'Helix' Recap: 'O Brave New World'

All photos courtesy Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

Season finale time folks! As of this writing, no word yet on a Season Three and more shenanigans of the CDC versus those pesky Immortals. Will we find out what's going on with Caleb? Is Amy really dead? Will Peter ever really get to be in charge? What has Alan been doing at the abbey this whole time? It's time to get some answers and ask some new questions. Let's do this.

The cliffhanger from last episode is solved right away: Julia shot Alan and is now patching him up. I don't think you quite get how this works Julia. Kyle, Sarah, Soren, and Sarah's baby go to Plan 9 to get off the island but they're out of options. Only one route is left and Sarah leaves to make a 'deal with the devil.' Amy's not dead, just hideously deformed and really isn't taking it very well but does spectacular at taking it out on Landry. One thing that hasn't been deformed is her supreme selfishness so she goes all-in on revenge. Peter/Eli whom we will now just call 'Peli' for ease, debate their next steps. Anne suggests taking Mother to Ilaria and reaping the benefits. Anne, you don't know Peli very well; he made that leap eons ago. While Sarah looks for the devil, Kyle and Soren make more of the mycosis cure and Kyle plans for their future which features pizza, Playstation, and lots and lots of sleep. No one is in charge of the power anymore so it goes out, giving Soren the opportunity he needs to exact a little revenge of his own in the form of a knife in Peli's leg. Thrust and twist, Soren. Thrust and twist.

'Helix' Recap: 'Ascendant'

All photos courtesy Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

Sorry this is late everyone, apparently crushing exhaustion demands its tribute. Anyway, things went hella wrong last episode with Amy getting her silver eyes (but nothing else), Anne finding a new daddy figure in Peter (and we all know what that entails), and the rest of Team CDC being completely useless as usual. At least we've got Alan. Let's do this.

Peter looking through the gas victims and finishes the job by dismembering them and placing the pieces in barrels. I guess for fertilizer? It's shower time and you know who's really turned on by violence? Anne. You know who is supremely squicked out by this? Everyone else. After the sex come the plotting: first the island and then...the world.  Since the CDC *coughAlancough*  have discovered a cure for the mycosis, the only logical thing left to do is take the cure from them and eliminate them. Oh, and give you a new name....

Alan administers the cure to Kyle which is incredibly awkward as Kyle tried to kill him. We're cool but Kyle, you need to get the cure off the island. Okay, but he still needs to bring Alan in. A deal then: Alan will turn himself in when it's over but in the meantime, he needs to borrow Kyle's gun. Alan give some decent collateral in exchange though: the location of a safe deposit box with all of the proof. And break!

'Helix' Recap: 'Plan B'

All photos courtesy Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

Last week, Team Sap found the bleeding tree just in time to maybe Save Texas, Julia offered to knock up Amy with Sarah's baby, Sergio took flight, and Peter decided to resurrect the Vector-King, minus the vectoring. Only three episodes left in this season to answer the burning questions: Will Ilaria release Narvik-C and wipe out humanity? Will the CDC be actually useful in stopping an outbreak? And perhaps most importantly, will Amy's epic temper tantrum get her her immortal way? Buckle up y'all; it's about to get crazy in here. Let's do this.

Oh look. They found Doreen's monkeys. These have been infected with the mycotic but gassing them works real well in killing them. No kidding. The Navy will take it all. Peter's enjoying playing 'Daddy' thereby passing his daddy-issues to a brand new generation. No time for that, we must purge the island of skeptics which comes from the gospel according to Anne. Poor Peter, he can't help but be manipulated by every female he sees.

'Helix' Recap: 'Mother'

All photos courtesy Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

Last week, Sister Amy put Operation: Immortality Part the First into action and Anne will finally fess up to Peter as to what nefarious things take place beneath the abbey. Team Sap continues to search and Mother is gone. Buckle up, it's going to be a doozy. Let's do this.

