Haven continued its successful run on British television with SyFy airing episode eleven, “Business as Usual”, on 13th December 2011. Tensions between the Troubled and the rest of Haven’s residents begin to come to the surface and Nathan gives Audrey information about Lucy Ripley.
Recap of “Business as Usual”
Haven is hosting a marathon and one of the participants in clearly in need of help. The man cannot seem to quench his thirst then suddenly shrivels up and dies. Nathan and Audrey identify the man as Reggie Boswell but cannot understand how all the moisture was removed from his body.
Dwight arrives and tells them that Reggie was one of the Troubled but does not know what his affliction was or if that is what killed him. Dwight reveals that many of the Troubled in Haven are planning a meeting to talk about how to watch out for each other in case there are any repercussions after the Rev’s death. Nathan thinks the meeting is a bad idea but before they can talk about it any further they hear an argument outside.
Two of the marathon participants are arguing. One, Patrick Grolsch, is accusing another, Stu Pierce, of being one of the Troubled and killing Reggie. When Nathan and Audrey intervene Patrick turns on them and rants about Haven police covering up for the Troubled.
Back at the police station Nathan is on the phone to someone but abruptly ends the call when Audrey comes in. They review Reggie’s autopsy report and theorise whether or not his Trouble killed him. Audrey notes that they are using a different coroner and Nathan says he asked Dwight to find him one outside of Haven because he wants to keep this case quiet.
They get a report of another dehydration death and go to speak to the victim’s wife. The victim was another Troubled person and Nathan suspects that they are being targeted. Audrey and Nathan learn that Stu was organising the meeting and go to speak to him.
They arrive at Stu’s home to find the door broken and Stu’s wife tied up. She tells Audrey and Nathan that Stu has been kidnapped. They both realise that whoever has Stu also has the names of every Troubled person in Haven.
Duke is packing up Evi’s things and discovers that she had bought back the silver box. He opens it and finds a note from Evi.
“Duke, In case things go bad, you should have this. I’m sorry. P.S. Put it under your iguana tank light. Love always Evi.”
Duke follows her instructions and sees the name Crocker on the box lid.
Audrey and Nathan find out from Stu’s wife that one of the kidnappers had a number on his leg. They guess that he must have been running in the marathon and check the names against the numbers. They bring in Patrick and Audrey interrogates him however Patrick is particularly unhelpful. He is a lawyer and threatens to file a harassment suit against them, forcing Nathan to let him go. Audrey is furious but Nathan says he was trying to protect her and the town.
Duke takes the box to Dave and Vince to see what they know about it. Vince is obviously uncomfortable and pretends not to know anything. However Dave promises to find out what he can for Duke. After Duke leaves Vince expresses his anger at Dave and tells him he will stop him. Dave simply says that Haven needs to face reality.
Vince calls Dwight and asks him to steal the box. That night on Duke catches Dwight on his boat and they fight. In the struggle the box breaks and a key flies out. Duke and Dwight reach a compromise in order to find out what Vince knows about the box.
Audrey has been tracking Patrick and Nathan warns her to be careful. As Patrick leaves Audrey begins to follow him.
Meanwhile Dave calls Duke to tell him that the silver box he has is part of a set of two. Duke reasons that the key he found will open the other box which his father must have hidden.
Elsewhere Audrey has Patrick handcuffed inside a warehouse. Nathan warns her that she is going down a dangerous path but she is determined to find Stu. Suddenly the fire alarm goes off and Patrick tells Audrey that if Stu is in the building he probably needs a hand. Nathan tried to stop her, stating that they don’t know what Stu’s Trouble is and there is a reason Patrick wants her to go find Stu.
Audrey goes further into the warehouse and finds Stu. Patrick has set a fire to kill him and Stu warns Audrey that his sweat kills people. Audrey tells him that he can’t hurt her and succeeds in rescuing him.
Duke and Dwight search his father’s old boat but don’t find anything. Duke asks Dwight about his Trouble and how he found out. Dwight tells him that he found out when he was serving in Afghanistan and that his father had never told him. The current boat owner interrupts and tells Duke that the last boat his father bought was really the Cape Rouge; Duke’s boat. Duke thought he had won that boat in a poker game on his 21st birthday but realises that his father fixed the game so Duke could have the Cape Rouge.
Stu tells Nathan and Audrey how Reggie died and how he plans to leave town. He tells them that Haven isn’t safe for the Troubled anymore. This causes Audrey to worry that she has only made things worse for them. Nathan reassures her that she has been doing the right thing and gives her Lucy Ripley’s address. When she learns he has been tracking her down for a year Audrey kisses him.
Audrey goes to meet Lucy who tells her that they met 27 years ago when Audrey had Lucy’s memories. Lucy says that Audrey had told her she knew how to end the Troubles for good but that she was afraid of some men. Audrey had told Lucy that if she ever came back Lucy must recount the whole story to her. Lucy then informs Audrey that Duke’s father had arrived a few months after and was looking for her. Audrey is shocked and returns to Haven to find Duke.
Duke and Dwight find the larger silver box in a barrel on the Cape Rouge. Duke unlocks it and finds weapons and a journal. Audrey arrives to speak to Duke and tells him about her conversation with Lucy Ripley. Dwight seizes the moment to steal the box and when Duke tries to stop him he cuts Dwight with a dagger. Dwight’s blood falls onto Duke’s hand and Duke has some sort of seizure. Dwight’s blood is absorbed into Duke’s hand and as Dwight goes to hit Duke with a crowbar, Duke shoves him off the boat.
That night the Troubled of Haven meet at the newspaper and Vince voices his disapproval to Dave. Vince believes that Dave is starting a war and he wants no part of it. Dwight arrives and tells Vince about Duke, the box and the cut to his arm. Vince is visibly alarmed by Dwight’s news. Nathan comes to the meeting to show his support and finally side with the Troubled.
On Duke’s boat Audrey reads the journal from the box and finds a section written by Duke’s father. In it he tells Duke he must kill Audrey and the episode closes with them both wondering why.
Review of “Business as Usual”
This episode brings all the threads of the season together nicely in preparation for the season finale. It doesn’t answer all the questions posed throughout the season but nor should it. “Business as Usual” gives just enough information to wrap up some loose threads and add to others.
Duke’s family history is intriguing as are Dave’s motivations. Audiences saw earlier in the season Dave’s greatest fear was one of Audrey’s past versions and hopefully this will be explained in the season finale.
Overall “Business as Usual” does what all good penultimate episodes should by giving the audience just enough to want more.
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