WonderCon 2016: Wynonna Earp Screening First Impressions
Every convention has its own identity, something that makes it unique in the face of countless other gatherings, trade shows, and press destinations. For WonderCon that identity is as a place where paper and screen collide. It’s a description that perfectly fits the new Syfy Original “Wynonna Earp.”
In an age where comic book-inspired movies and shows are popping up left and right, it’s hard to come across one that really stands out. It’s possible that “Wynonna Earp” might just be one of those titles.
The character, created by Beau Smith, has been around since the mid 90’s, when Image Comics first published Wynonna Earp. Since then, the character has enjoyed a rich history under the helm of IDW Publishing. And now, thanks to the the people over at Syfy, we’re going to see Wynonna blast her way onto our television screens.
Synopsis:
Based on the IDW comic, “Wynonna Earp” follows Wyatt Earp’s great granddaughter as she battles demons and other creatures. With her unique abilities and a posse of dysfunctional allies, she’s the only thing that can bring the paranormal to justice.
After years away, Wynonna Earp has traveled back to her home town of Purgatory to reluctantly take on the role destined for Wyatt Earp’s heir: demon protector. Her enemy: Revenants, the resurrected (and twisted) souls of the criminals Wyatt Earp once took down. Using only her wits and her wit, Wynonna, along with sister Waverly, associate Agent Dolls, and Wyatt’s cursed-with-immortality best friend Doc Holliday, must try to stop the Revenants from taking over the town – and escaping into the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcdgoOs4Nto
Syfy and IDW held an exclusive screening of “Wynonna Earp” at WonderCon 2016. The first two episodes of the show were shown, the first of which will be premiering on Syfy this Friday, April 1. The screening was an interesting experience, as this is the first time IDW has collaborated on a television series. The vast majority of the audience was comprised of cast, crew, and those related to them. It lent a personal feeling to the screening, with IDW employees cheering for their favorite characters as they appeared.
As far as what we saw in the first two “Wynonna Earp” episodes, we’re left with a feeling of tempered excitement. A great comparison for fans will be to Syfy’s “Lost Girl,” which was also produced by “Wynonna Earp’s” executive producer, Emily Andras. Like “Lost Girl,” the core of the show is very “girl-power” oriented. Wynonna is a strong female who don’t need no man. Her sassy, no-holds barred remarks are a main draw to the character and to the show as a whole. While she can be a tad cheesy from time to time, her dialogue is still impeccably written.
It goes without saying that if you’re a fan of old westerns, you’ll enjoy the addition of the character Doc Holliday. He’s an intriguing one, since even by the end of Episode 1.02 we’re not entirely sure if he’s friend or foe. He adds a special feeling of suspense to the show that wouldn’t be there otherwise. Played by Tim Rozon, Doc Holliday is a character that will likely be a fan favorite.
Then of course there’s the addition of the supernatural in the show, the demons. Wynonna fights these with the help of Wyatt Earp’s old gun, the peacemaker. While the gun he left behind is the solution to all this trouble, Wyatt is also the cause of it. The demons are reincarnations of outlaws Wyatt took down in his day. Now they all hide in plain sight as members of a biker gang. When they reveal their true nature, their eyes glow red, and cracks in their skin begin to show.
As with many Syfy shows, the special effects are where the budgetary restraints begin to become apparent. The sequences where Wynonna sends the demons on back to hell sit comfortably between simply hokey and downright hilariously terrible. The ground opens up and sucks them in, flames burning and all. A crucial part of the story, but unintentionally funny nonetheless.
If you can get past the silly Syfy special effects, “Wynonna Earp” is a show worth taking a closer look at. There’s a great mix of western elements, modern day girl power, and supernatural demonic badassery. Fans of the comics will rejoice in knowing that while main actress Melanie Scrofano might not have the typical Wynonna look, she captures her “takes-no-shit” attitude to a T.
It’s tough to judge an entire show on two episodes alone, so we’re definitely going to keep an eye on this one. Give “Wynonna Earp” a watch this Friday on Syfy, and let us know what you thought in the comments below!
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