Sanctuary review. Episode 6—"Nubbins"

Sanctuary has borrowed liberally from the sci-fi shows that preceded it. Creators Damian Kindler and Martin Wood are veterans of Stargate SG-1, and the two shows' mythologies—the reality of fabled aliens kept in secret from the general populace vs. the reality of fabled creatures kept in secret from the general populace—are extremely similar. Watching the beautiful, young Ashley Mangus (Emilie Ullerup) fight a gang of crypt keepers quickly calls to mind the heroine of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And the latest episode, "Nubbins," is a tribute to the classic Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles."

Nubbins, like Tribbles, are particularly good at eating and reproducing, and they rapidly infest the Sanctuary, chewing through their cages, plus the vents and electrical wiring. They're also cuter than a pre-midnight-snack Gremlin and have the added ability to turn invisible when frightened. Having all but the opening scene take place within the confines of the Sanctuary allows for the show's CGI effects team to showcase all the nooks and crannies of the non-existent set. And more than an original look at the fantastical imagined world around us or, for that matter, interesting and fully developed characters, that's still, unfortunately, Sanctuary's greatest feat.