Using the communications stones, Lt. Scott (BRIAN J. SMITH) and Camile Wray (MING-NA) use their time back on earth to visit those they’ve left behind. Camile returns home to spend time with her partner, trying her best to make the strange circumstance normal. Meanwhile, Lt. Scott learns a past relationship might not have ended as he thought.

Aboard Destiny, Dr. Rush (ROBERT CARLYLE) supervises the exploration of new areas of the ship. Looking for resources to make their everyday lives easier, the crew stumbles upon a piece of Ancient technology that carries the promise of a way home. While somewhat familiar with the find, Dr. Rush can’t guarantee the safety of using it, bringing him and Col. Young (LOUIS FERREIRA) to a standoff on what to do.

Pictured: (l-r) Ming-Na as Camile Wray, Reiko Aylesworth as Sharon — Syfy Photo: Carole Segal

Sanctuary: “Veritas”

- DIRECTED BY AMANDA TAPPING

Will (ROBIN DUNNE) goes up against the heads of the Sanctuary Network to defend Magnus (AMANDA TAPPING) who is charged with a shocking murder. But as the evidence stacks up against her, even Will has trouble finding a way to convincingly defend her innocence.

Photos: Syfy

Post from: SF Universe

Air Date: November 13 on Syfy

Visiting a newly discovered jungle planet, the crew is amazed to recover a Kino by the gate. Downloading the Kino data, Eli (DAVID BLUE) discovers video of the team, which appears to have been shot during an earlier visit. The mystery of the video’s origin becomes a secondary concern as members of the team start falling ill. Unable to return to the Destiny for fear of spreading the infection, the team sets up camp in the jungle to try to isolate the infection there. Little do they know that when night falls, the illness will be the least of their worries.

SANCTUARY: Fragments

Air Date: November 13 on Syfy

Dr. Helen Magnus (AMANDA TAPPING) fights to save the life of one of the Sanctuary’s research scientists who was viciously attacked by a seemingly docile Abnormal. Baffled by the creature’s uncharacteristic behavior, Henry (RYAN ROBBINS) tries to figure out what, or who, caused the domesticated Abnormal to react so violently.

Syfy Photo: Carole Segal

Post from: SF Universe

Air Date: November 6 on Syfy

With the situation on board the Destiny dire, General O’Neill (RICHARD DEAN ANDERSON) and Home World Command orders Col. Young (LOUIS FERREIRA) to execute a high risk plan concocted by the IOA scientists which, in theory, could return the crew to earth. Col. Young tries to buy more time so that he can consult those on the ship whose lives are at stake. While using the communication stones, Camile Wray (MING-NA) is approached by IOA representative Dale Strom (CARLO ROTA) who suggests that she steer opinion on the ship in favor of the plan. 

Eli (DAVID BLUE) and Chloe (ELYSE LEVESQUE) are allowed to use the communication stones to visit earth and their loved ones for what may be the last time. Their homecoming is not what they expected and the two try to drink away their worries at a club (featuring Janelle Monáe), but are unable to ignore the looming fate of the Destiny that they have left behind.

(Pictured: (l-r) Elyse Levesque as Chloe Armstrong, Louis Ferreira as Col. Everett Young, Haig Sutherland as Sgt. Hunter Riley, David Blue as Eli Wallace — Syfy Photo: Carole Segal)

SANCTUARY: Pavor Nocturnus

Dr. Helen Magnus (AMANDA TAPPING) wakes up on the floor of the Sanctuary with no recollection of why or how she got there. Disoriented and bewildered, she discovers her office scarred with bullet holes, equipment broken in pieces and layered with dust and the lab left only with devastating remnants of a horrific battle scene.

With no signs of life to be found, Magnus is completely baffled and shaken. To gather her thoughts, she steps up onto the Sanctuary’s rooftop parapet, but is shocked by the scene before her. Instead of the lights of New City, she looks out to a dark, cratered landscape…the city is decimated.

