What’s Going Bump in the Night in Wausau? Inside the Latest Episode of SYFY’s Revival

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This week on SYFY’s latest series “Revival,” Wausau, Wisconsin is in a state of panic following the strange events at Arlene Stankiewicz’s funeral and her subsequent burning by Blaine Abel (Steven Ogg). As a result, an official registry for those who have risen from the dead is established. The town, along with Governor June Harris (Shauna Macdonald), insists on cataloging and monitoring these individuals. Sheriff Wayne (David James Elliott) steps up to gather information for this registry, uncovering some surprising truths in the process.

An intriguing revelation unfolds, suggesting the presence of something inexplicably non-human within our town’s limits. During an outdoor camping excursion in Cooper’s (Hudson Wurster) backyard, he and his young companion, Jordan (Flora McInroy), experience a startling encounter with this mysterious entity.

This week on a special SYFY WIRE post-mortem, I got a behind-the-scenes look at the intense scenes of “Run Along Little Lamb” as showrunner Aaron B. Koontz and James Elliott delved into some of the most gripping moments from the episode.

David James Elliott on Wayne’s confrontation with a “Reviver” 

Ever since the day known as Revival Day, Sheriff Wayne has found himself scrambling to keep the townsfolk at ease, given the growing apprehension surrounding the identity and capabilities of the “Revivers,” who have mysteriously returned from the dead.

It appears that the situation regarding the “Reviver” registry is straightforward. However, this episode reveals that even in such clear-cut situations, exceptions can arise. Wayne discovers this when his longtime family friend Diane, who happens to be a “Reviver” as well, confides in him. She had been instrumental in helping the Cypress family after Wayne’s wife passed away, and now she pleads with him not to include her on the registry.

Prior to this moment, Wayne hadn’t shown much compassion towards the “Revivers” or those concealing their identities. Unbeknownst to him, his own daughter, Em Cypress (Romy Weltman), is one of them. However, he experiences the profound impact of such a disclosure when Diane implores him to safeguard her secret.

In this tense conversation, James Elliott expressed his admiration for the scene, stating that it offers a profound glimpse into the character’s true nature and motivations. He described it as an intensely moving moment, one that required deep emotional investment to portray effectively. From a character development perspective, he found it incredibly insightful.

Inquired about potential disagreements arising from the storyline involving the registry, the actor stated that it indeed offers a glimpse into Wayne’s upcoming battles. “That scene is key to understanding not just the external struggles he faces, but also his internal conflicts and how they impact him,” he said. “We then follow his journey, uncovering the secrets in his past. The ten episodes we filmed are rich with multiple characters, intricate backstories, and various plotlines that unfold. Essentially, it’s a collection of character development and life experiences. There’s nothing one-dimensional or zombie-like about this story. It’s a very complex narrative.

What’s that thing creeping around the outskirts of Wausau?

If you noticed an unusual noise when Cooper stepped out of the car at the farm during this episode, or if you spotted something in the rearview mirror or a peculiar mark on the tent fabric, showrunner Aaron B. Koontz wants to reassure you that it’s not just your imagination. And for readers of the Revival comic book, he hinted that what you’ve been eagerly anticipating is arriving shortly.

In the thrilling world of Revival, Issue #1, I stumbled upon an intriguing unveiling of something fresh, hitherto untouched in Wausau. Koontz hinted that when they came across this comic, they instantly recognized its significance and felt it was a must-have for the series, but they chose to present it in a fresh, innovative manner within the show.

Koontz expressed their strategy for captivating viewers with a clever twist on the traditional murder mystery genre: “It’s a bit of a mind-bending hook, if you catch my drift.” He continued, “We start off like a typical murder mystery, but things soon take an unusual turn. By the end, you might wonder, ‘What in the world am I watching?’ That’s our goal – to surprise and delight viewers just as the comic does so effectively.” Unlike the comic, however, they plan to gradually introduce the audience to the weirdness instead of diving right in from the start.

He hinted at an unseen entity, saying we would sense its proximity more as it approaches the tent. You’ll have the feeling of, ‘Wow, stop right there! Something is out there.’ We aim to create a sensation of this presence growing nearer, like a chilling approach of a lurking danger closing in on a door.

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2025-07-04 06:01