Sanctuary

:

Season 1
  • Network: SyFy
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 3, 2008
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 52
  3. Negative: 11 out of 52
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User Reviews

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  1. ThommyH
    May 17, 2011
    10
    Sanctuary is an incredible series. Thrilling, well-crafted and carried out by talented actors, I greatly enjoy the Sanctuary series. Amanda Tapping plays a convincing Helen Magnus, and manages break out of her Sam Carter SG-1 role successfully. Sanctuary is less geared towards heavy gunfights and explosions that drew in characters for Stargate, I personally think thats why it has lessSanctuary is an incredible series. Thrilling, well-crafted and carried out by talented actors, I greatly enjoy the Sanctuary series. Amanda Tapping plays a convincing Helen Magnus, and manages break out of her Sam Carter SG-1 role successfully. Sanctuary is less geared towards heavy gunfights and explosions that drew in characters for Stargate, I personally think thats why it has less appeal for those hoping for another SG military-based story. While the writing could use some expansion and the storyline could do with a bit of work, Sanctuary is an addictive series if you can get into it. It does seem to be a case of, 'you'll either love it or hate it.' Frankly, I find Sanctuary to be highly enjoyable and the acting is grossly undervalued. To those who accuse Amanda Tappings accent of being poor or inaccurate, I'd like to point out that there is no universal British accent. There is a miasma of different dialects across the UK, and, having lived in Central London all my life, I can say with full confidence that Amanda Tappings' accent wouldn't be even slightly out of place here. However, to address those who believe otherwise, it makes sense that Helen Magnus' accent would be slightly off, the character having been based in America. Regardless, I still maintain that her accent is perfectly fine. To me, Sanctuary is one of the most underrated shows on television. Its innovative special effects and the amazing cast makes up for the lacklustre story which I admit could use some work. However, I'd even go so far as to say that the inspiring components surrounding the storyline makes its rather glaring pitfalls less noticable. I strongly recommend Sanctuary to anyone, very impressed by Ryan Robbins, Amanda Tapping and Agam Darshi especially.… Expand
  2. ChrisC.
    Oct 4, 2008
    4
    Non-inspiring storyline. Undeveloped subplots which must have been an attempt at 'cliffhanging' subplots yet, instead, felt empty and insulting. Unimpressive acting by Tapping who made a sad attempt at a british accent which didn't seem completely critical for the story. As sad as I am to see Battlestar Galactica gone, I'm more disappointed to see SciFi end great shows Non-inspiring storyline. Undeveloped subplots which must have been an attempt at 'cliffhanging' subplots yet, instead, felt empty and insulting. Unimpressive acting by Tapping who made a sad attempt at a british accent which didn't seem completely critical for the story. As sad as I am to see Battlestar Galactica gone, I'm more disappointed to see SciFi end great shows like BG and attempt weak replacements like this.… Expand
  3. KyleB.
    Oct 4, 2008
    0
    Sucks...worst I have seen from Scifi... Amanda should return to Stargate. Scifi should re-start Stargate. Amanda"s English accent is terrible...not even close to believable. Her character is terrible and so is the writing. This show is for saturday morning for little kids. maybe. Amanda is a quality actess but the show and plot is absolutely terrible. Will never watch it again. Gets my Sucks...worst I have seen from Scifi... Amanda should return to Stargate. Scifi should re-start Stargate. Amanda"s English accent is terrible...not even close to believable. Her character is terrible and so is the writing. This show is for saturday morning for little kids. maybe. Amanda is a quality actess but the show and plot is absolutely terrible. Will never watch it again. Gets my vote for the worst new show!… Expand
  4. AmyD
    Oct 3, 2009
    9
    It is a definitely a 9. Amanda Tappings accent is not great, and the series starts off a little slow. However Christopher hyerdarhyl is one of the most underused actors around in my opinion, he is great. the acting overall is superb, to say 99% of the time they are looking at nothing.
