Series premiere will make you laugh, cry, and applaud
By Cazzy Lewchuk, Staff Writer
5/5
I wasn’t sure what to make of Golden Skies before tuning into the pilot. Sci-fi and crime shows are everywhere on the networks, but would combining the two really be entertaining? I was pleasantly surprised by this new Canadian show that, while exploring themes commonly found on TV today, portrays them in a slightly different way. It’s a cross between NCIS and Sanctuary, with some Homeland thrown in for good measure.
Starring Joshua Jackson and Gilbert Gottfried, Golden Skies takes place in the year 2020. After Earth is suddenly shut down into shadows—literally and figuratively—strange creatures begin to terrorize the population in the permanent night. Two government agents have set up office in New York to combat the issues: Jackson plays Bill Rigby, your average CIA investigator who has been given more than he can handle and Gottfried plays Lance Hughes, a former marine turned private investigator who takes a more vigilante approach to the evil creatures. It’s a barrel full of laughs as the two struggle to work together in the office and on the streets while shooting at demonic shark-things!
It’s sort of like an American Torchwood, except with a lot less sex (although the tension between Agents Rigby and Hughes is certainly not subtle!). The scene where Bill walks in on Lance taking a shower may prove uncomfortable for the viewer—Gottfried’s nipples had a close-up—but underneath is a remarkable emotional bond between the two leads. It’s only been one episode, but Golden Skies clearly shows we can look forward to a season of crime, aliens, nudity, politics, and drama, all in one show.
Golden Skies could very well take over for #1 sci-fi show by the end of the year. Agents of SHIELD had better watch its back, as Agent Hughes is a much more entertaining character than Agent Coulson.
Fans of science fiction, crime, drama, and male eye candy should definitely give Golden Skies a watch. It’s sure to spawn at least six seasons and a movie, and probably a spin-off. Golden Skies will likely become my new favourite show now that Breaking Bad and Dexter have ended.
