While this week’s episode focused on Henry meeting a group of British Sanitarium-bound werewolves, I utterly geeked out over two awesome couplings: Will with Henry and Magnus with Tesla. Although Henry’s journey made me question the actual Sanctuary’s purpose, Magnus’ prurient rejection of Tesla made me wonder why we haven’t seen Magnus “sexed up” yet.
Will/Henry
First up, I loved the Henry-Will bro-road trip. Both are totally different now from their season one nebbish-ness. I like the subtle hints of Will as deputy director where he green-lit Henry’s Guinness, I mean, werewolf search (while knowing the proper safe houses last week). I definitely enjoy how Damien Kindler has re-tooled the Henry character from hiding his hyper-accelerated yadda-yadda lycanthropy, to reveling in it. Robbins does a better job of portraying this geek-aware, Tesla back-talking, mission-ready personae over the nubbish, female-shy Henry of yore. Plus, I am totally crushing on Ryan Robbins (and his body). Henry hulking out (while forgetting his clothes when un-hulked) gets a double-yum. Another thing I liked? Kindler’s new spin on werewolves from nighttime beasts to daytime geniuses. However, did the kiss seem awkward to anyone? While I’m a Kate-Henry shipper, I’m glad Henry’s finally getting some.
Magnus/Nicola
I absolutely loved the Nicola-Magnus interaction, the Oscar Wilde quote, the Harry Potter reference, and Magnus kicking Tesla out of her bedroom. However, Magnus seemed out of it on the intellectual and sensual front. Last week a greedy, egocentric millionaire triple-crossed her and she missed it every time. This week she relied on Tesla until the final fifteen minutes. I miss the mysteriously aware Magnus of old. Kindler and crew are doing a phenomenal job expanding the other characters and writing better episodes, but I miss Magnus in full mad scientist brilliance.
On the second front, why didn’t Magnus and Tesla get it on? Sure, Tesla tortured her ex-boyfriend, desecrated her daughter’s memory, and made her the captive of teen vampires, but, she forgave him. Considering how uber-sensual Magnus appeared in the first season, why isn’t she getting it on now? Yes, her murdering ex-lover is hot. Yes, she flirts with Will every now and again. But, considering Will gets a girlfriend, an ex-girlfriend, or a corpse each season, I’d like to see some of Magnus’ past lovers. While she has a minor flirtation scheduled for season three, couldn’t they have Patrick Stewart guest star or at least show her getting it on in flashbacks?
Final Thoughts and Quotes
Overall, this episode rocked. I love that Magnus called Nicola her house elf, “dubby” and that Tesla called Kate and the Big Guy, “booty and the beast.” Plus, I am adding two new British “curses” to my “cheeky bugger” pack: “Daft bastard” from the victim of the week and “teasing harlot from Camden” from Tesla. While, clearly, “awkward” is Sanctuary‘s catchphrase, has anyone started a drinking game?
However, the mirror universe Magnus made me wonder if Sanctuary is all that good. Sure, Magnus, doesn’t pump the inmates full of drugs, but they spend most of their time in cells, the “good” ones either have the ability to walk freely or just exercise two hours a day, and, in between, Magnus experiments/runs tests on the newer breeds. So, I wonder, would they really let mermaid Sally, the leprechaun fairy, or “two face” go if they wanted to?
“Where would science be today if I constantly stopped to bathe”– Tesla (sounding like my engineering TAs)
“If you were anymore transparent, you’d be invisible” – Magnus
Clacked by An Nicholson 
on Nov 20, 2010 @ 21:53 EST5EDT
**However, did the kiss seem awkward to anyone?**
It was less awkward than last week’s mess of a kiss.
*POST AUTHOR*
You’re right. Despite my K-H allegiance, I did view last week’s kiss as uber-“awkward.”
However, did the kiss seem awkward to anyone?
Nope! I thought it was sweet. Would totes want to see her as Henry’s girlfriend later on the show – he seemed happier with her than he has through most of the season.
*POST AUTHOR*
I’m glad you liked it! While I’m happy to see Henry with anyone at this point, it gave me the feeling of 8th grade awkwardness :)
This episode featured my two favorite characters, Henry and Tesla, so I was in heaven. Like you, I love the expansion of Henry’s character. He’s become far more interesting than Will, and that’s partly because Ryan Robbins is awesome, but also partly because Will has been neglected as a character. What makes Will special/unique? If I recall correctly, he had a gift for noticing things that other people missed, or putting details together – a Sherlock Holmes kind of gift. We saw some of that ability in this episode, which is good, but I would love to see it emphasized more. We need to be reminded of why Magnus chose him to join the Sanctuary, and we need more of his backstory I think. I feel like I don’t know much about him, even though he’s the male lead.
Yeah, I’m with you regarding Magnus and Tesla. I find him adorable and don’t know how any woman could resist him! But I think it’s a matter of respect. Magnus tends to treat Tesla like a naughty but brilliant child, and she’s the sensible adult who keeps him in line – if she slept with Tesla, she wouldn’t be able to maintain that superiority over him.
*POST AUTHOR*
I think they’ve started to use Will less for his investigative abilities, and more for his ability to contradict Helen when her mad scientist desires swing out of control. And, honestly, while I love Will and Robin Dunne, there are some actors who I buy as uber-observant (i.e. Peter Wingfield), but Dunne seems more confident interacting with Tapping’s character.
About M & T, I always thought Magnus toed the line to keep Tesla in line, but because he acted more like an adult in this episode, albeit obsessed with solving the puzzle, I figured Magnus could kick him out of the bed afterwards or “guy” it out the next day –