Magnus fashions a makeshift weapon as her only defense and moves out into the city, determined to find some clue as to what has happened to the world. While surveying the destruction, she is attacked by a ferocious, inhuman creature with an ear piercing shriek as its battle cry. Cornered and near defenseless, Magnus catches a glimpse of her attacker’s face. It is scarcely human with pale skin, soulless eyes and shrieking with fury as it prepares to finish her. Suddenly, without warning, a sonic blast hits the beast from behind, killing it and saving Magnus.

Relieved, she looks up to see two men, heavily armed. Before she can ask any questions, one of the men draws a stun gun and fires it at Magnus, taking her down.

When she awakens, she finds herself in an abandoned warehouse with the same two men. They aggressively hose her down, scrubbing her skin raw and leave her soaking wet, shivering and distraught. Exhausted, she curls up on the floor confused and temporarily defeated. When a third man enters the room, she braces herself for another assault.

But she is both surprised and relieved when she realizes the man standing before her, although hardened and battle-scarred, is none other than her colleague and friend Will Zimmerman (ROBIN DUNNE).

She starts to ask him questions, but he forcefully shuts her down and accuses her of being an imposter. He explains coldly that she could not possibly be who she claims because Helen Magnus… died three years before.

Stunned and with far more questions than answers, Magnus knows only that she must escape from Will and find a way to understand the nightmare her world has become. (Pictured: (center) Robin Dunne as Dr. Will Zimmerman — Syfy Photo: Jeff Weddell)

Post from: SF Universe

Air Date: October 30, 2009 on Syfy

Despite severe rationing and around the clock security, the water reserves on board the Destiny continue to drop. Dr. Nicholas Rush (ROBERT CARLYLE) has no explanation for this latest setback but, if they are to survive, they must find a new water source soon. The only planet within range is a frozen wasteland surrounded by a thin and poisonous atmosphere.

Donning two of the ships deteriorated spacesuits, Col. Young (LOUIS FERREIRA) and Lt. Scott (BRIAN J. SMITH) head to the planet’s surface, hoping to retrieve enough ice to replenish their water supply. But once there, tests reveal that the ice near the Stargate contains traces of highly toxic chemicals. Young and Scott take off in search of drinkable samples knowing they don’t have long before their air will run out and Destiny jumps back to FTL.

Back on board the ship, Lt. Tamara Johansen (ALAINA HUFFMAN) works with the crew to catch an intruder they believe is responsible for the lost rations.

Water” — Pictured: (l-r) Louis Ferreira as Col. Everett Young, Brian J. Smith as Lt. Matthew Scott — Syfy Photo: Carole Segal

Sanctuary: Hero

An unlikely superhero with unprecedented strength and the amazing ability to fly, is thwarting crime – and Sanctuary missions – throughout the city, sparking an investigation into his identity by the Sanctuary team. Magnus (AMANDA TAPPING) and Will (ROBIN DUNNE) are able to trap this costumed man by creating a phony emergency, which he responds to with vigor. The city’s newest hero who calls himself “The Adjuster” is quickly disabled and brought back to the Sanctuary for study.

Convinced that Magnus and Will are actually super-villains who have captured him in order to run experiments on him, The Adjuster AKA Walter (CHRISTOPHER GAUTHIER) is less than cooperative. When a blood test reveals he doesn’t possess the DNA of an Abnormal, Magnus and Will are baffled as to the origins of his super powers. Still convinced he’s in the hands of the super-enemy, Walter manages to escape before the Sanctuary team can confirm the results of any more tests.

While Walter’s efforts to fight crime are commendable, if rather fumbling in nature, he continues to risk the work of the Sanctuary and innocent lives (including his own). But when further test results come back, the team learns that Walter’s health is actually rapidly failing. In order for him to stay alive, they need to find a way to lure him back to the Sanctuary for treatment.

Getting him back to the Sanctuary is not the problem. Helping him accept that he will have to go back to his day job as an insurance adjuster and give up his life as a superhero is another matter altogether. Despite his rapidly declining health, Walter refuses to give up his dream.

