Episode 159 Stargate SG-1 S01E01 Children of the Gods

One of only three genre shows to produce ten or more seasons, Stargate SG-1 debuted in 1997 on Showtime where it aired for five season before moving to SyFy. Starring Richard Dean Anderson, Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks, and Christopher Judge, the show explored the notion that intelligent life in the universe stretches much farther than just Earth and Abydos. We also discuss the season 6 finale of Game of Thrones, the Saturn Award winners, and the YA novel The Age of Miracles.
Episode Grade: A

Episode 158 Alias S01E01 Truth Be Told

Juggling graduate school with international espionage, Sydney Bristow has her world turned upside down when she learns that she doesn't actually work for the CIA, but instead its enemy, a covert organization SD-6. Jennifer Garner stars as a talented field agent who's gone undercover as a double agent to bring down this rogue organization. Bradley Cooper plays Sydney's best friend Will, Michael Vartan her CIA handler, and Legends of Tomorrow's Victor Garber (Professor Stein) appears as her father. Alias aired five seasons from 2001-2005 and was created by J.J. Abrams.
 
Episode Grade: Dave A+  Wayne A
 
 

Episode 157 Life on Mars UK S01E01

The series opens as Detective Sam Tyler works a serial killer case, but when his estranged detective girlfriend follows a hunch of her own, he's drawn into a surreal world and experience. Hit by a car, we follow Sam as he finds himself in 1973 still working as a detective as he struggles for answers about his current state. Did he time travel? Is he dreaming? We don't know in a show that lasted two seasons of eight episodes each.
Episode Grade: Dave B  Wayne A
 

Episode 156 The 4400 S01E01 Pilot

Apparently the disappearances began in 1946, but suddenly on the heels of an incoming comet, 4400 individuals who had mysteriously vanished during the past 60 years, appear with no memory of where they'd been, who took them, and what they'd been doing. Oh yeah, they also haven't aged. The pilot episode follows four of this group as they make the difficult transition back into a world that for some now holds little meaning. Airing on the USA Network between 2004-2007, the series ran for 44 episodes spread over four seasons. 
 
Episode Grade: Dave C  Wayne D+
 

Episode 155 Hemlock Grove S01E01 Jellyfish in the Sky

The 2013 Netflix release Hemlock Grove sets the scene for the mystery and intrigue surrounding a Pennsylvania steel town that appears to be populated by werewolves and vampires. At the center is the gruesome murder of high school cheerleader Brooke Bluebell as we're introduced to a series of potential killers. The series concluded after 33 episodes spread over three seasons. The guys also discuss issues they have with The Flash and Arrow as well as analyzing pilots.
 
Episode Grade: Dave B-  Wayne A-
 
 

Episode 154 Charlie Jade S01E01 The Big Bang

We take a look at the Candadian/South African collaboration that explores parallel universes and the impact each has on the other. Centered around private investigator Charlie Jade, the a secret experiment to ship water from gammaverse to alphaverse meets with opposition, and an explosion sends characters to verses unknown. Originally, airing on Space in 2005, the series later appeared in 2008 on SyFy US. Watch Charlie Jade here.
Episode Grade: Dave B+  Wayne C+ 
 
 

Episode 153 Dark Angel S02E21 Freak Nation

As the series comes to a close, Max reluctantly accepts the responsibility of transgenic savior, and though their situation remains bleak, some hearts and minds have softened. Original Cindy delivers the most impassioned speech of the series, and the raising of Joshua's flag at the end provides hope that there may be light at the end of the road. What does it mean to be human? Hard to believe that Normal says it best; "they're just like you and me."
 
Episode Grade: A+
 

Episode 152 Dark Angel S02E20 Love Among The Runes

Hysteria regarding transgenics has reached a fever pitch, and when Alec's pal Biggs is captured by vigilantes, strung up and killed, Max and the others have some decisions to make. Sketch finds himself in the middle of a moral crossroads, and despite his best efforts, Alec can't convince Logan that Max still cares for him. Trying to stay one step ahead of the government, the ordinaries and Ames White, the freaks and the Xs have banded together at Terminal City.
Episode Grade: A
 

Episode 151 Dark Angel S02E19 She Ain't Heavy

Max encounters her clone who was on a deep cover mission when Manticore fell. When Ames White's men locate 453 and he realizes she's a clone, he pits her love for her husband and step-son against any loyalty she might have for Max. Also down for the count is Eyes Only, and Joshua's attempt at living on his own comes to a screeching halt as well after they all recognize the value of family.
Episode Grade: Dave A-  Wayne B+

Episode 150 Dark Angel S02E18 Dawg Day Afternoon

Prejudice, paranoia, and fear appear at the core of this episode as Joshua is forced to go underground not only to protect himself, but also to repair the damage he's done to his relationship with Annie. Though he tries to help, Logan remains on the outside looking in as Max, Alec, and Joshua protect and comfort each other in one of the series' most heartbreaking episodes. Dave and Wayne also discuss the new Doctor Who companion Pearl Mackie, J.C. MacKenzie's role on the HBO series Vinyl, and the season 6 premier of Game of Thrones.
Episode Grade: Dave A   Wayne B