Wayward Pines Season 1 Episode 8 Review: The Friendliest Place on Earth

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Ben's alive!

It's not shocking, but considering the way this show has been killing off major characters, I wouldn't have been shocked either way. Still, I'm glad he survived. 

Wayward Pines Season 1 Episode 8 did a great job setting up some major conflicts to take us into the last two episodes. 

Mrs. Fisher is putting her hypnotherapy skills to work by using some mind control techniques on Ben. Is it just me, or is he letting it work a little too easily? He seems to be willing to accept pretty much anything she tells him, even if it's an attempt to turn him against his father.

I know they don't have the best relationship, especially when Kate's name is brought into the picture, but I still think he was too quick to jump down his throat. 

I'm hoping for some sort of showdown between Theresa and Mrs. Fisher before this is all over. I'd definitely be okay with it if they came to blows. Mrs. Fisher is asking for a punch to the face. Will she survive the series? 

Pam has been my favorite character from the beginning and she's only getting more interesting. She started out as an apparent villain, but it's become clear she's definitely not. When Reggie confessed to her that he didn't want people to get in trouble for asking questions, which is human nature, I thought for sure she would report him to David. I was surprised to see how compassionate she can be. 

She made the comment to David that they only tolerated Sheriff Pope's reckonings, but she was the one who demanded that Peter receive one when Ethan became sheriff. It was weird to see her now willing to sacrifice herself for lying instead of letting David kill Reggie. 

Instead, David puts Reggie back in the hibernation chamber, but for how long? Is this a permanent punishment? If so, it's not really any different than killing him. I assume it's like a prison sentence and he'll be let out eventually. 

The question is, will there still be a town when he wakes up? Things are looking pretty dire in Wayward Pines. There's a truck-size hole in the wall, which, by the way, why wasn't that the original plan? So much easier than a bomb, right?

It's only a matter of time before the town is overrun with abbies, and then what? How will they protect themselves? I'm guessing no one will be doubting the truth anymore by next week's episode. 

Speaking of, Ethan finally mentioned that he intends to take Kate up in the helicopter and let her see the truth for herself. I've only been wondering why he hasn't done that for two episodes now. I understand he didn't feel like they had time for that, but since she wasn't talking regardless, it might have been a good idea to take the time anyway.

If she could see for herself what was out there, she'd turn everyone in to save them from attempting escape, and then maybe there wouldn't currently be the aforementioned truck-size hole in the wall. 

The flashbacks of Kate were pretty interesting, especially seeing her in a straight jacket two months after waking up in Wayward Pines. Kate must be one of the best actors in town since David felt assured that she had adjusted to her new life, but she was playing him the whole time. She even knows who he really is! 

We have a lot to look forward to in these last two episodes. I hope they've given themselves enough time to wrap it all up. Will the town be destroyed or will they manage to save it and rebuild the wall? Maybe everyone will be wiped out and David will start over with Group C, if he even manages to survive. 

There are so many possibilities for how it all could end, what are your theories? 

Final note: Does anyone else find it odd that the truck driver died but the two kids who were in the same space as the bomb managed to survive? 

Don't forget, you can watch Wayward Pines online anytime! 

The Friendliest Place on Earth Review

Editor Rating: 4.3 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.3 / 5.0 (19 Votes)

Stacy Glanzman was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. She retired in March, 2019.

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Wayward Pines Season 1 Episode 8 Quotes

Ethan: What happened to you? We were partners, don't you trust me at all?
Kate: These people want to be free and I owe them that chance.

Ben: You said that people are gonna want to hear what I have to say. What does it matter what I think?
Mrs. Fisher: Ben, you survived a terrorist attack. You're a hero now.