Elsewhere, Magnus, Will, and Declan (ROBERT LAWRENSON) investigate the discovery of an unusual eggshell remnant at a construction site; which leads to a search to locate a dangerous creature that has hatched and is now loose on the city. And quickly growing in size.

Elsewhere, Kate (AGAM DARSHI) gets an unexpected call from her brother who finds himself in deep with an organized crime boss. In order to save him, she must risk the security of the Sanctuary, and a new-found trust she is beginning to develop with the team.

Post from: SF Universe

Air Date: Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 9 PM on Syfy

The Destiny is still without power and an attempt to alter their collision course with a star has failed. The situation is now critical. A plan is born to abandon ship using the last working shuttle, with the hope that one of three planets in close proximity will be habitable. Although this strategy initially raises the crew’s spirits, it is short lived when Col. Young (LOUIS FERREIRA) announces there is only room for 17 people and a lottery will determine who goes and who stays. Stunned by the implication of this news, everyone considers their fate. Some, including Dr. Nicholas Rush (ROBERT CARLYLE) and Col. Young, opt to stay on board. Others, determined to survive, vie for a seat on the departing shuttlecraft.

In the short time that remains, alliances are forged and others damaged while Eli (DAVID BLUE) tries to create a message in a bottle with the aid of a Kino. But, unbeknownst to all, forces are at work that no one could have foreseen.

Pictured: (l-r) Robert Carlyle as Dr. Nicholas Rush, Louis Ferreira as Col. Everett Young — Syfy Photo: Carole Segal

Sanctuary: “Eulogy”

Air Date: Friday, October 23, 2009 @ 9 PM on Syfy

With the Tokyo and London Sanctuaries destroyed by the Cabal, Magnus (AMANDA TAPPING) and the team get to work organizing and processing hundreds of Abnormals who have survived the attacks and have been shipped to them for temporary safekeeping. Meanwhile, Kate (AGAM DARSHI) carelessly releases a rare, one-of-a-kind creature. Kate and Henry (RYAN ROBBINS) set out on an adventurous hunt to track down the runaway Stenopelhabilis and bring it back to the Sanctuary. But the creature has other plans.

Pictured: (l-r) Agam Darshi as Kate Freelander, Ryan Robbins as Henry — Syfy Photo: Jeff Weddell

Post from: SF Universe

Air Date: Friday, October 16, 2009 at 9 PM on Syfy

Dr. Nicholas Rush (ROBERT CARLYLE) has been working throughout the night to try and determine why the ship’s power reserves are critically low. He reiterates his mounting concerns to Colonel Young (LOUIS FERREIRA), who advises the crew to limit their power consumption to essential services only. Suddenly the lights dim to emergency levels and everything but life support goes dead. Overwhelmed by fatigue and frustration, Rush declares that all on board will perish within days. But when Destiny’s flight path towards a solar system reveals the existence of three planets, they hope that one of them is habitable.

Meanwhile Eli (DAVID BLUE) records individual messages from the crew in case they don’t survive.

Pictured: (l-r) Louis Ferreira as Col. Everett Young, Robert Carlyle as Dr. Nicholas Rush — Syfy Photo: Art Streiber

SANCTUARY: END OF NIGHTS PART II

Air Date: Friday, October 16, 2009 at 10 PM on Syfy

Furious at being duped into a trap, Magnus (AMANDA TAPPING) takes on Kate (AGAM DARSHI), demanding information and complete access to her Cabal contacts. The Cabal’s true agenda is revealed and Magnus realizes that they are not only holding Ashley (EMILIE ULLERUP) as ransom to obtain complete control of the Sanctuary Network, but turning her into the ultimate weapon. Now transformed into a Super Abnormal with devastating powers, Ashley and her newly cloned fighters begin their onslaught, destroying Sanctuaries in cities around the world. Tesla (JONATHON YOUNG) and Henry (RYAN ROBBINS) attempt to create a weapon that can stop the attacks…without killing Ashley. As the team prepares to defend the Sanctuary with Tesla’s new weapon, Magnus must come to the realization that they may not be able to stop the Cabal’s attacks without harming Ashley. She realizes she might have to choose between saving her only daughter, or losing the Sanctuary and all the lives and secrets within it.

