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

But before they go, here’s a quick look at where I stand with the current crop of futuristic, non-realistic, ghostly, ghastly, makes-you-wonder, shows on TV.

V: The Series

We’re only a few episodes in but I’m into V for the long haul (which means waiting until Spring of 2010 for the second half of the season.) I’m enjoying the pace of the reveals, I like the characters a lot and I see Visitors everywhere I look. I think this show is so fitting for the climate we live in today, even more so than when the original was made. The idea of sleeper agents among us, living next door, ready to turn on us at any moment. No one is safe and I really feel that from Elizabeth Mitchell’s character. I’m also very intrigued by the idea of a priest as one of the story’s main heroes. Religion keeps cropping up in all of my favorite shows and that, I believe, is also a sign of the times. (ABC/JEFF PETRY) JOEL GRETSCH, ELIZABETH MITCHELL)

V gets an A

The Vampire Diaries

Damon Salvatore is the coolest, hottest villain on TV right now. His patented mixture of snark and smarm keeps me coming back week after week. It’s kind of like a modern, teen version of Dark Shadows, with Elena as Victoria Winters. I’m glad that Elena learned the truth this early in the run. She’s a bright girl and to drag it out any further would have been unbelievable. Now, how they’re going to keep a vampire story going in one town for a whole season without it getting ridiculous — that’s the big question.

The downside of this series is the teen angst portion. I can barely sit through another one of Jeremy’s pout-fests or the all-girl gossip sessions. I do like the town vampire hunting council and the fact that they’ve taken Damon under their wing. Last week’s unexpected murder of the visiting vamp was a solid stamp that this show is prepared to go for the jugular anytime they want to. (Photo: Guy D’Alema/The CW ©2009 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.)

The Vampire Diaries gets a B

Warehouse 13

Currently on hiatus, but renewed for a second season, this series was an early favorite. Yes, I know there are plot problems and it is formulaic, but the characters make up for the flaws. Pete and Myka have that perfect relationship where they compliment each other, filling in where the other lacks. Eddie McClintock gives Pete that goofy smile and that childlike sense of wonder — he’s a character I’d love to spend the day with. . . and can we spend it in the warehouse? Like a softer version of Friday the 13: The Series which cursed objects running amuck, there’s no end to the stories that could be written. Saul Rubinek steals the show each week as Artie and paired with Allison Scagliotti’s Claudia, he’s even better.

What would I like to see in the new season? A little more danger. We got some of that near the end of last season and it helps balance out the more humorous tone of the show. I also hope they stick with objects from actual historical characters. Poe was a great one. Now let’s see H.P. Lovecraft left behind.(Photo: Syfy)

Warehouse 13 gets a B

Come back later this week as I deliver grades to Supernatural, Fringe, Stargate Universe and more.

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

Stargate

The issue focuses on Stargate Universe and includes a guide to the new show, inside the writers’ room, and interviews with stars Robert Carlyle and Louis Ferriera.

There’s also a salute to Daniel Jackson, an interview with Ben Browder and a look at the Wit and Wisdom of Rodney McKay. That’s a little something fans of every Stargate incarnation.

To download this Stargate Magazine: Special Download Edition, visit:
http://www.titanmagazines.com/stargate

While you’re there, sign up for the special Stargate sweepstakes to win a “money-can’t-buy” prize!

Photo courtesy of Titan

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

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

With the air supply failing on the Destiny, a team disembarks to a desert-like planet in search of the mineral needed to scrub the ship’s air of carbon dioxide. After testing numerous sand samples without success, and with their window of opportunity closing fast, the group opts to split into two to cover more ground, despite the unbearable heat. While one team presses on to find the treasured mineral, the other has another goal in mind. When it is apparent that Dr. Rush (ROBERT CARLYLE) can’t go on, Lt. Scott (BRIAN J. SMITH) decides to go it alone and orders Sgt. Greer (JAMIL WALKER SMITH) to return to safety with the exhausted scientist.

Meanwhile, with life on the ship looking bleak, and with the aid of the communication stones, Col. Young (LOUIS FERREIRA) reports in to O’Neill, and Chloe (ELYSE LEVESQUE), has one last chance to see her mother.

“Air” Episode 103 — Pictured: (l-r) David Blue as Eli Wallace, Brian J. Smith as Lt. Matthew Scott — Syfy Photo: Gregory Peters

Post from: SF Universe

Air Date: Friday, October 2, 2009 @ 9 PM – 2-Hour Series Premiere on Syfy

During an official visit by Senator Armstrong (CHRIS MCDONALD), his assistant Chloe (ELYSE LEVESQUE), and Eli Wallace (DAVID BLUE), a recently recruited gaming genius, to Icarus, a secret off-world military base, the base falls under a full force attack leaving Colonel Everett Young (LOUIS FERREIRA) with no choice but to retreat. He orders an evacuation to Earth. However, a last minute maneuver by scientist Dr. Nicholas Rush (ROBERT CARLYLE) thrusts the escapees headlong into his experiment, which transports everyone to deep space.

The survivors arrive on an uninhabited ship floating billions of light years away from Earth. Panic spreads throughout the group and Col. Young, who was severely injured during the escape, transfers command to Lt. Matthew Scott (BRIAN J. SMITH), before lapsing into unconsciousness. Teams led by Dr. Rush and Sgt. Greer (JAMIL WALKER SMITH) try to make sense of the situation, while Lt. Tamara Johansen (ALAINA HUFFMAN), a medic who was days away from leaving the program, is thrust into the role of chief medical officer.

After secretly contacting the Home World Command using communications stones – a device which allows the swapping of consciousness between bodies across vast distances – Dr. Rush claims that he has been placed in charge by General O’Neill (RICHARD DEAN ANDERSON) and there is no hope of returning to Earth. When the ship’s air supply systems begin to fail, his theories are challenged by Eli. As the crisis deepens, divisions emerge between those who want to attempt a return to Earth, including human resources executive Camille Wray (MING-NA), and those who want to remain aboard the Destiny.

Pictured: Robert Carlyle as Dr. Nicholas — Syfy Photo: Carole Segal

Post from: SF Universe