Paranormal Pick of the Week: Under the Dome Series Premiere

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It's so exciting to have a new science fiction show to enjoy in the summer months, especially as we lost Alphas from the roster a little unceremoniously.  But don't fret, this week starts Under the Dome, which is based on a Stephen King novel that's the size of a small town! How could they fit it into 13 eps and a bubble?  One way to find out, and that mystery makes it this weeks Paranormal Pick of the Week:


Under the Dome ~ Series Premiere
Monday June 24, 2013 at 10pm ET/PT on Global

Here is a description of Under the Dome:"Based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel, Under the Dome is the story of a small town that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome."

Under the Dome is an American science fiction series based on the novel Under the Dome by Stephen King. The premiere season scheduled for 13 episodes and the cast includes Mike Vogel, Rachelle Lefevre, Colin Ford, Natalie Martinez, Alexander Koch, Britt Robertson, Nicholas Strong, Jolene Purdy, Aisha Hinds and Dean Norris.

See more about at Under the Dome at GlobalTV.com.



Also Awesome:

• Cult ~ Remaining episodes begin Friday June 28, 2013 on The CW from 8pm - 10pm (2 hour block). Cult being cancelled was the biggest disappointment for me this year.  The crazy-meta references, great cast (Matt Davis and Robert Knepper totally rocked the house) and bizarre, rabbit-hole(s) story line always left me wanting more. I'm thrilled The CW will be airing the final episodes of the season.  **ADDITIONAL INFO: On the Canadian TV Schedule, the remaining episodes of Cult appear to be airing one at a time weekly on Sundays at 7pm ET on CTV2 starting June 30, 2013 (Added June 30, 2013).
• Saving Hope Season 2 Premieres Tuesday June 25, 2013 at 10pm on CTV
• Marathon Madness on Space over the July 1st weekend: Paranormal Witness, Utopia, In The Flesh all have marathons over the holiday weekend.  Check your local listings for all the deets.

Paranormal Pick of the Week: Orphan Black Finale and Marathon

Image from Orphan Black Episode 2 Instinct Airs April 6, 2013 Tatiana Maslany as Sarah

Photo Credit: Steve Wilkie

I feel like we just went down the rabbit hole of Orphan Black goodness, and now Season 1 is already at finale time! This amazing series starring Tatiana Maslany in multiple roles including Sarah, Beth, Helena, Cosima and Alison (at the very least) and honestly, she's so good that at times I forget it's all 1 person! If you haven't had a chance to watch the show yet, Space is airing the entire series on Saturday marathon-style up to the season 1 finale. It's a lot darker than I expected going in, but it's very well done and it easily makes the grade to be this weeks Paranormal Pick of the Week:

Orphan Black Finale and Marathon

• Finale: Saturday June 1, 2013 at 9pm ET on Space
• Marathon: Saturday June 1, 2013 on Space starting at 12noon ET

Image from Orphan Black Episode 8 Entangled Bank Airs May 18, 2013

Photo Credit: Steve Wilkie

Orphan Black has been renewed for a second season which will be 10 episodes in Spring 2014. See more about Orphan Black over at Space.ca which has extensive coverage of the show including news, interviews, blog posts and episode guide.


The Listener Episode 401 - "Blast From the Past" Airs Wednesday, May 29 at 10 p.m. on CTV

Also Awesome

• The Listener Season 4 Premiere Wed May 29, 2013 at 10pm ET on CTV. I am really hoping that The Listener stays in the same spot on the schedule this season, and I have a sneaky feeling I might jump on board The Listener train this summer. In the past it's was very hard to track, but there is always hope for some more schedule stability.
• Utopia Finale Thurs May 30, 2013 at 10pm ET on Space. Oh, how I meant to watch this one! Time just got away from me, but this UK conspiracy-thriller following "unconnected people who find themselves in possession of The Utopia Experiments, a legendary graphic novel shrouded in mystery" really sounds awesome to me. Good thing it's been picked up for a second series, and maybe I'll catch up on the second time around!
• In the Flesh Finale Saturday June 1, 2013 at 10pm ET on Space. The 3-Parter zombie series comes to a close this weekend. Talk about fast!