Pictured: (l-r) Amanda Tapping as Dr. Helen Magnus, Agam Darshi as Kate Freelander — Syfy Photo: Pete Tangen

Post from: SF Universe

On the New Season:

Amanda Tapping: I think because it’s our second season you’re going to see a lot of changes in terms of the interpersonal relationships. I think Season 1 was very much about introducing everybody – introducing the Sanctuary itself, the creatures, what everyone does and where they come from. And so now we get to play within those parameters.

Things are changing at the Sanctuary. We are bringing in new characters. You’ll see a lot more of Henry this year than you did last year. We’re bringing in a wonderful new character named Kate Freelander. The relationship between and Druitt and Magnus changes and most importantly the relationship between Magnus and Will becomes, I think, so much deeper and so much more intense.

Robin Dunne: I think it’s because like, you know, everything is really falling apart around us. There’s going to be more of blunt relationship more of like a brutal honesty between all of the characters particularly Magnus and Will because really kind of our lives depend on it.

We can’t afford to be anything but brutally honest with each other. And I think there’s going to be definite strains in the relationship over this season. But because of those strains, I think all the relationships will get stronger.

What did you learn in the first season that you’ll carry through to Season 2?

Robin Dunne: I think my approach to Will. Season 1 for Will was a lot about sort of coming into this world and not really being sure about it and having one foot in his old life and one foot in his new life and not really sure which way he was going to go.

And I think definitely Season 2 for Will is he’s let go of his old life and he’s really resigned himself to the fact that he lives in this world and he just has to own it because this is where he lives. The approach to this job for myself was much the same. I’d never had a job that’s this size before, particularly this type of series with the green screen and everything that comes along with it. Season 1 it was a lot about me trying to get used to being in this world and working on this show. I think Season 2, from an acting standpoint, was more about being comfortable with it and trying to take the character to a deeper place.

Amanda Tapping: For both of us, there was a lot of confidence going into Season 2. Season 1, for me, Magnus is such an enigma, she’s such an eccentric, different character. There’s so many things that she does that I go, “What?” And it’s like I have to wrap my head around her and go, okay, okay I can figure this out, it has to make sense to me. And Season 1 was a lot of trying to figure out what makes this woman tick. And also just the physicality of her, she’s a far more sexual character than I’ve ever played and going literally from Army boots to stilettos was a transition.

Stay tuned for more from Amanda and Robin as Sanctuary gets going on their second season. The series airs every Friday at 10:00 on Syfy.

SANCTUARY — Pictured: (l-r) Robin Dunne as Dr. Will Zimmerman, Amanda Tapping Dr. Helen Magnus — Syfy Photo: Pete Tangen

Post from: SF Universe

Sanctuary

The cast and crew of Sanctuary have learned a lot since they began filming this series which is ground-breaking in it’s heavy use of green screen effects. If you haven’t seen Sanctuary since the start of the first season, you haven’t seen Sanctuary.

Sanctuary: End of Nights Part One

Air Date: October 9 at 10:00 on Syfy

Dr. Helen Magnus (AMANDA TAPPING) continues her desperate search for her daughter, Ashley (EMILIE ULLERUP), who is still held prisoner by the Cabal. Together, Magnus and John Druitt (CHRISTOPHER HEYERDAHL) interrogate their most elusive contacts around the globe in an attempt to find her and make sense of the Cabal’s plan.

Since being captured by the Cabal a few months before, Ashley has been undergoing a series of injections and tests resulting in a formidable and alarming transformation. Unbeknownst to the Sanctuary team, her painful and dangerous mutation sets in motion the next phase of the Cabal’s destructive mission.