  5. JamesS.
    Oct 10, 2008
    7
    Not bad. Pilot episode was slow, probably too much exposition, but by no means bad. In fact I personally thought it was rather interesting noting the changes from the Web Series and the more involved back story. Certainly an above average scifi/fantasy show and I'll be adding it to my viewing list. ps The Accent. It's not really meant to be a British accent anyway. People tend Not bad. Pilot episode was slow, probably too much exposition, but by no means bad. In fact I personally thought it was rather interesting noting the changes from the Web Series and the more involved back story. Certainly an above average scifi/fantasy show and I'll be adding it to my viewing list. ps The Accent. It's not really meant to be a British accent anyway. People tend to lose their accents rather easily once they live away from it. Magnus is 157 years old so it's hardly surprising. I'd be more annoyed if she had a fully accurate accent.… Expand
  6. CalM.
    Oct 24, 2008
    10
    This is one of the most innovative, compelling shows on SciFi. Amanda Tapping has risen above Sam Carter and brought her A game to this show in a sexy way. Robin Dunne is a great find and the two of them together bring an amazing chemistry to the screen!
  7. Natasha
    Oct 24, 2008
    10
    Best show on Sci fi - Damian Kindler is a genius. I love Ryan Robbins. What the hell are you talking about with the accent? There are many different accents. Amanda was born in England. Chris Heyerdahl (Druit) ups the anty here. This is a good show.
  8. KayleeJ.
    Oct 4, 2008
    7
    The pilot episode was a little slow moving and probably should have been condensed into one hour instead of stretched out to two. However, the storyline shows promise and the characters were interesting. I believe it will be a good series once the pace picks up a bit.
  9. CalK.
    Oct 5, 2008
    0
    WTF? Quite possibly the most ridiculous show on television.
  10. SeanB.
    Oct 8, 2008
    0
    Horrible - Scifi needs to get rid of ALL sunday movies, sanctuary, all those crapy reality shows and focus on the kind of thing they do best - shows like Battlestar Galactica, Eurika, and Stargate.
  11. JoeR.
    Oct 18, 2008
    2
    Horrible show. After all the hype, it turns out to mainly be an X-Files clone (although it doesn't hesitate to ripoff other shows/movies - Hellboy & Blade for starters). I decided to cut my losses midway through the second episode. The campy special effects may have worked for X-Files, but they definitely look dated now. The monster in the premiere episode was about as believable as Horrible show. After all the hype, it turns out to mainly be an X-Files clone (although it doesn't hesitate to ripoff other shows/movies - Hellboy & Blade for starters). I decided to cut my losses midway through the second episode. The campy special effects may have worked for X-Files, but they definitely look dated now. The monster in the premiere episode was about as believable as Barney the Dinosaur. Tapping's accent and dyed hair sound and look silly. The daughter's hair looks like a wig and her acting is terrible. Michael Shanks/Dr. Jackson isn't so compelling that we need to see his clone as the male lead. How can you make a Geico caveman a central character? The panoramic views of England look like computer screensavers. Sanctuary may be the first show to "Jump the Shark" not once, but numerous times during the first episode.. Scifi needs to take the show off immediately and only bring it back when and if it has been recast and rethought from top to bottom.… Expand
  12. EliasC.
    Oct 24, 2008
    3
    Slow, uninteresting, visually unexciting, and Amanda Tapping's terrible English accent.
  13. [Anonymous]
    Oct 24, 2008
    10
    Excellent show. Very clever. Amazing Green screen/graphics. Great acting and direction.
