Last summer, WAYWARD PINES became a break out hit. Film star Matt Dillon starred as Ethan Burke who found himself trapped in Wayward Pines, unable to escape. As his son and wife showed up, clues began to emerge slowly and the realization was that this was a self-contained community, centuries in the future, after humankind had destroyed the environment and a mutated species had taken over the earth outside the closed community of Wayward Pines.
In the season finale, Ethan gave his life to save everyone else.
It went out with a bang.
But when FOX has a hit -- a rare thing these days -- they have to milk it.
So we get season two.
Which might work if it had a star to anchor it.
Jason Patric is an effective actor.
He's not a star.
As multiple films have demonstrated, he cannot command the screen the way Matt Dillon can.
The first episode brings back some familiar faces. Terrence Howard is back as the crooked sheriff. Hope Davis is back as Megan, the creepy, Hillary Clinton-look alike cultist. Carla Gugino is back as revolutionary Kate. Charlie Tahan is back as Ethan's son Ben.
But even with a dramatic moment from Kate, the episode moves along about as gracefully as a tugboat.
That's due to Patric and his deep desire to 'Act.'
Matt Dillon doesn't prove he can act, he just acts.
And his naturalness is partly why he's a great actor and a movie star with films like WILD THINGS, LITTLE DARLINGS, TEX, THE OUTSIDERS, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY, THE FLAMINGO KID, CRASH, IN & OUT, TO DIE FOR, RUMBLE FISH, YOU, ME AND DUPREE and DRUGSTORE COWBOY.
Jason's had shots at stardom but in terms of carrying a film, his biggest hit is the flow sequel to SPEED.
These things tend to happen for a reason.
As an actor, Patric's a lot like Shirley Knight.
Knight's wonderful onstage.
In film and on TV, she's best in small doses because she's doing so much work it tires the audience out.
Which is why, despite immense talent and beauty, Shirley Knight never became a movie star.
And it's why it's so hard to get on board with Jason's Dr. Theo.
He's too busy leading viewers through every moment to let them discover anything on their own.