The fate of "Wayward Pines" getting a third season is still in the balance following a performance of the second season less stellar compared to the first one.

The first season of the mystery science fiction show ended up being last summer's top broadcast scripted series. The show also received four nominations at the Saturn Awards including Best Fiction Television Series.

The previous season raked in only a little over half of the number of viewers that the first season got, which could jeopardize the possibility of "Wayward Pines" season 3 happening.

The first season started strong with 3.06 million viewers and 2.3 rating. It ended with 3.98 million tuned in with the same rating as the pilot.

When the show returned for the second, only 3.06 million viewers came back with a 1.8 rating, which is the highest the season has ever seen. Only 2.22 million stuck around until the end.

These ratings will definitely be considered in the chances of a "Wayward Pines" season 3 renewal. Although the show's freshman run definitely warranted another, it might not be the case for the second one.

The show was originally a limited series based on the bestselling trilogy novels of Blake Crouch, who has expressed his desire to delve into the final moments of mankind before its extinction as well as the evolution and eventual takeover of the Abbies should the show be renewed.

"Wayward Pines" season 3 will have to go on without Jason (Tom Stevens) and Kerry (Kacey Rohl), who were both killed off in the series as well as all other characters from the first season.

That being said, the new season will likely introduce a new cast of characters to join Theo (Jason Patric) and Rebecca (Nimrat Kaur) if it picks up where the second season left off.

At the moment though, FOX is yet to give the green light to "Wayward Pines" season 3, but considering it took a while before the show was renewed for a second season, it might be a long wait.