Sci-Fi Storm

A lot of people tuned in for Syfy’s Being Human premiere, netting just short of 2 million people during the 9PM showing, and 3.8 million non-duplicated viewers over the three back-to-back showings to be the most watched winter premiere for the network since 2005. It will be interesting to see if the ratings hold overall, but I was very impressed. In know Syfy had very high hopes for this show and were fighting against an existing fan base of the UK show who saw this as just a carbon copy with American accents. After meeting the cast and seeing them interact, I also could see how the show could work – it needs a great cast.

I think they scored.

Sam Witwer (Aidan the vampire) I think has the rugged look and intensity that I think is fitting for the role, without opting for the “sparkly vampire” image that’s all the rage. Sam Huntington (Josh the werewolf) adds the deadpan humor at a level that I actually enjoy and will laugh out loud at. And Meaghan Rath (Sally the ghost) adds the cute and exciting but troubled character wondering why she’s still there and if she’ll ever leave.

Part 1 did seem to rush a bit of the situation into play (possibly to hook the users), but it wasn’t too bad – there are still plenty of things to in the coming episodes. There were a couple shots of Josh when they meet the new nurse that seemed a bit odd (almost as if they were filmed separately, with Huntington just mugging for the camera), but otherwise I think the filming worked well. Being from the Boston area I could tell a number of shots weren’t actually in Boston (it is filmed in Montreal for its similar feel), and I’d like to see some more “establishing” shots of Boston proper, but I’m not going to hold them to total accurate location shooting (but Syfy, if you do bring them down for location shots, let me know, it would be nice to meet them again and see some of the filming).

I’ve never been into the vampire/werewolf stuff as of late, but I find this orders of magnitude more interesting than Twilight, and I’m eagerly awaiting future episodes – which I really, really didn’t expect. And I’m happy about it.

I haven’t been thrilled with the recent cancellations of Caprica and Stargate Universe, but I think Syfy was right to have high hopes for this program.

Unlike it’s recent siblings Caprica and Stargate Universe, Sanctuary has been renewed for a fourth season. It appears to be a “short” order of 13 episodes like its first two seasons, instead of the 20 episode order of Season 3, but it’s still better than nothing, and it could potentially be expanded. Production will pick up in the Spring with the debut in the Fall. Read on for the Syfy release:
(continue reading…)