Quick Take: Sanctuary, “Uprising”
Sanctuary continues to provide quaint sci-fi.
Review: Sanctuary, “Uprising”
(S0402) Nothing feels more homely than hearing Amanda Tapping, AKA Helena Magnus, talk about tea while researching abnormal monsters. Sanctuary continues to evolve as one of SyFy channels more endearing series. This season shows the series growing larger in its scope but lowering its cast. Even with this change, the series still misses that extra boost of classy.
Will Zimmerman (played by Robin Dunne; who is becoming more like eye-candy each season) is in charge of the Sanctuary during a critical time. Abnormals are pissed at humans and humans are pissed at abnormals. Attempts of genocide occur left and right and Magnus is nowhere to be found. So what does a hot doctor in charge of a monster haven do? Call the FBI. This episode concludes the gripping story of how the abnormals and humans are at the border of war. This story serves as an “in-your-face” introduction to season four and last week's episode featured Magnus—a female Jack Harkness for the Mary Poppins crowd—experiencing some unusual time travel. Will's situation brings our focus back to the show's titular Sanctuary. It also provides a proper cast reset and a small plot point that will have to be answered later in the season.
Let's start with the good, shall we? Badass bigfoot butler? Check. Hot Will Zimmerman? Check. Intriguing plot? Check. Satisfying conclusion? Ehh.. I'll get back to you on that. “Uprising” reminds of Sanctuary's biggest flaw: the show is painfully underwhelming sometimes. We spend much of the episode wondering whether or not abnormals and humans are going into full war and then the entire thing is resolved because of Magnus' diplomacy skills. It fits the “peace” theme of the show, but it makes for some weak action. The CG monsters don't help as they feel more like poor attempts at Star-Wars-alien-politician-plushies. The more human, cat-eyed abominations provide much more depth. They serve both an antagonistic and ally role in this episode and also provide a convenient escape for Kate Freelander (Agam Darshi.) What's the best way to do away with a Sanctuary worker? Send them to Hollow Earth to watch a species of course. Now the cast is down to the bigfoot, Magnus and Zimmerman.
This episode still retains much of the series' classic charm and Amanda Tapping remains the show's rock. Overall, Sanctuary continues to give SyFy geeks something to talk about.
Curious to learn more about what you mean by "quaint sci fi," dean