Sep 18, 2015 3 min read

This blog is written by Alex York, Flipside editor

This summer was not a particularly interesting one for the avid television watcher. While new seasons of shows such as Big Brother and Bachelor in Paradise hit the airwaves, the lineup of engaging new shows was relatively disappointing – save for one fantastic example from ABC. The Whispers was undoubtedly my personal favorite sleeper hit of the summer. Packed with excitement and suspense, the series’ electrifying storyline proves that its lineup of producers (including Steven Spielberg) doesn’t play around.

The Whispers follows Claire Bennigan (Lily Rabe), an Federal Bureau of Investigation agent tasked with investigating a potentially fatal incident between a small girl and her mother. In doing so, she learns about Drill, a mysterious unseen entity that manipulates children by posing as an imaginary friend. As Drill coerces more victims into carrying out increasingly heinous acts, Bennigan seeks to unravel the mystery surrounding the enigmatic figure and discover the shocking truth that he conceals. Along the way, Bennigan cooperates with allies like her partner Jessup Rollins (Derek Webster) and Wes Lawrence (Barry Sloane) of the defense department, while also encountering familiar faces from her past such as an amnesiac John Doe portrayed by Milo Ventimiglia of Heroes fame.

This narrative is where The Whispers truly shines. Based on “Zero Hour,” a short story by the renowned Ray Bradbury of Fahrenheit 451 fame, the series is packed to the brim with suspense, horror, mystery and science fiction elements. Drill’s game unfolds much like chess, with each lie and every deception carrying him closer to his ultimate goal. This, of course, means that there is not a single insignificant moment in the series – every move made by either side brings the plot ever closer to its climax. As a result, the tale is packed with ingenious twists around every corner, especially toward its end, where nearly every episode wraps up with a hard-hitting cliffhanger. Unfortunately, this unique approach also means that the show kicks off with a fairly slow start. The payoff, however, is certainly worth the wait.

While the story escalates from episode to episode, all other aspects fall right into place from the get-go. The camera, lighting, special effects and music perfectly complement the atmosphere of every scene, and the actors do an exceptional job with both their spoken and unspoken expressions. Special mention must be given to Kylie Rogers, who plays Minx, Lawrence’s young daughter and a central figure in Drill’s ploy. Rogers manages to hit her character’s wide range of attitudes head-on, surpassing even the adults as the most convincing actor of the group.

Overall, The Whispers is a fantastic experience for fans of narrative-driven shows and action series. Each episode forms a puzzle piece of an intricate whole, resulting in a finale that is dramatic and satisfying despite its teaser ending. While it struggles to escape from a sluggish start, the program easily proves itself as one of the most enjoyable television shows of the summer.

The Whispers is available for online streaming through services including iTunes, Google Play and Hulu Plus.