Robin Dunne as Dr. Will Zimmerman in "Sanctuary"
courtesy of Sci Fi Channel
“Sanctuary” (Sci Fi Channel)

It is going to be a rough haul for the new Sci Fi Channel original series “Sanctuary.” First off the star is Amanda Tapping of “Stargate” fame. She is much less effective in this new show than she was in that old one. Plus the story of searching for and capturing mutants, monsters and oddballs has already been done in “Men In Black” and done better. So watching a story with the same theme is like drinking warmed over coffee.

The focus in the premiere episode is on Dr. Will Zimmerman (Robin Dunne). He is a psychologist who has lost favor with the police and FBI with his “hunches and feelings.” When he is called to consult on a triple murder he annoys the police when he discounts the killer they have found. Even though they have an eye witness identification, Zimmerman says this man didn’t do it.

Later Zimmerman meets the mysterious Dr. Helen Magnus (Tapping). She recruits him to work at the “sanctuary” where monsters and mutants are sought and kept. She is assisted in her work by her daughter Ashley (Emilie Ullerup) and her technical whiz Henry (Ryan Robbins).

The first half of the premiere episode is pretty slow since it deals with setting up the premise. The second half moves a little quicker as it does have some action in it. But neither segment is terribly exciting.

In this series Tapping is a brunette and this change makes her more subdued and lifeless. She is supposed to be the driving force of the series and she just isn’t up to the job. Maybe she will get better as the thirteen episodes have their run but it is doubtful. 

There are some neat special effects in the show and the monsters are a grizzly group. Still just having a monster or mutant here and there is not going to attract watchers. The show is going to have to have something else going for it, and so far that “something” hasn’t shown up.

There is a lot on television these days to entertain us. A no go show like “Sanctuary” is going to go down in flames.

The two hour premiere of “Sanctuary” airs on the Sci Fi Channel, Friday, October 3 at 9PM. Regular episodes will be seen each week on Fridays at 10PM.
 

 

 

 

 

©2008 Jackie K. Cooper

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