When highly classified information is stolen from a top-secret Interpol location, Magnus is alerted. Will Zimmerman (ROBIN DUNNE) investigates and is surprised to see that it is Ashley on the security tapes pulling off the heist single-handedly.

Relieved in part that Ashley is at least still alive, Magnus, Will, Druitt, Henry (RYAN ROBBINS) and Tesla (JONATHAN YOUNG) gather to make sense of this latest development and plan their next steps to bring her home.

Pictured: (l-r) Robin Dunne as Dr. Will Zimmerman, Amanda Tapping Dr. Helen Magnus — Syfy Photo: Pete Tangen

Post from: SF Universe

Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting, The Full Monty), Lou Diamond Phillips (Numb3rs), Ming-Na (ER, Vanished), Alaina Huffman (Smallville), and David Blue (Moonlight) star in this series about a group of soldiers, scientists and civilians, who are forced through a Stargate when their hidden base comes under attack. Instead of coming through on another planet, they find themselves on the starship Destiny which is locked on an unknown course. Hopelessly lost in space (I couldn’t resist) they must find a way to meet their basic needs such as food and water, all the while battling weekly dangers.

And, despite the fact that they’re trapped on a ship in space, they will still run into guest stars such as Grammy nominated recording artist, Janelle Monáe, Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks, and Carlo Rota. Sounds rather Gilligan’s Island, doesn’t it?

And speaking of Amanda Tapping, Sanctuary returns for a second season beginning on October 9 at 10:00. Here’s the blurb:

Sanctuary follows the adventures of the always surprising Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping), a brilliant scientist who holds the secrets of a clandestine population — a group of strange and sometimes terrifying beings that hide among humans.

Joining the cast in season 2 is Agam Darshi as Kate Freelander, a con artist and thief who finds herself in an uneasy alliance with Dr. Magnus. Sanctuary also stars Ryan Robbins as tech wiz Henry and Christopher Heyerdahl as the sinister John Druitt.

Special guest stars this season include Christopher Gauthier (Eureka) and Michael Shanks (Stargate SG-1).

Scare Tactics and Destination Truth will also return this fall along with more new episodes of  Warehouse 13 on Tuesday nights and Ghost Hunters on Wednesday nights. In October, music superstar and longtime Ghost Hunters fan Meatloaf will join the team as a guest investigator in a special episode featuring a home in Thousand Islands, NY, one of last year’s finalist locales in the Great American Ghost Hunt contest.

Photos: Syfy

Pictured: Eddie McClintock; Joanne Kelly and Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Programming, Syfy; Co-Head, Original Content, Universal Cable Productions at the imagination celebration and opening of the Syfy Imagination Park at Rockefeller Center in New York City on July 7, 2009 — Syfy Photo: Heidi Gutman

Post from: SF Universe

I’ve always enjoyed SCI FI’s imaginative ads, seeing people and things transform right before your very eyes. This new promo takes it even one step further as some of the network’s stars come out to party in a truly magical castle.

The biggest difference I see between this new promo and the old ones, is the warmth and happy tone. The original ads were cool but always very sterile and simple — truly capturing the feel of modern science fiction. This new ad is full of warm colors and detailed images that are constantly changing and moving. It feels more modern fairy tale and less a trip into space and you gotta love the Escher homage with the cast of Warehouse 13.

It’s all very SteamPunk meets Alice in Wonderland and I can totally get behind that. Click here to watch the House of Imagination video at the new Syfy.com.

I think it’s more fun to spot the stars Waldo style, but if you want a list in order of appearance, it’s under the cut.

In order of appearance: Amanda Tapping and Robin Dunne (Sanctuary); Colin Ferguson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Jordan Hinson, Neil Grayston, (Eureka); Lou Diamond Phillips (Stargate Universe); Josh Gates (Destination Truth); Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson (Ghost Hunters); Tracy Morgan (Scare Tactics), Eddie McClintock, Joanne Kelly, Saul Rubinek (Warehouse 13), and Alessandra Torresani (Caprica).

Post from: SF Universe