Image from Utopia: Episode 4 Jessica (Fiona O'Shaughnessy) and Ian (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett)

Paranormal Pick of the Week: Utopia Premiere April 25, 2013 on Space

Image: Jessica (Fiona O'Shaughnessy) in Utopia

I love that even in April we have multiple new series to check out and enjoy, and a new one is heading our way this week on Space: Utopia. Gotta love a good conspiracy thriller, and this 6-parter from Channel 4's follows a graphic novel that brings people together with the challenge of solving the conspiracy craziness. How could this not be this weeks Paranormal Pick of the Week? It can't! It's definitely our pick. And if you like it, there will be more as the second season of the series has already been commissioned. Now that's a good sign if I've ever heard one.

Utopia - Series Premiere
Thursday April 25, 2013 at 10pm ET on Space

Here's more information from the media release: "How long before they find you? Who’s pulling the strings? How will we all survive? On Thursday, April 25 at 10 p.m. ET, Space makes a deal with the devil for the series premiere of British conspiracy thriller, UTOPIA. The six-part series follows a small group of previously unconnected people who find themselves in possession of The Utopia Experiments, a legendary graphic novel shrouded in mystery. Suddenly and brutally, their lives begin to implode when they are relentlessly targeted by a murderous organization known as ‘The Network,’ who is in pursuit of the manuscript. The terrified group are left with only one option if they want to survive – they have to run."

Utopia stars Paul Higgins, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Alexandra Roach, Neil Maskell, Paul Ready, James Fox Geraldine James, Simon McBurney, Michael Smiley and Fiona O'Shaughnessy.



Also Awesome

• Borealis (Encore Presentation) Sunday April 28, 2013 at 8pm on Space; Suzie and I loved Borealis, the now-a-film although-was-originally-going-to-be-a-series set in the Arctic with a western-ish feel. Here's a description to jog you memory: "Set 30 years in the future, Vic (Ty Olsson, SUPERNATURAL), an ex-ultimate fighter, is the owner of the only airstrip, hotel, and bar in the high Arctic frontier town of Borealis. He does his best to keep the peace amongst a vast array of clashing characters in this lawless international free zone that sits on top of the world’s last remaining oil." And for the an early-bird out there, you can a wee be earlier as it airs Sunday April 28, 2013 at 9AM on Space.
• Robot Combat League Season Finale - Tuesday April 23, 2013 at 10pm on Space; which robot will reign supreme??? Only a few days and you shall find out!
• High Plains Invaders - Saturday April 29, 2013 at 8pm on Showcase; It's a westen-y week! I really enjoyed this western science fiction B-movie starring James Marsters (Spike from Buffy) and Cindy Sampson (Lisa on Supernatural).

Image: Vic (Ty Olsson) and Bettina (Cristina Rosato) in Borealis

6-Part Series Utopia coming to Space on April 25, 2013

Image: Jessica (Fiona O'Shaughnessy) in Utopia

I'm always up for a good conspiracy thriller, and Space has just released that they have picked up Channel 4's 6-part series Utopia starring Paul Higgins, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Alexandra Roach, Neil Maskell, Paul Ready, James Fox Geraldine James, Simon McBurney, Michael Smiley and Fiona O'Shaughnessy. Utopia begins airing on Space on Thursday April 25, 2013 at 10pm ET.

Here's more information from the media release: "How long before they find you? Who’s pulling the strings? How will we all survive? On Thursday, April 25 at 10 p.m. ET, Space makes a deal with the devil for the series premiere of British conspiracy thriller, UTOPIA. The six-part series follows a small group of previously unconnected people who find themselves in possession of The Utopia Experiments, a legendary graphic novel shrouded in mystery. Suddenly and brutally, their lives begin to implode when they are relentlessly targeted by a murderous organization known as ‘The Network,’ who is in pursuit of the manuscript. The terrified group are left with only one option if they want to survive – they have to run.

