Mid-season merry-go-round: Syfy offers another draining ground for Canadian import Lost Girl
12/31/11 11:53 AM
Premiering: Monday, Jan. 16th at 9 p.m. (central) on Syfy
Starring: Anna Silk, Kris Holden-Reid, Ksenia Solo, Zoie Palmer, Rick Howland, K.C. Collins
Produced by: M.A. Lovetta
By ED BARK
Here's a drama about a nice enough woman who can't seem to curb her habit of sucking people dry. But no, she's not a predatory golddigger -- or a TV news director.
Instead the Canadian import Lost Girl is pretty much Syfy's answer to True Blood, even without vampires in its mix. Leading lady Bo (Anna Silk) happens to be a Fae, which publicity materials describe as "creatures of legend who pass as humans while secretly feeding off them." She's also of the Succubus persuasion, sustaining herself via mouth-to-mouth sexual encounters.
The Jan. 16th premiere finds Bo lately making ends meet as a bartender. But wouldn't you know, a lippy teen pickpocket named Kenzi (Ksenia Solo) is on the prowl, lifting wallets before attracting the interest of a traveling salesman who drugs her drink. Bo spots his move and trails the both of them before giving the scoundrel a little anti-resusitation.
At least he dies with a smile on his face before Bo and Kenzi become reasonably fast friends. The kid needs a place to stay and some companionship. And Bo's dumpy pad would be more than good enough.
"Every supergirl needs a partner. Let me be your Robin," Kenzi implores after Bo admits that "I sort of drain people" to stay alive.
They're both fated to encounter a group of Dark and Light Fae clans who insist that Bo join one of their sides. Some sort of evil queen named Ebony Florette Marquis (Emmanuelle Vogier) is particularly insistent. Because hey, "if word gets out we've had a free Fae under our noses, we'll be the laughing stocks of the counties."
First, though, Bo must be "tested" at an abandoned glass factory that doubles as an arena full of cheering Faes. This gives the writers an excuse to weave a little Spartacus action into the story, with Bo facing off against a bare-chested behemoth with a really long tongue.
She's prepared for battle by a Fae homicide detective named Dyson (Kris Holden-Reid), who slips her some of his powers via a big bold smooch. "Did you feel that?" a dazzled Bo says. "It was like the Fourth of July in my mouth."
Lines like that help to make Lost Girl see-worthy without taking it to the level of must-see. And snippy little Kenzi likewise livens things up with her sassy one-liners.
Bo eventually chooses neither side of the Fae equation, with her declaration of independence not sitting too well. Weekly adventures ensue, with our closely watched heroine getting help from Dyson when needed while also seeking to curb her appetites. Aiding her on the sly is a human doctor named Lauren (Zoie Palmer), who's in servitude to the Faes and would like to have more carnal knowledge of Bo.
"My God, you're beautiful. I mean that professionally," Lauren tells Bo while examining her on Fae orders. Hubba hubba, but so far no rubba dubba.
Lost Girl already has two seasons and 35 episodes in the bank as a Canadian hit. And it should do just fine on Syfy -- Fae fum.
GRADE: C+