Ghost Wars

Ghost Wars is an engrossing supernatural thriller television series that originally aired on Syfy between 2017 and 2018. Developed by Simon Barry, the acclaimed producer behind other hit shows such as Continuum and Van Helsing, this short-lived, though critically appreciated series skillfully blends elements of horror, drama, and supernatural mysticism.

Set in the isolated and mysterious town of Port Moore, Alaska, the story revolves around Roman Mercer, a local pariah and outcast. Portrayed by former Avan Jogia of Victorius and Twisted fame, Roman is a gifted medium, which results in his everyday life being haunted by chilling, restless presences that outsiders can't see or believe. The portrayal of his character, his internal struggles, and social alienation, act as an intriguing gateway into the series' strange and eerie domain.

The plot kicks into high gear when an untimely seismic activity hits the town, creating a tear into the spirit world. This paranormal event triggers the awakening of a swarm of deadly apparitions, unleashing them onto the unsuspecting citizens of Port Moore. As these rampant and violent spirits threaten the survival of their remote small town, the residents are compelled to believe and depend on the town outcast, Roman.

Each episode is designed to deliver a meticulous blend of attention-grabbing supernatural phenomena and high-stakes drama. The fear factor strengthens with every apparition encounter, forcing Roman and the town's people to navigate through their prejudices and fears to come to terms with the terrifying reality: The veil between life and death is not as solid as they had thought to be.

Aside from Jogia, the series boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Vincent D'Onofrio (Full Metal Jacket, Law & Order: Criminal Intent), who plays an embattled and scared local priest, Kim Coates (Sons of Anarchy) as the town sheriff, Kandyse McClure (Battlestar Galactica) as a doctor struggling to find logical answers, and Meat Loaf (Fight Club) as the town’s big-hearted heavy laborer. This group comes together, adding depth, humor, and occasional emotional weight to the story. Exhibit A is D'Onofrio's strong portrayal of a man of faith grappling with forces he doesn't understand is a consistent source of gravitas to the series.

Despite dealing with paranormal elements, Ghost Wars attempts to ground the story in real, human elements. Amidst the swirling ghostly encounters are gripping subplots centered on the town's individuals and their struggles. These further deepen the drama and make for a merging of two worlds - the everyday reality of man juxtaposed with supernatural events.

The creator’s strong mastery of creating suspenseful and stochastic narratives is evidently vibrant in Ghost Wars. The shows’ nuanced storytelling, coupled with its visually arresting special effects, creates an atmosphere of dread and intrigue that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Despite being a horror show at heart, Ghost Wars does not rely solely on jump scares; instead, it creates a steady crescendo of terror and dread combined with an engulfing sense of foreboding.

With twelve episodes in total, Ghost Wars offers a compact yet eventful story. Throughout these episodes, the series explores themes of community, divisiveness, redemption, and, of course, the supernatural. It doesn’t shy away from displaying how the fear of the unknown can break a community or conversely, bring them together, as they battle shared threats.

While the show has a rather dark and horrifying nature, it's punctuated with sublime moments of humanity, tenderness, and even wry humor to balance the bleakness and escalate character development. Thus, Ghost Wars becomes more than just scenarios of ghost scares, but a journey into the lives of its characters, their fears, their pasts, and their growth.

In summary, Ghost Wars is a compelling supernatural thriller series that transcends typical horror motifs to create a very human, character-driven drama. Although it only ran for a single season, the show left a profound mark with its unique blend of horror with the existential crises faced by a town under threat from the invisible. With its eerie atmosphere, exceptional performances, and gripping storyline, Ghost Wars stands as a gripping foray into supernatural horror television.