SyFY debuted the unusual sci-fi series, "SANCTUARY" in 2008. Having won over a loyal base of fans, the series successfully completed its second season and is soon to premiere its third season. E1 has released both the 1st and 2nd season on blu-ray. 

Amanda Tapping stars as Dr. Helen Magnus, the creator and guardian of "The Sanctuary," she has created to find, hide, and protect the various creatures, inhabiting the earth, but either unknown or considered to be the "monsters" of our nightmares.  While there are some really mediocre episodes within the 13 making up the 1st season, several, especially the last two, are sensational, and demonstrate just how wonderful the series can be when achieving its full potential.  A theme that's touched upon in this first season, exploring two secret organizations, offers some great possibilities for the series to build upon.

Tapping is not only beautiful, but charismatic and the series is at his best when she's onscreen. Thankfully, she's on view quite a lot! The supporting cast is quite good, as well, especially Robin Dunne, as the newest addition to the team of "SANCTUARY" protectors. Perhaps due to the limited budget of its 1st season, the special effects, so critical to the series, vary in quality. Some effects are terrific, and others make the series feel like we're viewing one of the cheapest Roger Corman films ever made. It's that drastically different in quality, within an individual episode!

E1 ENTERTAINMENT has provided the correct 1.78:1 aspect ratio for this AVC MPEG-4 1080p blu-ray.  For a series shot with the digital "RED" camera innovations of high-def, it's surprising to find the image quality varying so much within individual episodes. Some scenes look fabulous, showcasing the staggering quality achievable with high-definition. Still, other scenes resemble standard resolution.  Worse, on occasion, artifacts actually pop up, making an otherwise generally decent transfer, only just slightly above average.

E1 ENTERTAINMENT makes up for any image limitations with a rousing DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix.  There are a limitless number of settings within each episode and creative use of discrete and surround effects employed herein make for a completely immersive, and often exhilarating experience. The dynamic range is excellent and bass effects offer great impact, all blending with dialogue and music in a seamless manner.

A variety of extras has been offered, including commentaries for each of the 13 episodes included here. While some of the commentaries tend to veer towards becoming too technical, there are also plenty of laughs.

"SANCTUARY: THE ORIGINAL WEBISODES" offers the original 8 "webisode" series, running a total of two hours, and presented in 1080p, with Dolby Digital 2.0 sound.

Other extras include a variety of featurettes devoted to special effects, interviews and bloopers, all presented in 1080p and either Dolby Digital 2.0 or Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.