Sanctuary’s fourth season has improved by leaps and bounds. By cutting the dead weight (Kate), focusing on its strengths (the five, Magnus as warrior woman), dropping the fluff episodes, and using two solid threats to focus the show, we only see kickass Sanctuary episodes as opposed to date night-like crap. SyFy’s cutting back the episodes forced Kindling to burn off the fat and leave the juicy core.
I definitely approve of Sanctuary’s new direction. Magnus lead a charmed life for over a century. Due to her wealth, beauty, contacts, and rare scientific knowledge, the world’s governments willingly allowed her to handle what they did not have the resources or interest to tackle. In a way, Sanctuary served as the abnormal Red Cross.
But the first season felt too much like a child’s fantasy where the wealthy protagonist begs the ostracized loner to become her second-in-command with an incredible salary and no legal boundaries. While the world doesn’t work that way, I overlooked that minor failing because of the awesome episodes.
However, by season four, the show’s producers seem comfortable cutting the Sanctuary off from its government support systems. I’m glad. Sanctuary started doing governmental business that Magnus found questionable just for the funds. The recent heads seemed to care more about red tape and appearances than helping abnormals. Even Magnus seemed more concerned with capturing abnormals against their will and caging them for study, than offering them willing sanctuary. Clearly the writers noticed these discrepancies.
Although Magnus set aside funds for her own Sanctuary branch (and, possibly, all branches), it’s possible the other heads might re-align with the UN’s McCarthy-like focus, but cut off Magnus altogether. However, kudos to Sanctuary’s writers for capturing the current social mentality.
This week, Magnus and Will discover that Tesla (Jonathon Young) heads the United States’ new abnormal division. It totally makes sense that the US government would tap Tesla, who worked for the government during World War II — especially when Henry revealed that Tesla created their weapons in “Untouchable.” Plus, if Addison reviewed the Sanctuary’s logs, or talked to other Sanctuary members, he’d learn that Nikola assisted during Hollow Earth and the Cabal uprising. But due to Helen hushing it up, he wouldn’t learn of Nikola’s s mad scientist forays.
I loved this episode because the show further returned to Nikola’s electrical engineering genius. I don’t know much about Nikola save what the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (the comic), Wikipedia, Warehouse 13 and Paul Auster’s The Moon Palace tell me. However, each pop culture piece fixated on his creating an alternative to Edison’s electricity which used fewer natural resources. But, Sanctuary expanded his capabilities to the biological level with vampiric testing. I LOVE that this episode really returns to the heart of historic Nikola Tesla, complete with hideous, ego-tastic naming: “Tesla-tricity.”
I understand why Nikola wouldn’t view taking the job as a betrayal. After all, he, technically, could work from within. Additionally, considering he attempted to kill Magnus (AND the world) multiple times and she forgave him EVERY SINGLE time; I’m shocked Magnus pulled an Abby and told “Nikkie” they were through. If Magnus hadn’t pressured him, would he have given Hank the tablet full of information? On a side note, Jonathon looked yum in the suit. I’m glad they finally upped his wardrobe budget from those ill-fitting jackets. Also, what did people think of Nikkie’s side piece?
I love that Magnus decided to “storm the castle,” but, infiltrating a government’s facility with huge ass weapons is a bit of an offense. Back in the day, I could see Magnus having enough power and contacts to avoid any charges. But, now? Not so much.
Sure, the government will discover that Nikola hasn’t progressed much. But, luckily, Tesla IS a weapons genius, so technically he could create new weapons for them and test them on himself, but not the abnormal patients. However, remember when Druitt infiltrated a Nazi camp to influence them from within, but they turned against him? Isn’t it possible that the United States is one step ahead of Tesla?
Alan McCullough did a great job writing this episode; especially the show without Will (or Will and Magnus) in the lead works amazingly, you know you have kickass writing, acting, and directing. When Magnus stated she and Henry could handle storming a competing abnormal institution for its secrets, I got a flashback to Ashley and Henry before confronting the Cabal, especially at Biggie’s hint. I am increasingly impressed by Ryan Robbins. I’m glad they stopped using him as second-rate comedy relief. He does drama so well. And, I loved watching Hank interact with Magnus and “Count Chocula.”
I also want to recognize Lee Wilson’s directing. I loved the stutter screen effect (reminiscent of The Ring), where the monster grows closer to Magnus through stop-motion.
Even the B-plot kicked butt. I love that Biggie’s prankster-ways continue to increase. Seriously, they keep making him better. I loved the leprechaun-like abnormal’s initial comedy relief. However, the minute he asked to find that group, asked for their address, and took the drive with them to the church, I marked him as a baddie. Although I miss the Biggie-Kate bonding, I loved the Will-Biggie chat.
I’ve said it before, but seriously, Magnus is kinda awesome. A hugeass gun and another one in her backside? Keep rocking it, girl!
Quotes:
“You’re unpleasant when you use rhetoricals.” – Tesla
Clacked by An Nicholson 
on Nov 07, 2011 @ 09:17 EST5EDT