During the ritual burning of the dead, Jules approaches Amy for access to Mother, in return she'll have her immortality. But Jules, you just threatened Amy; that never ends well for anyone. Meanwhile, Team Sap stumbles around the woods while Kyle doesn't look so good. It takes Soren to suggest going to the bleeding tree which he's not entirely sure where it is but hey, at least it's a plan.

'Helix' Recap: 'Ectogenesis'

All photos courtesy Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

Last time, Sister Amy began her rule over a greatly diminished population (thanks, Brother Michael, now of the Wall of Matriarchal Sister-Mothers by way of a Hatakae-katana wielding Caleb), bargained with Sarah for immortality in exchange for the return of the baby while Alan and Kyle went hunting for the magic tree sap. Peter? Eh, who cares. Everyone caught up? If Slimer doesn't appear playing maudlin ballads, I'm going to be hella disappointed. Let's do this.

Mystery myco people enjoy some dinner until a fight breaks out over eyeballs as it's wont to do.  No easing into this episode. Clearly.

What the what?! It's Doreen! Well, an Alan-hallucination of her who's pretty much giving it to him straight that he doesn't know what he's doing or why or for whom. Atta girl! It's about time that someone took him to task even if that someone is his subconscious. Though Hatake started doing the same thing with Daniel and Jaye so I really hope he doesn't dig up her body for company. Just saying.

'Helix' Recap: 'Vade In Pace'

All photos courtesy Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

Last time Michael did some house cleaning, Sarah's un-pregnant and Anne joined Peter for some bonding time. Let's do this.

Peter, Kyle, and Anne try to get into the dining hall but they're too late; the purification has taken place. You know who also needs purifying? The CDC. Get on that Landry but first bring me Dr. Jordan who is giving Alan the silent treatment. Huh, being shut out isn't so great when you're on the receiving end of it, is it Alan? She's convinced their baby is still alive and somewhere? Erm, okay. Sure Sarah. We'll go with that.

Jules! We missed you last week; she's looking for Michael in the deserted and decrepit abbey. It's empty but for some strange banging. The chase is on!

You know what Michael needs after a purging? A purging of his own that Amy is ready to accept. And by 'ready to accept' I of course mean 'set him up to be locked away as there will be no planting ritual today or ever.' Sorry Dad. Adolescent fumbling for the win!

'Helix' Recap: 'Cross Pollination'

All photos courtesy Syfy

BY DAWN FEAKES

Last week we learned that Brother Michael is also an Immortal, Julia will sleep with just about anyone at the CDC and/or Ilaria and Peter continues to pay for his crimes against, well, everyone. Oh, and thanks to Landry, Alan has Sarah in a chokehold as there can be only one. Let's do this.

Alan's got a helluva time machine hangover and bloody fingers while back in 1601 Brother Michael D'artagnan fell in love with a peasant woman but her heart belonged to another. She cheated, he burned her and hatched his plan to render mortal men sterile. You know, that old story. He controls all the children, Ilaria solves the overpopulation issue without genocide, everyone wins.

Michael goes through the greenhouse looking for his butter knife. I don't know about you Michael but I usually keep those in the kitchen. With Agnes gone and Anne doing penance, Amy, it's your job to keep on top of things and find the infected. Chop chop there darling.

'Helix' Recap: 'M. Domestica'

Courtesy Syfy

BY DAWN FEAKES

When we left off, Jules was chasing Caleb who stole Hatake's sword, Michael killed Agnes because there is another Immortal and her whole life has been based on a lie, Alan was captured, broke free, and was captured again, Amy's in the evil honey business and Peter just dug himself a hole he'll never get out of. Oh, and what's going on with the Zombie Fungus Folks in the woods? Y'all ready? Let's do this.

