Hey, all you Koba fans! It's time for Maryland J. Koba's "Pretend-a-palooza"! Yessiree, we have TWO reviews for the price of one today!
Saturday night was just one big E2 reunion on The Pretender For the first hour, we had Rockmond Dunbar as Taylor, a mechanic in an Arctic research station where mysterious things are happening. Jarod, the hero, goes to the station in search of his long-lost father, Major Charles. Naturally, Taylor has a serious attitude (does Rock play characters that DON'T have a 'tude?). He doesn't like the station's psychologist, who works for the evil Centre. Quicker than you can say After The Thaw, the bodies start to pile up. Nobody can figure out who is the murderer. Hmmmm... maybe an "evil Terrian" is behind them? Unfortunately, the murderer is revealed, right after he offs Taylor - who should have remained locked in the Transrover. Rockmond does a GREAT job in a small but pivotal role, much like JG(W) did in his Pretender appearance. Unfortunately, this "stranded in the Arctic" storyline has been done to death - in the first season XF episode Ice as well as in After The Thaw. Been there, done that, found the evil ice-creature.
Meanwhile back at the Centre, Miss Parker, Sidney, et al are trying to find out another one of the sicko things that the Centre has done. However, the project security was compromised, and the Centre staff must answer to a member of their governing Triumvirate named "Big Mtumbo". That's where our favorite cyborg comes in. Sullivan Walker plays a totally different character than we have come to know and love. Mtumbo is threatening enough to scare even Raines, the Centre's mad doctor. The good news is that it looks like Mtumbo is going to be a semi-regular character, so we'll probably see LOTS more of Sullivan!
All of this leaves this Koba wondering just what IS the connection between E2 and Pretender? Yeah, we all know that Patrick Bauchau was in TGLSNT, but this makes FOUR E2 regulars that have guested on this show. I'm sure that Bauchau didn't interact with anyone besides Clancy, Debrah and Maddie. This is becoming almost as funny as the Twin Peaks/X-Files connection.
Best line:
Miss Parker: I bet my cute little ass that Brigitte's up to something.
Broots: That's not a subject I'm comfortable with.
MP: Brigitte?
Broots: No, your cute little ass...
In conclusion, whoever is casting all of our E2 favorites on Pretender, KEEP IT COMING!!! I'm sure we'll be able to find roles for Debrah, Clancy, Antonio, and others. As for my ratings, I give both Rockmond and Sullivan five clones out of five for great pivotal roles.