  14. TaomanT
    Oct 26, 2008
    9
    The show started with a very slow pace. It was a disappointing start after the quality shown during the web episodes. Yet by the 5th episode, it did find its rhythm. You see very few instances of bad acting, bad special effects. It becomes a more interesting show with each episode. As for the tone of the show, it is in between battlestar galactica (not as serious) and stargate atlantis The show started with a very slow pace. It was a disappointing start after the quality shown during the web episodes. Yet by the 5th episode, it did find its rhythm. You see very few instances of bad acting, bad special effects. It becomes a more interesting show with each episode. As for the tone of the show, it is in between battlestar galactica (not as serious) and stargate atlantis (not as light).… Expand
  15. PatrickM
    Nov 4, 2008
    3
    Poor quality story telling, yet again, from the Sci Fi channel. With wins like Eureka, SG-1, and BSG under their belt, you'd think that they'd have the formula for compelling sci-fi story telling down. While sci-fi fans await the next great science fiction drama, they're left with these scraps from many, many, many other stories losely tied together as some sort of TV show Poor quality story telling, yet again, from the Sci Fi channel. With wins like Eureka, SG-1, and BSG under their belt, you'd think that they'd have the formula for compelling sci-fi story telling down. While sci-fi fans await the next great science fiction drama, they're left with these scraps from many, many, many other stories losely tied together as some sort of TV show to deal with. Poor green screen work, lighting that implies that the sun never shines on TV (for some reason...) - here's a clue - darkness in a story is a tone - not actual darkness during every single episode.... Characters so badly drawn that I actually root for the "bad guys" (if there are such a thing in this show - since it's trying very weakly to portray a neutral judgemental position on nearly everything...) to eat one of them...please! The show needs a real villian - a yin to the yang of the crew. And not some cheesy typical American bad "company" - blah, blah, blah... Give us next generation Farscape - not this.… Expand
  16. JonB.
    Dec 8, 2008
    5
    The show tries to be a new generation X-Files with a quarter of the budget and even less direction. The writing is sub par at best, and Amanda Tapping's fake English accent is terrible!
  17. MikeB.
    Oct 28, 2008
    5
    I will watch the series because I like anything that stirs the imagination. I will however tape the series, definitely better things to do with my Friday night.
  18. [anonymous]
    Dec 7, 2009
    2
    sorry amanda but your english accent stinks why try to talk in english when your raised in canada.goesnt make sense. as for the show that stinks as well nothing new or original
  19. DerekD
    Dec 28, 2009
    0
    Special effects, Im sorry effects because my son could do better on the PC or Mac. Come on, I just watched avatar and thats special. I know they dont have a fraction of that budget but how old is Jurassic Park surely tv must be up to that level or close by know. Another thing whats with the over use of cute characters even the monsters are trying to be cute, look at sci fi succsess Special effects, Im sorry effects because my son could do better on the PC or Mac. Come on, I just watched avatar and thats special. I know they dont have a fraction of that budget but how old is Jurassic Park surely tv must be up to that level or close by know. Another thing whats with the over use of cute characters even the monsters are trying to be cute, look at sci fi succsess stories they are dark with truely evil characters. This show is supposed to be about non humans with destructive and amazing abilities and the best they can come up with is men with cartoon wings and lizard men!!! I can buy better costumes at the local shop. Overall Cr*p… Expand
  20. jocmckin
    Jan 14, 2011
    9
    So I admit that this show may not be Golden Globe worthy, there are flaws in design, direction, and acting. But as for entertainment value, what I base my opinion on, it is one of my favorite shows. It's funny and crazy, and full of fun historical fiction. Plus, I like that I can watch it with my mom and not be embarrassed about Syfy.

Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Best TV Season of 2008
37
#37 Most Discussed TV Season of 2008
24
#24 Most Shared TV Season of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    60
    Sanctuary’s pace is a little on the stately side, and the show is competent if not particularly innovative sci-fi.
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  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    60
    Much of it feels dreadfully slow, not so much moody as stretched for time....Things do pick up significantly with the arrival of Christopher Heyerdahl as John Druitt.
    Read full review
  3. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    63
    Given that, let me also say that virtual sets don't make up for virtual plots. Not that Sanctuary doesn't have its moments, and those moments might prove to be fast and furious after tonight's two-hour premiere when the show goes to a more manageable one-hour format.
    Read full review
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