Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay is somewhat of a slow burn, but if you stick with this quirky horror-comedy, you will find that it has developed into a delightfully creepy little show so far.
What Is It?
This horror-comedy series is set in the small town of Widow’s Bay located on a supposedly cursed island off the coast of New England. It follows Mayor Tom Loftis, who is trying to revive the struggling community by turning it into a tourist destination despite the locals’ deep belief that the island is haunted and doomed by dark supernatural forces. As new visitors arrive, strange events begin escalating across the town, including ghostly sightings, bizarre creatures, ancient legends, and increasingly dangerous supernatural occurrences.
Airing: Apple TV (Releasing One Episode per Week on Fridays)
Starring: Matthew Rhys, Kate O’Flynn, Kevin Carroll, Dale Dickey, Kingston Rumi Southwick, Stephen Root
Created By: Katie Dippold
Johnny Jay’s Thoughts:
This series arrived with very little in the way of promotion, and I only happened to stumble upon it when one of the trailers piqued my interest because it was from Apple TV+ (which has been putting out some decent sci fi and fantasy TV of late). It comes from Katie Dippold, who previously wrote for Parks and Recreation and also co-wrote the script for the 2016 Ghostbusters film, and it seemed to promise a quirky and fun little show.
The first episode gets this one off to a slow start as we are introduced to the town and its inhabitants along with the idea that the locale has a rather checkered past. None of the characters really stood out at that point except for the portentous Wyck, played by the always enjoyable Stephen Root (Milton from Office Space and the title character from The Man in the High Castle). Initially, the show reminded me of Murderbot, which I generally enjoyed but felt was a bit off. I did not really like the characters in that one at first (except for Alexander Skarsgård in the lead role), and the same was mostly true for Widow’s Bay.
I had been hearing a lot of good feedback on the show, though, so I stuck with it, and by the end of the second episode the supernatural elements were starting to draw me in. As the show continues, we get more nuances and quirks from the characters and we also learn a little bit more about them. Matthew Rhys as Mayor Loftis just seemed annoying at first, but by the third episode he starts to turn into a more sympathetic character. Kate O’Flynn as Patricia seemed rather freaky at first, but by the fourth episode we learn more about her past and why she is a loner. Root’s Wyck started out as just the town crazy, but by the fourth episode we have a slightly better understanding as to why he is this way. These little character developments have helped flesh out the show, and I expect more as it progresses.
Widow’s Bay is billed as a horror-comedy, but there is no laugh track (thankfully), and the humor is really quite subtle. I have found myself laughing out loud at least once or twice an episode, but this is not a joke-a-minute type of series, with the humor coming more organically. And the show works in some drama as well, as the characters have troubled pasts that slowly come to the surface throughout the episodes. While I was on the fence when this one started, its quirky blend of comedy and drama with supernatural forebodings has turned into somewhat of a delight, and I found myself hooked by the third episode.
The show is definitely a slow burn, and it may not appeal to all viewers. You have to give it some time, but you will find yourself drawn in by the characters, the refined performances, and the creepy goings-on in this odd little town. I am definitely onboard for the first season and look forward to the arrival of new episodes each week.
What’s Next?
Widow’s Bay is only through its fourth episode so far, and there is no word on a second season at this point. As mentioned, it did not get much promotion, so I am not sure how many people are finding the show. The good thing is that Apple TV+ tends to be supportive of its originals, and this one has been getting some good buzz (currently holding a 97% Fresh Rating and 92% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes), so it has a decent chance of getting renewed. It would certainly help if fans were to pass along the news about the show, though, hopefully bringing it more attention and recognition.
Are you watching Widow’s Bay and do you believe that it is off to a good start as a promising new genre entry? Chime in with your thoughts in the comments section below.
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