Happy Town

Happy Town

2010
Happy Town
Happy Town

Happy Town

7 | TV-14 | en | Mystery

The residents of Haplin, Minnesota - also known as "Happy Town" - have enjoyed an uneasy peace while haunted by a number of unsolved kidnappings. Now facing a disturbing new crime that brings unresolved fears to the surface, Haplin's most prominent citizens come under scrutiny as their own secrets are revealed.

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Seasons & Episodes

1
EP8  Blame It on Rio Bravo
Jul. 01,2010
Blame It on Rio Bravo

The series finale finds news of the Magic Man's capture spreading through town, which brings the Stiviletos, John Haplin and others to the sheriff's office wanting to impart vigilante justice. During the showdown, Tommy faces off with Griff about the goat's head hammer, Merritt wields influence and Peggy Haplin terrifies her grandson Andrew. In other events, John Haplin discovers that his wife Carol has undergone a strange metamorphosis.

EP7  Dallas Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
Jul. 01,2010
Dallas Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

The town mourns Big Dave's death; Merritt and Henley plot to gain possession of the hammer; Handsome Dan investigates the Magic Man kidnappings; Tommy learns his mother's death may not have been, had it been diagnosed; the Meadows Boarding House widows are jealous when Merritt accepts a party invitation from Peggy Haplin; Dot Meadows regrets filing a police report after discovering dead birds in the woods.

EP6  Questions and Antlers
Jun. 16,2010
Questions and Antlers

Henley sets out to get back her money and the goat's head hammer. While interrogating John Haplin about Lauryn Ward, the police find evidence linking him to the Friddle murder. Merritt Grieves stikes up an improbable bond with Peggy Haplin. Tommy rethinks his friendship with Big Dave after a terrifying nightmare. Georgia and Andrew experience a horrifying time in the woods.

EP5  This Is Why We Stay
Jun. 09,2010
This Is Why We Stay

Rachel wants to leave Haplin. A long-kept secret is revealed, and Andrew and Georgia’s day in the woods takes a shocking turn.

EP4  Slight of Hand
Jun. 02,2010
Slight of Hand

Clues point to the return of the elusive Magic Man; Tommy finds an unlikely ally while searching for his wife; gruesome evidence could be good news for many of Haplin's families.

EP3  Polly Wants a Crack at Her
May. 12,2010
Polly Wants a Crack at Her

An ominous fearsome hawk soars over Haplin's unsuspecting residents as the Thaw Fest celebration is about to start. Tommy must walk a precarious line when it comes to Friddle's murder, as a state investigator moves in to assist him. Andrew Haplin, still upset over girlfriend Georgia's assault, exacts revenge on who he believes to be the perpetrator -- pays for the consequences. Meanwhile Henley is a victim of a bizarre car accident, but a handsome stranger not only comes to her rescue, but lures her into a surprising, sensual relationship. And when Thaw Fest finally arrives, it comes with chilling and tragic consequences.

EP2  I Came to Haplin for the Waters
May. 05,2010
I Came to Haplin for the Waters

Shaken by a grisly murder at the local pond and his father's bizarre, self-inflicted injury, Deputy Tommy Conroy reluctantly accepts the title of Sherriff bestowed on him by town matriarch Peggy Haplin. However Tommy's shocking discovery of Jerry Friddle's murderer forces him to keep yet another of the town's secrets with mixed emotions. Meanwhile, Henley appears to know a lot more about Haplin's dark side than she's letting on - drawing Merritt Grieves closer - but she's determined to get access to the forbidden third-floor room of the mysterious boarding house.

EP1  In This Home on Ice
Apr. 28,2010
In This Home on Ice

The residents of the sun-splashed town of Haplin, Minnesota -- also known as "Happy Town" -- have enjoyed an uneasy peace for the past five years -- but that is about to change. Still haunted by a number of unsolved kidnappings, Haplin now faces a disturbing new crime that brings all of its unresolved fears to the surface. Has the elusive "Magic Man" - who many believe is responsible for the bizarre abductions -- returned to claim yet another innocent victim? As Haplin's mysteries are revealed, many of its prominent citizens' motives come under scrutiny as their own secrets and personalities are peeled back one layer at a time.

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7 | TV-14 | en | Mystery | More Info
Released: 2010-04-28 | Released Producted By: , Country: United States of America Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website: http://abc.go.com/shows/happy-town
Synopsis

The residents of Haplin, Minnesota - also known as "Happy Town" - have enjoyed an uneasy peace while haunted by a number of unsolved kidnappings. Now facing a disturbing new crime that brings unresolved fears to the surface, Haplin's most prominent citizens come under scrutiny as their own secrets are revealed.

