TV adaptations of Stephen King’s books are notoriously hit or miss, from the highs of Mr. Mercedes and 1990’s It, which scarred an entire generation, to The Langoliers and Under the Dome. One series that is squarely in the former is the thrilling supernatural drama Haven, which ran for 5 seasons on SyFy. The series is based loosely on King’s 2005 novel The Colorado Kid, creating a deep mythology of its own as it progresses… and now it is available to stream for free on Tubi.
‘Haven’ Uses Stephen King’s Book as a Stepping Stone into a Larger Story
When we say loosely based on King’s book, we mean very, very loosely: the murder of the titular character, 25-years prior, that drives the entire narrative of the book is merely a means of bringing FBI Agent Audrey Parker (Emily Rose) to the small town of Haven, Maine to investigate. Haven, naturally, is a nice, normal town where nothing strange ever happens. Right. Haven is, as its name suggests, a place where those plagued by a supernatural affliction known as “The Troubles” find refuge, a safe haven.
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The manifestations of the “Troubles” are what drive the series;a “paranormal trouble of the week” procedural, for lack of a better comparable. One person’s nightmares become physical manifestations, driving him to try and stay awake to protect others. Animals transform into human beings. Another has a living shadow that attacks and kills whatever has angered him. A woman poisons people in the vicinity when she’s stressed out. Typically, the Trouble is a response to an emotional trigger, and once that trigger has been identified, it can be sent into remission with the right coping mechanisms.
Which is where Audrey comes in, as she, for some reason, is impervious to the effects of these Troubles. That extends to Nathan Wuornos (Lucas Bryant), a local police officer whose Trouble is idiopathic neuropathy, a condition where one cannot feel physical sensations, i.e., pain or touch. But he can feel Audrey’s touch, and the two form a bond and partner up to help those afflicted, with Audrey eventually leaving the FBI to join the Haven Police Department. They’re aided by local charming rogue Duke Crocker (Eric Balfour), with the three forming a team… and the proverbial love triangle.