going to check this out, thanks for the heads up.

UnluckyKate · Oct 31, 2013

BaronLundi said:
First episodes are really really good and will hold you on a tight grip.

What follows is not actually a spoiler, more of a general warning/sentiment on the series.

I would love to plug the hell off of a French production for once... Alas expect MAJOR disappointment (and reliance on gratuitous nudity and idiot factors to cover up for the lack of plot development). I would really advise anyone interested to wait and see where the second season is going (sometimes in 2014) and if it's going anywhere at all because as it is it reaches next-gen Lost levels of rage inducing frustration. Or just go for it and enjoy the amazing first half of the season what do I know

Music is top notch but repetitive.

Sounds like every " original " french tv show

jacobs34 · Oct 31, 2013

Tried reading the book that this is based on earlier in the year and it was one of two books that I couldn't finish (out of the 45 books I've read so far this year), I wonder if the show will be more captivating than the book.

LabouredSubterfuge · Oct 31, 2013

Kind of a spoiler in those pictures.

Sickbean · Oct 31, 2013

BaronLundi said:
First episodes are really really good and will hold you on a tight grip.

What follows is not actually a spoiler, more of a general warning/sentiment on the series.

I would love to plug the hell off of a French production for once... Alas expect MAJOR disappointment (and reliance on gratuitous nudity and idiot factors to cover up for the lack of plot development). I would really advise anyone interested to wait and see where the second season is going (sometimes in 2014) and if it's going anywhere at all because as it is it reaches next-gen Lost levels of rage inducing frustration. Or just go for it and enjoy the amazing first half of the season what do I know

Music is top notch but repetitive.

Completely agree. Worth watching just for the Mogwai though

Cornballer · Oct 31, 2013

LabouredSubterfuge said:
Kind of a spoiler in those pictures.

PM me if one of them is a serious issue, and I can remove it.

Walshicus · Oct 31, 2013

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=581251&highlight=

Cornballer · Oct 31, 2013

Sir Fragula said:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=581251&highlight=

I linked your thread in the OP.

I thought we'd get a little more exposure to the US audience with a new thread.

tmarques · Oct 31, 2013

Loved the first season and I'm getting kind of impatient (why's season 2 taking so long anyway?). How's the movie? Should I avoid it because of potential spoilers?

Walshicus · Oct 31, 2013

Cornballer said:
I linked your thread in the OP.

I thought we'd get a little more exposure to the US audience with a new thread.

So you did, carry on...

Especially since your OP is much better!

Also, might be worth mentioning series 2 is coming in 2014:
http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-r...eturned-fans-second-series-mysteries-answered

King Allant · Oct 31, 2013

BaronLundi said:
First episodes are really really good and will hold you on a tight grip.

What follows is not actually a spoiler, more of a general warning/sentiment on the series.

I would love to plug the hell off of a French production for once... Alas expect MAJOR disappointment (and reliance on gratuitous nudity and idiot factors to cover up for the lack of plot development). I would really advise anyone interested to wait and see where the second season is going (sometimes in 2014) and if it's going anywhere at all because as it is it reaches next-gen Lost levels of rage inducing frustration. Or just go for it and enjoy the amazing first half of the season what do I know

Music is top notch but repetitive.

ehh, this almost kill my interested in watching this.

ivysaur12 · Oct 31, 2013

I'm going to suspend my absolute hatred for subtitles for this one.

But, with this, Resurrection, and a few other shows in the pipeline, I'm a bit worried that they'll all be crossing similar territory. We'll see.

Khaz · Oct 31, 2013

tmarques said:
Loved the first season and I'm getting kind of impatient (why's season 2 taking so long anyway?). How's the movie? Should I avoid it because of potential spoilers?

French writers are slow. Don't hold your breath for the next season of Spiral either.

BaronLundi · Oct 31, 2013

UnluckyKate said:
Sounds like every " original " french tv show

It really is much better than any recent French series I've seen. Whether the writers didn't know where they were going or did but couldn't handle the huge hype and decided to artificially prolong the success I don't know. Either way, it backfired big time.

