
So, as you may or may not know I’m re-watching the French version at the same time I’m watching this. I don’t know if it’s a good idea, but I thought it might be fun (and/or interesting) to compare and contrast the two versions – at least for a few episodes or until I get tired of it. But I’ll talk more about that at the very end just in case you’re worried about spoilers, etc. Let’s first discuss the series as if we’re all completely new to it.
Four years ago a bus full of students on a field trip crashed through the barricade and went over the side of a mountain. Everyone on the bus died and it looks like quite a few residents of the town are still trying to work through their grief. Camille, one of the students on the bus, wakes up in the woods with no memory of the crash and goes home. She doesn’t realize how long she’s been gone until she sees her twin sister again.
In the ensuing four years, Camille’s family has definitely changed. Her parents are no longer together. Claire is now living with Peter, a psychologist who helped counsel her through her grief. Jack is having sex with (and giving money to) Lucy, who claims she’s clairvoyant and can speak to Camille while they’re doing it (Ewww). And Lena is a drinker who stays out past her curfew. In other words, they’re all incredibly damaged from Camille’s death. But now that she’s back, what will that change? Will it bring Claire and Jack back together? How will this affect Lena? How will this affect Camille?

Meanwhile, the little boy who is at least partially responsible for that bus crash, Victor, has targeted Dr. Han. Maybe “targeted†is too harsh, but he does seek her out and she takes him in. He doesn’t talk much and we’re not quite sure what he wants yet. But we do know he was standing in the road the day Camille’s bus went off the road. Camille, trying desperately to get off the bus – because Camille was psychically connected to her sister and felt some things the first time Lena had sex? – so the driver is distracted. When he spots Victor on the road, he has to swerve to avoid him and what’s what sends them through the barricade.
We also meet a character played by Michelle Forbes. It’s not clear how long she’s been gone, but it’s been decades and her return drives her husband to suicide. And what about Simon? He’s been gone a while as well and Rowan is not happy to see him. Whatever she went through when he died, it was traumatic enough that it causes her to break down. Simon seems like a violent jerk, doesn’t he? Maybe it’s good that Rowan’s moved on from him.

On top of the handful of people who have returned, the town of Caldwell also seems to have attracted a killer who attacks Lucy in the underpass and leaves her for dead.
French vs. American
I liked the pacing of the American version better as well as how the sequence of events goes down. I think the telling of the story was a bit cleaner here, but definitely less creepy and atmospheric. We get more information about Simon (namely that he finds his own grave and realizes he’s dead) and the old man who killed himself. In the French version, Dr. Han’s equivalent is called to the old man’s house to calm him down after he encounters his dead wife. But he also ties her up and sets fire to his house before he jumps off the dam. Lucy’s murder is more violent in the French version and she’s also more of a fighter and the attack goes on much longer. It’s really disturbing and part of me is glad we didn’t see all that in the American version.
Overall, I’m good with some of the dialogue and scenes being identical because I felt like we got enough differences to make it interesting. Either way, I’ll keep watching and I’m intrigued to see where the American version goes.
What did you think? Will you be tuning in again next week?
The Returned airs Mondays at 10/9c on A&E.
Related posts
Classics
John Griffin and Harold Perrineau Talk From on EPIX Season 1 Finale
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] How are we doing, #FROMily? In case you missed it this morning, the very good news is that that cliffhanger will be followed by a second season, which was gifted this morning ahead of the linear broadcast of the finale. I always legitimately appreciate when we…
Elizabeth Saunders Talks EPIX’s From
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] One of the things that makes EPIX’s From such a fun ride is the abundance of Canadian cast members. Elizabeth Saunders, who plays Donna, is a favorite from her turn on the third season of Mary Kills People, which US audiences still have not been able…
Corteon Moore Talks From “Broken Windows, Open Doors”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight’s episode of From had us all in our feels as we learned through flashbacks about the Sophie’s Choice Boyd had to make to save his son, and back in the present as Boyd said his piece with Ellis before heading into the woods with…
Pegah Ghafoori Talks From “All Good Things…”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode] Tonight on From, Fatima’s anniversary celebration turned into a Colony House of horrors when a misguided Kevin let his monster bae in and she promptly killed him and left the window open for her crew. While the party devolved into terror and sent everyone running,…
Shaun Majumder Talks From “Book 74”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight on EPIX’s From, Father Khatri made a bold move, kidnapping Sara instead of turning her in, and then recognizing her as a vessel for some big messages. That startling realization speaks to him on multiple levels–as a man of faith, a man trapped in…
Avery Konrad Talks About Sara’s Struggle in From “Silhouettes”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Over the course of the season so far on From, we’ve witnessed Sara’s battle against the voices telling her to to do terrible things, and tonight we saw her unravel further, threatening the Matthews and lashing out in a moment of terror with horrifying results….
Hannah Cheramy Talks From “Choosing Day”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight, on EPIX’s From, the Matthews participate in the show’s version of the sorting hat, choosing where to call home–the town or Colony House. At the end of the episode, Julie makes the decision to split from her family and instead settle in with Fatima…
Ricky He Talks From “The Way Things Are Now”
[Warning: Spoilers for episode 102 of EPIX’s From.] Epix’s new series From is two episodes in and it’s already laying the groundwork for a seriously spooky season. Tonight’s episode demonstrated the careful balance of relief and horror that the show hits, with our characters’ worst fears realized, just not when…
Catching Up with Ted Lasso and Previewing Season 2
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] The not so dirty little secret about how I approach a new series is that I sometimes make a call based on the headspace I’m in at the time. It’s been a minute since I’ve picked up a show after the first season and then binge…
Interview: Henri Esteve on Grown-ish Season 3
An interview with Henri Esteve, who plays Javi on Freeform’s Grown-ish. He talks about his season three experience.
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…