Review of Haunted

"Haunted" was cancelled before even one whole season was aired; in most cases that is a hasty decision by TV executives, but in this case you can sort of see their reasoning. First of all, it's hard to stay engaged in a TV series when there is really only one lead, and he spends about 80% of the time moping. The show is also visually dreary - it looks as though it was shot through smudged sunglasses (even the daylight scenes are dark). There are too many standalone episodes, and the only two significant arcs - Simon the persistent ghost and Kevin the missing son - are left entirely unresolved. The rules of Frank's dealing with ghosts are also muddled. "Haunted" does have some atmosphere, and there are a couple of good episodes (like the one with Simon possessing the body of Frank's ex-wife's boyfriend - got that?), but on the whole it's a mediocre show and Matthew Fox should thank his lucky stars that "Lost" came along and rescued his career.