Continuum Review: “Matter of Time”

This week’s episode features a strong beginning and a science-based plot, but the broader developments and themes are more important than the specific crime, which has an obvious solution, if no easy resolution.

Title: “Wasting Time”

Cast and Crew

Director: Mike Rohl
Writer: Sam Egan and Simon Berry

Rachel Nichols as Kiera Cameron
Victor Webster as Carlos Fonnegra
Erik Kundson as Alec Sadler
Stephen Lobo as Kellog
Jesse Moss as Shane Mathers
Brian Markinson as Dillon
Stephen Huszar as Drew Laroche
Tony Amendola as Edouard Kagame
Mayko Nguyen as Melissa Dobek
Lexa Doig as Sonya
Roger Cross as Travis
Carol Alexander as Anchor
Terry Chen as Curthis Chen
Janet Kidder as Ann
Omari Newton as Lucas
Sean Michael Kyer as Sam

Full cast and crew information may be found here.

Premise

The murder of a prominent scientist brings Kiera and Carlos another case—and a difficult moral decision to Kiera. Meanwhile, a missing terrorist from the future finally appears, a future grandmother receives assistance, and a long-awaited meeting occurs.

High Point

The show handles its SF fairly well. The plot has a technological element, Alec cannot just throw together a magic fix for the damaged suit, and we get a great view of future Vancouver (which looks quite different from Caprica City, the last place Vancouver played on SF television).

The show also brings us further hints regarding the ugly side of the future society, and the motivations of the terrorist cell.

Low Points

I don’t have a specific low point, but I found the episode overall a bit unfocused and less interesting than previous outings. The implications for future episodes were far more interesting than anything in the main plot.

The Scores:

Originality: 3/6 Essentially, we have SF tropes wedded to the contemporary cop drama, but they’re playing well together.

This week gives us investments by someone who knows the future—hardly original, but not really avoidable.

It’s what I’d do.

Effects: 5/6

Story: 4/6 Story arcs and multiple storylines can give a story depth and complexity, or they can result in fragmentation and awkward pacing. We’re getting a little of both in Continuum.

Acting: 5/6

Emotional Response: 4/6

Production: 6/6.

Overall: 4/6 Overall, a less interesting outing than last week’s, with fairly obvious suspects.

In total, “Matter of Time” receives 31/42

Lingering Question

1. Who plays Melissa? (I think I recognize the actress, but I could be wrong). And why was she left out of the credits?