Dominion: Season 1

UPDATED REVIEW 8-2-2014Most of the first four episodes of Dominion were really hard to review. There were more reasons to give it one star than five for sure! However, the reasons to give it five stars (visuals, accidental spots of good acting, the story mixes angels and humans in a different way--- God has forsaken them (both), visuals again), are just too good to ignore. I could speak with someone who gives it all fives and someone who gives it mostly one stars and agree with both.The characters and story line take interesting turns as the series progresses. If you have not seen Episode five, Something Borrow, Episode six, Black Eyes Blue, and Episode seven 7 Ouroboros, reviewing the show is unfair in my opinion. I stopped watching after Episode four, waited a few weeks and watched five,six, and seven. The drama picks up, the story line gets much more interesting, and the acting follows the story in improvement. The show moves from okay/good to great/excellent. After seven episodes, you will want more. After seven episodes, I think many people will have forgiven the show for past and current transgressions and forgotten (or do not care) about some of the oddities that I list below.TWO NOTES: If you are well read -and critical- about angel folklore/fantasy and/or are very sensitive to bad acting, the first four episodes may be challenging for you. Not to worry, it gets better! I really like the show BUT YMMV big time with regards to acting (in episodes 1- 4) and choices regarding how to portray the angels. The acting is so hot and cold at first. Christopher Egan could be a victim of bad directing (Episodes 1-4), but his acting as 'the one' is best described as annoying --- and I like him on the show, just not as the one. He gets better; in some ways he grows into the role. Contrast that with the delightfully maniacal and manipulative relationship between Arika (by Shivani Ghai) and David Whele (by Anthony Head). While not Oscar worthy, definitely some of the better acting moments of the show. Shivani Ghai delights throughout the show. Claire Riesen (by Roxanne McKee) all but switches characters over the first 7 episodes. She wears the new Claire (starting with episode 6) like an old pair of jeans. Kudos to the show for the change.Now for all the very Angel literate crowd. Ariel is portrayed as the older not younger sister. Gabriel and Michael have a less than antagonistic relationship. So far, all the archangels are against mankind - maybe because God left us, but still there is only Michael who really loves the humans and that may be driven from the guilt from all the destruction, pain, and murder that he has inflicted on humans over the centuries.Finally, its hard not to LOVE Dominion if the show is your kind of thing and admittedly, it my kind of show. Could they have done better early on, YES. However, I like the idea sooo much, that I will take the show as is and just enjoy. Have they just butchered some of the Angel folklore, ideas, popular history and notions? Of course. Is the show a bit annoying in their portrayal of the angels, lower angels, and humans? Yes, yes, and yes again. BUT for me, I do not have to forgive the overly human like arch angels, or the overly beast like lower angels; or even the overly flawed (and narrowly portrayed) humans to enjoy the good things in the show. You might forgive those issues as the drama, acting, and storyline get more and more pleasing. Stay with the show and your entertainment taste buds will be rewarded. I like were the show started, hated some of the road they traveled, but really enjoy what they have done overall. I give the show an A for effort and a A for execution for episodes 1, 5, 6, and 7. I will go with no grade on 2, 3, and 4. They were just not up to par for me. But hey, someone could probably say the same for my review :)!

So much better than the movie. I like the combination of Fantasy/Supernatural + Sci-Fi themes to it ... plus the militaristic aspect to it. If you were not keenly aware of the British Actor's accent in other films, his American affectation would actually not be very noticeable and did not distract me from the show.And who in the world begrudges SyFy Channel's (I hate that name, btw ... how I long for the "Sci-Fi" designation days) warnings about the mature content? It would occur about where a commercial would, anyway. This is not a movie ... it's a TV format. Sheesh! The random comments some people make. And the lead character is kinda cool to watch. His look reminds me of Gary Busey, and actually makes watching his performances fun.I WANTED to like the movie, but it fell short of it's promise. This show, however, promised so much more ... I'm looking forward to upcoming episodes.

The story line for Dominion is an interesting extension of the Legion movie. It’s been 25 years since God disappeared without a word to any of his children, human or angel. Only a few mystical clues were left behind, the most prolific being a schematic of symbols “tattooed” to the skin of the “Chosen One” who is either the key to the world’s salvation or its damnation. The world essentially falls into chaos as the angels split alliances seeking to either destroy or protect mankind in hopes of catalyzing God’s return, with Archangel twins Michael, leading the charge to save, and Gabriel, leading the charge to destroy. The humans, desperate for survival, have also formed a post-apocalyptic caste system of extreme poverty and wealth in hopes of creating a sense of order as they fight against the angels, while trying to contain the fighting amongst themselves. Season 1 has many levels of intrigue, leaving you wondering who is a friend and who is foe. Relationships are tested and tried at every corner. This is definitely one of the best SyFy network series produced, from the cast to the sets and special effects. The story line is solid and so are the acting elements. They really found a nice balance between with the “human” condition and supernatural. The producer has taken something ancient and interpreted it into modern age. Filled full of intrigue and twists, it definitely keeps you wanting more. Dominion Season 1 has many levels of intrigue, leaving you wondering who is a friend and who is foe. Relationships are tested and tried at every corner. Watch it. It’s definitely worth purchasing to add to your collection if your into action and the supernatural.