User reviews

I didn't know that this was a remake of the french original. so it didn't bother me, it was the original show to me, and it was really interesting. I'm just sorry that it ends suddenly after 10 episodes and they've canceled the season 2 so we'll never know what happened.

such a pity

I can't believe they'll just leave it like this. if they followed the same plot as the french one maybe I would have tried to switch to the original in french, but as they differ I can't and I don't want to watch the french version with different characters etc now that I have watched 10 episodes of this show...

I loved the first few episodes, the opener in particular, it was fantastic, absorbing, interesting, and it had you asking a load of questions, such as, 'were the returned back to punish?' 'What would you do if you came face to face with somebody you'd grieved for? and 'Why was that kid so creepy?

I must admit my interest did fall off a little towards the end, some things were dragged out a little too much, some of the characters became a little uninteresting.

It shouldn't have been cancelled, up until about part six you're treated to some compelling viewing, there was definitely more material in this show, Jeremy Sisto's character Peter was very interesting.

I'm sure fans feel short changed by its early finish, but honestly, half way through it ran out of steam after a hugely promising start. 6/10

I binged on this show. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen and in the end I was screaming, ready to watch season 2. I saw that it wasn't there so I decided to check up on it on google. My heart broke a little when I saw it was canceled as this is definitely a new favorite show. :( You can't end it on a cliffhanger!! That's just mean :( We need to bring this back! I need to see how this end and how it affects everyone's lives! Please!! Bring. It. Back! Why would you even cancel it in the first place?? It got two nominations and from what I can see most people loved it! It's such an exciting show and the characters are very interesting! I feel like I've gotten to know them so well!

I didn't know this was a remake of another show. I enjoyed watching this and it was something different to watch. Plus, it also makes you think about who would you want to come back if it was possible. Naturally, even if the technology was there to bring someone back who had been dead for years there is no way it would be done no matter how much people would want it so. Why? Because this world is getting over populated as it is and if people came back then we would be in a lot of trouble. After all there are more dead people than living on this planet.

Hence I love SC-FI series it gives me some escapism from the real world. Some series even make me think 'What if...'

I've been waiting and waiting for the second series but gathering from reading some of your reviews there is not to be one. Disappointed! I hate it when you get into a TV Series and then somebody sat behind a desk out of touch with 'real' people just decide to stop filming a series. I know, before somebody berates me, that if the series is not doing so well then they pull the plug. It's all about the money and not what the viewer wants. They did the same to Stargate Universe. But that's another review I have to write.

I feel so inferior for not realizing that this show was as horrible as some other, wiser and more informed viewers, found it to be. Fool that I am, I loved it, and thought it one of the most imaginative and entertaining offerings I've ever seen. I watched all ten episodes over a three or four day period, forgetting all about my usual T.V. fare in the meantime. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of what it is that should be entertaining for me and in my ignorance, I didn't have the acumen necessary to realize that I was watching a very inferior product and was finding it as entertaining as the European offering upon which "The Returning" is based. Perhaps someday, I'll become as informed and aware of what entertains me as many of the wiser expert critics who have already condemned this series, and when I do, I'll stay away from offerings such as this. In the meantime, it looks like I'll continue floating blissfully along, unaware of how unentertained I am while hallucinating that I am actually being entertained.

Although the need for an American version may be unnecessary to many people it's obvious that the average American, whoever they are, does not like sub-titles. Or anything that's foreign come to think of it. Sofie Gråbøl echo'd this point when she said that she couldn't see the need for the US version of The KiIlling, Forbrydelsen in the original Danish TV series, and could only assume that Americans didn't like sub-titles. This is another example of a great foreign TV series being transform into an American one. I have watched a couple of episodes and it isn't too bad. Well it's better than most of the rubbish that's made so I've got to give Netflix some kudos for at least bringing it to an American audience. Of course it should have been the French original that was sufficient but it would mean that more people in the US would have to start reading sub- titles and, come to think of it, it would also be a good idea to stop complaining about English accents when they originate outside the USA. In the USA it's a ratings game, more so than in the UK or other countries it seems, so for the American reviewers who have been negative it's your own country folk that are to blame for the "need" to create these cloned series. The Returned has only just started so at least give the show a chance.

I don't know what some of the people here want, but that show is fabulous, and so are the actors... I was stunned reading some of the reviews, and to think I almost did not watch it based upon those reviews.. I say people, watch it and decide for yourselves, everyone has their own taste and opinion.. I am so looking forward to the next episode. I especially like how there are a few characters in different areas and it is not focusing on the one, plus the story lines are great.. I never realized how hard it is to write a review without putting in a spoiler or two, so I am not chancing it.. As I said, watch it for yourself and decide from there, if you are into these kind of shows and movies, I'm sure you will like it..

