Posted at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14

AMANDA TAPPING DOESN'T LOOK A DAY OVER ...

Christopher Heyerdahl, Amanda Tapping, Emilie Ullerup and Robin Dunne. Sci Fi photo

SANCTUARY
9 p.m. Fridays, Sci Fi
Tune in or out? out of 4.

The Sci Fi Channel’s “Sanctuary” started out as a Web series a few years ago, and when it debuted as a TV show in early October, I was a little let down.

The Web series was tightly focused, with wonderfully fast and urgent tales. The series opened with a few slow-moving, not-entirely-gripping episodes.

“Sanctuary” follows the work of 157-year-old scientist Dr. Helen Magnus (“Stargate’s” Amanda Tapping), her tough daughter, Ashley (Emilie Ullerup) and forensic psychiatrist Dr. Will Zimmerman (Robin Dunne), who keep a sanctuary for “abnormals,” sometimes odd creatures (mermaids, two-headed men) or people with special powers (folding men) who may not get along in regular society.

Much of the show is filmed in green screen, which affords the writers the chance to send their people all over the world, or into situations that might be impossible to film for real, without having to physically go anywhere. The mountains in the backgrounds, the vast sanctuary in which they work, all added by computer after the scenes are filmed. The technology is amazing, and most of the time looks incredibly real and vibrant on screen.

Let’s get back to my initial disappointment in the series. With the ability to stretch out their tales, and spend more time on even given story, each episode seemed to lack clear focus. Many rambled, with wooden dialogue and fake-looking fight scenes.

But I have to admit, I kept watching. The characters were compelling enough to bring me back every week, and Sci Fi is my thing, after all.

I’m glad I stuck around.

“Sanctuary” has since become more exciting, better written and nicely acted. The minds behind the show seem to have realized that honing in on more personal stories over the flashy, effects-driven moments is much more interesting.

The upcoming two episodes—Nov. 14’s “The Five” and Nov. 21’s “Requiem”—are the best of the season. The episodes highlight that narrower focus, but in two different ways.

“The Five” is a mythology story, which could have been broadly told and confusing. Instead, the writers deftly explain a huge chunk of Helen’s past through two intriguing current tales—Helen’s run-in with an old friend, Nikola Testa, and Ashley’s clash with Jack the Ripper, or John Druitt (Christopher Heyerdahl).

Through these two simple stories, viewers get a universe of history.

While “The Five” reveals a big part the show’s mythology (which, by the way, we didn’t have to wait eons to learn, “Heroes” writers), “Requiem” shines a smaller beam of light. Helen and Will are in a submarine when something takes control of Helen, driving her mad. Will is forced to take drastic measures to save himself. Both Tapping and Dunne are excellent in the episode, which is filmed to make viewers feel the cramped, creepy feel of being trapped in a sub.

These are the types of episodes I’ve been waiting for from Tapping and crew. I’m looking forward to the rest of Season 1, and the newly announced Season 2.

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Thanks for supporting the show! The actors when interviewed all claimed the show would get better with every episode and I am quite pleased that they have delivered on that promise.

Curt's reply: I'm happy it has improved as well. I like the actors and think the story has great potential. Thanks for commenting, Karen.

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