Quick Take Review: Van Helsing Season 3
The idea of Van Helsing originates with Bram Stoker’s original take on Dracula and Vampires. The well-respected Dutch academic who plays a role in the ultimate demise of Dracula.
SyFy’s take on Van Helsing leverages little but the good doctor’s name and context of vampires. This version of the vampire myth pumps up action over intellect, but it does so with a very modern vibe. Rather than being an expert of vampires, Kelly Overton’s Vanessa Van Helsing brings a unique blood to her post-apocalyptic—a blood that can transform vampires back into humans.
Van Helsing, now midway through its third season, features a military tact, along with deep mythos of its own. It is dark and furious, but not without pain and in some cases, sadistic joy sprinkled across the characters. Vanessa’s own path has changed as she experiences the impact of an encounter with an elder who seemingly transforms her into another type of hybrid.
Jonathan Scarfe resumes his role as Axel. He also takes the reins as a director, bringing his knowledge of the show to bear on his interpretations of action and human interaction.
In Van Helsing season 3 viewers will find cures that create demons and infections that unleash true selves. Uncertainty prevails as the depth and history of the show’s unique vampiric myths unfold.
For those who like dark adventures and vampires without the camp of the Hugh Jackman/Kate Beckinsale movie by the same time, we highly recommend Van Helsing as a bing worthy outing—a show likely to fuel nightmares after a good SyFy Friday.
More on Van Helsing at SyFy.
Insights from San Diego Comic-Con 2018
BestEntertainmentReview.com had an opportunity at San Diego Comic-Con to talk with the cast of Van Helsing, and we thought it would be good to share some of those insights as a reflection back on Season 3.
Aleks Paunovic
Julius, the former vampire warlord now aligned with Vanessa.
From the interview: Becoming human again, and remembering his past as both a devout Catholic and a vampire, creates a rich pallet for the character. Director’s respect that the actors know their characters, they are just there to guide the story. Sitting down with the writers, talking about story, how his personal life can influence the character. Aleks calls the interaction with the creative team “a blessing.”
Hear the interview with Aleks from SD Comic-Con 2018.
Jennifer Cheon
Ivory, leader of The Sisterhood, the all-female arm of the vampires.
From the interview: Enjoyed doing stunts on the final episode of Season 2. How to connect to the dark side? “A dark side in all of us. Depending on how you look at it, is it really dark? Everybody has their idea of what they want, and how they want something or how their end game is. For her, not that bad. Really dark and twisted symbols, but she was burnt at the stake. Humanity turned its back on her.” Means girls need a hug.
Hear the interview with Jennifer from SD Comic-Con 2018.
Rukiya Bernard
Doc. A rather self-centered former Seattle medical examiner names Sarah Carol. Turned into a vampire and then turned back. Smart, but not to be trusted.
From the interview: No smooth sailing at all for Doc. Doc is forced to not run away. Is it a choice? She’s pretty messed up. Not over the guilt about Axel (watch to see the betrayal). How do you prove that guilt wrong? Great challenge as an actor to play the button scene. “That emotion was genuine as fuck.” Try not to judge characters. Leads to playing a two-dimensional character.
Hear the interview with Rukiya from SD Comic-Con 2018.
Trezzo Mahoro
Mohamad, a young man caught in the evil breach of the world. Trusts Christopher Heyerdahl’s Sam. Problem: Sam is a sadistic serial killer and that turns out not to be a good attribute in a friend.
From the Interview: “Enjoying my best life. No crazy ass complicated answer. Literally along for the ride. Absolutely loves it. The cast brings their A game. You have to bring your A game.” Great to work with Christopher Heyerdahl who helps him cultivate his craft. “Learned how to break down a script and character. I’ve learned to learn. To be patient. To actually sit down and crafts something and mold something.” Need to take pride and love into the role. Superheros to play? Static Shock with Blade as a close second. In season 3, ruthless and vicious. To playing things not there: “Really weird. But really fun. You have to play a crazy person for a second.”
Hear the interview with Trezzo from SD Comic-Con 2018.
Kelly Overton and Jonathan Scarfe
Vanessa Van Helsing and Axel. The vampire hunter and the former Marine. Become partners in trying to reverse the apocalypse.
From the interview: Kelly: Had a baby. Which was awesome, but not being pregnant made doing everything easier, including stunt work. Jonathan: She’s back in the saddle. Would have been a great music queue. Jonathan on directing: Affinity for other actors. Little spots, little moments you can get to when you have the shared moment of both being an actor. A real treat. Kelly: Working with Jonathan as an actor so awesome. He knew the world from day 1. Brought something really special to season 3. He took it to a new level. Kelly: How to get into character: Eat as many double-double animal style burgers from In-and-Out as possible. Lot’s of workouts ahead of shooting. In-show work keeps her in shape during the season. Vanessa goes where no vampire hunter has gone before. Outside of time and space.
Hear the interview with Kelly Overton and Jonathan Scarfe from SD Comic-Con 2018, including how military training taught Jonathan how he was doing everything wrong.
A post-apocalyptic seeks ways to overcome the vampire rising. With Vanessa Van Helsing and team, the approach is usually brute force but not without a strategy. The mythos develops a deeper world that must be overcome before a better future can develop. Dark, brooding, vicious and bloody. Vampire fans will love it.
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hell yes! thanks for the thoughtful take on our thoughtful (and sometimes thoughtless) take on the VAN HELSING mythology! glad that you’ve found merit in our world and the way that we present it–look forward to reading more of your work along the way! keep the faith and stick with us and hope our paths cross again soon!