Continuum (New sci-fi TV show)

[Eug]

Just saw the first episode, and it's looking pretty good. If you're a sci-fi fan, it's definitely worth a look. I don't know if it's available in the US though, as Showcase is a Canadian channel.

http://continuumtheseries.com/

When a group of fanatical terrorists escapes their planned execution in the year 2077, they vault back in time to the year 2012, sweeping dedicated CPS Protector, Kiera Cameron, along with them. Stuck in the past and unable to get back to her husband and son, Kiera concentrates on bringing down the terrorists before they can wreak havoc in our present. Kiera receives unexpected assistance from a teen tech genius Alec Sadler. Impersonating a member of local law enforcement, Kiera also forms an uneasy alliance with her detective partner Carlos Fonnegra.

BTW, you might remember Rachel Nichols from Star Trek:

The first episode has her hooking up with local law enforcement. The way she does it leaves something to be desired plot-wise, but nonetheless I'll forgive that since it's only the first episode. Also, given the location and the plethora of ex-Stargate actors, as well as the moderate production values, it has the vibe of a Vancouver sci-fi show (which it is). Those who have watched SG-1 or The Outer Limits will know what I mean.

 

[Eug]

3-minute HD 1080p trailer

 

[Eug]

Hmmm... I don't see it listed by any non-Canadian channel. Not even Sy-Fy in the US. Not on iTunes either as far as I can tell. This is going to make it tough for them to find a wide audience.

Of course, it's out there via other sources, but they don't make money off that.

First real review I could find:

http://mralphafreak.wordpress.com/2...w-continuum-a-stitch-in-time-series-premiere/

 

[LinuxIdiot]

reminds me of a better version of Time Trax

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STrau7S_bio

 

[Eug]

The first episode has her hooking up with local law enforcement. The way she does it leaves something to be desired plot-wise, but nonetheless I'll forgive that since it's only the first episode.

Judging by the trailer, it looks like they address this in a later episode. Excellent.

reminds me of a better version of Time Trax

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STrau7S_bio

Yeah, I saw a few references to that show in some descriptions of Continuum and viewer reviews. I've never seen Time Trax though.

Here is the gist of the show as described by Huffington Post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/25/continuum-tv-show-showcase-review_n_1545978.html

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P.S. In the first episode the CG was very nice showing the futuristic Vancouver cityscape.

However, they keep the CG to a minimum for most of the rest of the show. Most of the CG is just simple stuff like her high tech digital catsuit, which BTW is much less cheesy looking than her outfit was in GI Joe.

 

[JPS35]

Bra'tac as a bad guy??? FTL

 

[SKORPI0]

Got the episode from the usual places. Looks interesting.

So if you're a crime suspect they "tag you and have to report to the CPS station or face the pain". But something happens, heroine is transported from 2077 to 2012. ^_^

Some screenshots from episode 1.

 

[Eug]

Great pix, SKORPI0!

Bra'tac as a bad guy??? FTL

He plays a great bad guy. For example, he was a drug dealer in Dexter.

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BTW, the ratings are in.

Continuum - Highest rated cable series of the year - Ratings Press Release

1.7 million Canadians tuned into the series on Sunday
#1 scripted specialty drama episode this year
TORONTO, May 28, 2012 – The numbers are in and the future looks bright for Continuum. The wildly anticipated debut of the Showcase original series smashed the competition, reaching 1.7 million* Canadians throughout its two airings on Sunday night. The premiere episode garnered a viewership** of 900,000 (2+) and 427,000 (A25-54) in its 9 pm timeslot, becoming the highest single episode ever on Showcase.
The massive premiere was the highest ranked show of the night across all of Canadian commercial television for Adults 25-54, Men 25-54, and Adults 18-49. With this record, Continuum claims the top spot as the #1 scripted specialty drama episode for this broadcast year across multiple demos.

 

[randomrogue]

Why is it not showing in the USA?

 

[Eug]

Why is it not showing in the USA?