Two someones are enjoying a roll in the hay and those someones are Julia and...Sergio? Anana, we hardly knew ye. Seriously, is there anyone left that she hasn't slept with because damn girl. Except she calls Alan's name, not Sergio's. Or Peter's. Huh, guess you weren't that great after all Peter. That sound you heard was the remainder of Peter's ego sailing over Niagra Falls. She's missed the board meeting because pleasure before business or some nonsense like that. It's a pretty big deal as Ilaria is tired of human mucking up the planet and so Operation Release the Narvik-C is on the table for launching. Don't think of it as genocide, think of it as more of a 'cleansing.' Julia's been working on a non-lethal version but that's 50 - 100 years off and Immortals certainly don't have time like that to wait. Fine, let's put it to a vote: all in favor of wiping out humanity say 'Aye.' And the 'Ayes' have it. Well this is certainly awkward.

'Helix' Recap: 'Oubliette'

Courtesy Syfy

BY DAWN FEAKES

Last week on "Helix," the Immortals had a really bad day and Alan discovered that Peter has a secret, but very sexy, master *coughBalleseroscough*. On to the island of misfit humans. Let's do this.

Flashback to three months ago and Kyle was recruited to infiltrate Alan's former team and collect information about his whereabouts as he's the subject of a worldwide manhunt. The lesson here is that you can never trust a pretty boy...and to microchip your employees as part of their onboarding process. He's shady but finds Sarah and brings her to the infirmary. He and Peter are useless at surgery so it's Grandma Agnes to the rescue. Be on your way, boys. She's got this. Banished from the surgery, Peter and Kyle discuss staying in Camp Crazy or getting the hell outta Dodge but Kyle's all 'not without my bae' and I hate myself for actually typing that. Okay, fine, we stay but you go investigate the orchards and I'll tell Michael about the infected honey. Not sure who has the least desirable job here.

'Helix' Recap: 'Densho'

Courtesy Syfy

BY DAWN FEAKES

Last week, Sister Amy went completely bat-crap bonkers, Peter started working on his raging inferiority complex and Julia was the guest of honor at the most macabre dinner party of the past 30 years. Let's do this.

Bees! They pack quite a wallop on St. Germaine. Travis (who? Doesn't matter, he's a red shirt.) gets stung then attacks his sorta-girlfriend. I'm sure it had nothing to do with her carrying another man's child. Sharing everything gets really old after awhile. Meanwhile, Peter's hiding out on the roof getting secret text messages from 1997.

Julia survived the dinner party but remains in her wheelchair. I know fathers want their daughters to stay little forever but this is getting ridiculous. Alan wakes up in the field to find Peter standing over him offering 'help.' Yeah, Peter, we've seen your 'help.' Michael visits Kyle to commiserate on how the disease altered the kids but Kyle isn't drinking the Kool Aid. Kyle, if you don't take it down a notch, I'm pretty sure you'll wind up in the time machine again.

'Helix' Recap: 'Scion'

Courtesy Syfy

BY DAWN FEAKES

Holy cow. This may have been the most messed-up episode of "Helix" ever and if you watched the first season, you know that's saying something but even more important: Hatake! Let's do this.

Landry gets a noisy hand-job from Slutty Cult Chick who actually has a name, Amy. And Amy, like most young people, thinks that the grown-ups are doing a balls-up job of running the place so it's clearly up to her and her army of latex gloves to get rid of the scientists who are threatening their way of cult life. See guys, this is why parental involvement from an early age is critical. Michael seems to realize that Amy might need to complete her path but since she's not a plant, eh, he'll get around to it.

It's...it's...could it really be? Hatake! With a dead Daniel and Julia's mother so he may not be playing with a full deck but  really, we don't care because Hatake with an axe to grind. Literally.

'Helix' Recap: 'Reunion'

Courtesy Syfy

BY DAWN FEAKES

We're back! We've got a great show for you tonight: peanut butter spores, disguises, brotherly affection, and a woman impersonating an elephant. Let's do this.

No one does tortured like Alan Farragut and tonight's self flagellations are no different as he rememgers torturing and killing a woman to get into Ilaria's files in his quest to find Julia...and the island of St. Germain. Time to go undercover as Brother Jerome where the highlight of his day is being promoted to harvester. Sarah spies Alan but in her hurrry to follow him, she comes across a member suffering from the Yellow Fungus of Hork so of course follows him to the council room just in time for a meeting. Do you think you could possibly be quiet now, Sarah? Everyone's searching for Alan as 30 years in the future Julia goes to dig him up as rest time is over. Well, everyone except Peter that is.