Why do we as Americans feel it necessary to remake every good show or movie. The vast majority of movies made today are remakes, reboots or sequels. Many of today's popular American shows have been appropriated from foreign titles. Homeland, Real Humans, Mad Dogs, and now The Returned just to name a few recently remade titles. I fear we will soon see an American take on Orphan Black and Black Mirror. Do the studios really feel that their target demo is too dumb to enjoy foreign TV? Would it not suffice to simply purchase these shows in syndication and broadcast them stateside? It's not like we are bringing anything new to these shows. Some of them are literal remakes of the original scripts. Where have all the original story ideas gone? If this were truly a golden age of television, one would expect to see our studios teeming with top notch original content. Game of Thrones and Walking Dead are unquestionably high quality American productions, but they're adapted stories. Many of the foreign TV shows brought to America prove to be successful. I'm sure it's easier to break a show when half the work has been done for you. I like a lot of our American adaptations, but by and large I prefer the originals. The American adaptation often kills the original production. If we would bring them over here instead of remaking them, they would probably last longer. By remaking rather than importing these shows, we are stunting the growth of foreign television and dumbing down the average American TV viewer. I'm going to get off my soap box now and try to put my money where my mouth is. Thank you for reading this. /rant.

PLEASE PLEASE BRING THIS SHOW BACK! No one cares that it is a remake. I hate when people don't like shows because of that reason (for example US Skins another great canceled show.) I loved this like the US Shameless which did very good. I don't like the original version of this at all. But this show left you wanting more and more.Everyone did a great job acting in this show and due to the fact you don't have to constantly read the subtitles you can catch the whole story. I need to know what happens. Why would Netflix bring this out? They should buy the rights and continue with the series. There is really nothing more I can say except snobs need to get over it, so many remakes have been done in America and so many remakes have been done of American movies and or shows.

This review is based on the first episode of the American remake of "Les revenants", probably the only episode I'll ever watch, given its almost overwhelming inferiority. Once again, someone - in this case, Carlton Cuse (who I have nothing against; I enjoy Bates Motel) - has gotten it in their head that a standout European offering needs to be remade in America. Remember "Gracepoint", the American remake of "Broadchurch"? Yeah, neither do I.

They follow the French script almost exactly, but the execution is terrible. Many of the older characters are made younger; most of the plain or even ugly characters are made at least somewhat attractive, if not hot. The pacing is terrible. Whereas the original featured shots that lingered over scenes to create atmosphere and lingered over characters' faces to allow them to subtly emote, the remake features fast cuts and dutch angles. Thus, the show loses any sense of subtlety. The original was a carefully crafted character drama with the feeling of an elegiac dirge; the remake is a plot-driven mess with none of the atmosphere. The characters simply are not believable in the way the characters in the original were; their motivations and emotions are completely opaque. The language is sanitized, presumably for some ratings board, but due to this does not feel real at all. The music is a far cry from the utterly atmospheric soundtrack composed by Mogwai for the French version. At best, this is an incompetent blunder; at best, it is a travesty against good taste, especially with "Les revenants" so widely available, including in America.

American studios need to start coming up with their own concepts and executing them well instead of badly ripping off European television. And they're certainly capable - from "Six Feet Under" to "Carnivale" to "Breaking Bad" to "True Detective", there have been plenty of good-to-great American programs. But they just fail every time they try to remake an exceptional European show. What's next, "Spiral", the American remake of "Engrenages", starring Angelina Jolie as Berthaud, Justin Bieber as Roban, and shot with a fisheye lens?

Great Series!...I Very rarely write or review anything but lets say it how it is with regard to The Returned and it's quite simple. Firstly, you really do not need to be a professional reviewer or an intellectual to know what you do or do not like when it comes to a TV series. In this instance I downloaded this series and watched each episode over a period of 3 evenings. Usually any viewer would know by the end of either the first or second episode whether they are hooked by the series or end up watching each episode under duress. In my case I was hooked by whole series and by the well rounded performances of the actors and the clever plots and subplots. Sadly, it wasn't until I reached episode 8 and wondered where the series was going that I found out that there was no plans for a second series. It's a major shame and criminal that there are Television companies out there that are legally allowed to dangle Television series in front of its viewers and then deprive them of a follow up series or, at least, a well rounded finale to the whole series. The French counterpart to this series, Les Revenants, at least had the decency to film a second series. Putting the Television viewer first, before its ratings! Shame on you A&E Studios!

I binge watched this in about three days recently while on a small MEW kick.

I can't understand why nobody watched this show, I thought it was great. The characters were great and well acted, the story was great, it had great pacing and kept you wondering.

I knew going in that there was a cliffhanger ending and no season 2. I feel bad for the people who were watching when it was actually on, and didn't know it would be left without anything close to an ending to the story.

I see the usual jabs taken at Americans in the negative reviews. I guess that's the cool thing to do these days. Bash Americans and act superior for liking the original more.

