Continuum (TV series)

Continuum
The intertitle of Continuum.
Genre
  • Drama
  • Action
  • Science fiction
Created by Simon Barry
Starring
Country of origin Canada
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 3
No. of episodes 36 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Simon Barry
  • Sara B. Cooper
Location(s) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada / Riverview Hospital, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Cinematography Joel Ransom
Running time 44 minutes[1]
Production company(s)
  • Reunion Pictures
  • Boy Meets Girl Film Company
  • Shaw Media
  • GK-tv
Broadcast
Original channel Showcase
Original run May 27, 2012[2] – present
External links
Website

Continuum is a Canadian science fiction series created by Simon Barry and produced by Reunion Pictures Inc., Boy Meets Girl Film Company, and GK-TV.

The series centers on the conflict between a group of rebels from the year 2077 who time-travel to Vancouver, BC, in 2012, and a police officer who accidentally accompanies them. In spite of being many years early, the rebel group decides to continue its violent campaign to stop corporations of the future from replacing governments, while the police officer endeavours to stop them without revealing to everyone that she and the rebels are from the future.

The show premiered on Showcase on May 27, 2012.[2] The first season has 10 episodes.[2] On August 25, 2012, Showcase renewed Continuum for a second season of 13 episodes[3] which premiered on April 21, 2013 (Showcase) in Canada, May 23, 2013 (Syfy) in the UK and on June 7, 2013 (Syfy) in the US.[4] On June 5, 2013, Continuum was officially renewed for a third season[5] which premiered on March 16, 2014 on Showcase in Canada and April 4, 2014 on Syfy in the US.[6][7]

During an interview in May 2014, Simon Barry revealed that he has 7 to 10 seasons in mind for Continuum[8][9] while Rachel Nichols also hinted at a "completely different Kiera".[8][9] After much deliberation,[8][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Showcase announced on December 8, 2014 that Continuum had been renewed for a fourth and final season of six episodes, slated to air on July 26, 2015.[19][20]

Prelude

Episodes from seasons 1 and 2 begin with the plot of the show narrated by a voiceover from the point of view of Kiera Cameron.

2077. My time, my city, my family. When terrorists killed thousands of innocents, they were condemned to die. They had other plans. A time travel device sent us all back 65 years. I want to get home, but I can't be sure what I will return to if history is changed. Their plan: to corrupt and control the present, in order to win the future. What they didn't plan on was me.

In Season 3, the narration was replaced by a new sequence that contains a CGI version of the time travel device, scenes from previous seasons, and cast credits, before finishing with Kiera Cameron (Rachel Nichols) holding the device, followed by the title card.[21]

Plot

City Protective Services (CPS) law enforcement officer Kiera Cameron (Rachel Nichols) lives a quiet, normal life with her husband and son in 2077-era Vancouver. Under the corporatocratic and oligarchic dystopia of the North American Union and its "Corporate Congress", life goes on in apparent freedom under a technologically-advanced high-surveillance police state.

When a group of self-proclaimed freedom fighters known as "Liber8" escape execution by fleeing to the year 2012, Kiera is involuntarily transported with them into the past. Joining with Detective Carlos Fonnegra (Victor Webster) and the Vancouver Police Department, and enlisting the help of teen computer genius Alec Sadler (Erik Knudsen), Kiera works to track down and thwart Edouard Kagame (Tony Amendola) and his followers in the present day while concealing her identity as a time-traveler from the future.

Kagame and the members of Liber8 plot to alter the past to avert the rise of a dictatorial and Orwellian corporate regime to be stopped at all costs. Meanwhile, Kiera knows that Alec Sadler will become the future corporate mogul and head of SadTech, one of the mega-corporations that dominate the world in 2077.

Fighting to return home to her family, Kiera finds that her presence in 2012, and that of the members of Liber8, may be no accident at all.

Time travel

Throughout the series, multiple theories are suggested as to the nature of time travel and its effect on the timeline of events leading from 2012 to 2077.

In discussion with Kiera, Alec posits that his future self recalled his interactions with Kiera in the past, potentially inspiring the creation of his own cybernetic technology from her futuristic implants and equipment and leading to a "time loop" whereby conditions in 2077 cannot be altered. Otherwise, Alec and Kiera consider that Kiera and Liber8's presence in the past may have already altered the timeline and created a separate chain of events, and thus the state of the world in 2077 is no longer certain.

