Poor Helen. Her torturous, century-spanning romance with John Druitt continues. “For all eternity,” he promises as he teleports away to become Jack the Ripper again. I have to admit, I prefer evil Druitt. Wasn’t he breathtakingly sinister in the murder scene? Fantastic bit of acting by Christopher Heyerdahl.
Now to the story — does the concept of a violent, bloodthirsty entity taking over a human host sound familiar? It should, particularly if you know Star Trek. The Original Series episode, “Wolf in the Fold,” also features an entity that turns out to be responsible for the Jack the Ripper serial killings (not to mention other murders committed throughout the galaxy). The entity that haunts Dr. Crusher’s family in the Next Generation episode “Sub Rosa” also follows in this line of parasitic beings that latch onto human victims. (You know what else was very Trek-like? Will crawling through the ducts — that reminded me of countless Jeffries tube scenes.)
I’ve said before that Sanctuary is derivative (and proudly so), but what makes it work is that the show always puts its own spin on the borrowed concept. If this were Star Trek, the violent entity would have been driven away or destroyed through the power of happy thoughts or whatever. (No disrespect to Trek, but come on … we know it’s cheesy. We’ve embraced the cheesiness.) In contrast, Sanctuary leaves us with Jack the Ripper Reloaded, a smart move because Druitt is so much more fascinating when he’s got that crazy gleam in his eye.
On another note, I’ve been watching Season 9 of Stargate SG-1 on Hulu (I stopped following the show after Richard Dean Anderson left, and with good reason). I love Samantha Carter, but after watching some of these Season 9 episodes, I have a greater appreciation for how much Amanda Tapping gets to flex her acting muscles in Sanctuary. In less than two seasons, Helen Magnus is already a far more complex and interesting character than Col. Carter. If you disagree (or agree), feel free to share your thoughts.
A few other things:
The two-part season finale airs next Friday. Amanda has promised that it will be the best television ever produced by the Sanctuary team. Will you be watching?
Clacked by Ruby T.
on Jan 09, 2010 @ 10:40 EST5EDT
Talk about some blood thirsty people, like him and Blade…lol
That show sucks now that Emilie isn’t on it anymore. The new girl just don’t fit.
Good news for Ashley fans?
I hope you are right RT. I really do.
I also hope that we find out soon. Because Syfy is on my restricted channels list until then. I am going to miss Caprica and W13.
I am not going to hang around for another horrible October surprise.
All the best to Emilie Ullerup. I see a bright career for her no matter what happens.
In one interview Amanda mentioned something about a story with Ashley in it. I got the impression it was a one-off. I might be wrong. Whatever.
I miss Ashley, but I miss the lost potential of Ashley/Helen and Ashley/John more than the actual character. Well, I *miss* her, but I like the other characters so am not too crushed. Even Kate is growing. Slowly. Some of the lines would be better from Ashley. Similar types, without the parental ties that made it so interesting.
Overall, looking forward to Season 3. A lot.
Yeah, I agree with pretty much everything you said, Suse. I don’t know whether the Ashley story they’re pitching for season 3 is meant to be a one-time thing (it’s impossible to tell from the vague hints that are being dropped) – but I assume that if Helen discovers in season 3 that Ashley is alive, they have to bring her back into the Sanctuary. How could they not?
If it’s a one-time thing, then the story would involve flashbacks or an alternate universe or an abnormal pretending to be Ashley … something along those lines. That would be incredibly disappointing, and I don’t think that’s what they’re planning. I hope not.
My take is that the vague hints are meant to string everyone along and then present us with a fait accompli like they did this year. Fool me once etc.
I am not buying it.
On the derivitive note the creators need to return to the original concept. If you watch the show you know what I am talking about.
My vote for the nastiest entities goes to Babylon 5. The ones that attached themselves to the neck of Londo Mollari (Peter Jurasik).
From your description, Haunted does sound like a good episode though. Sorry I won’t be watching it.
It would have been neat to see Will do a Bollywood number in the finale.
I agree that Helen Magnus is a more complex character than Sam Carter. Of course, living for 157 years and being friends with some of the most influential people in history does help. Watching AT in the Magnus role has been a pleasure. She’s really gotten a chance to show her acting chops, just look at Requiem and Pavor Nocturnus for starters. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the character of Sam Carter, and AT did a great job with her for 13 and counting years. (as an aside: I can’t wait for the next Stargate movies!!) Carter wasn’t a flat character, by far, but she didn’t have the responsibilites and emotional baggage that Magnus has. I mean, Magnus’s the head of the whole Sanctuary network, she’s in love with Jack the Ripper, and her only daughter just died sacrificing herself for her. If that’s not complex I don’t know what is. I’m just thrilled that there’s going to be another season of Sanctuary! There’s so much more to Magnus that we haven’t seen, and I can’t wait to see it!
I said the same about the difference between Sam Carter and Helen Magnus. Magnus makes Carter look like a one dimensional character. I did love Carter, but Magnus is definitely way better.
Was that a John McClane impression? I missed what he said, but it sounded like Barney (from the weps) to me. Thought it was a call back…
I agree, Sanctuary does put their own spin on familiar concepts. I love the production team for Sanctuary, they’re totally made of WIN!
Here’s the John McClane scene that I was talking about.
I also hope they bring Ashley back full-time. I will not be watching the finale. Bollywood dancing doesn’t sound very good to me.
REALLY great news if its true, about Ashley!! I do hope that she returns full-time!! I stopped watching after Eulogy and still won’t be watching the rest of season 2, hopefully season 3 with Ashley in it and kate gone….