Developed, financed, and shot in Canada, for a Canadian cable channel.

However, if the show stays decent, and if it can keep a good chunk of its 0.9 million Canadian viewers, that bodes well for a sale to the US or elsewhere.

0.9 million is HUGE for Canada, considering the market is 1/10th the size of the US's. As a comparison, the season finale for Supernatural was 1.56 million for a market 10X the size.

 

[Eug]

Episode 1: 'A Stitch In Time' available here.

That's the official Showcase online release of this episode for free. I don't know if it works in the US though.

 

[randomrogue]

I'm going to start watching it now. I'll let you know what I think. Gotta warn you though, it can take me a few episodes to get into a sci-fi show so I might not be the best judge after just one show.

 

[RossMAN]

Episode 1: 'A Stitch In Time' available here.

That's the official Showcase online release of this episode for free. I don't know if it works in the US though.

Doesn't work if you have a US IP, will need a Canada VPN/proxy or procure through other means ...

 

[bbhaag]

Looks interesting. I'm always up for a new sci-fi series.

 

[randomrogue]

I liked it. it's off to a good start.

 

[Aikouka]

Hmm about through 10 minutes of it, and the acting isn't that great so far. Some of the lines (from main character(s)) have felt rather forced. :| I'll have to see how it goes for the rest of the episode....

EDIT:

That future guy must not be used to "low tech", because he set down a shotgun with ammo on the gun, and exclaimed, "I'm out!"

 

[BladeVenom]

Sounds like a big hit in Canada. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/20...competition-in-canada-in-its-premiere/135945/

 

[Kadarin]

Marking this thread so I can check this out later...

 

[Eug]

Sounds like a big hit in Canada. http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/20...competition-in-canada-in-its-premiere/135945/

Yeah, colour me shocked.

http://www.spoilertv.com/2012/05/continuum-ratings-blockbuster-for.html

"According to Bill Brioux airing on cable at 9 PM it doubled the combined ratings of all shows airing at 9 PM on Canadian broadcast. Seems like the Canadian equivalent to The Walking Dead in the US, ratings wise."

This means that this one single moderate budget show on cable beat out all the shows on the mainstream channels combined.

They won't be able to hold these numbers, but even if they can hold just half, I suspect it will be called a resounding success... which means they would get renewed, and probably get bought for airing in the US or Europe.

 

[JTsyo]

What of it makes it much Sci-Fi? Since they are back in 2012, do they have future tech with them? I don't see what makes it different from a cops show that just takes place in the present.

 

[Eug]

What of it makes it much Sci-Fi? Since they are back in 2012, do they have future tech with them? I don't see what makes it different from a cops show that just takes place in the present.

She has a chip implanted in her head that records all that she sees, and which she can use to communicate wirelessly (data and voice). It also gives her a heads up display if she chooses to use it.

Her catsuit is electronic as well, and can be controlled to do various things via a touchscreen overlay. The fabric is like a a giant flexible touchscreen OLED display.

 

[felang]

Just watched the Pilot and was actually pleasantly surprised, really wasn´t expecting much to begin with so that might of helped a bit. It doesn´t have that extreme "low budget" vibe that most small sci-fi shows do.

 

[lokiju]

Was wondering wtf show case is. See it's a CA only network.

Looks interesting. Kind of reminds me of the episodes of Enterprise back in time on earth a bit.

 

[sygyzy]

Adding this to Sick Beard. Always looking for new shows. Thank you.

 

[Eug]

Never heard of Sick Beard before. Now I know.

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There aren't a huge number of reviews out there on this show, presumably because it gets such limited distribution. Here's one from the UK though.

http://www.the-medium-is-not-enough.com/2012/05/review_continuum_showcase_1x1.php

The big difference between Continuum and Time Trax, however, is that despite being a little mired in the police procedural genre, Continuum is actually pretty good, with some interesting attempts at world building, a couple of twists on the whole time travel thing, and some really halfway decent bits of futurology.

Plus it's got Rachel Nichols in a catsuit.