King Allant said:
ehh, this almost kill my interested in watching this.

Well it's a bit of a catch-22 since the first episodes WILL make you crave for more. And after all, it's rather short (8x40minutes or so)... Now that I lowered your expectations you can safely go ; )

Cornballer · Oct 31, 2013

- Andy Greenwald's review for Grantland:

Yes, The Returned which caused a sensation on French television when it debuted last November ticks all the boxes for Sundance's arty business strategy. But I'm happy to report that it's more than just savvy brand development. It's also excellent, one of the more insidiously affecting series I can remember watching.

TripOpt55 · Oct 31, 2013

I don't have Sundance HD do I...

Probably be On Demand. Going to check this out. First I've heard of it.

newdayrocks · Oct 31, 2013

Time Warner Cable only gives me an SD feed for Sundance Channel, so that's going to be painful going without HD. But I've heard it's so good, I'll deal with it.

Cornballer · Nov 1, 2013

- Onion A|V Club review of the premiere

kingocfs · Nov 1, 2013

Caught this just in time after coming home from class and I loved it. I thought the pacing and music were great, it's a really cool idea for a story. I've heard the quality doesn't quite hold up but I'll stick with it.

That

murder scene in the tunnel

was fucking rough.

Cornballer · Nov 1, 2013

Intriguing premiere - lots of good hooks that have me interested in where it's going next. I liked the music, too.

RatskyWatsky · Nov 1, 2013

ivysaur12 said:
I'm going to suspend my absolute hatred for subtitles for this one.

...wha?

godofcookery · Nov 1, 2013

Wild guess, no legit streaming on the first ep anywhere right?

ZombiePlatypus · Nov 1, 2013

Anywhere else I can catch this? I missed the 1st episode. :/

xbhaskarx · Nov 1, 2013

I think this is what Tim Goodman is currently telling me to watch on my Facebook news feed, so I will probably check it out.

ivysaur12 said:
I'm going to suspend my absolute hatred for subtitles for this one.

lol

godofcookery · Nov 1, 2013

at least iTunes has it. season pass for $19.99 for 8 eps. 1st ep isn't up yet.

addik · Nov 1, 2013

Watched three episodes so far, and I'm really liking it. I love the quiet atmosphere and the cinematography so far. I like Mogwai's work but it's starting to become repetitive.

BaronLundi said:
First episodes are really really good and will hold you on a tight grip.

What follows is not actually a spoiler, more of a general warning/sentiment on the series.

I would love to plug the hell off of a French production for once... Alas expect MAJOR disappointment (and reliance on gratuitous nudity and idiot factors to cover up for the lack of plot development). I would really advise anyone interested to wait and see where the second season is going (sometimes in 2014) and if it's going anywhere at all because as it is it reaches next-gen Lost levels of rage inducing frustration. Or just go for it and enjoy the amazing first half of the season what do I know

Music is top notch but repetitive.

That's kinda disappointing then. I wonder if the atmosphere holds up as well.

ZombiePlatypus · Nov 1, 2013

addik said:
Watched three episodes so far, and I'm really liking it. I love the quiet atmosphere and the cinematography so far. I like Mogwai's work but it's starting to become repetitive.

That's kinda disappointing then. I wonder if the atmosphere holds up as well.

Did you see it through itunes?

someday · Nov 1, 2013

I watched the first episode last night and really enjoyed it. Creepy atmosphere. That little boy...I'm in.

Simplet · Nov 2, 2013

I'm french but I actually started watching this because of this thread. 4 episodes in and I'm liking this a lot.

I'm a bit surprised by BaronLundi's comment, I don't really see how they could screw the story up with only 4 episodes left to go (for me), especially considering the rythm of the show.

BaronLundi · Nov 2, 2013

Simplet said:
I'm french but I actually started watching this because of this thread. 4 episodes in and I'm liking this a lot.

I'm a bit surprised by BaronLundi's comment, I don't really see how they could screw the story up with only 4 episodes left to go (for me), especially considering the rythm of the show.

