Kansas City StarAaron Barnhart

The darker tone of Haven (including a haunting piano soundtrack) and reliance on paranormal, rather than technological, story elements form an ideal counterpoint to the wonkery of "Eureka."

Wall Street JournalNancy DeWolf Smith

No vampires (so far). But no matter what materializes in the town, it's satisfying to see in the first episode that Haven already revolves around grown-ups.

Deseret NewsScott D. Pierce

It's not bad. It's actually sort of promising.

Los Angeles TimesRobert Lloyd

Viewers sad about the end of "Happy Town" and looking for another creepy municipal drama filmed in Canada may find this a port in the storm, though it is more cheaply appointed and less spectacularly cast. Still, it would be pointless to attack the show for not achieving things that are beyond its ambitions.

Miami HeraldGlenn Garvin

As a cop drama, Haven--marred by busy and blurry story lines--is barely competent. But as a narrative of eccentric, slightly damaged yet ultimately warm characters, it's quite successful. The deadpan my-badge-is-bigger-than-yours needling between Rose and Bryant is particularly engaging.

New York PostLinda Stasi

Sure, Haven is fun. But I get the feeling that I'm suffering from the same attack of "been there/done that" as the lithe and lovely agent.

The New York TimesMike Hale

Haven not only resembles its Syfy stablemates, but it’s also just about as good, which means that if you like a cozy, lived-in mystery with some quirky characters in a pleasant setting--and you don’t mind spotty writing and perfunctory camerawork--you may enjoy it.

Boston HeraldMark A. Perigard

Tonight’s mystery ultimately doesn’t hang together, but it does establish the show’s light mythos in an easy-to-digest way.

Entertainment WeeklyKen Tucker

The pilot doesn't possess much Stephen King grit--in fact, it's more like Syfy whimsy. But give it time; if Haven can become darker and more complex, as Warehouse 13 has, it could become fun summer sci-fi TV.

Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob Owen

The mysteries of Haven do offer some intrigue but coupled with fairly unextraordinary situations and plots, the show may have a tough time convincing viewers to become weekly visitors.

Chicago Sun-TimesPaige Wiser

Haven succeeds at laying on the whimsy, and the dialogue is cute. But it's impossible to follow the investigation, and each discovery raises more questions--not about the supernatural, but about the holes in the script.

Chicago TribuneMaureen Ryan

Why, Haven, why?? Without the Balfour, this might have been a blandish but watchable "X-Files" derivation. With the Balfour, well, his time on screen did not increase my desire to check out this "Haven" in future.

PopMattersMichael Abernethy

The reason we might stick around is Audrey Parker. She also provides an alternative to the usual dark mystery associated with Stephen King’s work.

NewsdayVerne Gay

King didn't actually write Haven but "developed" it for the small screen, which is a form of plausible deniability if things go wrong. With Haven--as somnolent as a summer afternoon--they most likely will.

Philadelphia Daily NewsEllen Gray

Maybe it's just too soon after the bitter nonending of ABC's "Happy Town," but there's nothing in the pilot of Haven that makes me eager to crawl down the rabbit hole of one more small town mystery with supernatural overtones.

VarietyBrian Lowry

Uninspired writing and Rose's lack of heft combine to undermine the Parker character, who is pivotal not only as the newcomer to this latest permutation of unusual TV hamlets but figures in a serialized twist about what might have brought her the assignment.

Boston GlobeMatthew Gilbert

The characters are so shallow, it’s hard to invest interest in them.

TV GuideMatt Roush

There's nothing about Haven that isn't derivative at best and dispiriting at worst.

Hollywood ReporterRandee Dawn

Such a winning cast of characters and sharp dialogue deserved better than a midshow derailment, however.

People WeeklyTom Gliatto

There's no real awe or fear-just a relatively safe Haven. So, no go.

Slant MagazineScott Von Doviak

Rose and Bryant make for a dull, chemistry-free duo. A love triangle seems inevitable--and inevitably tedious. Worse, the creative team has failed to make the title character, the town of Haven itself, a vivid presence.

USA TodayRobert Bianco

A ludicrously see-through supernatural crime drama that wastes a perfectly fine performance from Emily Rose as an FBI agent who tracks an escaped convict to a Maine town.