‘Wayward Pines’ answers questions with more questions

MATT Dillon top-bills a show that’s a considerably less surreal “Twin Peaks” crossed with “The Truman Show.”

Creepy and more than a little contrived, “Wayward Pines” is a mystery series set in a quiet and idyllic town in Idaho, its weirdo denizens hiding big and supposedly terrifying secrets.

A Secret Service agent, Ethan Burke (Matt Dillon) discovers firsthand the strangeness of Wayward Pines, after he survives a car crash. Initially looking for vanished colleagues in the area, Ethan soon finds himself stuck in a town that seems hell-bent in making him stay.

Developed by Chad Hodge (“The Playboy Club”), the new show airing on Fox (Fridays, 8:55 p.m.) is based on a series of books. One of the TV adaptation’s executive producers, filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, directed the pilot episode, a confounding puzzler that introduces frustrating and cliché-ridden characters that the confused agent must deal with.

In typical Shyamalan fashion (pre-“The Last Airbender”), “Wayward Pines” manages to transport viewers to a moody, occasionally mystical place, somewhat reminiscent of his “The Village” at first.

But it becomes an exasperating challenge soon after. Blasé characters that Ethan comes in contact with answer questions with more questions, irritating with consistent smugness and condescension.

Sheriff Pope (Terrence Howard) indifferently responds to the protagonist’s requests for help. The cop’s baffling behavior is replicated among the townsfolk, who seem to be united in hiding the horrors beneath the façade of suburban life.

But not everybody is annoying. A bartender, Beverly (Juliette Lewis), helps the agent piece together clues, risking her life to answer similar questions about the place. But she also claims that she got there a year ago, 1999.

So, is this all in the agent’s head? He has a history of mental problems, but it’s unlikely. His wife Theresa (Shannyn Sossamon) becomes aware of the accident and is looking for him. Is there time travel involved? Some hints suggest that, but it could also be a massive conspiracy. At this point, it feels like a considerably less surreal “Twin Peaks” crossed with “The Truman Show.”

ALODIA Gosiengfiao

It better answer at least some questions soon, as the mystery already wears thin just a few episodes into it, and the characters have yet to be enthralling.

‘RTL CBS Summer Fair’

Cable channel RTL CBS will hold its “Summer Fair 2015” today (5 p.m. to midnight) and tomorrow (1 p.m. to midnight) at Bonifacio High Street Activity Center.

The event is open to the public and is set to include carnival-themed activities inspired by some of the network’s popular shows.

‘Animax Carnival’

Animax, the Japanese animation-centric channel, will hold its annual two-day event, “Animax Carnival Philippines 2015,” at Hall 4 of SMX Convention Center tomorrow and on May 31, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Anime lovers can look forward to the Animax cosplay competition, the sale of exclusive anime merchandise, and performances by cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao. Admission is P200.