Sanctuary 4x07 Icebreaker review

Just two words –

BLOODY HELL.

-- It’s funny how it seems that phrase has become the go-to light-expletive for the entire Sanctuary gang.

-- And a good old shout of “Bloody Hell” for the Magnus vs Magnus matchup at the end. I love episodes with a double dose of Helen Magnus. We had it back in the season 4 opener, Tempus, so bring on more of the double Magnus love. However, this is the first one that they've interacted with each other. In the first one, we just had a pass-by.

-- I must admit – I really missed Magnus at the beginning, but at least that was countered by a good dose of Declan. I was expecting to have a double of Helen at some point, but wasn’t expecting it to be right from the start. That was a wonderful plot twist. There was a moment, when we first heard the return of the Mogoi, where I was thinking that many of them might be fake, but I was expecting it was probably a couple of the red shirts (Murray, Terry & Alastair).

-- And the most classic line for this entire series so far:
Magnus: Bloody Hell. Am I always that stubborn?

It’s funny how nobody responded to that.


-- Yes, how great was it to have a full episode of Declan? I totally love that guy. He brings the air of more experience and wisdom than Will or Henry, but a bit less than Magnus. I was really hoping they wouldn’t harm the lovable one.

-- It’s a bit sad that I figured at least two of the three “red shirts” in this one. I was hoping they’d at least keep Terry. I liked Jodi Balfour’s appearance.

-- I was pleased at all of the references to previous episodes –
“Requiem” – with Henry talking about Magnus going evil with Will at the bottom of the ocean
“Kush” – with the return of the Mogoi.
“Hollow Men” & “Pax Romana” – with Henry talking about being dead, then re-animated in Hollow Earth, and how that still doesn’t make him a zombie. I also loved when he mentioned the “dirty diaper milkshakes”. That reference also made me miss Kate in this one. It would have been cool to also have double Kates in this one.

-- and what is it with Martin Wood directing episodes that include water? He does love to torture Amanda, doesn’t he?

-- I loved Henry’s reference to Nikola “Suck it, Tesla. Let there be light. Haha.” I love when Henry talks geek.

-- It was interesting that fake Helen told them all to “shoot on sight” if one of them was alone after they all decided to pair up, yet none of them actually did. They always asked questions first – like when fake-Will supposedly locked them in the room with the water (where Declan realized the door wasn’t actually locked). According to fake-Helen’s orders, they should have shot him when they first realized he was alone.

-- looking back at fake-Helen & fake-Will – it was cute to realize that their actions were Declan, Henry, and the others’ perceptions of the two. That means – kamikaze pilot Helen, wimpy passenger Will, and even her orders on how to rescue/save the frozen blocks of Mogoi – were all their imagination, perpetuated by the Mogoi.

-- it’s interesting to watch this the second time around and knowing that Magnus & Will are fake. “remember, it’s the little things that will give them away” and yet, even the second time around, I didn’t see any little things to give away fake Magnus or Will. I guess if there was anything to give them away, it would be their arrival where Magnus apparently flew the helicopter in conditions that no one would even think about doing – including the real Magnus. We all know the Will “whiny passenger” part would seem real enough though.

There may have been a small moment, where Helen sent Declan off, she turned to look through the window of the door, then turned back again with an interesting look.

-- The poor UK Sanctuary has lost many in the past couple seasons. I think it’s cursed.

-- “William Alastair Henry Foss” Oy. That’s a mouthful.

-- Finally, the preview for next week’s musical episode – not too excited about the sneak peak where it’s all Will/Abby, but loved the promo that included Helen singing. That brought a smile to my face. I’m excited to hear how the music gets involved, but not too excited for Will/Abby once again.

-- I must say that many times my mind flashed back to both the Stargate “Solitudes” episode as well as Stargate Continuum – mainly because of the snow/cold, and of course, Amanda being the common denominator in all of them. And I also find myself referencing the Reole from Stargate, as they basically have the same kind of preservation mechanism – letting the other person think they’re someone else.

-- There’s a reason why I totally love this show. It all starts with the people in charge : Martin, Amanda & Damian (aka the MAD braintrust) and it continues with the rest of the actors, writers, and more - even the VFX people as well. It’s fun to see many of them live-tweeting as the show is airing and giving us some