'Helix' Recap: 'San Jose'

Courtesy SyFy

BY DAWN FEAKES

The Farragut Family Love Quadrangle is back but first, a quick summary of Season One...

Dr. Alan Farragut from the CDC was called to the Arctic Biosystems outpost with his crack team of epidemiologists (Dr. Julia 'Jules' Walker, his ex-wife, Dr. Sarah Jordan, his protege and bedroom companion and, Dr. Doreen Boyle who was simply the best character ever) to solve the mystery of a retro-viral outbreak. Complicating things were that his brother, Dr. Peter Farragut who had an affair with Julia, is also based there and has been infected with the virus which kind of turns people into...zombies? Ish? The director of the facility, Dr. Hiroshi Hatake, a sexy, sexy man, stymies them at every turn aided by his adopted son-cum-bodyguard Daniel Aerov and doubled crossed by crooked Major Sergio Balleseros. More baddies from the mother corporation Illaria show up, Doreen and Daniel die, Julia is revealed to be Hatake's daughter and becomes an infected immortal as aliens are behind it all but it's cool since Alan blew up a building, Peter's loyalties keep shifting and the Narvik virus gets loose. Everyone good? Excellent. Let's do this.

Paranormal Pop Culture: 2014 Winter TV Guide

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

The holidays are over and now we can resume watching not only our favorite TV programs but also get addicted to some new shows. From blood-suckers to aliens to ghosts, there's something for everyone to enjoy from the comfort of their couch.

Syfy is handing out the goodies with their new shows "Helix," Bitten," and "Opposite Worlds." The CW is starting off the new year with the return of "Arrow," new fan-fav, "The Originals," as well as introducing us to "The 100." Some shows are returning but don't yet have a premiere date locked down, for example, "Mountain Monsters" will be returning to Destination America in "early 2014" and we're eagerly awaiting a premiere date for "Game of Thrones." So here you go! A winter and early spring guide to new and old.

Watch the First 15 Minutes of Syfy's 'Helix'

Syfy has revealed the first 15 minutes of its chilling new series, "Helix" before the double episode premiere on Friday, January 10 at 10 p.m. ET. Read more about what our own Aaron Sagers thinks about the series here and let us know if you'll be tuning in.

Official synopsis from Syfy:
"Helix" is an intense thriller about a team of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control who travel to a high-tech research facility in the Arctic to investigate a possible disease outbreak, only to find themselves pulled into a terrifying life-and-death struggle that holds the key to mankind's salvation...or total annihilation.

Helix is the product of some of the biggest names in genre television, starting with Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore ("Battlestar Galactica"). Also Executive Producing are Lynda Obst ("Contact") and Steven Maeda ("Lost," "CSI: Miami," "The X-Files").


-Larissa Mrykalo

'Helix': an Infectious Science Fiction Thriller Series

BY AARON SAGERS
(Originally published at Huffington Post)

A remote research station in the arctic operates beyond international law. The scientists there toy with Mother Nature and unleash a new kind of virus that causes the infected to become mindless, enraged and super-strong. And who should come to the rescue but a small team of CDC experts on the trail of a pathogen unlike any they, or anyone, has ever seen.

Sound familiar? It is, but in all the right ways. Combine elements from John Carpenter's The Thing, The X-Files, Outbreak, 28 Days Later and Lost, and the result is Helix: Syfy's compelling new science fiction thriller series that gets under the skin and demands continued viewing as treatment.

Premiering Jan. 10 at 10 p.m., Helix is the brainchild of creator, and former World Bank and Federal Reserve worker, Cameron Porsandeh and executive produced by Ronald D. Moore of Battlestar Galactica. Not surprisingly, a handful of producers from The X-Files, Lost and Contact are also on board. Set in present day, the show is a freaky, paranoia-and-hypochondria-inducing trip where humans are as dangerous as the virus -- but make no mistake, that virus sucks too.

