You’ve gotten a look at the cast of Primeval: New World. You’ve had the chance to hear their excitement and passion for the series in their own words. But you’re still a bit iffy whether to take the leap on a new series with an (admittedly) unsure future. Prior to the airing of New World in Canada last fall, SPACE was gracious enough to send GateWorld the first few episodes for review. While the prior pages may seem like a bit of a love-fest, of course no series is perfect.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the series’ elements, and our thoughts on what worked and what didn’t work for the show in its freshman year.
CONCEPT AND TONE
As a spin-off series, New World walks a tightrope that not every series can pull off — namely to feel original while still retaining the feel and tone of the series that came before it. New World largely succeeds in those regards. The pilot episode, “A New World” quickly establishes the show’s structure and pacing, and it immediately is reminiscent of both the original UK version and some of our own genre series on this side of the Atlantic, like Stargate and Sanctuary.
However, what may be off-putting to some viewers is the fact that the series may not be quite as family-friendly as they would prefer. Before the series began filming, the writers and producers were clear that New World would have leanings toward elements in the genre that more adult-oriented. Dinosaurs are destructive and deadly creatures, and where the original Primeval opted to generally not show much in the way of the carnage and casualties left in their wake, New World does. You will see victims of dinosaur attacks, and there is an amount of gore involved. It is not gratuitous (no more so than an episode of CSI or Bones), but it may not be something you want the little ones to see. Also, there is sporadic adult language throughout the season to contend with. While it is possible that may be edited for Syfy’s broadcasts of the episodes, it is also possible it may remain intact (as evidenced by the time slot that Syfy gave it).
Bottom line: Watch it first for yourself before deciding whether the kids will be alright with it.
CASTING AND CHARACTERS
In this area, New World truly shines. Niall Matter wasn’t done with his Eureka role terribly long before signing on for this series and it is evident from the start that not only can he carry a series on his own, but he can also do it well. His acting (along with those of the main cast) are top-notch given what they are working with from story and script standpoints, and his “Evan Cross” comes across as a real person with both heroic and darker sides of their nature.
In the course of the season’s thirteen episodes, all six main characters get a chance to have their time in the spotlight — the focus is never just on a select few. They all have their place and purpose, and for the most part they are all used well. That said, someone had to get the shortest end of the story stick, and in those regards, the character with the least total momentum has to be Sara Canning’s “Dylan Weir”. While she contributes to the story and plot in almost every episode, it remains unclear whether or not the writers truly knew where to take Weir’s personal story arc. When she isn’t in the field helping to identify what type of creature or predator the team is dealing with, she’s largely underwritten. Not badly written, per se, but of the core four members of the team she is the one you’ll learn the least about. In the event the series gets a new lease on life, here’s hoping they give Canning more to do.
Also of note: The second half of the season is where the guest appearances by members of the Stargate acting family really kick in, and in roles you know they are comfortable in. Lexa Doig (“Carolyn Lam”) adds yet another role as a doctor to her CV. Louis Ferreira (“Everett Young”) plays a Colonel in the military. Dan Payne? Yep, he’s a soldier (at least without makeup prosthetics or a full body suit this time).
For something different, look for Patrick Gilmore (“Dale Volker”) in the first half of the season engaging in some nefarious criminal smuggling activities and Niall Matter’s former co-star Colin Ferguson operating at a genius level alongside Evan Cross — something Ferguson was never able to do on Eureka. And for fans of the original Primeval, there is no better feeling of familiarity than when original character “Connor Temple” (Andrew Lee-Potts) first arrives. By the time the season ends, fans of the character will also have a chance to catch an Easter egg in the script about something that occurred in his life during the time period between the two shows.
VISUAL EFFECTS
Mark Savela and the teams of Atmosphere and Omni Post do an exquisite job in bringing the dinosaurs and creatures of Primeval: New World to life. With one glaring exception in the pilot episode, at no point in time in the entire series do the CGI elements ever feel like they aren’t a part of this world or are just shoehorned in.
Without a doubt, the effects of New World are one of its biggest selling points and will generally be leaps and bounds above the CGI elements in the Syfy “Saturday Night B-Movie of the Week” that are bound to be shown before it.
FINAL VERDICT
In lieu of no Stargate or Sanctuary (or the growing list of other beloved Syfy series that have gone the way of the dinosaurs themselves recently), Primeval: New World is often a great substitute for the thrills you’ve been missing. It’s not a perfect series, but what is? And like any show in its first season, there’s an episode or two that will land with a thud — but that can also be said about almost any series working to define itself and going through its growing pains.
