Helen Magnus/Ranna Seneschal 4eva!

[fembuck]

So, I don't watch Sanctuary regularly but back in September I posted about Amanda Tapping saying that in the second half of season three there was going to be an amazing female guest star on the show for several episodes who goes toe to toe with Magnus, and that in reading the scenes Tapping thought that there was some romantic or at least sexual tension between the characters that she thought would be wonderful to explore.

I've just seen the second-half of the two-parter and it was glorious.  I totally understand what Tapping was talking about now that I've seen Pax Romana.

Download link: Episode 3x11 - Pax Romana

It was so wonderful getting to see two intelligent, forceful, confident, mature women interacting with each other as equals, and it was even better seeing the genuine respect for each other that grew between them through their interactions throughout the episode.  As they grew to trust each other, and especially by the end of the episode, I could definitely see the romantic potential/sexual chemistry between Helen and Ranna that Tappings was talking about.

Also, it was lovely for me as a Polly Walker fan to see her get to be commanding and forceful, but also display a softer, gentler side.  I loved to watch Clarice Willow on Caprica, but it was really hard to actually love Clarice because ... well, bitch was crazy.  So actually being able to respect Ranna and guiltlessly cheer for her was great! Also, (possibly because I wasn't scared of her character in this) I thought that PW looked fantastically, magically gorgeous in this episode.  I just wanted to run my fingers through her hair forever, and I could probably stare at nothing but her face for the rest of my life and be perfectly entertained.

In conclusion, Hollywood needs to let mature actresses be on screen together in meaningful ways more often, and while I still don't love Sanctuary as a whole, I'll be watching all of the Ranna Seneschal episodes, that's for sure!

Comments

[trancer21.livejournal.com]

Heh, I haven't watched the ep yet but I do have to say I've been enjoying season 3, somewhat. I think they've recovered a bit from the Ashley thing, ie, they're no longer square peg/round holing Kate's character. I still don't get the PTB's fascination with the Will character but they have seemed to have figured out that Helen works best when she's playing with GROWN UPS. These days, the show reminds me of old school Stargate, cotton candy for the brain but with room to be soo much better if they tried to be.

But.. *sigh* I still miss Ashley.

[karatam.livejournal.com]

So, I have never seen this show before, and yet am still downloading the episode. That is how desperate I am for actual female interaction on television lol.

[ralst.livejournal.com]

I watched a few episodes of the first season but the misplaced fascination TPTB had with wonder-boy Will quickly eroded my interest. Then you go and mention sexual tension and Polly Walker and I'm all 'Will who?' and downloading.

The show is lint and Will is still excruciatingly annoying but the spark between Helen and Ranna renders that of little consequence. From the fifteen minute mark onwards the heat and chemistry flourished and left me eager to watch another - Ranna filled - episode.

Women, over thirty, working and talking and not competing over men? Surely, that sort of thing is illegal in TV circles?

As for the father's accent, during the last scene I did wonder why Helen, with her fake Old English accent, had a father with an American one.

[lisel (from livejournal.com)]

Thanks for this post and the link. I gave up on Sanctuary because of the Ashley fiasco but you've got me intrigued.

wait, what?? how??

[plaguetalon.livejournal.com]

the episode is supposed to air in like 2 weeks, or am i mixing it up with something?