Lifetime Gets Spooky with ‘Blood Ties’
Another Paranormal Crime Drama Arrives on the Tube
I’ve been looking forward to the newest Lifetime series, Blood Ties, for quite a while, which is saying a lot considering that the last time I anticipated an original series from basic cable’s self-proclaimed women’s network, I found myself face-to-face with the dreadful crime drama Angela’s Eyes. Thankfully, that dud was canceled, sparing viewers a second season. I’ve higher hopes for the Toronto-based Blood Ties, a Canadian production adapted from the successful Blood Books serial novels by Canadian fantasy author Tanya Huff.
Tonight’s two-hour United States premiere (which, oddly, precedes the Fall debut of the series in its native country Canada) introduces the central characters of both the novels and the television series in two back-to-back episodes. Victory “Vicki” Nelson (Christina Cox) is an ex-cop who became a private investigator after her failing eyesight due to Retinitis Pigmentosa threatened to limit her to desk duty on the job, and Henry Fitzroy (Kyle Schmid) is the 450-year-old vampire and illegitimate son of Henry VIII who becomes her partner of sorts. The pair meet when Nelson performs surveillance for a client, and their ensuing personal and professional partnership, as well as Nelson’s increasing involvement with bizarre cases and supernatural phenomena, begin to threaten Nelson’s relationship with her former partner and occasional lover on the police force, Mike Celluci (Dylan Neal).
This sounds like a promising premise to add to the crop of supernatural crime shows in television history, such as Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt’s late great Angel, USA’s long-running The Dead Zone, Sci Fi’s recent Harry Dresden, and the projected Twilight on CBS, New Amsterdam on Fox, and Reaper on The CW. Since the series is brought to viewers by Lifetime, however, I just hope it’s high on the exhilarating paranormal and mystery elements, and low on the sappy romance stuff. [OnTV Sunday, 11 March 2007, Lifetime, 9:00pm EST]
Other Good Stuff on TV Tonight:
- The Dresden Files—WALLS: What a shocker! The undergrads are up to no good at a local college, promting wizard and detective Harry Dresden to investigate their thieving ways before their supernatural methods off them all. [Sci Fi/9:00]
- Food Network Challenge—WORLD PASTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS: What could be more fun than watching ten ace pastry teams compete to concoct the most scrumptious desserts over two days? Not a thing. [Food Network/10:00]
- An Inconvenient Truth: The Oscar-winning documentary from last year about the imminent perils of global warming spotlights former U.S. Vice President Al Gore’s efforts to spread the word. [Showtime/8:00]
- Koppel: Our Children’s Children’s War: Veteran ABC newsman Ted Koppel examines the impact that the United States’ current wartime activities may have on present and future generations of children. [Discovery/9:00]
All times are PM and EST/Eastern Standard Time
Blood Ties photo courtesy of Lifetime
Blood Ties is by far the best show of the 2007 seasons and was not nominated for an Indie without just cause. This show combines the procedural nature of police and P.I. shows with supernatural, comedy , drama, with a little romance – the perfect combo for entertainment and the escape from too much reality in our life. Even with very little promotion this show has found a tremendously loyal fanbase which seems to be ignored by those that can send a go for it’s next season. The chemistry and acting skills of not only it’s lead characters but all their support and guests have been phenominally cohesive and perfectly cast. The writing and production has been at times breathtaking. We the fans see great potential for several seasons but only if they can keep the current cast and crew together.
I liked the series, too — it was a great way to pass the time.
If I’m not mistaken, I believe backers were looking for alternative funding sources to keep Blood Ties going.
I haven’t heard anything about that in a few months, but I hope the efforts are still underway. The series is worth it.