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Three great Canadian Sci-Fi shows that left us wanting more

The entertainment industry in Canada is thriving. The video games industry employs over 20,000 people and injects around $3 billion dollars into the national economy each year. While its southern neighbour might have Hollywood, in the north, Canada is exporting more quality movies and TV shows than ever before.

Within those TV productions, Canada has gained a reputation as a prolific hub of science-fiction-themed shows, boldly taking us on fantastical journeys into the unknown and thrilling audiences around the world. Such exceptional creativity has gained recognition and critical success, with shows that run for many seasons and often build strong followings.

However, sometimes that isn’t enough to prevent TV execs from deciding to cancel shows which seem to have all the right ingredients. Part of the excitement around this is generated by innovative online gambling hubs such as bonus.ca providing detailed reviews and guides for casino games. Even good viewing figures can’t prevent some of their inexplicable decisions, zapping shows which seem to be in their prime, much to the dismay of viewers. Let’s take a look at three shows that left us wanting more.

Dark Matter


Image Source: Dark Matter via Twitter

Created by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, based on their comic book creation, Dark Matter sent us shooting around space with the dysfunctional but lovable crew of the starship Raza. Awaking from their stasis pods with amnesia, they have no memory of their names or past, but soon discover they are the most wanted criminals in the galaxy.

Although the underlying story arc was pretty slow to develop, the show seemed to have a winning formula and was just reaching its most exciting phase after three phenomenal seasons. In the final episode, we’re all set for a thrilling galactic war when a sinister alien force invades the galaxy, and then… That’s right, the SyFy channel decided to pull the plug on the show.

Fans were outraged at the cancellation in 2017, while the cast and creators of the show were left heartbroken and perplexed, especially after it seemed renewal was on the table. Mallozzi hopes another network will pick up the show, so all we can do now is cross our fingers and wait.

Caprica


Image Source: Tau Station via Twitter

When the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica took to our screens in 2004, during four thrilling seasons it thrilled fans and achieved outstanding success worldwide, as we travelled with the survivors of the Twelve Colonies in their search for mythical Earth, and battled with the Cylons. Such was the popularity of the show, it spawned the 2010 spin-off prequel Caprica, which explored how humans created the robotic Cylon race, which would eventually become their nemesis.

Creators of the show thought a prequel would capture the imagination of viewers in just the same way, though it simply didn’t grab the kind of attention that was expected. The story was intriguing, the cast was excellent, and the visuals were stunning, but Caprica simply didn’t reach the same audience that loved Battlestar Galactica.

Development of the show had been complicated, plus there was a concerted effort to broaden its reach to a wider audience, changing the demographics it was aiming for. However, this proved the nail in the coffin, when the Sci-Fi Channel cited poor viewing figures and already made the decision to cancel before the first season was even finished. We were left hanging, never to discover how the story and characters would evolve, even if we did already know the Cylons would turn out.

Ascension


Image Source: Ascension Syfy via Twitter

Set in an alternate reality beginning in 1963, amidst fears the Cold War will escalate and lead to global destruction, Ascension is launched on a 100-year voyage to colonize a planet orbiting Proxima Centauri. Life seems to be idyllic aboard the massive vessel, until the first ever homicide occurs 51 years into their journey, leading the crew to question the nature of their mission during the investigation.

What seems to be a murder mystery set in space soon produces a phenomenal twist, with the reveal that Ascension never actually left earth. The spaceship is actually part of an elaborate genetics experiment, taking place deep within a secret underground facility. When the telekinetic powers of a young girl emerge, it looks like the experiment is a success, but the crew are also beginning to learn the truth.

The show was intended to be a miniseries event on the SyFy channel, with six feature episodes, although there were serious options for multiple seasons. However, those options weren’t pursued in the end, which is a great shame. The principal story did reach its conclusion, but the door was left open wide enough to leave us hungry for more, as the Ascension actually did head into space.

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