ABOVE AVERAGE

It comes as no surprise to learn that the Duffer brothers executive-produced this series, considering how much it looked like Stranger Things with more than a splash of Cocoon (1985). We were introduced to a grieving retired engineer (Alfred Molina) who reluctantly moved to a New Mexico desert retreat, where he soon made a bunch of new friends; together, they got wind of a conspiracy involving monsters.

Very familiar set-up, but the show knew how to charm an audience that grew up with 1980s sci-fi and who were themselves either approaching a certain age, or struggled with aging parents. Benefited from a wonderful cast of pros, including Denis O’Hare who was a standout as a feisty survivor of the AIDS era.

Canceled efter one season, but it didn’t need more.

2026-U.S. 8 episodes. Color. Widescreen. Created by Jeffrey Addiss, Will Matthews. Cast: Alfred Molina (Sam Cooper), Alfre Woodard (Judy Daniels), Denis O’Hare (Wally Baker), Clarke Peters, Carlos Miranda, Jena Malone, Seth Numrich, Alice Kremelberg, Geena Davis, Ed Begley, Jr., Mary McDonnell, Bill Pullman, Dee Wallace. 

Last word: “The one touchstone for us was ‘Salem’s Lot’. It is about a town and the monsters within it, but ultimately, what Stephen King is saying is that the people don’t deserve to be saved. That idyllic facade is just that. It’s a facade and there’s rot underneath. We wanted to tell the opposite story. The Boroughs is a town and a place and people worth saving. That is why one of the characters is reading ‘Salem’s Lot’ in episode 7.” (Addiss, Creative Screenwriting)