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TV Wasteland: Sanctuary Returns
The little genre show that could returns for a second season By
Rob Vaux
October 05, 2009
Sanctuary returns to the TV Wasteland
© Bob Trate
A show like Sanctuary isn't supposed to linger. It started out on the web--part of an effort to make Internet content commercially viable, which the established networks tend to ignore as a matter of course. Granted, it had the backing of the Stargate crew and a plum role for SG-1 favorite Amanda Tapping, but no one seemed to be clamoring for another paranormal show, especially one on the net. But then, lo and behold, audiences came flocking, and not only did the Sci-Fi Channel sit up and take notice, but they were so happy with the resulting series that they decided to renew it for a second season.
It's all the more surprising considering that the show isn't supported by a big studio. Instead, it embraces more cutting-edge techniques such as digital cameras (allowing the footage to go straight to post-production) and virtual sets. That keeps the budget down while letting the production team focus on character and story rather than the visual look. (Syfy isn't exactly renowned for its impressive effects as it is, and this stage, viewers don't care about cheesy CGI as long as the plot works). Sanctuary's hook--about a team of extraordinary people working to protect so-called monsters from the rest of the world--has enough complexity to hold up for the long term, which further cements the generally positive response engendered by its first season. While it doesn't constitute the creative utopia some have predicted--in which artists create specialized content and release it to their audience free of corporate interference--one senses that its success has brought that vision just a little bit closer.
On top of all that, it's a fun little show, and in the grand scheme of things, that's all that really matters. You can see for yourself when the second season premieres this Friday at 10:00 PM on Syfy.
Monday
Heroes (NBC, 8:00 PM EDT)
Mrs. Petrelli (Cristine Rose) decides to go poking around in her "son's" thoroughly fucked-up psyche for reasons that I'm sure made perfect sense during the pitch meeting. Best of luck with that honey.
Ancient Aliens (History, 8:00 PM EDT)
This two-hour documentary covers the possible historical facts behind tales of ancient alien visits. I'm guessing that Edward James Olmos and the BSG crew don't make an appearance.
Clash of the Gods (History, 10:00 PM EDT)
I'm hesitant to classify The Lord of the Rings as mythology, but the History Channel has no such compunctions when they dive into the roots of J.R.R. Tolkien's literary masterpiece.
Tuesday
The Universe (History, 9:00 PM EDT)
Notions of space combat have largely been defined by Star Wars and Star Trek in popular culture. The Universe aims to take a more realistic look at what space-based warfare might look like (assuming the species survives long enough to get there).
The Fifth Element (HBO, 6:30 PM EDT)
Ask yourself this: is the sight of Milla Jovovich in nothing but strappy hospital bandages enough to overcome the transcendentally awful sci-fi dreck surrounding her? Many would say no, but then again, she is a sexy, sexy woman.
Wednesday
Eastwick (ABC, 10:00 PM EDT)
Kat (Jamie Ray Newman) is getting a divorce and who better to contact for the right lawyer than Satan himself? Whether she takes his advice is another question entirely: the final bill may be a tad steep after all…
Ghost Hunters (Syfy, 9:00 PM EDT)
In its infinite wisdom, the federal government named a WW II era vessel after the town of Salem, Massachusetts. Apparently, it's haunted--who knew?--and while the ship now makes a mint charging admission as a Halloween attraction, the Ghost Hunters crew takes a look to see if there's any truth to its spectral reputation.
Destination Truth (Syfy, 10:00 PM EDT)
I know alien Aztec mummies may seem far-fetched, but now Syfy's got a dodgy pseudo-reality series to put everyone's doubts to rest. Take that Crystal Skull haters!
Nostradamus Effect (History, 9:00 PM EDT)
Having exhausted the Nazi angle, the Incan angle, and the Leonardo Da Vinci angle when it comes to Nostradamus's prophecies, Nostradamus Effect now throws Isaac Newton into the mix. Why? Because they can!
Mysteryquest (History, 10:00 PM EDT)
Time for another hard look at the Atlantis myth, and whether there's anything to it.
Thursday
FlashForward (ABC, 8:00 PM EDT)
Imprisoned Nazis are getting a little long in the tooth these days, and being the egomaniacal bastards that they are, they probably won't hesitate to suck up a little attention before the icy hand of Death settles over them for good. That may be why one of them claims to have knowledge about the world-wide blackout, which Agents Benford (Joseph Fiennes) and Noh (John Cho) have no choice but to entertain.
Fringe (Fox, 9:00 PM EDT)
Shape-shifters enter the picture as the team investigates a series of bizarre robberies, while Olivia (Anna Torv) tries to remember her encounter with William Bell (Leonard Nimoy) before he put the Spock hold on her.