Evidence for each possibility is presented over the course of the series. Ultimately, the first season finale, "Endtimes", reveals that the elderly Alec Sadler orchestrated the time jump that sent Kiera and the members of Liber8 back in time and that he knew precisely what was to occur in 2012. At the start of the second season, the contents of a message sent from the 2077-era Alec to his younger self reveal that his apparent goal is to avert the corporate-dominated future that his actions and inventions created. It is, however, unclear whether this is possible and what implications it may have for the unfolding timeline; it is presently unclear if future-Alec has any memory of the events of 2013 since Kiera went to the past, although the fact that he appears to have been aware that Kiera would be in a position to meet himself—implanting certain codes and messages in her suit and CMR—along with his knowledge of the freelance time travelers that Kiera learned about during her time in the past, suggests that at least some version of the time-travel happened before.

It is established in the third season premiere that changing history is possible; when Alec travels back in time to the previous week to try and save his deceased girlfriend, the timeline begins to collapse as it now no longer has an Alec Sadler to become the corporate head of 2077 to send Liber8 and Keira into the past, requiring Kiera to be sent back to mitigate Alec's changes. As a result, there are two Alecs and two Kieras in the new timeline (Although the Kiera of the new timeline is soon killed by a man from a different future created by Alec's actions, followed by the new Alec being killed in a fight with his other self).

Series creator and executive producer Simon Barry has confirmed that the creative staff have established a set of "rules" for the version of time travel depicted, which will be further explored as the series progresses.[22]

Technology

Kiera came through the time portal with her standard City Protection Service equipment: An advanced suit, handgun, multitool and cybernetic enhancements. The following features are from what is shown, and sometimes explained, throughout the series.

The suit looks like a metallic-colored and quite ordinary jumpsuit (combined shirt and pants), but:

Also the bullet-proofing and invisibility are extended to the exposed parts of the body (head, hands and feet), perhaps by some sort of field generation.

The handgun looks only like a gun handle when not activated, but projects a barrel, finger guard and a holographic function display when activated. It has several different kinds of ammunition (e.g. normal bullets, explosive bullets, various tracking beacons or darts) that can just be selected and it appears that the gun never needs reloading so the ammunition is probably somehow generated or manufactured by the gun itself. It also has user identification so that it will emit a lethal charge to the user if he/she is unauthorized.

The multitool is a handheld device about as big as the gun handle. It can emit a particle spray that can almost instantly make any organic material (including fingerprints and bodies) visible and analyzable to Kiera's (or the suit's) cybernetic sensor enhancements at least in a volume as large as a mid-sized room. It can also emit frequencies that can open electronic locks, appears to be capable of opening mechanical locks (the method is not clearly shown, the device is just touched to the lock) and has a medical injector that can apply various drugs (e.g. truth serum, stimulants and tranquilizers).

Kiera is cybernetically enhanced with visual implants that give her data directly overlaid on her visual field, sensors with functions that include biometric detection of close-by people (which can e.g. assist in determining if a person is lying), other environmental metrics (e.g. precise measurement of various things around Kiera), heat detection and telescopic vision, and a memory implant that constantly records Kiera's sensory information (at least vision, hearing and smell are mentioned) so that she can recall any recent events with perfect clarity. Additionally, when Kiera's suit is in proximity, she gains additional functionality, including complete personnel information on targets, and forensic data processing and computing. However it is not always clear whether a particular function is due to her implants, the suit, or the multitool. It is important to note that none of the enhancements are readily visible, so that Kiera appears as a perfectly normal woman of the 21'st century.

Cast

Main characters

The main cast of the show at Fan Expo Canada. From left: Erik Knudsen, Victor Webster and Rachel Nichols

Recurring cast

Series overview

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 10 May 27, 2012 August 5, 2012
2 13 April 21, 2013 August 4, 2013
3 13 March 16, 2014 June 22, 2014
4 6[23] July 26, 2015[24] TBA

Production

Development

Series creator Simon Barry explains how the show was picked up by Showcase:

I had developed the idea for US networks (where I had been selling for several years, but not getting picked up) and before I got a chance to take Continuum out and pitch it, I was hired by CBS to write a different pilot. In the middle of that job, my director friend Pat Williams took a meeting at Showcase Network in Canada and called me in a panic because he didn't have anything to pitch. I gave him the idea for Continuum to pass on to the executives there. They immediately saw the potential and hired me to write a pilot script. Because it was first set up with Showcase, there was much more of an appetite for Sci-Fi and genre bending concepts. Showcase really understood what the show could be from day one.[25]

Broadcast

The series premiered in the UK on September 27, 2012 on Syfy (UK),[26][27] with season 2 returning on May 23, 2013,[28] and season 3 on January 28, 2015.[29]

The series premiered in the U.S. on January 14, 2013 on Syfy,[30][31] with season 2 returning June 7, 2013,[32] and season 3 on April 4, 2014.[33]

The series premiered in Australia on SF on February 21, 2013,[34] and returned for season 2 on October 3, 2013.[35] Season 3 premiered on Syfy (Australia) (the replacement to the now defunct SF) on May 5, 2014.[36]

In Canada, the series debuted in Canadian French on addikTV on November 6, 2013.[37]

Reception

Reviewer Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times described the series as "slick" and highlighted its attention to detail.[38] Reviewer David Hinckley of the New York Daily News compared Continuum positively to Life on Mars, another series with a time travelling police officer, and gave the show three stars out of five.[39] According to Hinckley, the series has potential to do well, and if it "doesn't aim to soar, it executes the basics well".