'Helix,' 'Bitten' and 'Opposite Worlds' Coming to Syfy This January

This January, Syfy is introducing us to three new series; "Helix," "Bitten" and "Opposite Worlds," and they've just provided new trailers for these very different shows.

"Helix" premieres on Friday, January 10 at 10 p.m. ET and is described by Syfy as, ..."an intense thriller about a team of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control who travel to a high-tech research facility in the Arctic to investigate a possible disease outbreak, only to find themselves pulled into a terrifying life-and-death struggle that holds the key to mankind's salvation...or total annihilation."

Scene from "Helix" courtesy of Syfy

Syfy Kicks Off 2014 With Seven New and Returning Series

Syfy rings in 2014 with the return of four fan-favorites as well as three new programs, including "Helix, "Bitten" and "Opposite Worlds." Returning favorites include the sixth season of the special effects make-up competition series, "Face Off," as well at the fourth season of "Lost Girl" and "Being Human." Syfy's longest running unscripted series, "Ghost Hunters," returns on January 22. Of course, the annual New Year's Eve "Twilight Zone" marathon will begin on December 31 and conclude on New Year's Day.

Here are more programming details thanks to the press release:

SERIES PREMIERES

"Helix" Two Episode Premiere: Friday, January 10, at 10 p.m. ET
"Helix" is an intense thriller about a team of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control who travel to the high-tech research facility, Arctic BioSystems, to investigate a possible disease outbreak, only to find themselves pulled into a terrifying life-and-death struggle that may hold the key to mankind’s salvation or total annihilation. However, the lethal threat is just the tip of the iceberg, and as the virus evolves, the chilling truth begins to unravel.

Billy Campbell (Killing Lincoln, The Killing) stars as Dr. Alan Farragut, leader of the Centers for Disease Control outbreak field team called upon to investigate and control a potential outbreak. Hiroyuki Sanada (The Wolverine, 47 Ronin) also stars as Dr. Hiroshi Hatake, director of Arctic BioSystems and its mysterious viral research program.

Syfy 'Helix' Cast Talks Outbreak During Set Visit

On Tuesday, Syfy unveiled the first look at "Helix," the January 2014 bio-thriller sci-fi show (that looks equal parts "Quarantine" and John Carpenter's "The Thing"). The trailer looked intense and creepy, and pretty much confirmed what we saw on a recent set visit to Montreal. Much of the details from that trip are still under wraps but we are allowed to share this video with you.

In a panel/press conference, Syfy's Mark Stern talks to the "Helix" cast about their characters, and the story behind the potentially infectious new series. The panel included "Helix" creator Cameron Porsandeh, along with cast Billy Campbell, Neil Napier, Hiroyuki Sanada, Catherine Lemieux, Jordan Hayes, Kyra Zagorsky, Meegwun Fairbrother, Mark Ghanimé. The show premieres Jan. 10, 2014.

Syfy Releases Trailer for New Thriller 'Helix'

Images Courtesy of Syfy

Syfy has been kind enough to infect us with a trailer for "Helix," the network's new thriller from "Battlestar Galactica" creator and executive producer, Ronald D. Moore. The series stars Billy Campbell as "Dr. Alan Farragut," the head of the Centers For Disease Control's Special Pathogens Branch. Oh yes, we're dealing with an outbreak here!

The series also stars Hiroyuki Sanada, Kyra Zagorsky, Jordan Hayes, Catherine Lemieux, Neil Napier, Mark Ghanime, and recently added Syfy vet, Jeri Ryan to the cast. Ryan will be portraying "Constance Sutton," the "charming and savvy" chief operating officer of Ilaria Corporation, owner of Arctic Biosystems.

According to Syfy, "Helix is an intense thriller about a team of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control who travel to a high-tech research facility in the Arctic to investigate a possible disease outbreak, only to find themselves pulled into a terrifying life-and-death struggle that holds the key to mankind's salvation...or total annihilation."

The series premieres Friday, January 10 at 10 p.m. ET.


-Larissa Mrykalo