“Out of the Blue” should have served as the season finale as opposed to the lackluster “Into the Black.” Despite the science fiction focus, Sanctuary’s strength instates when it surrounds the human condition. Unfortunately, whenever Damian Kindler tries something high concept on a blockbuster level with a cable budget, it typically fails. The mid-season finale, “Hollow Men,” felt more like a creature feature designed to awe us with the new beings. Similarly, “Into the Black” felt intent on shocking us with a world shattering abnormal invasion. However, without the interactions of the core cast, the season finale didn’t feel equal to “Normandy” or “Carentan.” Heck, it didn’t feel equal to “Awakening” or “Out of the Blue.”
In fact,“Out of the Blue” might have served as a better season finale because it addressed a covert issue running throughout the last ten episodes: Will’s increasing dissatisfaction with the Sanctuary’s instability. In “Out of the Blue,” Magnus and Will find themselves trapped in a suburban dreamscape while their real bodies remain submerged in laboratory. In “One Night” and “Carentan,” Will seemed increasingly disgruntled with the Sanctuary’s detrimental effect on his love life. In “Carentan,” I wondered if Will (Robin Dunne) might leave the Sanctuary for a normal life with Abby (Pascale Hutton). Lo and behold, Kindler penned the immediate next episode answering my question.
I loved “Out of the Blue” because I could totally see Magnus as the crazy cat lady painter and Will as the douchey yuppie doctor. I loved Druitt (Christopher Heyerdahl) as the stalker-ish ex-husband and Abby as the doting, pregnant wife. In fact, this episode gave Will the life he always thought he wanted: success, respect, and love. Yet, even when in the middle of domestic bliss, he still finds himself attracted to danger and Magnus’ world. At first it seemed odd that Will fought first against his submersion. It seemed even odder that he broached the “what the hell’s going on?” topic with Magnus first. And, it seemed triply odd that he continued to try to connect with her Magnus find their shared past. Normally, it’s Magnus who approaches Will with the crazy solutions. Yet, I realized why Kindler made Will the catalyst. He needed to seek out the explanation to demonstrate his re-aligned loyalties.
So, maybe “Out of the Blue” wasn’t a great episode, but it highlighted what I loved best about Sanctuary. While “Into the Black” featured Will and Hank partnering up against the United Nations and finally showed Kate getting some, it seemed more involved with Sanctuary politics and global invasion. Although I liked the idea of Druitt’s desperation, I felt more of a Magnus-Druitt connect in “Out of the Blue.”
On a side note, I’ve finally given up on my Will-Magnus and Magnus-Druitt shipper-dom. Druitt’s willingness to compromise with Adam killed any hopes I might have for a Magnus-Druitt match-up. Similarly, in “Out of the Blue” considering Kindler didn’t even give us a hint of infidelity, I’ve finally decided to admit Will and Magnus probably won’t get it on either.
However, what did people think? Am I alone in my enjoyment of “Out of the Blue” and my disappointment in “Into the Black”?
Clacked by An Nicholson 
on Jun 28, 2011 @ 09:15 EST5EDT
I usually agree with the reviews posted on this site but not this one. I loved Into the Black. For me it was the best season finale so far. Loved everything about it lol Really left me wanting pronto!
I’m glad you liked “Into the Black,” Kes! It was a decent season ender but it didn’t give me the normal team interactions that I love –
Sorry. I think you’re way off mark on this one. I loved the ending. Gave me goosebumps! How could it not? I dunno. I just feel like your review is based on your feelings about what’s going on with your ship instead of what the ramifications of time travel will be. That alone opens a while can of worms. And I don’t agree with your line of thought about Will wanting to leave the Sanctuary. Huh? It’s his family. Henry didn’t even want to leave it for his girl and Will’s going to leave because of a few close calls and politics? Give him more credit. He’s not a total wuss.lol
I won’t lie, I am a blatant Magnus-Will, Magnus-Druitt, Magnus-Watson, Magnus-whoever shipper. But, I tend to watch Sanctuary for its writing and character interactions. “Into the Black” felt more like a made-for-cable blockbuster movie with a lot of action and world invasion scenarios. Although we saw the team interact with people individually, Kate with her guy, Biggie with his opponent, Druitt with Magnus, and Will and Henry with the UN officials, I felt this episode served more as a setup for the next season opening (the same way “Hollow Men” set up “Pax Romana”).
I also felt they could’ve plumbed the Hollow Earth set for more storylines. So, I was sorry to see they included a ‘nuclear disaster.’ I liked the Hollow Earth CGI set’s city details, and am sorry we won’t see it anymore.
The other thing I disliked surrounded Will with the UN official. In the past year and a half, I’ve seen Will step up to the job and prove more than capable when dealing with internal Sanctuary politics. However, it seemed weird that he couldn’t handle the UN lead. Sure, she steam-rolled him, but it made me think he wasn’t yet ready to take over the head position when dealing with external figures.
And on Will leaving the Sanctuary, he seemed upset over Abby’s kidnapping in “One Night” (while stating he deserved to be there), appeared depressed when his “Metamorphosis” kept him from Abby, and his “Carentan” relationship and hesitance towards Magnus after indicated he wanted a normal life. So, I like that “Out of the Blue” brought him back to Sanctuary’s side. But, don’t worry, I’d never call Will a total wuss ;)
Sorry, but I do not agree with your assessment on this episode.
I actually thought the ending was amazing…best suited for a cliffhanger ending and I have to admit, I hate cliffhangers but Damian Kindler nailed this one perfectly. I adored the episode Out of the Blue but it was too much a stand alone episode to end a great season on. Into the Black was just fabulous. And I haven’t given up on the Magnus/Druitt shipper-dom. I don’t think Helen was speaking with a rational & clear mind at the time & said things in the heat of the moment. I’m certainly no fan of a Will/Helen ship either.
Admittedly, I enjoyed two-three other items in this episode (2 I forgot to include in my review): Kate getting a guy, Biggie rocking a hoodie and jacket combo (which they should include on him more often), and the final 5 minutes where Magnus transports to her old world. I am incredibly excited for that. Will Magnus see her old self and how will her new self interact in her old world?
However, I gave up on the Magnus-Druitt-shipper-dom because of Magnus’ logic. It’s flattering that John went back in time to salvage their love; but, his going back in time would undo the good they committed after taking the source blood. Would they have had involvement in Carentan? Would she have stopped big Bertha? Heck, would they have stopped Adam from attempting to commit genocide in the 19th century? And, considering Adam’s a lying, double-crossing psychopath with genocidal aspirations who already betrayed Druitt twice, I’m surprised Druitt fell for it a third time.Considering Magnus always believes the needs of the many outweighs that of the few (i.e. “Carentan”), Druitt’s decision went against what lays at the core of her person – not hurting innocents for personal greed (regardless of the heart strings Adam pulled).
However, let’s see what happens when Season 4 rolls around with its first episode, “Tempus.” But, if anyone wants to submit a guest post giving “Into the Black” a positive review, feel free!