By Laura Ferejohn
In Season 1, Bo is the “Lost Girl,” a succubus who lives off the sexual energy of others. Raised by humans, she thought she was a freak until she accidently stumbled upon the secret world of the Fae — a species of supernatural creatures with a variety of powers, divided into two sects, the Light and the Dark, and in a temporary truce with one another.
Until that time, she traveled alone and unattached, afraid of her power, feeding only when she had to, mostly on lowlifes. That is how she meets Kenzi, a human pickpocket street kid who was slipped a date rape drug by one of those “lowlifes.” In an ironic twist, Bo rescues Kenzi, dispatching the ass with a kiss, so often used to awaken a princess, putting the “prince” to sleep permanently. And, with that, one of the most important relationships of the show is formed: Bo and Kenzi. Theirs is the one relationship that is unconditional and solid.
Bo’s relationships with her two competing male and female lovers, Dyson, the Fae shape shifter, and Lauren, the human doctor, are in constant flux. This is not a show about “Will they or won’t they?” They will frequently, and then they won’t. The “they” changes constantly and can include any number of outside liaisons. Bo is a succubus after all and monogamy is not her nature or her strength. Lost Girl’s embrace of open sexual expression without judgment is one of its greatest strengths.
Season 1 was about discovery. Bo searches for answers about who she is, where she came from, who she can trust, and where she belongs. Much to the chagrin of Light and Dark, she refuses to align herself with either sect. The Fae leaders’ reactions suggest that Bo’s independence threatens their power by offering an alternative to the masses. Trying to make Bo choose is an ongoing theme throughout the first season.
In Season 2, with no explanation why, the Light and Dark Fae seem to have come to terms with Bo’s refusal to take sides. Both accept her as unaligned and use her ability to move between sides when it suits them.
Season 2 seems less focused, less clear in its purpose. The first half of the season is a series of stand alone episodes with some allusions to a greater danger coming. The second half focuses on the potential impending doom with uneven results.
If this show were solely focused on supernatural events, this might be a problem, but it’s not. The supernatural world is simply the backdrop for the world that Lost Girl inhabits, much as the Old West is the backdrop for Deadwood or Space is the backdrop for Stars Wars or Star Trek. It’s not where they are, but what they do and who they do it with and to.
It is the relationships that make this show worth watching. Lost Girl is about all kinds of imperfect, compelling, sometimes repellant relationships between all kinds: lovers, family, friends, brothers and (sisters) in arms, enemies, frenemies, and more.
Lisa Parasyn and John Comerford have done an excellent job finding the perfect actors as leads, supporting cast, recurring characters and even guest appearances.
Anna Silk as Bo is beautiful, powerful, and yet exudes a vulnerability that is endearing. Her need to find her place and a family in this new and strange world is a constant underlying theme throughout the season.
Ksenia Solo as Kenzi, Bo’s human, fashionista, sometime thief, sidekick is a gift. She is funny, perpetually scamming and repeatedly putting her real as well as her romantic life on the line for Bo. She has the best one-liners in the show and a fashion sense all her own.
Kris Holden-Ried as Dyson, shape-shifter, police detective and Bo’s Fae on-again, off- again lover, is everything you want in a hero: handsome, brave, often communicating more with a look or a gesture than the dialogue offers alone. In an unusual twist, in a show filled with beautiful women, he seems to take his clothes off more than any other character.
Zoie Palmer is Lauren, the beautiful human doctor to the Fae and Bo’s other on-again, off-again lover. Thank God, Zoie Palmer is Lauren. Lauren is supposed to be a formidable romantic rival of Dyson’s for Bo’s affections, but has “spybanged” Bo for the leader of the Light Fae, has hidden important information from Bo and behaves as the classic helpless damsel in distress, a role decidedly out of place in a show that exudes a decidedly feminist tenor. If not for Zoie Palmer’s ability to transcend what we see on the surface and project grace, depth and strength in Lauren, she’d be disposable.
K.C. Collins is Hale, Dyson’s police detective partner, siren, and Kenzi’s comrade in pop culture and fashion.
Rick Howland is Trick, introduced in Season 1 as a world-weary and wise bartender with a past. He handles the thankless task of explaining the unusual characters, the history of the Fae and how it all fits into the world they inhabit with charm and humor. Keep your eye on Trick who is much more than he appears.
In addition, three recurring actors are so good that they must be singled out:
- Paul Amos as Vex. Introduced in Season 1, Vex is a murdering SOB with the power to force others to do horrific things to themselves or to others such as forcing a woman to kill her children. Vex returns in a surprising role (think Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer), but with his own unique style.
- Emmanuelle Vaugier as the Morrigan, leader of the Dark Fae, is beautiful, sardonic, and commanding.
- Kate Trotter as the Norn, a wickedly devious being who exemplifies the reason for the saying, be careful what you wish for, has so much fun with what she’s given and makes the most of it.
The Production Design interiors by Ian Brock give the Lost Girl world a distinctive feel, transforming what could be generic into a whole new world. The wardrobe, much of it, custom-made, is striking, sexy and cool – Look specifically to Kenzi and Dyson.
Lost Girl is produced for Canada’s Showcase TV network and broadcast on the Syfy channel in the United States. Lost Girl is rated TV-MA (L, S, V) and may be unsuitable for those under 17 years of age.
The DVD and Blu-ray versions of Season 2 contain the 22 uncensored episodes as shown on Canadian television (Season 1 had 13 episodes). In addition, there is an Extras disc that includes interviews with some of the cast as well as offering glimpses into all that goes into The Making of Lost Girl, including the obligatory bloopers reel. Most noteworthy are the bits on set design and wardrobe, two areas that give the show its strong and unique sense of place and of style.
