Beyond (2017)

Beyond is a supernatural drama television series aired on Freeform from 2016 to 2018. The show, which spanned two seasons and 20 episodes, was created by Adam Nussdorf and produced by Tim Kring, known for his work on popular series such as "Heroes" and "Touch."

The series revolves around the life of a young man, Holden Matthews, played by Burkely Duffield. At age 13, Holden suffers a devastating accident which results in him falling into a coma. Defying all medical expectations, he awakens 12 years later, with no memory of the time that has passed. This traumatic event drastically changes the course of Holden's life, as he must contend with over a decade of lost time and the reality that he is no longer a boy, but a fully grown man.

However, Holden's journey of readjusting to normal life soon takes a mysterious and dangerous turn. He begins to discover and develop inexplicable new abilities that are beyond the realm of human comprehension. His powers hint at a vast, unexplored realm existing parallel to the known world, which he has a mysterious connection to.

The series explores his quest to understand the nature of his new powers, the strange world that's seemingly linked to his coma, and why he was bestowed the paranormal abilities. As Holden delves further into these mysteries, he becomes increasingly entangled in a web of conspiracies, threats, and shadowy figures, who seem to have a keen interest in his abilities and their possible implications.

Key characters on Beyond include Holden's childhood friend Kevin, portrayed by Jordan Calloway, who supports Holden in his quest for answers. There's his concerned parents, Tom and Diane Matthews played by Michael McGrady and Romy Rosemont, who grapple with the return of their son after 12 years, and the changes in him. Then there's Willa, an enigmatic woman portrayed by Dilan Gwyn, who seems to know more about Holden's condition than she initially lets on.

Developed for a young adult audience, Beyond explores complex themes throughout its two-season run. It deals not just with supernatural elements, but also societal and personal themes such as identity, responsibility, maturity, and the duality of life. The show is as much a journey of self-discovery and personal growth for Holden, as it is a tense supernatural thriller.

Visually striking, Beyond serves as a cinematic treat for viewers with its high-quality production and special effects that bring Holden's powers and the parallel universe to vivid life. The show consciously avoids typical special effects cliches and provides a fresh take on visualizing supernatural phenomena. The cinematography is top-notch, with each frame carefully composed to create maximum visual impact.

In terms of narrative, Beyond utilizes a non-linear storytelling approach, often employing flashbacks to provide depth and context to the story as well as the character's actions. This not only enriches the viewing experience but also keeps audiences hooked with the consistent unveiling of plot layers, character dimensions, and revelations.

Moreover, Beyond benefits from a well-rounded cast. Duffield delivers a compelling performance as the veneer-shattering Holden, balancing the character's confusion, fear, and determination convincingly. The supporting cast equally rises to the occasion, creating an ensemble that forms the backbone of this engrossing series.

Being one of the initial series of Freeform after its rebranding from ABC Family, Beyond marked a more sophisticated direction for the network in terms of content and themes. It also played around with distribution models, with the whole first season being released for online streaming following its two-hour premiere in 2017, showing a strategic shift towards catering to binging TV viewers.

Overall, Beyond is an intriguing blend of science-fiction, drama, and supernatural thrills that will excite fans of these genres. Its engaging narrative and likeable characters make it easy to root for them as they navigate the labyrinth of mystery, uncertainty, and danger. Despite its relatively short run on the small screen, Beyond undoubtedly left a lasting impression on its audience and continues to be available for viewing on digital platforms.