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Sanctuary’s “King and Country” orgasm-inducing hotness

With Peter Wingfield's return, Ian Tracey as Jekyll and Hyde, Christopher Heyerdahl back from 'Twilight,' Tesla and Henry teaming up, and Magnus kicking major ass, 'Sanctuary' keeps upping the awesomeness.

- Season 3, Episode 8 - "For King and Country"

OK, what do you do when all you can write are splendiferous adjectives? This week’s cinematic episode incorporated flashbacks with the five, Magnus’ continental explorations for Druitt, an opening referencing last week’s episode, and a continuation of the ongoing “hollow earth” theme. SyFy’s episodic increase has catalyzed another in quality. If I had known about the heights of this season’s awesomeness, I would’ve sold my cat’s spleen to travel to Florida to attend SyFy’s press tour.

Since around episode three, I’ve seen commercials and read articles that stated/implied Helen had a dark secret which included murder. If the secret is the government tasked Magnus to apprehend a criminal who attempted genocide on a major metropolitan area causing her to give him a shoulder warning shot (in defense) and watched him commit suicide, that doesn’t really seem that bad. I know he’s a schizophrenic, but, Jekyll Adam couldn’t get far without Hyde Adam’s engineering complicity. I hope Adam sticks around. He’s the crazy engineer that even the mad scientists won’t talk to. Seriously, if people who willingly experiment on themselves with vampire blood won’t hang out with you, how crazy are you? I love Ian Tracey and he did a better job slipping into Jekyll mode this week.

Other things I enjoyed included the shippy moments from Helen and Tesla to Tesla and Hank. There were sooo many that the fan-girl in me swooned. Did all the guys just up their crushable hotness? Because of this episode, I want to have Damian Kindler’s love child and name him/her Sanctuary. I loved Tesla’s concern for Helen’s injury. And, if they continue to tame/mature him, I’ll definitely see him as a viable love interest. Then again, I liked Will’s concern and Magnus’ retort: “I’m 159 years old and you’ve only known me for three.” Who didn’t giggle when Jekyll Adam called Will a “male concubine” or squee when Hyde Adam sensed “love” in Will? I loooved when Helen crawled into Druitt’s arms, but I’m surprised she put herself into such a vulnerable position. Even if drugged, I would’ve hugged him from the back. And I enjoyed Druitt’s historic line: “When this is over you and I will begin our dance anew.” And, of course, whenever Tesla and “Heinrich” team up for their tech bits (including the mini Tesla, Henry, and Will trio) I do a little dance.

On the individual character level, I like seeing seeing Magnus back in full badass mode. Taking on a room of Druitt’s armed protectors? Kickbutt. For awhile, she just seemed like the ‘girl’ this season, but perhaps Kindler deliberately muted her. I also liked the exploration into the five. At the end of season one, Magnus’ relationship to the five (despite her source blood discovery) seemed like the pretty Victorian girl who atypically liked science, so, of course, the guys gathered around her. But, in this episode they show her as the group’s de-facto leader and driving force. I like Tesla’s continuing maturation and engineering development, as his performativity never did it for me. And, I like the nod to Tesla’s Serbian background. For awhile I thought the writers had forgotten. Although I didn’t expect Tesla’s concluding move, I like how he consulted with Will throughout the episode and seeing Will step up as deputy director.

This episode featured strong writing and directing. The sepia toned  flashbacks, the connected stories within stories alongside the re-telling of stories, and the Asiatic search gave the show a cinematic feel. P.S. I’m glad Helen called BS on the scifi “moving through time and space” line.

However, there were rough parts. The amount of guys felt like a sausage fest, but, I don’t care. James Thorpe did an awesome job writing. And, this week we just didn’t need Kate’s personality. Although the final five minutes felt disjointed (going from darkly-lit scenes with two-three characters to a well-lit scene with the entire cast), I still liked it.

What did other people think? Am I just too enthusiastic or is the show totally bringing it? I hope they can maintain the same level of quality throughout.

Quotations (paraphrased):

“Moving through dimensions of time and space. It sounds ridiculous when I say it out loud” -Helen

“That is so James Bond. Except it’s before James Bond, so it’s cooler” – Henry


Photo Credit: SyFy

9 Responses to “Sanctuary’s “King and Country” orgasm-inducing hotness”

December 6, 2010 at 9:15 AM

Excellent episode, very enjoyable. The best episode this season.

December 6, 2010 at 12:16 PM

It was an excellent episode, and you’ve picked out pretty much all the reasons why. I love the descriptions of the various scenes and cast members, and maybe especially the line: “He’s the crazy engineer that even the mad scientists won’t talk to. Seriously, if people who willingly experiment on themselves with vampire blood won’t hang out with you, how crazy are you?”

December 7, 2010 at 6:55 PM

Thanks, Agatha. I felt bad for Adam. He was definitely the Jughead out of all the band geeks :)

December 6, 2010 at 2:18 PM

I am right there with you, I love, love, love Tesla but I am so glad they brought Druitt back (for being the Ripper, I find him very enjoyable). I think Magnus has always loved Druitt and feels he would not hurt her when she laid down with him. I thought it was so almost romantic.
I am in the minority but I don’t really like Will. I am not sure why, I think it goes back to the beginning of the series when he was too much like Daniel from SG1 which is weird because I loved Daniel… lol.
My perfect episode would include the 5 and Henry.

December 6, 2010 at 7:22 PM

I very much agree, An – this episode rocked. In fact, I’d say it’s one of the best episodes they’ve produced so far. In addition to all the great stuff you mentioned, I would add that it’s nice to see Will in his element, utilizing his expertise as a forensic psychiatrist.

December 7, 2010 at 6:57 PM

You know, when Will called out Magnus’ distracted position by pointing out her dilated eyes and racing pulse I remembered thinking “Ruby might like that.” It’s already episode 8 and the show just keeps getting better. I’m definitely looking forward to the next batch –

December 7, 2010 at 7:06 PM

Adam ‘sends his love’ not senses love. Although I thought he said ‘senses’ the first time around.

December 7, 2010 at 10:08 PM

Crap! “Hyde” didn’t strike me as the type to pass on kind thoughts, but I guess that kills the fanfic I keep saying I’ll write but never do :)

December 15, 2010 at 7:37 PM

Your review was totally awesome.

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