Ep 1. Episode 1

In the first episode of Sanctuary, viewers are introduced to a world where cryptids - creatures that are often thought to be myths or legends - are real, and a secret organization called the Sanctuary seeks to protect them. The episode opens with a woman named Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping) discovering a young human girl with wings who has been shot and injured. Magnus takes her to a secret facility known as the Sanctuary, where she and her team of scientists and mercenaries work to care for and protect cryptids.

As Magnus tends to the girl's injuries, she receives a call from a former acquaintance named John Druitt (Christopher Heyerdahl) - a man with the ability to teleport and control shadows - who reveals that he has been framed for a murder he did not commit. Magnus begrudgingly agrees to help him, and sends her team to investigate. Meanwhile, we also meet Magnus' protégé Will Zimmerman (Robin Dunne), a forensic psychiatrist who is skeptical of the existence of cryptids but is drawn into the world of the Sanctuary after encountering a creature known as a mermaid in a river.

As the investigation into Druitt's supposed crime unfolds, viewers are given glimpses of Magnus and Druitt's complicated history and the role they both played in the creation of the Sanctuary. It becomes clear that there is a lot more going on than just a murder case, and that Magnus and her team are willing to go to great lengths to protect the cryptids they care for.

The episode ends with some major revelations that set the stage for the rest of the season. We learn that there is another organization that seeks to destroy cryptids, and that Magnus has a personal connection to one of their leaders. We also see glimpses of the enormous scope of the Sanctuary and the various cryptids it houses, including a hoard of deadly insects and a creature with the ability to shapeshift.

Overall, the first episode of Sanctuary is a strong introduction to the world and characters of the show. It does a good job of balancing exposition and action, and sets up intriguing conflicts that will play out over the course of the season. The special effects are impressive for a TV show, particularly when it comes to the creatures and environments inside the Sanctuary. Amanda Tapping brings a gravitas and complexity to her role as Magnus, and the supporting cast is solid as well. The episode is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys sci-fi/fantasy shows with a touch of mystery and intrigue.