Already commissioned for a second season by U.K.’s Channel 4, UTOPIA features a brilliant ensemble cast including Paul Higgins (In the Loop), Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (MISFITS), and Alexandra Roach (The Iron Lady)."

Sounds pretty awesome to me!

April 2013 Paranormal TV New and Returning Air Dates

Cast of Hannibal: Hugh Dancy, Caroline Dhavernas, Laurence Fishburne, Aaron Abrams, Lara Jean Chorostecki, Hettienne Park, Scott Thompson and Mads Mikkelsen (Image Source)

April is a pretty impressive month for new and returning shows. Showcase will be bringing us not one but two science fiction shows with the debut of the multi-platformed Defiance show and online game plus we will also enter into the second season of the Vancouver set Continuum.

The innovation theme continues with Hemlock Grove which is a Netflix original series that will debut concurrently across the globe to all territories where Netflix is available. To start the month off we break with pattern as I included a horror/thriller series with the debut of Hannibal starring Mads Mikkelsen (Valhalla Rising) and Hugh Dancy (Blood and Chocolate). Let's hear it for April 2013!

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Image Source: CityTV.com

Hannibal ~ Series Premiere
Thursday April 4, 2013 at 10pm ET/PT on CityTV

Genre: Horror/Thriller

Okay, I'm kind of cheating including Hannibal with our April shows, but horror isn't too far off and last month we included Bates Motel which is similar in nature to Hannibal as both are prequels of horrific stories. Besides, I'm completely thrilled to see the magnificent Mads Mikkelsen and the wonderful Hugh Dancy on TV that I will break my "no serial killers show" rule to check this one out.

Series Description: "Will Graham is a gifted criminal profiler who is on the hunt for a serial killer with the FBI. Graham’s unique way of thinking gives him the astonishing ability to empathize with anyone – even psychopaths. He seems to know what makes them tick. But when the mind of the twisted killer he’s pursuing is too complicated for even Will to comprehend, he enlists the help of Dr. Lecter, one of the premier psychiatric minds in the country. Armed with the uncanny expertise of the brilliant doctor, Will and Hannibal (known as a serial killer only to the audience) form a brilliant partnership and it seems there’s no villain they can’t catch. If Will only knew…"

Hannibal is an American series and season 1 will have 13 episodes; the show stars Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Caroline Dhavernas and Laurence Fishburne.

Find out more about Hannibal at CityTV.com



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Image Source: Showcase.ca

Defiance ~ Series Premiere
Monday April 15, 2013 at 10pm on Showcase

Genre: Science Fiction

I'm still mystified by the whole game and show part of Defiance, and I don't think I'll 'get' that until I seen and/or experience it. Putting that to the side, I'm so excited to see an actual science fiction series with aliens! Doesn't if feel like forever since we've had that? The show looks slick, the make up and design look amazing and I'm a fan of several of the actors. I can't wait! Thank goodness this happens after Monday nights free up after the Being Human (North American) and Almighty Johnsons wrap up for their respective seasons.

Series Description: "An unprecedented approach to storytelling, Defiance will unite scripted television and online gaming for the very first time. Both the series and the game feature an interconnected world and storylines that will launch in early April with the release of the game and continue seamlessly with the series premiere on the 15th.

Set in the near future, Defiance introduces an exotically transformed planet Earth, its landscapes permanently altered following the sudden – and tumultuous – arrival of seven unique alien races. In this somewhat unknown and unpredictable landscape, the richly diverse, newly formed civilization of humans and aliens must learn to co-exist peacefully. Each week, viewers will follow an immersive character drama set in the boom-town of Defiance, which sits atop the ruins of St. Louis, MO, while in the game, players will adventure in the new frontier of the San Francisco Bay area. The dramatic tapestry of the series and the intense action of the game will exist in a single universe where their respective narratives will inform one another and evolve together into one overall story."

