Bionic Woman review
The six million dollar woman is back—and this time, it’s personal
By Paul Semel, Special to Metromix
September 25, 2007
When San Francisco bartender Jamie Sommers is nearly killed in a particularly brutal car crash, her scientist/surgeon boyfriend—who has obviously never seen any of the “Terminator” movies—decides to replace her ruined legs, right arm, right eye and right ear with bionic parts. But if you think this annoys Jamie, wait until you see what it does to her cybernetic predecessor, Sarah, who clearly needs to have her anger management software updated.
If all this sounds vaguely familiar, like something you saw on the Sci Fi Channel one afternoon, forget it. This may share a name and premise with the mid-’70s spin-off of “The Six Million Dollar Man,” but this ain’t your daddy’s “Bionic Woman.” It also ain’t your little sister’s, since this is not only a smart and realistic remake of that show, but a decidedly adult one as well, as evidenced by the bloody opening scene and lack of silly humor (though this does have a cheesy soundtrack like a bad kids show). Instead, it’s the next great sci-fi show and possibly the best new show of the season.
Who’s that?: Michelle Ryan from the British soap “EastEnders” is Jamie Sommers; Chris Bowers from “Rescue Me” is Will Anthros, who is not only Jaime’s boyfriend but, conveniently, a professor of Bioethics and a scientist exploring bionics as well; Miguel Ferrer from “Crossing Jordan” (and tons of movie trailer voiceovers) plays Jonas Beldsoe, the Oscar Goldman-like head of the bionics department; Lucy Hale is Jamie’s deaf and rebellious sister Becca; while Katee Sackhoff, who was Starbuck on “Battlestar Galactica,” has a recurring role as the Bionic Bitch, Sarah Corvis.
Buzzed about: Though based on the original “Bionic Woman,” this one was created by David Eick, who previously remade another cheesy, low-budget ’70s show called “Battlestar Galactica” into a similarly smart sci-fi drama.
The “ooh” factor: It seems that all the goodwill Eick earned on “Galactica” was reimbursed in the form of a big budget for “Bionic,” which he thankfully spent on a great special effects as well as some talented writers, directors and actors.
The “eh” factor: Sadly, the show’s cheese-free approach has a few terrible side effect: no Fembots, no Bigfoot episode and no evil hair dressers with truth serum shampoo.
The verdict: Along with “Lost,” “Heroes” and “Battlestar Galactica,” this is yet another example of how spectacular sci-fi isn’t just found in movie theaters, comic books or video games—sometimes, it’s on TV.
“Bionic Woman” premieres Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 9 p.m./8c on NBC.
If all this sounds vaguely familiar, like something you saw on the Sci Fi Channel one afternoon, forget it. This may share a name and premise with the mid-’70s spin-off of “The Six Million Dollar Man,” but this ain’t your daddy’s “Bionic Woman.” It also ain’t your little sister’s, since this is not only a smart and realistic remake of that show, but a decidedly adult one as well, as evidenced by the bloody opening scene and lack of silly humor (though this does have a cheesy soundtrack like a bad kids show). Instead, it’s the next great sci-fi show and possibly the best new show of the season.
Who’s that?: Michelle Ryan from the British soap “EastEnders” is Jamie Sommers; Chris Bowers from “Rescue Me” is Will Anthros, who is not only Jaime’s boyfriend but, conveniently, a professor of Bioethics and a scientist exploring bionics as well; Miguel Ferrer from “Crossing Jordan” (and tons of movie trailer voiceovers) plays Jonas Beldsoe, the Oscar Goldman-like head of the bionics department; Lucy Hale is Jamie’s deaf and rebellious sister Becca; while Katee Sackhoff, who was Starbuck on “Battlestar Galactica,” has a recurring role as the Bionic Bitch, Sarah Corvis.
Buzzed about: Though based on the original “Bionic Woman,” this one was created by David Eick, who previously remade another cheesy, low-budget ’70s show called “Battlestar Galactica” into a similarly smart sci-fi drama.
The “ooh” factor: It seems that all the goodwill Eick earned on “Galactica” was reimbursed in the form of a big budget for “Bionic,” which he thankfully spent on a great special effects as well as some talented writers, directors and actors.
The “eh” factor: Sadly, the show’s cheese-free approach has a few terrible side effect: no Fembots, no Bigfoot episode and no evil hair dressers with truth serum shampoo.
The verdict: Along with “Lost,” “Heroes” and “Battlestar Galactica,” this is yet another example of how spectacular sci-fi isn’t just found in movie theaters, comic books or video games—sometimes, it’s on TV.
“Bionic Woman” premieres Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 9 p.m./8c on NBC.