Continuum Review: “Minute Man”

“I think whoever killed me is after the time-travel device.”

We return to the alternate timeline where Vancouver is the Canadian city with an embarrassing mayor, and a woman from the future must solve her own murder. We also learn more about Kiera’s past and the path that led her to become a Protector.

Title: “Minute Man”

Directed by Patrick Williams
Written by Simon Barry

Rachel Nichols as Kiera Cameron
Erik Kundson as Alec Sadler
Magda Apanowicz as Emily
Tatmoh Penikett as Jim Martin
Roger Cross as Travis Verta
Luvia Petersen as Jasmine Garza
Lexa Doig as Sonya Valentine
Victor Webster as Carlos Fonnegra
Stephen Lobo as Matthew Kellog
Brian Markinson as Inspector Dillon
Ian Tracey as Jason
Jennifer Spence as Betty Robertson
Benjamin Ratner as Gord Solomon
John Cassini as Marco*

Full cast and crew information may be found at the imdb

Premise

Alt-Alex and Kiera try to solve Kiera’s murder. Kellogg, meanwhile, deducing the existence of the second Alex and the guilt of Escher’s killer.

The mayor seeks police protection, and Liber8 tries a “whole new battle strategy.”

High Points

The story features some sharp plotting, and a grasp on the issues raised by time travel. The temporally-challenged dialogue was often mind-warpingly amusing.

Question: Will Kiera pass on the apartment to her own ancestors?

Low Point

I get that Betty Robertson keeps Liber8 informed, but why is the threatened mayor traveling alone? Dillon might be refusing protection outright, but I cannot see him allowing this to happen.

The Scores:

Originality: 3/6 The overlapping signals from duplicate Kiera Camerons was an interesting touch.

Effects: 5/6 We had few effects this week, though the visuals in the final scenes worked well.

Acting: 4/6 The acting on this show has been hit and miss. We had a lot of miss this week, with some very wooden performances. Curiously, the non-SF elements—such as the scenes with the lawyer—ring the most false.

Story: 4/6 The overall plotting is fine, but a number of issues beg explanation. These include the mayor’s vulnerability, and Garza’s lack of injuries.

Emotional Response: 4/6.

Production: 5/6.

Overall: 4/6 The story arc approach now dominates much of television. When the approach is used well, shows become intricate novels; when used poorly, they turn into gloppy soaps. We’re seeing this show veer a little too near the latter for my tastes.

In total, “Minute Man” receives 29/42

Notes

TVRage identifies his character as “Robson Arms,” which is the name of a Canadian show on which he appeared.

3 replies on “Continuum Review: “Minute Man””

  1. Another low point. Multiple characters not in the know are interacting with two versions of Alec, one of which has a big gash on his forehead an no one has yet commented on its coming and going? Emily in particular, given her background and close relationship with Alec, certainly shouldn’t be fooled by a simple hoodie.

    On the plus side, Keira’s murder is shaping up to be quite interesting and the eventual reveal will probably be a major turning point since it now looks highly likely it wasn’t just Keira #2 cleaning up the mess. Not a lot of options for who knows the location of Alec’s lab though…

  2. Also, re. the review’s low point, you have conflated the actress’ name and the character’s name into “Betty Spence” – that should be “Betty Robertson”, who is played by Jennifer Spence.

  3. Of course, in a review where I note that another site has someone’s name wrong (really wrong, mind you), I get a name wrong. Thanks, and corrected.

Comments are closed.