Reviens quand tu as vu le dernier épisode pour en parler si tu veux

Don't get me wrong, it's still a great watch but don't expect closure is all I'm saying.

Simplet · Nov 2, 2013

BaronLundi said:
Reviens quand tu as vu le dernier épisode pour en parler si tu veux

Don't get me wrong, it's still a great watch but don't expect closure is all I'm saying.

I'm actually hoping not to get any closure. This is fantastic, the moment you get some kind of closure is the moment the thing is done. If it's just the last episode that's too out there, then I'm not too worried, gotta keep the spectators on their toes for next season. I don't think the show has more than two, maybe three seasons in it anyway, if only because of the children. That's If they're smart of course.

ivysaur12 · Nov 3, 2013

RatskyWatsky said:
...wha?

I hate them. Haaaaaaate. Draws my focus off the whole screen to the bottom 3rd. I feel a huge disconnect between the character speaking and the text. Dunno, they suck.

BaronLundi · Nov 3, 2013

ivysaur12 said:
I hate them. Haaaaaaate. Draws my focus off the whole screen to the bottom 3rd. I feel a huge disconnect between the character speaking and the text. Dunno, they suck.

So your choice is between not watching anything in a langage you don't understand or suffering through dubbed versions where you're completely missing on the actual performance of the actual actors ?

I'm sorry. That's a real shitty phobia to have for someone who enjoys motion pictures.

Linius · Nov 3, 2013

ivysaur12 said:
I hate them. Haaaaaaate. Draws my focus off the whole screen to the bottom 3rd. I feel a huge disconnect between the character speaking and the text. Dunno, they suck.

Never had that experience. You miss out on so much good stuff man

Think I'm gonna give this show a shot some time. The plot sounds interesting.

Dan · Nov 4, 2013

Recorded this, still haven't watched it. Too much time at the office, blargh.

mtsmylie said:
Time Warner Cable only gives me an SD feed for Sundance Channel, so that's going to be painful going without HD. But I've heard it's so good, I'll deal with it.

Does Sundance appear in HD anywhere? I know I don't get it with Uverse.

BaronLundi said:
So your choice is between not watching anything in a langage you don't understand or suffering through dubbed versions where you're completely missing on the actual performance of the actual actors ?

I'm sorry. That's a real shitty phobia to have for someone who enjoys motion pictures.

Let's slow down. He hasn't yet said he likes dubs...

RatskyWatsky · Nov 4, 2013

ivysaur12 said:
I hate them. Haaaaaaate. Draws my focus off the whole screen to the bottom 3rd. I feel a huge disconnect between the character speaking and the text. Dunno, they suck.

...

ivy

Cornballer · Nov 4, 2013

Dan said:
Does Sundance appear in HD anywhere? I know I don't get it with Uverse.

Not that I know of. DTV is in SD. :/

ivysaur12 · Nov 4, 2013

BaronLundi said:
So your choice is between not watching anything in a langage you don't understand or suffering through dubbed versions where you're completely missing on the actual performance of the actual actors ?

I'm sorry. That's a real shitty phobia to have for someone who enjoys motion pictures.

I'll slog through if I need to. I just really don't like them and I feel like it's enough of a detraction on my experience that I avoid them if I can. If something is necessary viewing, I'll watch the subtitles and just deal. But if I can avoid it, I will.

I won't really watch a dub, though. At least not of something live-action.

Cornballer · Nov 6, 2013

- The pilot is up for free on iTunes in case anyone wants to grab it from there

Episode 2 airs on Sundance tomorrow.

Cornballer · Nov 7, 2013

New episode tonight:

Simon

Simon approaches Adèle, but Thomas finds out about his "return"; Camille is unable to fit back in to her family.

Cornballer · Nov 8, 2013

- Onion A|V Club review

Cornballer · Nov 14, 2013

New episode tonight:

Julie

Camille invents a new identity for herself as "cousin Alice"; Adèle finally accepts that Simon has returned.

Cornballer · Nov 15, 2013

- Onion A|V Club review

itsinmyveins · Nov 15, 2013

Finished watching the show the other day. Great stuff.

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