Defiance is a Canadian/US co-production of 13 episodes and stars Grant Bowler, Julie Benz, Stephanie Leonidas, Tony Curran, Jaime Murray, Graham Greene and Mia Kirshner.

See more about Defiance at Showcase.ca and Defiance.com.



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Image Source: Netflix.com

Hemlock Grove ~ Series Premiere
Friday April 19, 2013 on Netflix

Genre: Paranormal/Horror/Thriller

When I first heard about Hemlock Grove it was described as Twin Peaks meets Supernatural, and right then and there I knew I had to check it out. I'm also very curious about the whole airing on Netflix thing, and as a very recent Netflix-er I'm thrilled I will be able to see it! I love that it's debuting concurrently in all territories that Netflix is available including U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, Latin America, Brazil and Scandinavia. That's awesome. That's so where we are now, being broadcasted at the same time is the best choice for the viewers. We want to see it, and you give us a way *to* see it. Yay!

Series Description: "After a teenage girl is mauled to death on the outskirts of Hemlock Grove, dark secrets and deep passions emerge. As authorities seek the killer, two suspects from rival families take matters into their own hands. Will they find a man or a monster?"

Hemlock Grove is an American series based on the book by Brian McGreevy and stars Famke Janssen, Bill Skarsgård, Landon Liboiron, Penelope Mitchell, Freya Tingley, Dougray Scott, Lili Taylor and Nicole Boivin. It looks like it's 12 episodes (per IMDB).

Find out more about Hemlock Grove at Netflix.com.



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Image Source: Showcase.ca

Continuum ~ Season 2 Premiere
Sunday April 21, 2013 at 9pm on Showcase

Genre: Science Fiction

Suzie and I really enjoyed watching and podcasting through Continuum's first season last summer. It is so cool to see a Canadian-produced, Canadian-set awesome science fiction series. And with a female lead who kicks butt to boot. The show has a great science fiction angle with time travel as well as the power of subtle social skills and even some political commentary. Plus, it's smart and a lot of fun. I'm very curious to see where things go in Season 2.

Series Description: "Continuum is a one-hour police drama centered on Kiera Cameron, a regular cop from 65 years in the future who finds herself trapped in present day Vancouver. She is alone, a stranger in a strange land, and has eight of the most ruthless criminals from the future, known as Liber8, loose in the city."

Continuum is a Canadian series which stars Rachel Nichols, Erik Knudsen, Victor Webster, Stephen Lobo, Jennifer Spence and Tony Amendola; Season 2 will have 13 episodes.

New to Continuum? Or want to revisit Season 1? I've created a spoiler-free episode list to all of the Season 1 episodes that you can watch online at Showcase.ca and Continuumtheseries.com.

See more about Continuum at Showcase.ca and Continuumtheseries.com.



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Image: Jessica (Fiona O'Shaughnessy) in Utopia

Utopia - Series Premiere
Thursday April 25, 2013 at 10pm ET on Space

Genre: Conspiracy/Mystery

This announcement just popped up so we've added it to the mix for April release goodness, it's a 6-part conspiracy thriller/mystery series starring Paul Higgins, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Alexandra Roach, Neil Maskell, Paul Ready, James Fox Geraldine James, Simon McBurney, Michael Smiley and Fiona O'Shaughnessy.

Here's information the show media release: "In Episode 1 of UTOPIA, five strangers from an online comic book forum agree to meet after gaining possession of The Utopia Experiments. While three of the forum members – Ian (Stewart-Jarrett), Becky (Roach), and Wilson (Adeel Akhtar, The Dictator) meet at a pub, another is confronted and attacked by two Network henchmen. The only witness to the attack is 11-year-old Grant (Oliver Woolford, Blackout), the fifth forum member, and when he flees with the manuscript, the henchmen chase after him."

And great news, Utopia is already commissioned for a second season. Woohoo!



