For those of you disappointed by the cancellation of the Dresden Files TV series, based on Jim Butcher's novels, you should check out Blood Ties, another supernatural mystery series, and Canadian to boot.
Blood Ties is inspired by Canadian Fantasy author Blood Books, featuring private investigator Vicki Nelson and 450 year old vampire Henry Fitzroy, a bastard son of Henry VIII.
While both the books and the television series use Toronto as a setting, the show is filmed in Vancouver. Familiar Hogtown sights abound though, and the writers have cleverly name-dropped some great Toronto staples such as comic store The Beguiling, and music venue The Bovine Sex Club.
The first two hour episode directly adapts the first book of the series, Blood Price. While it seems the plot of the pilot mirrors the novel, one noticable change has been made: Henry Fitzroy is now a graphic novel artist rather than the author of romantic "bodice-rippers." Six episodes have aired thusfar in Canada. The first twelve episodes have already aired in the US, with more to come.
I found that while the production value of the show doesn't compare to Sci-Fi network originals such as Dresden Files or Battlestar Galactica, the chemistry of the two leads, and should make up for that. Some of the supporting cast is still a little weak, but there is enough good humour and well done scares to warrant giving the show time to grow on you. One can only hope that with a full twenty-two episodes to work with, Blood Ties will find its footing quick enough to become a genre television mainstay.
| Categories: SciFi & Fantasy, movies |
