TVSquad

(S01E01) This is one of the more hyped premieres of recent years on Sci Fi. It began life last year as the first big budget made for the Internet series, pumping out eight 12-18 minute webisodes. While it wasn't initially intended as a springboard for a flesh and blood television series, nevertheless it's happened. Filmed primarily on green screen, it is this aspect of the show that seems to get all the press.

That and the presence of Stargate alumnus Amanda Tapping in the starring role as Dr. Helen Magnus. Dr. Magnus runs a sanctuary for supernatural creatures gathered from all reaches of the earth and across all spectrums, including time. I enjoyed the webisodes, but found them to be scatological (some might say so) scattered in presentation. This pilot episode does a nice job of creating a cohesive narrative from many of the elements of those webisodes. Equally impressive is the quality of the special effects in use. When you consider that virtually every scene presented is a digital effect, including many of the most mundane environments, it really is a testament to how far computer technology has come. And what better place to showcase these advancements than Sci Fi.