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Late Add: Deep South Paranormal begins April 30, 2013 on Space

Ep 130: Paranormal TV Feb 27 - March 5, 2013

Podcast Powered By Podbean

• This week on Hexed Suzie and Shannon take on series premiere of Stranded, check in on recent episodes of Cult and The Walking Dead and do some catch-up on both Being Human (North American) and The Almighty Johnsons. We also have a brief spoiler-free discussion on Vikings (which Shannon LOVED), talk about oodles of news including Space's rebranding and new programming.

• We'll be back next week to chat new episodes of our regs, and catch up with Lost Girl, Supernatural and the return of Grimm!

• Be sure to vote on our Cult Poll, share if it's a show you would like to hear us talk about!

Show Notes:

• Lost Girl renewed for Season 4 and finale for S3 is on April 14, 2013
• Continuum Season 2 premieres on Showcase Sunday April 21, 2013 at 9pm ET/PT.
• Vikings 'precap', for those that need deets before a show even starts.
• Vikings ratings win for History "849,000 (V2+) and 417,000 (A25-54)*. Vikings is the highest single Canadian specialty episode this broadcast year"
• Social TV of the week - Canadian (Degrassi, Republic of Doyle and Heartland for this week); looking back over several weeks, Degrassi usually nails it, but Lost Girl is on there quite a few times.
• Seevibes is the site which reports Canadian social media television info: "Seevibes is a site that decodes social media, they report on ratings, social media and have articles too" Sadly they have not RSS feed which makes it harder to remember to check/share the ratings.
• Canadian Screen Awards Winners (our shows: Continuum - Visual FX, Being Human - Make Up and Todd and the Book of Pure Evil x2)
• Cult is moving to Fridays on The CW (which is where it already plays on Space!) as of March 8, 2013. Ratings for the premiere ep was 900,000 and Ep 2 820,000 (US) which isn't too much of a drop off, although it is a quiet start.
• Zero Hour gets pulled from schedule, unclear if/when remaining episodes to air
• The Following has been renewed
• Prequel webseries for Revolution
• Sinbad finally to air in the US on SyFy as of April 12, 2013
• Once Upon a Time is getting it's own magazine (one issue Feb 26, second in June 2013)
• Walking Dead creator developing a show about exorcism/possession based on upcoming graphic novel
• Space has new url and branding - Space.ca: See the press release here and a new promo spot with the new branding here.
• Space's Spring 2013 Schedule
• Top of the Lake, new UK/Australian show to air on Space (from Promo) "A detective investigates the disappearance of a 12-year-old pregnant daughter of a local drug lord."
• Utopia, new UK show to air on Space "Utopia will follow a group of people who find themselves in possession of a manuscript of a cult graphic novel. The tome is rumoured to have predicted the worst disasters of the last century and the group soon find themselves targeted by a shadowy organisation known only as The Network"

Time Coding:

• 0:00 - 1:13 Intro
• 1:13 - 26:26 News
• 26:26 - 37:00 Stranded Series Premiere Star Island
• 37:00 - 42:03 Vikings Series Premiere / General Discussion
• 42:03 - 49:08 Cult S1 Ep 2 In the Blood
• 49:08 - 1:00:35 The Walking Dead S3 Ep 12 Clear
• 1:00:35- 1:13:00 The Almighty Johnsons S2 Ep 6 and 7 Folkmoot and Effortless Manly Coolness
• 1:13:00- 1:32:30 Being Human (N.American) S3 Ep 6 and 7 and 8 What's Blood Got to Do With It and One is Silver and the Other Pagan and You Body is Condemned to Wonderland
• 1:32:30 - 1:36:21 Outro 

Hexed: Sisterhood of the Supernatural 

• All Supernatural TV. All the Time. 

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The Fine Print (spoiler notations)

• We talk about the shows in depth, so please watch first and then listen. We don't look ahead or watch trailers, teasers, look at casting info, so any predictions and commentary are from our own minds.
• For Being Human North American fans, we have a unique reverse-spoiler notation as we've seen the UK version of Being Human up to and including Season 4, so we may touch on characters and events from that series as well, so please watch it first if you want to be spoiler free!