Much like the quiet fog that blankets the titular island, “Widow’s Bay” has quietly rolled in to become one of the best shows on TV.
“Widow’s Bay” balances horror and humor effectively. (Courtesy: Apple TV)
“Widow’s Bay” blends comedy and horror for a truly unique take on the mysterious island plagued by supernatural curses.
Matthew Rhys stars as the town’s reluctant mayor, desperately trying to drive tourism despite the many spooky happenings, while also parenting a sullen teen and dealing with quirky islanders.
Read on for more reasons to watch “Widow’s Bay.” And beware, there’s something in the fog!
Stephen King Meets “Parks and Rec”
Mysteries and curses abound on “Widow’s Bay.” (Courtesy: Apple TV)
If you start “Widow’s Bay” and think, “Man, this is a lot like a Stephen King story,” you’re in good company! The whole vibe of the show is very Stephen King – tiny New England town, offbeat characters, creeping dread – but with a little more humor than the horror master tends to include. A King book even makes a cameo appearance in the fourth episode!
The humor comes through thanks to series creator Katie Dippold, whose credits include “Parks and Recreation” and the Sandra Bullock/Melissa McCarthy comedy “The Heat.” Dippold explained creating the balance of funny and scary in a recent interview with Gold Derby, saying, “It was very exciting to me to try to find a way to do this where the laughs really hit you, but when it’s scary or tense, that also really hits you and never undercut that. That was the biggest challenge, because there are things in the writers room that would make me laugh so hard, but I was like, ‘We cannot do it. It’s just gonna completely hurt this character story.’”
Killer Cast
Matthew Rhys’ physical comedy in “Widow’s Bay” is unmatched. (Courtesy: Apple TV)
One of the things that makes “Widow’s Bay” so engaging is the incredible cast who find just the right balance of being serious and silly when needed. Matthew Rhys’ performance as Mayor Tom is hilarious and relatable as the skeptical new(ish) comer to the island who has doubts about the supernatural until he just can’t deny it any longer. If you’ve only seen him in dramas like “The Americans” or “The Beast Me,” you will be pleasantly surprised by how lowkey funny Rhys is, especially when it comes to physical comedy (episode 5 is a real highlight).
Stephen Root stars as salty old timer Wyck in “Widow’s Bay” on Apple TV. (Courtesy: Apple TV)
Kate O’Flynn stars as Patricia on “Widow’s Bay.” (Courtesy: Apple TV)
Then there’s other characters like Wyck, played by the ever-versatile Stephen Root, the salty old-timer warning of the fog and other curses on the island. Plus, we have Mayor Tom’s crack staff at town hall, including Patricia, played by Kate O’Flynn, a lonely woman who is determined to throw a killer party in episode four that is equally hilarious and horrifying. And then there’s the guest appearances from stars like Betty Gilpin, Hamish Linklater, and Chris Fleming.
Building a Mystery
Matthew Rhys stars as Mayor Tom Loftis in “Widow’s Bay” on Apple TV. (Courtesy: Apple TV)
“Widow’s Bay” is not the kind of show you can scroll on your phone and watch. Each episode is packed with details and references that can be missed if you’re not locked into what’s happening on screen. Like what’s up with the board game “Teeth” that Tom finds in episode 2 that comes only with a pair of pliers? Or what was that the town historian mentioned about the island having teeth in the first episode? Teeth seem to be a recurring theme, but there’s also the threat in the fog, the myth that anyone born on the island who leaves will die, and the psychedelic mushrooms that will open up your third eye (and maybe more).
There’s just three episodes left for season 1 of “Widow’s Bay,” and we’ve got our fingers crossed for a season 2 for more answers, more fog, and more hilarity.
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