Review: Continuum: A stitch in time

Continuum is a new show exclusive to the SF channel on Foxtel in Australia airing a year after its debut in 2012 however it does surprise as quite a good new show for the channel. Continuum stars Rachel Nichols as Keira Cameron who is a futuristic police officer from the year 2077 who through most unfortunate events has been pushed back into time in the year 2012. Foxtel’s timing could have been a little better as we are watching a year old show with constant reference to 2012. Hopefully they eventually catch up though.

Continuum is quite a good program apart from its slow air time in Australia. The acting is good especially by the lead actress (Rachel Nichols) and Eric Knudsen does well for his part as the young Alex Sadler for this first episode. What the show does well is slowly introduce characters one at a time and not all at once. Everyone seems to have about a ten minute section devoted to letting the audience know the character, the position and a bit about them. It’s quite a good technique for the first episode as it gets this all out of the way in preparation for future episodes. Other characters such as Inspector Dillon who some would notice as actor Brian Markinson who was Jordan Durham on Caprica was well cast for his role. While police officer and potential partner/love interest Carlos Fennegra played by Victor Webster is well introduced with a lot of time to establish his motives and positioning for the series.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voFiqSt02Wg[/youtube]

Other than the acting and character placements Continuum is a beautifully stylistic show. The special effects are very good and especially in the opening scenes in the 2077 setting some of the vistas and backgrounds and sets look particularly high budget. While the clothing styles, presentation of weaponry are all superb for the first episode. The director (Jon Cassar) and those in charge of special effects have a lot to be proud of as it looks to be one of the best presented first episodes on TV at the moment.

Not much can be written about the episode to criticise it as in my view as first episodes go this one was very good. Hopefully the season keeps going along this path in the future and this show could shape up to be quite the catch for a viewer to watch each week.