A New TV Reality? Sanctuary Webisodes Online

Have you ever wished you could tell the producers of your favorite TV show what to do? Did you want to have a hand in story and character development? Would you like to be part of a new kind of “TV” series? Welcome to Sanctuary.

It’s a new science fiction series and it is unique. It’s broadcast completely online. The “webisodes” are approximately fifteen minutes long and commercial free (at least the first one). Even more exciting, though, are the forums for the fans that allow them to comment and provide input on each webisode, on the characters, on the story development. Amanda Tapping, executive producer of Sanctuary said, “I feel like we’re riding the crest of an amazing wave.” She may be right; this could very well be the future of “TV.” If so, it’s pretty cool.

The webisodes are available at the show's website, Sanctuary for All. (NOTE: You’ll need to have the most current Windows Media Player or Quick Time player installed on your computer; I did not and had codec problems). Do this upgrade first if you plan on saving and watching the episodes on your computer. You can launch the webisode right from the browser but the show is interrupted periodically (like every thirty seconds, it seemed) to continue loading content. Once you download it, the show is yours and you can watch anywhere, anytime. You can make your own DVDs, load them into iTunes, etc. You get to decide.

Here’s the story on the first webisode. Everything starts in old London in the late 1800s. There is a flash of light and a man appears in an alley and assaults one of the ladies of the night. Dr. Helen Magnus, his “former fiancée,” appears and tries to stop John from killing another woman, briefly mentioning something about his powers and how she can help him stop these things. He kills her and escapes. The mystery and menace of the series is established right away.

Jump forward to the "present day". It seems more like a Blade Runner-ish near future, a city in perpetual rainfall, dark and haunted. Police arrive at an apartment complex and discover a gruesome murder scene. An officer tries to extricate a boy hiding under a bed and we learn that the boy is not just a boy – he’s some kind of monster. He attacks and escapes.

Next, we are at a hospital where Larry, a psychotic killer himself, is being pegged for the murders at the apartment complex. Dr. Will Zimmerman appears; he is familiar with Larry and listens to his side of the story. He becomes convinced that Larry’s not the killer. Larry tells Zimmerman about this boy in the apartment. “He’s special,” says Larry. “He’s got juice.” Additionally, he warns that the police don’t really want to find this boy.

Apparently the boy monster feels the same. In the next scene he is fleeing through the subway. On his heels is a leather-clad blonde, who will obviously figure prominently in the series later on. As she pursues the boy, there is another flash of light and “Jack the Ripper” appears.

Article Author: Gray Hunter

Gray Hunter enjoys an eremitical life in the desert. Beer and words are two pleasures in his life. He holds down two jobs while he works at his novels and stories.

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