Sanctuary’s awesome Normandy follow-up

This week Magnus returns to the scene of the crime when Ravi, the Sanctuary head in “Kali,” disappears in Normandy. A mysterious time dilation surrounds Carentan, the town where Magnus and James pushed a fire elemental into the earth’s core. Will and Magnus explore with Kate and Declan in tow.

When Kindler first introduced Magnus she seemed secretive and wonderful yet surrounded by danger. I totally wanted Magnus to kidnap me to her fabulous Victorian mansion for an awesome adventure. Although I felt Kindler’s initial allusions to Magnus’ past came across as a crutch; now, we truly see the negative and positive affects of Magnus’ world in the past and present. Innocent, well-meaning men die for her all the time. Yet, sometimes she cares more about the solution than she does innocent lives. All the same, we see why Magnus solves puzzles other Sanctuary members don’t. Ravi is unquestionably a talented scientist/engineer, yet he still worked within the borders of reason and rationality, putting the comfort of the community over the needs of solving the puzzle. Yet, Magnus’ irrational, mad scientist leanings are what saved the day while putting the solution above Ravi’s friends and family. No wonder the world went crazy in the post-apocalyptic future without Magnus’ willingness to push the button.

I enjoyed Will’s covert development this season. Although I miss the Magnus/Will chemistry, his diminishing eagerness for the Sanctuary chase comes across subtly, from his “One Night” statement to his Magnus interaction this week. Their relationship no longer surrounds puppy-dog or “concubine”-like infatuation. Will serves increasingly as Magnus’ deputy and co-worker, more than her intimate friend/possible lover. Like Biggie in “Metamorphosis” and Druitt, we see him lash out at Magnus in ways Kate/Hank wouldn’t. In “King and Country,” Magnus reminded him of the shortness of their relationship and this week he reminds her of her comparative longevity. Will seemed less eager to put Magnus’ life before his this time around and I didn’t see him comfort her as he did in “Requiem” or “Next Tuesday”, preferring to look out the window. Interestingly, although Will lost his possible love interest, faced his own mortality (AGAIN) and watched the man who saved him die, he still protected Magnus from questions. I have a secret fear that the season cliffhanger might surround Will deciding he no longer wants to remain in Sanctuary.

A couple other thoughts on this week’s episode:

• Biggie rocks. Period.
• I love Declan, especially when he mouthed off to the “guv.” I also enjoyed the Declan/Kate team-up with Declan standing in for Hank.
• Did this week feel like a re-hash of Sanctuary’s favorite moments, including the “cheeky bugger”/“awkward” phrases and Magnus and Will teaming up. Will talking Magnus down from her mad scientist phase reminded me of “End of Nights” (part two). All the same, I didn’t feel the old Magnus and Will chemistry.
• In fact, I’ve truly given up on Will and Magnus. Man, even when deserted in a time bubble, Will gets it on with the nearest available woman? OK. Kindler, you win. I no longer want to live vicariously through Will and Magnus’ May-December relationship. Considering Magnus still hasn’t spilled the beans about Will’s relative, will that come into play, later?
• Nice time dilation effect.
• The only thing I didn’t like included the man in black/khaki. His words seemed too much of a stereotype, including: “I have no name,” “this is above your pay grade,” “birds are already in the air” and “the train has left the station.”  It seemed odd that he’d covertly threaten an 150+-year-old woman with a missile while telling her the mystery is outside her reach. Hello! Her entire organization is dedicated to mysteries and she’s a living puzzle!
• Has anyone considered the Nazis who created the EM shield to hold John, possibly experimented on other things? However, Magnus’ realization that she might not have destroyed the fire elemental, returns to my point in “Awakening” (and the point every sci fi lover makes). Whenever a hero believes s/he killed an unknown evil by toppling a few bricks or throwing out some kerosene, shouldn’t s/he return a few days/months/years later with even more backup to  verify the death?
• Although I marked Ravi, his wife and his assistant as possible extermination marks, I didn’t expect it to happen the way it did. I loved older Ravi (even though he looked more 54 than 74 and even though his skin tone drastically changed – sorry, folks, it isn’t that drastic with minorities). All the same, I wanted them to return his older self to Sanctuary, but wouldn’t he just mourn his family’s death? In a way, they had to kill him off.
• What is up with all of the Sanctuary heads just leaving their posts at a minute’s notice? Yes, I get they’re all curious as cats, but would the head of the CIA, the assistant director of the CIA, key-ranking CIA staff, the head of the FBI, and the head of MI-6 all investigate a security alert in New Jersey? Admittedly, Magnus pointed that out, but I can’t help re-stating it. And, I can’t help finding humor in it.

I enjoyed seeing my favorite characters altogether this week form start to finish and I look forward to next week. How about you?

Clacked by An Nicholson
on Jun 08, 2011 @ 12:30 EST5EDT