This review contains Major Spoilers for "Warriors," the eleventh episode of SciFi Channel?s "Sanctuary."

The opening scene is that of a Bedouin traditional celebration where Zimmerman, Magnus and Ashley are sharing treats and dialogue in a get-to-know you manner. Suddenly, Dr. Zimmerman gets a message from the spouse of an old college buddy indicating that said buddy, Danny, has gone missing.

Transition fade: Danny is participating/watching a fight between abnormals.

As it turns out Danny was abducted while trying to help determine the whereabouts of homeless people with whom he works. We learn the Cabal are financing the events in an attempt to develop genetic engineering of abnormals as their soldiers. In doing the investigation Dr. Zimmerman and the two Magnus?s stumble across a man in one of the fight locations to whom Dr. Magnus introduces herself as his daughter.

"Dad" does not recognize his daughter, Helen, and tells them that he is "Charlie Denton," not Gregory Magnus. He is tied to the fights but how closely is somewhat vague. He returns with the Sanctuary crew to care for a wound and to talk about how Magnus knows the man. Dr. Z, always ready to get to the bottom of things most directly, points out that whether or not this is Magnus' father he can help determine the nature of the fights and what has happened to Danny and wants to investigate/interrogate right away.

In the course of learning about "Charlie," the team also finds from blood samples and photos on Charlie's phone that the very genetically engineered abnormal Gregory Magnus developed and then destroyed a century ago are involved in the fights. Coincidental? They think not.

Ashley and Zimmerman find a contact for the fights, "The Mechanic" who can weld with his fingertips. He agrees to notify them of the next fight. During some more research on the blood samples and Danny, Charlie makes a phone call to the cabal.

Later Zimmerman gets the call for a fight, Magnus and her "Dad" work through memories and we get to see some flashbacks to a former life and the beginning of Magnus? own interests and career. But while talking through their history with him Magnus finds a creature in Charlie. Zimmerman in turn gets his: he fell into a trap and has a creature implanted into his spinal column just as Charlie apparently has. Zimmerman meets up with an altered Danny and they talk about what?s being done. The process has changed Danny: he likes what he?s becoming, physically enhanced.

In the end, Gregory Magnus is confirmed as Helen Magnus' father and undergoes surgery to remove the controlling creature connected to his spine. During surgery, his true personality regains control and assists Magnus to remove the insectoid creature that has been used to manipulate him. Zimmerman and Danny enter the ring and have a knock-down with two other abnormals. Then Zimmerman?s muscle-bound and mind-controlled body turns on Danny.

In the nick of time both Father Magnus and Zimmerman are saved. The manager of the fight ring is confronted by Magnus and given a message to return to the Cabal. Gregory Magnus indicates he cannot stay at the Sanctuary at this time and must fight his own fight against evil.

What Worked

There was more action this time than in other episodes. It was good to get a better picture of just how deep the Cabal?s reach extends.

The procedural form works well for this production, especially when there are more characters to deal with.

Lastly, as a fan of the characters being developed in the show I appreciated the further details about Magnus and to learn about the extended Magnus clan.

What Didn't Work

While the level of interest and of action in "Warriors" was on par with the total average of the series, it was still a little soft. It was also fairly predictable from start to finish. While neither myself, my spouse or my twelve-year-old felt a compulsion to turn it off as we have during some of the slower moving episodes of ?Sanctuary,? this episode could have used a little help.

During the last few scenes where Zimmerman becomes a monster and then performs in the fight ring his costume/prosthetics were actually pretty laughable. His muscles were so false-looking one might compare them to the complexion of the fake Santa Claus in "Santa Clause 2." I almost wonder if it would have been better to inflate Zimmerman?s physique digitally rather than with the blow-up Hulk costume they chose. I suspect the cost would have been still too high for moving parts/flexing muscle but the effort with prosthetics fails entirely.

Ultimately, I?m looking forward to continuing the Cabal storyline and to learn what else in the Sanctuary?s world in which the Cabal is already involved. Let us hope that with a second season they may be given a greater budget and more time to clean up the show. I?m reminded of the change in special effects and design between the first episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" to "Star Trek: Voyager." The problem is there are enough weak points in "Sanctuary" already that they need to do the cleaning up right away. Characterization needs to pick up interest too to stay alive.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

"Sanctuary" was created by Damian Kindler and features Amanda Tapping, Robin Dunne and Emilie Ullerup. Episode 11, ?Warriors? teleplay was by Same Egan, story by Peter Mohan, produced by George Horie and was directed by Brenton Spencer. "Sanctuary" airs on SciFi Channel Fridays at 9 p.m.

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