This week on SyFy Friday: there are a surprising number of people getting axed in a single week.
Before going further, I just have to say that it feels like both shows have shaken off their first-season jitters and have found their grooves in season 2. Dark Mater no longer has its annoying, soap opera-ish character paranoia, and the characters are now working together and trusting each other rather than working against each other. It's much more pleasant and optimistic this way. Meanwhile Killjoys is doing a fantastic job in developing its overarching story and universe. Moving to a more serialized style has helped it more than it has hurt it, I feel.
Dark Matter S02E05: As a seasons sci-fi veteran, I like the occasional episode where an actor gets to let their hair down (quite literally in this case) and play a different character. It lets us see a different part of their range, and given the frequent use of archetypes/stereotypes in sci-fi, it's the only way an an actor will get to use their full range.
So having the Android install her personality upgrade and spend the episode being a smart-ass ass-kicker was a fantastic way to shake things up. And it's only fair to The actress, since The Android's default personality is, well, a slightly more belligerent Data. That said, I hope this isn't permanent. I like The Android's default personality exactly because it's a slightly belligerent machine. We already have 7 other fully human characters, so having The Spock in there is good to offer some contrast.
"Would it kill you to [butt slap's Three] give a girl a compliment?"
Anyhow, this is an episode that creates as many questions as it answers. Who exactly is the Chief Inspector and where does he fit into the larger picture? They gave him a name and a pretty distinct mug, so I don't think his story is going to be as simple as a lawman bringing in criminals.
Meanwhile everything about Corso seemed odd. He's supposed to be a killer on the same level as the Raza crew, and instead he's paranoid and fails to kill anyone? Furthermore he gets killed in his first real appearance in this season? Either the writers have it out for Marc Bendavid (and I'd hope not), or there's going to be more to what happened here. I have a hard time believing that they're perma-killing the Corso character as well.
Corso was right about one thing though: Two is a lot different from Portia. Killing is supposed to be mad, but it's hard to fault her for wanting revenge over what Corso did to her crew. Especially since he killed her quasi frack-buddy.
Finally, I just have to say that I love how this episode aired on one of the hottest weeks of the year (so far) in North America. That the series' filming schedule means that they're filming at the opposite end of the year and trudging through the snow and cold in July is hilarious.
Killjoys S02E05: Can you believe that we're already half-way through the season? These 10 episode seasons are killing me; it's bad enough that we can't get 20+ episode seasons of sci-fi shows anymore, but going from 13 to 10 is in a way even crueler.
Anyhow, this week's sci-fi tropes were a "we're all going to freeze to death" environmental disaster A-plot, coupled with a damn good body swap B-plot. D'avin and Khylen's actors did a great job playing the opposite characters, which helps to totally sell what's going on. And in terms of plot, putting Khylen in a vulnerable body means that we finally get some better (though by no means complete) answers about what's going on in the wider world of Killjoys.
As for the A-plot, I'm a bit shocked Pawter's parents were killed off so quickly, especially since her mother is practically a matriarch. On the other hand, this is what happens when you have a 10 episode season, so every moment has to count. Overall I'm still struggling to understand just what the hells Lady Simms was trying to do; obviously this ties into this overall plot thread about war coming to the Quad, but the enigma that everyone except the Killjoys seems to know what's going on is sometimes annoying. As best as I can tell, she intended to create a WMD to ruin the planet rather than let it fall, but her weapon wasn't supposed to infect people. Either way they're really amping up this war, so I hope it's dealt with at the end of the season.
Meanwhile I don't trust the new blonde barkeep. Part of the reason she is there is obviously to give D'avin's character someone to ogle over besides Dutch. Still, it's too convenient, and I doubt it's simply due to production reasons as opposed to having something to do with the story. Also, speaking of ogling, the characters joke about Pawter being a pretty pretty princess. But damn if she doesn't live up to the pretty aspect of that when she's all dolled up as the new family matriarch.
Finally, I'm glad they're giving Fancy more to do this season, even if it's as Khylen's plasma-zombie. He's just a damn fun character, and I'm looking forward to the inevitable rematch between him and D'avin.
I didn't get the impression One is dead. With him saying 'Lets get this over with' before answering the door, I suspect he knew what was coming. Possibly he even hired the killer.
Dark Matter's showrunner, Joseph Mallozzi, has stated rather unambiguously that One is dead-dead. It could be a feint, but most sci-fi showrunners have the decency to dodge a question rather than to lie to your face. So if Joe say One is dead, then One is dead.
Anyone else prefer the 1st season Killjoys theme/opening music to the new theme/opening music?
This 2nd season theme music seems, IDK "cartoonish" to me?
Definitely not as "dark".
Yes. The second season theme just isn't as fun. Even though it was only 10 seconds, the first season theme did a pretty good job establishing the fun and edgy nature of the show.