CJ Mitchum May Explain 'Wayward Pines' History

I know it's because of director M. Night Shyamalan, but I keep expecting there to be big twists and reveals on Wayward Pines. The first season certainly delivered on that front: About halfway through the season, the characters made a huge discovery that changed everything from that point forward. (I won't reveal what it is right here, but there are semi-spoilers for that twist ahead.) So, does the series have any twists in store for the second season, which premieres on FOX on May 25? There are certainly new characters, and plenty can be revealed about them. For exaple, who is CJ Mitchum, one of Wayward Pines' new faces, and could he be responsible for another game-changing episode?

Even more importantly than who he is, does he have any secrets? I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for clues. And even though the second season hasn't debuted yet, there are actually plenty of tidbits to be found about Mitchum and what he's doing in the strange little town in Idaho. Whether or not we should take these at face value or not remains to be seen. Either way, here's what we can piece together about Mitchum's role in Wayward Pines Season 2 so far.

He's The "Town Historian"

According to a FOX press release, Mitchum is an original resident of Wayward Pines, and also the town historian. He provides the link between before and after.

But There's More To It Than That

When asked to describe Mitchum in the above video, Djimon Honsou, who plays him, answers cryptically: "He's a contradiction to himself in a way." It looks like he'll be doing more than just reporting the historical record.

He's Going To Be Very Important

When discussing this season with Entertainment Weekly, executive producer M. Night Shyamalan said that Mitchum is going to be " really pivotal." "You’ll get that sense," he said, "and as you watch him, you’ll think, 'What is he doing, who is he?'" Perhaps Mitchum is the one who is making history, not just reporting it.

He's Not In The Books

Don't look to the Blake Crouch novels to find clues about Mitchum. The first season covered all three of the books, so Mithchum is invented for the TV series.

He's Got Issues

Being an original resident, "He was the only person who ever truly saw the end of humanity, because everyone else just woke up and all was gone," executive producer Mark Friedman told USA Today. "It gives him a burden or a guilt that maybe no one else has."

He's Played By Djimon Hounsou

That tells you something right there. The two-time Academy Award nominee leaves an impression when you watch him on screen and is unlikely to simply fade into the background. He also doesn't exactly have the meek presence you'd expect when you hear the words "town historian." That goes to show that, like most things on Wayward Pines, not everything is what it seems.

Images: Sergei Bachlakov/FOX (3)