Vampire Diaries (The CW, 8:00 PM EDT)
After working to get rid of his stinky rival, Stefan (Paul Wesley) decides to let Elena (Nina Dobrev) in on his tortured history. Considering that he's immortal and yet chooses to spend all his time in high school, I'm betting there was a lengthy stint at the McDonald's fry cooker somewhere along the line and another one mopping up raw sewage in union hall restrooms.
Supernatural (The CW, 9:00 PM EDT)
Hey, I thought we all finally agreed to ignore Paris Hilton. So why has Supernatural allowed her to appear in one of those annoyingly self-referential cameos intended to show us all what a "good sport" she is? You've set us back years, you nitwits!
The Possessed (Syfy, 9:00 PM EDT)
Christopher Saint Booth and Philip Adrian Booth direct a documentary covering a 19th century girl supposedly possessed by the dead. I'll leave it to your expert evaluation of the cable station involved to determine the veracity of such claims.
Friday
Smallville (The CW, 8:00 PM EDT)
Marvel Zombies may be the worst idea to come out of comicdom ever, ever, ever. But Superman vs. zombies? Now that's a thundering engine of cool.
Dollhouse (Fox, 9:00 PM EDT)
The ratings news on Dollhouse has not improved with a second season, so fans need to stay frosty in case Fox decides to cut its losses and play Whack-a-Mole with the schedule. For now, though, the show is still on at its usual time; tonight's episode finds Echo (Eliza Dushku) clashing with Victor (Enver Gjokaj) after the two are imprinted with contrasting personalities.
Ghost Whisperer (CBS, 8:00 PM EDT)
Eli's (Jamie Kennedy) parents drop in after the father suffers a heart attack and the already-deceased mother reveals a dark secret preventing her from departing this mortal coil.
Medium (CBS, 9:00 PM EDT)
When a hospitalized friend of Allison's (Patricia Arquette) suddenly dies, she suspects foul play, but needs more than psychic abilities if she hopes to prove it.
Stargate Universe (Syfy, 9:00 PM EDT)
The crew travels to a distant planet, where they hope to find quantities of the rare metal maguffonium required to keep the ship's life support systems operating.
Sanctuary (Syfy, 10:00 PM EDT)
The second season kicks off with a two-part episode concerning a hustler (Agam Darshi) with links to the Cabal. See the top of the article for more.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Cartoon, 9:30 PM EDT)
Anakin and his annoying apprentice catch up with Cad Bane, only to find him ready for their Jedi mind tricks. Apparently, everyone learns an important lesson in the process.
The Boys From Brazil (TCM, 9:00 PM EDT)
Gregory Peck stars as Josef Mengele, who has a fiendish plan to clone Adolf Hitler in this 1978 adaptation of Ira Levin's novel. It makes for a surprisingly good time, though plausibility is not its strong suit.
Saturday
Megafault (Syfy, 9:00 PM EDT)
In the most preposterous casting decision since Tara Reid donned the Smart Chick Glasses for Alone in the Dark, Brittany Murphy plays a renowned seismologist who has to deal with a gigantic world-wide earthquake. No, I'm not kidding.
RoboCop (IFC, 8:00 PM EDT)
80s corporate satire mixes with copious bloodletting in Paul Verhoeven's well-regarded sci-fi actioner. Unlike Megafault, copious booze will not be required to enjoy it.
Sunday
Dexter (Showtime, 9:00 PM EDT)
A local vandal and subsequent attention from the Neighborhood Watch put a crimp in Dexter's (Michael C. Hall) ability to dispose of his extracurricular evidence.
The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations (Syfy, 7:00 PM EDT)
Why do direct-to-video sequels always feel the need to attach ominous Biblical tags to their titles? In any case, this no-doubt fantastic follow-up to the not-at-all-sleazy Ashton Kutcher original finds a time-traveling twentysomething out to stop the serial killer he unwittingly unleashed.
The Prophecy (IFC, 9:35 PM EDT)
Christopher Walken has given better performances than his 1995 effort as a bloodthirsty angel, but few of them were as much fun. Viggo Mortensen has a cameo as the devil too.
The Day After Tomorrow (FX, 8:30 PM EDT)
Apparently you can outrun cold fronts. Who knew?
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I saw the ratings for last week. Not only is Dollhouse failing big time but so is Smallville. I don't know if I read that here or somewhere else where they call it the Friday night death slot. Which is kind of odd because sci-fi channel does okay for what it has. Though I think a lot of that had to do with playing a lot of those shows in the off season. Farscape was a summer show and so was the original Stargate so they didn't have anything against it. I will be curious to see what Stargate Universe did. There is a reason why a lot of the big shows don't air their stuff on Fridays during the school season.