SyFy does Christmas

Yep, every year Syfy channel has their own version of Christmas programing, and this years is no different. Last night they aired three series Christmas special episodes, Haven, Eureka, and Warehouse 13...

Being a Haven fan I was ready for this special, but sadly, I was disappointed. The episode did have plenty of holiday decorations, but no spirit. The idea of a trouble using a Christmas snow globe was a good one, but placing the time line in July with everyone in town ( but Audrey) believing that it is Christmas Eve. Towns people start disappearing, but no one remembers them, and soon there are only two left in Haven. Leaving Audrey (Emily Rose) to deal with the trouble alone. The story wraps up quickly, as the entire town is being transferred into a giant snow globe, and all is well with the world. So cynical Audrey decides to trough a Christmas party. But now everyone thinks she is the crazy one for having a Christmas party in July.

The Warehouse 13 Christmas special could not hold my attention with it's lame, over done plot. The big switch as I call it, where the characters roles are reversed to the point that everyone in their lives have no idea of who they are. This idea has been used far too many times and none have been successful since the original story "It's a Wonderful Life". No one has played the left-out lead as well as James Stewart, and they all need to quit trying, at least in a thirty-minute run time.

Now as for Eureka's Christmas tale, they kept the story uniquely Eureka infused with plenty of holiday spirit and magic. Or should I say science. They did a clever job of incorporating the shows style into holiday favorite styles, such as clay-mation. This was the one to watch last night, it was fun, entertaining, funny, and full of what makes us feel Christmasy. There is even an appearance by the fat, jolly, old guy himself... Well sort of. If you missed the show, search it out, you should enjoy it. And just for the record 2012 is going to be the last season for Eureka, so if you are a fan make sure you have your recorders ready if your are not going to be home, I'm sure they will go out in pure Eureka style.

Haven and Stephen King References

Syfy's original series Haven, which is based off of his novel "The Colorado Kid" is full of references to the horror master. Some samples of this such as in last weeks episode "Audrey's Day Off" is Anson Shumway. Shumway the troubled person in this episodes was named after Julia Shumway, one of the main characters in Stephen King's novel "Under the Dome." Both characters play a critical role in the resolution.

In the episode titled "Roots", the trouble involves plants coming to life and killing people. This was inspired by Stephen King's short story "Weeds" also known as "The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill." The Verrill story was a segment of the Stephen King and George Romero film "Creepshow."

One more example was the episode "Sparks and Recreation." Like Chris Brody in this episode, Stephen King also coached a little league team, including a team with his son Owen on it, and winning a Maine state title. In addition to that, One of the two Haven baseball teams, the "Sea Dogs," is named after the character of the same name, Sea Dog, in Stephen King's "Under the Dome."

So now that you know, it gives you something else to watch for during the show, not that it's not entertaining enough already. The only thing else to watch for is Stephen himself showing up in the show, not that anything has been said about him doing so, but why not. When it comes to Haven you never know what might happen.

Being Human vs Being Human

Title a little confusing? It won't be for long.

Early this year I caught a new Syfy series called Being Human. A tale of a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost living in the same home. And as the shows title depicts, their are all doing their best to resume normal human lives. Well we all know that's not going to work, opening many possibilities for the show. I liked what I saw right from the start, but again as has happened so many time to me, I missed the first episode. So like any true fan would I search out what I had missed. Not only did I find the pilot, but I found out that Being Human started in the UK on the BBC two year earlier. That's right, Being Human UK was on it's third season. So what would you do? If your like me, you watch the UK to get more of the story. But the problem was that it was a different story. The principles were the same of course. Vampire, werewolf, and ghost living together under the same roof, the vampire and werewolf even had the same jobs. The character personalities were nearly exact as well, but they were completely different characters at the same time. Here in the US Sam Witwer plays Aidan the vampire, in the UK it's Aidan Turner as Mitchell. Sam Huntington is Josh the werewolf in US, and Russell Tovey is George over the pound. Then you have the lovely and very talented Lenora Crichlow as Annie the ghost on BBC, where as on Syfy Meghan Rath is the tempting poltergeist Sally.

Parts of the story line parallel each other, but for the most part they are entirely different tales. Point in question. In the US version, Aiden befriends a young neighborhood boy that is being bullied. Of course things go wrong, and by the end the boy is dieing. Aiden turns down the boy's mother's request to save his live. But of course Aiden's vamp-girlfriend turns the boy anyway. At the end of the episode Aiden takes the boy out into the woods, to teach him to hunt, but in reality it is a one way trip for the young vampire. He kills the lad. Now this is much the same in the UK take, but Mitchell turns the boy himself, explains it all to the mother and then sends them off on a train to start a new life. That my friends is just one example of very many differences.

Most of my family has watched both Being Human series with me, and we all like both of them, but I have to be honest - We all lean towards the original UK version on the show. Watch it and you will see what I mean. There just seem to be more depth to the characters and the story, rather than relying on the violence to carry the show. Please let me know what you think.

9021ahoh...

That's right Jason Priestly has joined the cast of Syfy's Haven. Priestly plays the role of Chris, who has now become the most loved man in Haven, since his father's death in episode 4 of season 2. Most people would love the idea that every person that laid eyes on them would fawn over them, but not Chris. He hates people. Well all but one, Audrey. But who can blame him, after all she is pretty, sweet, compassionate, and completely immune to his gift (or curse). Will their love bloom, or wither? Only the next episode will tell.

Haven

Here is another must see TV show, if you haven't already. Haven a Syfy original series, based off of Stephen King's The Colorado Kid, is now in it's second season. In a small Maine town, normal life is a little bit different, and these people know how to keep a secret. Strange things happen in Haven, troubling things, and it all seems to revolve around a man found dead years before, and a young woman by the name of Lucy. This second season dives in deep, as the plot thickens and twists with the addition of some new characters. This is one show that you need to see from the beginning, so if you haven't seen it, go rent season one, or down load it, whatever you have to do, but don't miss this dramatic thriller.