Monday, December 8, 2014

The Librarians - And the Crown of King Arthur


Based on the series of TV-movies starring Noah Wyle as the latest in the line of secret protectors tasked with keeping potentially dangerous magical artifacts out of the hands of those who would abuse their powers comes TNT's new drama The Librarians. Premiering ten years ago The Librarian: Quest for the Spear introduced Flynn Carsen (Wyle) and the world of the Library and I'm a little surprised it has taken a decade for TNT to decide to broaden the scope of the franchise with an ongoing series (although it's influences can certainly be felt in shows like Warehouse 13).

Reprising his role in the first two episodes of the new series, Flynn is tasked with protecting a handful of remaining Librarian potentials who his old enemy the Serpent Brotherhood has been killing off. The Librarian is also forced to accept the assistance of his new Guardian, counter-terrorism agent Eve Baird (Rebecca Romijn), who is amazed to discover that magic is real.


After reestablishing the mythology of the Library for Eve (and for anyone else who missed the previous TV-movies), the show puts the Librarian and his Guardian to work by having them save three fellow academic adventurers (Christian Kane, Lindy Booth, John Kim) and work together recover the crown of King Arthur before it falls into the hands of the Library's enemies. Although successful the group runs into a bit of trouble in the show's second episode completing the opening arc and resetting the universe for the full season of episodes to follow.

It's obvious from the opening two-parter that Wyle will show up from time to time but the focus of the show will be on the three "Librarians in Training" and Eve who is tasked with keeping them safe. Given how much of the previous adventures, and these two episodes, rely on Wyle it's certainly going to be interesting seeing the franchise being put into the hands of others. The team concept, aside from flying in the face of the established "One Librarian" legacy, offers a little more variety for the show going forward and the casting of Kane and Romijn certainly helps liven up the proceedings.

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