After a long wait between seasons, I finished watching season 2 of Sanctuary yesterday. On the whole, I’d say that it is much improved over season 1. A lot of the aspects of the first season that really aggravated me have been ironed out in the second season making the show a much more solid production. The acting, on the whole is more consistent (including Tapping’s accent). The writing is a lot less hit or miss (though there are still some big misses). The dead weight from the first season has also been shed (Ashley, cough, cough, Invisible Girl, cough, cough) and the new regulars definitely add to the show.
Despite all this though, I do keep hoping for more. Maybe season 3 will be even better.
A few thoughts and feelings…
- The wardrobe – I know, I keep harping on this one, but I really wish they would bring back some of the fashion flair from the pilot, in particular with Magnus. The second season is at least more consistent, but I can’t help but feel like I’m watching yet another Hollywood remake of a comic book with a “modernized super-hero outfits.” And in some episodes it goes a little farther and Magnus almost looks frumpy. Kate and Tesla stand out as the exceptions to this as their character’s wardrobes really fit their characters well. The worst wardrobe of course still goes to Zimmerman who’s “I’m not Daniel Jackson” pretty-boy styling does not match his character in the slightest.
- Edginess – The second season does a lot better with this, there are some really dark almost Whedonesque moments which is where the show really shines. The show needs to keep going in this direction. The best episodes continue to be when Tesla and Druid are there because their flawed characters add a chaotic side to the show which it really needs. And in this season you finally get to see Druid act like Jack the Ripper, though shortly after that, they write it off as a “possession” from his teleporting.
- Politics – Politics are boring and aggravating and can drag even the best stories down. They were a constant thorn in Stargate’s side with all the “shut down the Stargate program” nonsense and they are showing their ugly face in the second season of Sanctuary with all the “let’s fire Magnus” crap. At least in the X-Files, the government *was* the bad guy so when the politics came in, there was a reason. It is nice that they focus on the Sanctuary being more of a network and not just Magnus’ little party, but the whole Big Bertha stuff really detracts from the show. Here’s to hoping they ditch that whole subplot for season 3.
- More! Man, I hate these stupid 13-episode series. Come on SciFi and give them their full 22 episode run.



