Dresden Files

Gotta say this show ought to have appeared on terrestrial television and, in its way, just as enjoyable as the likes of charmed and supernatural. Paul Blackthorne better known more recently for his role in Arrow plays his leading role well and as the episodes progressed, IMO I felt the characters became more entertaining. I haven't read the book(s)? having just been informed by a fellow contributor who recently reviewed the show, that they read them prior to watching the tv show so I can't say whether they are anything like the written format and though somewhat ignorant to that fact, I have found the show to be most enjoyable to watch. I agree with other reviewers comments that this is a show that would be great to see return to the screen with the original actors in play.

It makes you wonder if sci-fi know what they are doing, this show was cancelled way too soon. Interesting plots and a VERY watchable lead what more do you want? Apart from the pleasure of knowing that such a good show is coming back next year. 12 episodes for a first season is not an automatic death sentence - remember Buffy? It seams to be a trend with sci-fi, if a program shows too much intelligence they cut it and replace it with something cheap and cheerful (everybody remember when they swapped American Gothic with Sliders)!!! It seams that taste is an acquired taste after all I wonder if the bosses at sci-fi are able too learn it??

There was so much about The Dresden Files that appealed to me. I like noir-ish detective stuff and fantasy fiction. This show crossed them both perfectly and offered an interesting new story with every episode. So what do the execs at the Sci-Fi Channel do? They cancel it. And it's not because the rating were low either. It was because they were not reaching the correct demographic. What IS the correct demographic exactly?

The show revolves around a wizard named Harry...Dresden; a Chicago-based Private Eye. He helps out the police with their bizarre, head-scratching cases without ever revealing his powers. Armed with a hockey stick sceptre and a drumstick wand, his methods occasionally rouse The High Council, the magical governors who are always weary of Harry since he used Black Magic to kill his uncle.

It can be accused to ripping-off anything from CSI, Buffy, Charmed or even Law & Order, but I think that The Dresden Files stood well on its own two feet. The cold, wintry (often Xmasy) feel to the show and the naturalised look sits well with the supernatural element and there is a dynamic range of characters. Though my favorite has to be Bob (Hrothbert of Bainbridge), the ghost of a gentlemanly wizard cursed to live the rest of eternity inside his own skull when he's not helping Harry with his latest case. He's played by Terrance Mann, who you may remember as Johnny Steele, singing 'Power of the Night' in the original Critters movie.

I am sad that The Dresden Files never made it past a single series. But I will surely be checking out the books that they are based on in the future.

I'm a relatively recent fan of Butcher's novels, not even having read the entire Dresden Files series yet. But it's pretty evident that the producers of the series had some hangups about the Dresden character. I can handle the Hockey-stick-as-staff and drumstick-as-blasting-stick issues, and even the major character changes, including Bob now being the ghost of a departed wizard. But it's clear that the producers want Dresden to be more of an observer than an an active wizard. I guess thaumaturgy and offensive/defensive magic make them nervous. In the novels, Dresden would frequently summon fire or wind to assist him in dealing with both human and supernatural opponents. In the series, Dresden relies upon wit and perception, hardly every dong anything that's even remotely supernatural. (OK, OK...he got himself out of jail in the last episode and placed a simulacrum in his place. But he ended up there in the first place because he didn't resort to any of the means he normally would employ.) All in all, a bit of a disappointment. Harry, after all, is primarily a wizard and should be expected to act like one. Instead, he acts more like a psychic.

Stumbled across this recently on Netflix's "watch instantly" section. Have to say, got me hooked.

Imagine Harry Potter has gotten older. He's updated his wand with a drum stick, and instead of a staff.....he's got a hockey stick. Now he's a P.I./wizard for hire & helping the police with "unique" cases.

Not as much magic as I wanted and some effects are a bit cheesy, but the character development is great. Got to the end of the season 1 and wanted more, only to find out there was only one season. Booo! Right when the show started getting REALLY good....gone. Oh well.

If you enjoy magic, Harry Potter & CSI type stuff....check this out. Just don't get into any black magic afterward!