Awards

On January 15, 2013, the day after the U.S. launch, the Canadian Screen Awards nominated Continuum for 5 Screenies: Best Drama Series, Writing, Direction, Music and Visual Effects. It won in the latter category. The show was showered with an all-time record 16 Leo Award nominations.[40] The Constellation Awards on March 10 nominated Continuum for the same three awards it won last year. On April 24, the show received a record 21 Leo Award nominations, tied for the fourth largest nomination haul by a comedy or drama series...in North American television history.

Year Award Category Recipients Outcome
2013 Leo Awards Best Dramatic Series Continuum Won
Best Direction William Waring, "Family Time" Won
Best Direction Patrick Williams, "Endtimes" Nominated
Best Screenwriting Simon Barry, "Endtimes" Won
Best Cinematography David Pelletier, "Endtimes" Nominated
Best Editing Allison Grace, "Family Time" Won
Best Editing Allan Lee, "Endtimes" Nominated
Best Production Design Chris August, "Endtimes" Nominated
Best Costume Design Maya Mani, "A Stitch in Time" Won
Best Stunt Coordination Kimani Ray Smith, "Wasting Time" Nominated
Best Male Guest Performance Jesse Moss, "Matter of Time" Nominated
Best Male Guest Performance Ian Tracey, "Endtimes" Won
Best Supporting Actor Richard Harmon, "Family Time" Won
Best Supporting Actor Brian Markinson, "Endtimes" Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Jennifer Spence, "Playtime" Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Lexa Doig, "Endtimes" Nominated
Constellation Awards Best Sci-Fi TV Series Continuum Won
Best Sci-Fi Film or TV Script Continuum Won
Best Female Performance in a Sci-Fi TV Episode Rachel Nichols Won
Outstanding Canadian Contribution to Sci-TV Film or TV Continuum Nominated
Saturn Awards Best Television Presentation Continuum Nominated
Writers Guild of Canada Drama Series Simon Barry, "Second Time" Nominated
2014 Leo Awards Best Picture Editing in a Dramatic Series Jamie Alain Won
Best Dramatic Series Continuum Won
Best Screenwriting Simon Barry Won
Best Cinematography Michael Wale Won
Best Make-Up in a Dramatic Series Jennifer Kipps Won
Best Stunt Coordination in a Dramatic Series Kimani Ray Smith Won
Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series Lexa Doig, "Split Second" Won
Best Direction in a Dramatic Series William Waring Nominated
Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series Roger R. Cross Nominated
Best Supporting Performance by a Female in a Dramatic Series Jennifer Spence, "Second Opinion". Nominated
Canadian Screen Awards Supporting Actress Luvia Petersen Nominated
Visual Effects Continuum Won
Saturn Awards Best Cable Series Continuum Nominated
Best Actress Rachel Nichols Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Erik Knudsen Nominated

In other media

Online game

Zeros 2 Heroes Media Inc. has created an alternate reality game website, Continuum The Game.[41]

Online comics

The game site also includes a Comics section, featuring Continuum: The War Files, which is an eight part graphic novel that tells of the war going on in 2065, between the Corporations and Liber8. For now, the comic is available only in Canada.[42]

Trading cards

Rittenhouse released a trading card set based on the show in June 2014.[43]