By the end of the season, it will already be firing on all cylinders. Plus, the final moments of the season finale will have you yelling “NO!” at your televisions. Give yourself a chance and immerse yourself in this New World. Not only is it well worth the ride, but it may also become one of your favorite genre television pleasures over the summer.
Primeval: New World premieres Saturday June 8 at 10PM EST/9PM CST on Syfy!
Follow the show over on GateWorld’s sister site, SciFi Stream!
Isn’t it already dead? Is there really a chance to continue? It was almost as good as the british one, and that cliffhanger was awesome.
Hmm sounds interesting but this sounds like the same basis for Tera Nova. I liked that show, maybe this one will do better than 1 season. How is it Syfy isnt’ getting it that bringing back Stargate Universe is the best option for them on so many levels?
Oh yeah! I used to watch a show much like this. with a portal that transported a small crew. On that team were two white guys, one black guy, and a woman. I think the show started with an S… like.. Star… no.. SLIDERS!
Has this been posted by mistake, thought this was confirmed as cancelled?
@Nekomajin and @Soupladel: Based on the information we have on hand, it isn’t quite dead yet…just life support in critical condition. The first season was a co-production of SPACE and Bell Media. Based on its Canadian ratings, SPACE (themselves a small cable network) dropped it. Any continuation of the show would be based on Bell Media finding a new partner to co-produce and co-finance it. So…as stated above…Syfy is the series’ best and likely final shot…which is why ratings are so important. If it makes enough waves…MAYBE they would look into helping it continue. If the ratings are sub-par, then… Read more »
I hope it gets at least another (half)season, because that cliffhanger was one of the annoying kind. It started a little low after the unique feeling of the british series, but it developed well, and I think, now it could stand on its on feet. (Well, I don’t mind a few cameos or crossovers here and there. :D )
I don’t understand. Which UK channel was the series shown on, and when? Sometimes I miss things but I was looking forward to seeing New World as a spin off from Primeval. Were there ANY announcements on this side of the pond?!
Umm… wasn’t this show already cancelled in Canada. When SyFy airs it, is there only going to by the one 13 episode first season, or are they taking over the reigns. I already watched New World from when it aired in Canada. I gotta say, the series did have some good moments, but the original series in the UK was far superior. Of course, they had five years to flesh out their characters and story.
It was on UKTV on Sky or cable
The first episode showed a lot of promise. The CGI was well done. I hope this one can last as we need more good sci-fi (non-vampire) shows.
With Continuum & Falling Skies back, things are looking good for genre viewers.
The series has been cancelled long ago. Even though it’s worth watching, it’s been cancelled, so no ending. If no ending, I’ve got better fish to fry.
I saw the first episode… and it’s terrible. I don’t see this lasting for very long.
Per the show’s publicist who I chatted with yesterday to get clarification, the series can and will continue if another network opts to pick it up for another year, be it Syfy or someone else. The ratings for the premiere on Syfy were respectable…so time will tell if it picks up enough ground for that to be a viable option. If you like what you see, support it by watching live.
I haven’t seen this yet…Is it good? I miss some shows now cause I pretty much turned Syfy off after Eureka got the ticket. But I love most of this cast.
I to thought this was dead… I was a big fan and was very disappointed when the cancelling morons axed this good one too…. so confusing… maybe they need to make the show terrible so they will renew it? after all,, everything bad stays and everything good is cancelled..
i wathced the first series of this and it was good altough no good as sg1 (what could be:) but i dont know really how they going to keep it alive? always new monster goming to our world or what?
This is why I hate cliffhangers! It’s stupid to wait for continuation which will never come. I’m tired of watching new series coz it may get cancelled half way with a cliffhanger, AGAIN!
There should be entertainment law to forbid tv series makers from making cliffhangers unless they’re 100% sure the series will continue.
@RDA
The UK series had some major stories unfolding around time travel and altering the timeline. There were returning monsters from the past and the future, but there were some unique creatures. (The episode with the dodos was EPIC. :D ) But the story concentrates around the well known time travel problems. The monsters were just decoration.
I am trying to like this series. So far, however, it is not nearly as good as the original UK version. Hopefully it will come together as it progresses.
Its OK the UK one was great hope it will follow.
Getting better. Still hard to like Matter’ s character and pacing needs worked on.