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Cast

Sam Neill , M.C. Gainey , Amy Acker

Director

Gary Fleder

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Reviews

aladinsyne Happy Town came as a pleasant surprise, however I just could not help but wonder if the writers dipped their hands into one of Stephen King's creepy classic "NEEDFUL THINGS". Sam Neil's role as "Merritt Grieves", is so seemly similar with Max Von Sydow's sinister "Leland Gaunt". Hey, as long as the formula produces a creepy yet delicious dish for TV. M.C. Gainey who played the Town Sheriff (he also played as the pilot in the movie CON-AIR) was my MVP for the 1st episode, great acting, I would have given it to Sam, but, his role in this series looks wickedly good.The pilot episode started slow BUT soon picked up pace, I am looking forward to next week's show....The ladies living in the B&B resembles a coven, don't you think?
cadillac20 For those sad about the retirement of LOST and a hankering for some Twin Peaks-like action, Happy Town may fill that gap. It certainly doesn't hold anything back as far as serving its inspirations. It's a strange, humorous, and quirky affair with mysteries abound. The town has its own personality and one that is Lottery-esquire (in reference to the short story) and quite two faced. However, you'll know how interested you are in the series once they start to talk about The Magic Man and M.C. Gainey starts spouting off some weird mumbo jumbo that no one seems to be able to make sense of. You'll either take to the Twin Peak aspirations and obvious mysteries, or you'll want something much more grounded.However, with genre shows having their peak at the moment, Happy Town may be worth sticking around for. The pilot is entertaining enough and the actors all do a fairly decent job of playing their respective parts. Hats off to Gainey and Sam Neill, both of whom stand out, with Gainey being a REAL Mr. Friendly here (with a seeming split in personality that I'm sure will be explained) and Sam pulling off being creepily British oh so well. For Sam alone and to see what they do with his character alone, it may be worth sticking around. As far as everything else, it's an ABC show with a slight Steven King, David Lynch twist (of which the creators stated was a huge inspiration for the show anyway). So, you can expect some gruesome details, although only two particular appeared in the pilot. So, if you've got a soft spot for Twin Peaks and want something to get going with as LOST winds down, Happy Town may be your cup of Chamomile Tea, or whatever tea you prefer.
el7 Let's see if they can hold it."Happy Town" is presented as a whodunit about a mysterious rash of kidnappings in an idyllic small town. The kidnapper got clean away and has been inactive for five years at the time of the pilot. Ominous doings indicate that the Magic Man has returned to Haplin, Minnesota. As the premiere episode progresses, it becomes apparent that Haplin is hiding a number of dark secrets, which may or may not be related to the mystery of the Magic Man.The episode opens on Elvis Costello's "Watching the Detectives," an excellent choice not just because it's a great song but because it is not immediately apparent which time period the show is presenting to the viewer. It's an unsettling note on which to start the episode, and it really sets the tone for this show.Another thing the show runners got right was the small town setting. I've watched any number of Gothic shows set in small towns that did not remotely resemble the dynamics of any small town I ever lived in. This show gets the claustrophobic vibe just right, so points for that. Their location scout also deserves kudos for whatever town is standing in for those exterior shots. It's just perfect.Also perfect: the cast. This show is chocked full of wonderful actors, any one of whom could have carried a show on their own. Together, they have the kind of combined presence necessary to keep a viewer engrossed while watching for developments in the plot.As to the plot, the pilot asks more questions than it answers, but that's to be expected in the first episode. I really hope the pace picks up in future episodes, though.Only one thing didn't quite work for me, and that's the dialogue. Nobody talks like this. The Sheriff's eccentric pronouncements are somewhat explained by the end of the episode. None of the other characters have that excuse. The marketing folks at ABC are inviting viewers to compare this series to Twin Peaks, but part of the reason that show's oddball dialogue worked was because the directors were taking their cues from David Lynch, maintaining a dreamlike ambiance in which strange verbal choices were just another part of that world. This director played it pretty straight, so the dialogue just didn't quite come off.That's not going to stop me from watching the second episode, however. This show could shape up to be really great. I'm willing to keep watching and find out if it's got legs.
gldnebu5 Saw a sneak peek at the pilot this evening. While the pilot is typically long and attempts to set up a story, it is slightly boring and overdone. The writers attempt to introduce you to every character in the town in a matter of 90 minutes. They give just enough information of the past crime that the viewers interest is peaked, however, the writers work too hard to make too many suspect. While the show has an interesting premiss, I am unsure how it will make an ongoing series. T.C. is by far the best character and carries the show. I understand a good mystery contains forshadowing and unknown facts, but with weird cuts the writers leave the audience with too many questions for a pilot. Lies are being spread as to characters whereabouts, mysterious alzheimers symptoms, creepy stalkers. The show has potential, but they are going to have to pick up the speed and start developing an ongoing story.