References

  1. Showcasedotca . (April 29, 2013). "Social Media Expands the World of Continuum". YouTube. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "'Continuum Sponsorship Opportunities'" (PDF). Shaw Media Advertising Release. March 22, 2012. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  3. b3rt4 (August 25, 2012). "Continuum - Showcase Orders Second Season". Archived from the original on August 28, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  4. Matt Webb Mitovich (26 March 2013). "Syfy Announces 'Continuum' Season 2 Premiere Date". TVLine. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  5. Pugsley, Sarah (June 3, 2014). "Coming to Showcase in 2013/14". Archived from the original on June 19, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  6. "Season Three". Continuum facebook. February 6, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  7. "Continuum Season 3: Coming April 2014". YouTube. February 3, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Roco (June 16, 2014). "Continuum Cancelled Or Renewed For Season 4". Roco. Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Roco (May 14, 2014). "Continuum Eyes 10 Seasons To Complete Story, Plus Kiera’s New Future Teased". Archived from the original on July 1, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  10. Roco (July 19, 2014). "Continuum Season 4 Renewal Decision Confirmed For August". Archived from the original on July 22, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  11. Barry, Simon (July 16, 2014). "Simon Barry Twitter". Archived from the original on July 22, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  12. Roco (August 23, 2014). "Continuum Renewal News Expected ‘Soon’". Archived from the original on September 2, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  13. McGarth, Denis (August 22, 2014). "D. McGarth on Twitter: #Continuum Fans". Archived from the original on September 2, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  14. Roco (September 27, 2014). "Continuum Season 4: No Syfy Pick-up If Showcase Cancels Series". Archived from the original on October 2, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  15. A'Zary, Ted (September 26, 2014). "Official Syfy Twitter". Archived from the original on October 2, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  16. Barry, Simon (November 13, 2014). "Simon Barry Twitter Annoncement". Twitter. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  17. Roco (November 14, 2014). "http://seriable.com/continuum-season-4-renewal-decision-by-november/". Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  18. Barry, Simon (December 2, 2014). "Simon Barry Twitter Annoncement". Twitter. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  19. Etan Vlessing (8 December 2014). "'Continuum' Renewed for Fourth and Final Season in Canada". The Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  20. Nichols, Rachel (March 26, 2015). "ANNOUNCEMENT: It's official! @ContinuumSeries final season will start airing on July 26th, 2015 on @showcasedotca. Get ready... #Continuum". Twitter.
  21. Continuum New Season3 Opening Credits.
  22. Vogt, Tiffany (January 21, 2013). "Rachel Nichols, Victor Webster and EP Simon Barry Delve into the Complex World of the new Syfy Series CONTINUUM". The TV Addict. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
  23. Vlessing, Etan (2014-12-08). "'Continuum' Renewed for Fourth and Final Season in Canada". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2014-12-09.
  24. Nichols, Rachel (March 26, 2015). "ANNOUNCEMENT: It's official! @ContinuumSeries final season will start airing on July 26th, 2015 on @showcasedotca. Get ready... #Continuum". Twitter.
  25. Anders, Charlie Jane. "The Origins of Continuum, Our New Favorite Time Travel Show". io9. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  26. Munn, Patrick (August 23, 2012). "Syfy UK Acquires Rights To Canadian Series 'Continuum'". TVWise. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  27. Munn, Patrick (August 23, 2012). "Syfy UK Sets Premiere Date For 'Continuum'". TVWise. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  28. Munn, Patrick (April 11, 2013). "Syfy UK Sets Premiere Date For ‘Continuum’ Season 2". TVWise. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  29. The TVWise Team (December 3, 2014). "Syfy Sets UK Premiere Date For ‘Continuum’ Season 3". TVWise. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  30. "Syfy Is Importing Canada's Sci-Fi Drama Continuum". August 27, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  31. Anders, Charlie (November 12, 2012). "The amazing time travel cop show Continuum coming to Syfy in January". IO9. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  32. Mitovich, Matt (March 26, 2013). "Exclusive: Syfy Picks Up Continuum Season 2, Sets Premiere Date". TVLine. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  33. Bibel, Sara (April 1, 2014). "'Continuum' Season 3 To Premiere Friday, April 4 on Syfy". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  34. Knox, David (February 5, 2013). "Airdate: Continuum TV Tonight". TV Tonight. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  35. Hopewell, Luke (July 30, 2013). "Australian Television Is Still Woefully Broken". Gizmodo. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  36. DHiggins (May 5, 2014). "New this week: Continuum, Secret Meat Business, House of Cards finale & Powerpuff Girls 15th anniversary". Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  37. Meunier, Audrey (January 27, 2013). ""Continuum" Saison 1" ["Continuum" Season 1] (in French).
  38. Genzlinger, Neil (February 8, 2013). "They're From the Future, and Canada: 'Continuum' on Syfy Is Latest Canadian TV Import". The New York Times. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  39. Hinckley, David (January 14, 2013). "TV review: 'Continuum'". Daily News. New York. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  40. "2013 Leo Nominations!". Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  41. "Continuum The Game". Zeros 2 Heroes Media Inc. Retrieved 2013-10-29.
  42. "Continuum The War Files". Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  43. "2014 Rittenhouse Continuum Seasons 1 and 2 Trading Cards". Cardboard Connection. Retrieved 2014-06-20.

External links