Resurrection

Resurrection is an intriguing mystery-drama television series that aired on ABC network from March 2014 to January 2015. Developed by the highly talented Aaron Zelman, who has previously worked on seminal series such as 'Criminal Minds' and 'Damages', Resurrection is based on Jason Mott's 2013 novel 'The Returned' and not to be confused with the French television series of the same name. The drama is rooted in a blend of supernatural elements, grounded by the human experiences of grief, loss, and second chances.

The series stars renowned actor Omar Epps, best known for his significant roles in 'House' and 'Love & Basketball', as J. Martin Bellamy, a federal immigration agent. Epps delivers a compelling performance, skillfully portraying a character caught up in extraordinary circumstances. Alongside him, the show features a capable ensemble cast including Frances Fisher, Matt Craven, Devin Kelley, Mark Hildreth, Samaire Armstrong, Sam Hazeldine, Landon Gimenez, and Kurtwood Smith.

The premise of Resurrection is as stunningly simple as it is bewildering. The story begins when Jacob Langston, an 8-year-old boy who drowned three decades ago, surprisingly appears in a rural Chinese province, thousands of miles from his home in Arcadia, Missouri. Bellamy, assigned to the case by the Immigration Department, embarks on a mysterious journey that defies common sense. He accompanies the disoriented boy to his hometown where his aging parents, Henry and Lucille Langston (Smith and Fisher), find themselves confronted with their deceased son returned to them in the same youthful form when he left.

While the Langstons and the rest of the townsfolk grapple with Jacob's inexplicable return, this mystery deepens as more deceased individuals appear. Each resurrection delivers its own poignant storyline, as returned loved ones reunite with their families, disrupting the lives and the equilibrium of the community. The series brilliantly captures the emotional complexity of the situation through the eyes of the characters, as they deal with conflicting feelings of joy, confusion, fear, and skepticism.

Through these enigmatic circumstances and their implications, Resurrection effectively raises contemplative questions. How would one react if given the chance to reunite with loved ones thought to be lost forever? What consequences would such a rekindling carry for those involved and for society as a whole? The show creatively explores these existential dilemmas, intertwining the mysterious with the mundane, creating a thought-provoking tension that holds viewers in its grip.

The series' tone expertly shifts between a family drama and a supernatural mystery, creating an air of suspense while diving deep into the emotional core of the narrative. The town's response to the resurrected, which is a mix of fear, skepticism, and wonderment, adroitly reflects how we, as a society, deal with the unexplainable and the unknown.

The portrayal of Arcadia, a quiet and quaint small town, further ups the series’ intrigue, presenting an ideal backdrop to this inexplicable phenomenon. The tight-knit community, with its picturesque landscapes and a general sense of normalcy, strikingly contrasts the mysterious events, adding to the overall eerie atmosphere of the narrative.

In Resurrection, Epps' compelling and empathetic performance as the lead, along with consistently strong performances from the supporting cast, gives life to this fantastical tale, grounding the series in emotional realism. The storytelling is both engaging and thoughtful, producing a unique blend of supernatural elements through a human lens.

Through its two-season run, Resurrection pushes the boundaries of storytelling in its exploration of life, death, and what it means to get a second chance. Captivating from the start, the series dares its audience to contemplate profound philosophical questions, ensuring that the viewers are not just watching the narrative but also engaged in its thematic complexities. This provocative foray into the realm of the unknown is what sets Resurrection apart, ensuring its legacy in the annals of TV drama.

In summary, Resurrection is not just another series on resurrection—the desolate topic of loss is spun on its head into a deeply affecting narrative journey. It challenges our notions of finality and permanence while telling a heartwarming story of love, loss, and inexplicable happenings. Its juxtaposition of a close-knit community with a disquieting mystery makes it a unique and compelling watch.