I am American and have no problem watching foreign movies and shows, but a lot of people don't like subtitles and if a show isn't on their normal networks, they usually don't seek it out. If people didn't watch this one enough to keep making it, do you really think the French version would have drawn in more viewers? I doubt it. It's all about viewers and viewers = money.

I liked the story, so I WILL seek out the French version. People shouldn't be so mad about the US version, I am sure it did nothing but bring more viewers to the original series. So, go easy on it.

The opening lines of this series are the same as the French original series which bears the same name; this show is a remake of drama made in 2012 about people who come back to life in a small French village. The original show portrays a perspective of how families would react if this was the case and what the implications would be of these persons' returning to their own daily lives and families.

This remake does not attempt to create its own identity with the plot of the original, it merely poorly imitates both the plot and the atmosphere of the original. The original created an eerie atmosphere which made it engaging and intriguing. It blended beautiful cinematography, an outstanding soundtrack and solid acting to entice you to enter this small village and engage with its world. In this remake the camera shots do not suit the atmosphere it wants to achieve, neither do the actors or the soundtrack.

A remake does not have to mean too replicate; yet this show chooses to replicate the original and does it poorly.

Stephen King says he doesn't plot. He just starts out with a situation in mind - one that can usually be described as a 'What If?' situation - and lets the story grow from there. It works for him.

This show also had a 'what if' situation in mind: 'What if dead people started returning?' Well. Great. Now you've got a premise. Lets see what happens next, shall we?

NOTHING! Nothing happens next! Well, of course some things happen, but it's more of a regular drama now - with love triangles and such - and it has hardy anything to with the premise anymore. I mean, sure, some of the people involved are now 'returned'. That fact registers, but it doesn't affect the drama. (The Australian show 'Glitch', which has the same premise, does this better.)

Sure, we get SOME 'hints of development' here and there, creepy kid is indeed creepy and such, but there is no actual progress in the development of the basic premise. If that's point A, we don't get to point B. We find out nothing as to why, how, who, and/or what's next. We're basically stuck watching a regular soap opera.

A badly written one at that. If you 'break up a fight' not by pushing or holding people away from each other, but by almost bashing someone's skull in with a heavy and blunt object, the guy whose skull you almost bashed in is obviously going to be a bit grumpy, isn't he? You're going to at least have some words about that. In this show too? Naah. Bash someone's skull in, guy says nothing about it. Doesn't even blame you. After all, you were breaking up a fight weren't you? Therefore you meant well by almost murdering me.

Also, apparently you can shoot unarmed people for no reason and still be the good guy. Woman who loved your victim all her life to the point of obsession won't even blink, lie to the cops for you.

Both of these scenes are bad enough on their own, what makes them worse is that they are completely out of character. Both of these guys are supposed to be the boring, sensible ones. Were we viewers wrong about them? Were they actually psychos and it's only now revealed? Nope. They go back to being boring and reasonable as if nothing happened. No reveal. Just bad writing.

More I think about it, more terrible it was.

My partner & I loved this series. We eagerly waited for each weekly episode release on Netflix.

We got several of our friends hooked on this show too. After seeing every episode an wanting more, we obtained the french older version once shown on channel 4 which although was OK we preferred this version an really wished they has carried on with more seasons of this show. As this version is very watchable an better than a lot of stuff on TV. The acting is superb, Drama is gripping People cast in the roles are well suited to their characters. Not too much violence or swearing just good acting with a good plot and good scenes an sets.

Did not see the euro/french series. I am enjoying this thriller just fine. Feel bad for actors that people are beating up on. I don't think that is a good summary of them. I do agree with the remaking of many movies/series. I watched one episode of Secret and Lies. Whoever is directing that series was not a gifted director. Facial expressions from Lewis made me crack up. Terrible remake of a good Australian series. Just like the series The Slap. Which again was Australian. Gracepoint should never have been done,either!! No way to top Brits in that series. Not sure who is making these decisions.But it seems like so many shows I do watch on cable seem to be cancelled after the first season. Bad calls being make by people with info that I don't understand where it comes from? But bottom line I am enjoying The Returned on A&E

It's all well done. The figuring out what's happened, why it's happening, is it the end or the beginning, will there be more, is it happening everywhere?? The lives of all unravel some gracefully, some violently. I thoroughly enjoyed this show. It does invoke some internal inspection of behavior and fears so, many do not like that. I expect that negative reviews are from those that don't like to do that or find any movie or tv show that makes them think, a bore or confusing. It is quite good

Watched this first episode and can guarantee this will never get any better. Obviously copied the French script but without the acting ability to compare to the original "Les Revenants. To write a review of this dross in a minimum of 10 lines is extremely difficult due to the fact that there is absolutely nothing positive I can say about this episode. I cannot remember watching anything so awful for a long time. The music doesn't belong to the story line, whoever chose the sound track must have watched the wrong TV series by mistake. Having watched and enjoyed Resurrection which is based on the same book "The Returned" why do we need a similar story so soon, especially this utter drivel.