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Sanctuary, season 1
Sep. 5th, 2011 02:35 pmDriven by the wish to read stories by two friends of mine curiosity, as I found the premise intriguing, I just finished the first season of this show. Overall: likeable. Far more so than the first season of Supernatural (aka the only SPN one I watched), with which it shares some X-Files similarities as well as the use of urban myths. One key difference, of course, is that instead of two boys driving around in a car in an ultra masculine cosmos, you have a team led by a woman (I had seen Amanda Tapping before, in the all of three SG-1 episodes I watched, and I must say I prefer her as a brunette which she is in Sanctuary) and the idea of coexistence between various species writ large.
Mind you: ( spoiler for the bit of Helen's background which is revealed in the pilot ) I do appreciate he asks her whether she watched the sun rise with the Beatles, though. (Will's idea of ancient history, clearly. *g*)
The show spends a few episodes so so (not bad, just nothing outstanding) and then kicks into gear with a vengeance when the show mythology of the Five is revealed, and we meet ( a spoilery person ) By the time I reached the finale, I was determined I would keep watching.
Mixed feelings about: John Druitt, aka ( spoiler from pilot onwards ). And even for a fantasy show, the plot device that makes Ashley ( something spoilery ) is incredibly lame. Methinks they should have decided between the obviously competing wishes to on the one hand let Ashley be a present-day modern girl (i.e. someone born in the late 20th century, the better to contrast her with Helen) and on the other hand ( something spoilery ). Have it one way or the other, but not both.
Highlander reunion times: Jim Byrnes is always a welcome sight, but alas the episode he was in was exceedingly stupid (well, I was warned to leave it out, but it wanted to see Jim Byrnes again). Also the premise that brought his character into play. Otoh, Peter Wingfield had a good part and good episodes (he was far better used here than in Caprica), and turns out to have aged really well. (Speaking of the BSGverse, I was glad to see Dee again, but alas her actress was only in the pilot.)
Borrowed plot is borrowed: either Will Zimmerman, Ashley or Henry should be familiar with Tribbles, Gremlins or both. I don't buy the obvious point about the Nubbins didn't occur to any of them.
Acting showcase is nifty: the submarine episode, obviously. You know you trust your (fellow) actors when you dare to include a two persons episode in the first season. I like how they handle the whole Helen and Will relationship in general. She's not solely his mentor nor exactly his mother replacement but something in between, plus he's not unaware she's an attractive woman but that's not what the relationship is about.
Seriously?: Claire - played by a young attractive white actress - feeling like an unaccepted outcast because of her ability to ( spoiler ) Otherwise I appreciate the addition of another female cast member.
And lastly: making the Cabale's spokesperson an evil overlady instead of an overlord was well done as well. Go, show!
Mind you: ( spoiler for the bit of Helen's background which is revealed in the pilot ) I do appreciate he asks her whether she watched the sun rise with the Beatles, though. (Will's idea of ancient history, clearly. *g*)
The show spends a few episodes so so (not bad, just nothing outstanding) and then kicks into gear with a vengeance when the show mythology of the Five is revealed, and we meet ( a spoilery person ) By the time I reached the finale, I was determined I would keep watching.
Mixed feelings about: John Druitt, aka ( spoiler from pilot onwards ). And even for a fantasy show, the plot device that makes Ashley ( something spoilery ) is incredibly lame. Methinks they should have decided between the obviously competing wishes to on the one hand let Ashley be a present-day modern girl (i.e. someone born in the late 20th century, the better to contrast her with Helen) and on the other hand ( something spoilery ). Have it one way or the other, but not both.
Highlander reunion times: Jim Byrnes is always a welcome sight, but alas the episode he was in was exceedingly stupid (well, I was warned to leave it out, but it wanted to see Jim Byrnes again). Also the premise that brought his character into play. Otoh, Peter Wingfield had a good part and good episodes (he was far better used here than in Caprica), and turns out to have aged really well. (Speaking of the BSGverse, I was glad to see Dee again, but alas her actress was only in the pilot.)
Borrowed plot is borrowed: either Will Zimmerman, Ashley or Henry should be familiar with Tribbles, Gremlins or both. I don't buy the obvious point about the Nubbins didn't occur to any of them.
Acting showcase is nifty: the submarine episode, obviously. You know you trust your (fellow) actors when you dare to include a two persons episode in the first season. I like how they handle the whole Helen and Will relationship in general. She's not solely his mentor nor exactly his mother replacement but something in between, plus he's not unaware she's an attractive woman but that's not what the relationship is about.
Seriously?: Claire - played by a young attractive white actress - feeling like an unaccepted outcast because of her ability to ( spoiler ) Otherwise I appreciate the addition of another female cast member.
And lastly: making the Cabale's spokesperson an evil overlady instead of an overlord was well done as well. Go, show!
