Crystal Lake series explores the origins of Jason Voorhees

The new series ‘Crystal Lake’, a prequel to the ‘Friday the 13th’ franchise, has premiered its first two episodes. Showrunner Brad Caleb Kane explores the origins of Jason Voorhees and his mother, Pamela Voorhees. The episodes utilize a non-linear narrative, opening with a blood-soaked Pamela Voorhees before flashing back nine months to the events leading up to the infamous drowning of young Jason at Camp Crystal Lake.

Linda Cardellini portrays Pamela Voorhees, focusing on the character's descent into grief and madness. The early episodes also introduce Chief Levon Brooks, played by William Catlett, who attempts to assist Pamela as she struggles with her mental state following the tragedy.

In response to fan theories suggesting a supernatural or government experiment origin for Jason—similar to themes in ‘Stranger Things’—showrunner Brad Caleb Kane has denied such theories. Kane stated via social media that Jason is not a government super soldier or a product of the CIA, though he teased that more details will be revealed when the series continues on October 15.