Two weeks ago I saw commercials and mini-ads on Syfy’s site advertising Jekyll and Hyde for “Breach.” Disregarding last week’s cliffhanger, Sanctuary’s Facebook page posted an event on fans’ profiles, stating: “Will accepts Adam Worth’s offer.” While a blind, deaf, mute two-year-old could have figured out Will’s decision, I wondered why they released it in advance. Brett has mentioned The CW’s tendency to spoil Supernatural cliffhangers, and I am curious if it’s universal in the “sci fi” universe. Either way, the spoiler didn’t spoil the episode as it focused on something else entirely. The disjointed first half surrounded “a day in the life of the Sanctuary,” while the more coherent second half attacked the big bad from episode four, “Trail of Blood.” I disliked that this episode decreased the intense action of the last two weeks, but I also found items I appreciated.
Liked – I enjoyed Kate mocking Will’s hair gel use, Tesla congratulating Will on shooting Henry (mature Tesla? yum), the concern every single male member showed for their leader (is it possible for Sanctuary to give Magnus a male harem? Oh wait, they already have), and the second half’s return to the overarching mystery while intertwining individual connections — Will and Tesla, Will and Magnus, Magnus and Druitt, the Big Guy and Kate. While I believe Amanda Tapping and her character are Sanctuary’s soul, this episode marks the first time I could envision the show/team continuing without her.
Disliked – Although the second half was on par with what I’ve experienced in season three, the first half was not. Once again they muted Magnus’ personality. Considering she dominated the past two episodes, I can almost understand it. Almost. Last week’s awesomeness existed because they interwove the fan moments with great story development. However, this episode’s first half felt as if Alan McCullough/the producers believed we needed a break from the recent awesomeness, and initially provided a partial “day in the life” filler-type episode. I know I should’ve enjoyed the opening Magnus-Druitt shipper moments, but I wanted them to return to the overarching mystery.
I also nit-picked on other things. Regarding the basement curator, although he trained in Manchester I didn’t find John Tracy’s upper-crust British accent convincing. But I found his character’s Segway highly humorous. I also have a TV pet peeve when the technologist inexplicably possesses biological knowledge and vice-versa. Considering Tesla and Magnus have lived over 300 years collectively I excuse it, but every now and again I can’t. Also, I’m sorry they wrapped up the second big bad so quickly. It almost felt like a throwaway plot, particularly considering the FaceBook event advertised Will’s decision but not the big bad’s return. I assumed they’d revisit the evil priest after resolving hollow earth. I like neat endings, but this felt too tidy and too quick. I hope they have more awesomeness in store after the mid-season hiatus.
Regarding Will’s new love interest, I initially disliked Pascale Hutton’s stereotypical snoopy FBI agent character. Currently, Tapping’s the best actress on the show … but she shouldn’t be. I’d like to see Agam, and the other young actresses they bring on, play more to Tapping’s level the same way as Heyerdahl and Dunne. However, they stepped up Hutton’s character towards the end. Considering Will underwent a breakup in season one and a girlfriend’s death in season two, I really hope Abby is evil for variety. While I still hate prankster Nikola, I giggled at his magnetic prowess.
Questions, Quotes, and Notes
Didn’t Will initially take a leave of absence from the force? Perhaps I’ll have to re-watch the first three episodes. Considering Hutton’s an alumni of Stargate: Atlantis, in keeping with the Stargate connection of the other actors/guest stars can I go back in time and cameo on one of the shows, so I can grab a Sanctuary guest spot in the future/present? Considering Buffy‘s Caleb, should I just view all mysterious priests as evil?
“You’re even easier than the U.S. Congress.” – Tesla, on Will giving him funding without a fight
“We don’t need to see an episode of House to determine probable cause.” – Tesla
Clacked by An Nicholson 
on Dec 12, 2010 @ 16:53 EST5EDT
*POST AUTHOR*
By the by, I forgot to include a link to Keith’s post about SyFy’s spoilery promos: https://cliqueclack.com/tv/2010/11/10/syfy-needs-to-lay-off-on-the-spoilery-promos/
Hi, just stopping by for some more pedantry (although I do enjoy the show even when it’s treading water like this). Hutton’s an alumna of Stargate Atlantis, plural alumnae. A man would be an alumnus, plural alumni. We use the masculine nominative plural form, alumni, for a general group of men and women because Latin is sexist that way. :)
Abby’s supposed to be Will’s love interest? That completely flew over my head due to his offhand and total lack of interest in “reconnecting” with her. When he couldn’t remember her at all, I just figured she was evil with suggestion powers. Maybe it’s the crazy eyes.
I do miss those Magnus/Will bottle episodes, though. It feels as if it’s been an age since we last had one.